My heart is aching.

Body by Perrier

Forty years ago, I would run occasionally. Honestly, it wasn't much of a thing. I was dating a young woman who had first inspired me to run when we were in middle school together. She's call and ask if I'd like to go for a run and we would run. 

Distance: 3,1 miles

Duration: 27:58
Pace: 

Actually we would run a little bit and then walk and talk. It wasn't dating in middle school, but it was romantic as fuck. When we actually went out, in 1986, we did all kinds of things, but running wasn't one of them.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 52°
Climate: overcast w/light rain
Mood: maintaining

Slight headache this am, would love to have slept longer. Never thought I would actually get out, but once again, the moment I started moving I was in love.

1986 Playlist

Oh l'amour - Erasure

Suburbia - Pet Shop Boys

Left of Center - Suzanne Vega ft. Joe Jackson

Shellshock - New Order

I'm Not Perfect (But I'm Perfect For You) - Grace Jones

September Gurls - The Bangles

Gyneco zèbre - Gabriel Yared

Come On Home (Extended Mix) * - Everything But the Girl

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs. (-4.0)

Is it? Really? I have been grazing, a lot. A lot of little candies at work. Chip bags now, that has to stop. I eat well, but OH! The junk food.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Fifteen runs in April. Well done. A consistent year, so far.

Did you get off on a bad foot, baby?

Content advisory: Discussion of D's.

D's what? Deez nuts.

Thirty years ago, I would run occasionally. I weighed somewhere between 180 and 190 pounds, still smoked, and would huff my way around the neighborhood dressed in a cotton T-shirt, cut-off sweats, and traditional cotton briefs. No special gear, even the shoes were several years old at this point, and much too small.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:27
Pace: 8:51

I started feeling pain in my lower abdomen and was worried I had developed another hernia. The doctor told me I had a varicose vein in one of my testicles. She found it, manipulated it, held onto it for a bit, all while telling me her diagnosis. It was excruciating. I had to ask her to please let go. She wasn't my doctor for much longer.

So, I started wearing compression pants. It was depressing, and I feared I would have to wear them for the rest of my life, but this was not the case. Maybe a couple years? Can't remember. What I know is this; the condition is exacerbated by a lack of support, so I never wear boxers, and try to find briefs which are just a little too tight. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 54°
Climate: beautiful
Mood: getting there

And when I started training for the marathon (ten whole years later) I purchased my first athletic supporter. Ever. I was thirty-seven. Everyone with junk, even a casual runner, should invest in one, early.

I have also found that additional weight can also contribute to this discomfort. This is an additional reason why I obsess about keeping it all under 165. 

1996 Playlist

Ugly Stadium - Tipsy

Star People - George Michael

Shadowboxer - Fiona Apple

Single (Photek Remix) - Everything But the Girl

Backpedal - Queue Up

Soundtrack To Mary - Soul Coughing

Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison

Man. The 1990s. That was wild.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+4.0)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Get it.

Everybody, let's move.

So that happened.

Twenty years ago, I was in pre-training preparation for my first marathon. Scheduled training would begin in July. By April I was already running much more than I ever had in the past (and keeping a log of every run right here) and had developed shin splints.

It felt like running on broken legs. I found shin bandages -- which I wore upside-down the first couple times -- iced my legs after every run, and eventually found exercises which helped strengthen the front of my shins.

At the time, a friend said, "Oh no, shin splints. Those never go away." She was wrong. Lots of people were wrong about all sorts of things as I continued my training.

I also mused about how I would have water to drink as my runs got longer. So many things to learn!

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:09
Pace: 9:04

A Saturday entirely to myself. No work related responsibilities. No evening plans. The elder is in Cincy, the wife at the store, and it's Independent Bookstore Day. And I am home, doing laundry, cleaning house, listening to podcasts, and enjoying myself. And now I will run, on this cool, damp day in April.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 49°
Climate: overcast, cool & damp
Mood: driven

2006 Playlist

Another Sunny Day - Belle & Sebastian

Tracking Treasure Down - Gabriel & Dresden

Punkrocker - Teddybears ft. Iggy Pop

Say It Right - Nelly Furtado

Everybody Ona Move - Michael Franti & Spearhead

Bad Ass (Rogue Element Mix) - Crystal Method

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs. (-4.0)

Keep going.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Light a fire, hit and run.

Actual work conversation yesterday.

What a decade it has been. The kids are quick to point out it wasn't a great world when Obama was president, but at least there was a certain degree of accountability and considerably less bullshit.

Or not. I don't know. I suppose this was inevitable. It's going to be quite the Semiquincentennial this summer.

Distance: 4.2 miles

Duration: 37:29
Pace: 8:55

Here is some good news. I did not believe I would have much going on this calendar year, as far as my writing was concerned. But I have produced a commission (which will be performed tomorrow), there will be a first public reading in June, a remount of a fringe show at the end of October, and this week's big surprise, the publication of one of my very favorite scripts!

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 64°
Climate: beautiful
Mood: angsty

On Tuesday, The Current was commemorating the tenth anniversary of the death of Prince Rogers Nelson. I mentioned this fact to our elder child and they said, "It been only ten years?"

Indeed.

2016 Playlist

Classic - The Knocks ft. Powers

Thank God For Girls - Weezer

Subways - Avalanches

New Song - Warpaint

Rebel Heart * - The Shelters

We The People ... - Tribe Called Quest

Can't Feel My Face - The Weeknd

Troublemaker Doppelgänger * - Lucy Dacus

Cards - Company from "American Psycho"

Have Some Love * - Childish Gambino

You Don't Get Me High Anymore - Phantogram

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+4.0)

Okay, you know what. Geez.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

We have not been doing the upper body work. This is not just laziness, I can't remember one day to the next and staying focused is an issue. I'm doing my job, and that's without much passion or interest, because I'm so disappointed. It's temporary.

Drums keep pounding a rhythm to the brain.

Never celebrate early.
Joshua Jackson passes Carson Mello
to win the Delaware Marathon
4/19/2026

Twenty-seven years ago yesterday two students committed an act of terror at one Colorado high school, and since then nothing has changed. In fact, it's gotten worse. This is not a good country. And it was never a great one.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:12
Pace: 9:06

DOGBERRY:
But, masters, remember that I am an ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not that I am an ass.

- Much Ado IV.ii

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: overcast & warm
Mood: all right

1967 Playlist

The Beat Goes On - Sonny & Cher

All Tomorrow's Parties - The Velvet Underground & Nico

(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher - Jackie Wilson

(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone - The Monkees

Here Comes My Baby - The Tremeloes

Somebody to Love - Jefferson Airplane

I Think We're Alone Now - Tommy James & the Shondells

Windy - The Association

Up, Up and Away (160 BPM) - The 5th Dimension

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs. (-4.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

We are in the homestretch. Six runs to complete the list.

How can someone so young say words so sad?

Drive like your kids.

Take the note, guy.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:33
Pace: 8:50

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 47°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: I mean

1987 Playlist

Ahead - Wire

The Perfect Girl - The Cure

The Badger Song - The Dead Milkmen

The Dead Heart - Midnight Oil

I Don't Know - The Replacements

Heartbreak Beat - The Psychedelic Furs

Sheila Take a Bow - The Smiths

Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+5.0)

Hold up, wait.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Hers is a tonic while mine is a gin.

Connections, 4/17/2026
I got this immediately. Is that bad?

Seriously, though. This school year has to end. And I need to stop eating fast food, I need to plan ahead. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:20
Pace: 9:07

Also? I need to stop doing the NY Times daily puzzles. I am committed to a year-long streak of Connections, and have a month to go. And I got into Wordle, though that one isn't as important to me (though I have a 100+ day streak in that, too).

This means the first thing I do every morning is look at my phone for five to ten minutes. And then I am without any kind of motivation. I used to write first thing, now I puzzle. And I haven't written anything new since I completed the Marbury play a couple months ago. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: overcast & coolish
Mood: not great

Beat the rain by minutes.

2007 Playlist

Ice Cream - New Pony Club

Get Innocuous! (Soulwax Remix) - LCD Soundsystem

Flathead - The Fratellis

Apologize - Timbaland ft. OneRepublic

Don't You Evah - Spoon

Love Will Tear Us Apart (158 BPM) - José González

1973 - James Blunt

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs. (-6.0)

Saw Barns Courtney last night at the Grog Shop. And between four in the afternoon and midnight I had far too much to drink. Spent the morning in bed. I have systems. I can be in control. But this week has been a mess. That's not an excuse, merely an explanation.

Great run. My head ached before I went out, it aches now, But while I was outside and running, I felt great. Maybe I should just run fr the rest of the day.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I feel so strong now.

Home again. Rainy day. Funny how a 64° morning, after a spring rain, can feel cooler than a dry 56°. Maybe it's the moisture in the air? 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:57
Pace: 9:20

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 64°
Climate: damp. nice.
Mood: all right

Last night, depression. This morning, better. I was awake for about an hour in the middle of the night, just when I would distract myself from one concern, another would take its place.

1977 Playlist

New Rose - The Damned

Love → Building on Fire  Talking Heads

Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment - The Ramones

Point of Know Return - Kansas

Pulled Up - Talking Heads

Deacon Blues - Steely Dan

Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel

Dust in the Wind - Kansas

Good run, though. Lovely, après le déluge.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+3.0)

This is not a surprise. Lot of fast food, restaurant food, Maria's delicious, calorie-dense breakfasts. I need to eat at home, be mindful of portions, choose the salad, etc.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Have a nice life.

We have been aching lately. Check the exercise roster, that may have something to do with it. Hips, ankles, feet, knees. All a bit sore. Unpleasant.

Distance: 4.15 miles

Duration: 37:25
Pace: 9:01

But anyway, I did bring my kit to Cincinnati. I have a day all to myself, and that should include exercise. The forecast is wonderful and I would have seriously regretted not taking the opportunity for a run.

How were we last year? Not bad.

Route: Gaslight Loop (2x)
Temperature: 71°
Climate: dark clouds w/thunder in the distance
Mood: good?

1997 Playlist

Drinking In L.A. - Bran Van 3000

Candyman - Cornershop

Selfless, Cold & Composed - Ben Folds Five

Everything * - Mary J. Blige

Dark & Long - Underworld

MMMBop - Hanson

The Impression That I Get - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Atom Bomb (Atomix 1) - Fluke

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Decent rest. Good breakfast, Maria always makes something nice. Now, what am I going to do with the rest of the day? The last time I was in this room, I was writing and doing research for the play that goes up later this month. Today, I may just read.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Sweet serotonin rushes.

The old man is not well, his eye is ulcerated and requires medicine and attention. Friday night he woke me up several times, to get under the covers which is nice except when he gets in and out of bed.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 26:44
Pace: 8:37

Also, the new cat likes to get on top of me when I sleep, which is usually pleasant, but if Tiger is under the covers, then that's an issue. Anyway, it was a bad night's sleep. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: overcast & beautiful
Mood: all right

Today, I will travel to Cincinnati to attend a recital/gig. The wife remains at home to care for an old cat.

2017 Playlist

Formidable Cool - Wolf Alice

Waving Through a Window - Ben Platt

On Hold - The xx

Green Light (Chromeo Remix) - Lorde

Serotonin Rushes - Fujiya & Miyagi

We Got the Power - Gorillaz ft. Jehnny Beth

High Ticket Attractions- New Pornographers

Bad Liar- Selena Gomez

Twenty years ago, on April 10, 2006, I was lamenting the fact that, though I had taken a running kit with me to London, I hadn't done any running. By that time in my life, I had gotten used to -- nay, looked forward to -- taking a run in New York City. Not that I had done it a lot, but I did a few times when I was there for the 2004 NY Fringe.

"Ran roughly four miles. Man, Sunday it is a free-for-all, everyone running in every direction. Keep your head up."

Millennium Bridge, 2006

But that was because I was squatting at an apartment two blocks from the Central Park on the Upper East Side. I knew my way around that part of New York. 

What's On Daddy's iPod?
Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie

In spring 2006, we were staying at my brother's place in Battersea. I had not yet started using mapping programs to find my way around unusual places. The next year, when we returned for the I Hate This tour, I took a run in London and another in Plymouth. I had learned how to prepare.

This weekend, I am preparing by running at home on Sunday morning, and then hopefully on Tuesday, so I don't need to run in Cincinnati at all.

Stretches: yes

Water: yes
Weight: 162 lbs. (+2.0)

We're eating more junk food! Lot of grazing. And cookies. Time to bear down again.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Requiem for a twat.

Throwing Muses
The Grog Shop, 4/9/2026

This year has been unnecessarily stressful. I mean, you could say that reaching back to forever. But in these recent years I had relaxed into a certain mode, one which involved seeing movies on my own, reading more, cooking, that kind of thing. I need to get back to that. Because otherwise, I'm just watching videos on YouTube.

Am I still middle age? Or am I leaning senior? I'm cool either way. Whatever. You know.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:13
Pace: 8:46

Spring vacillates. Perfect temps in the morning, it will rain this afternoon. So we run.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 59°
Climate: gorgeous
Mood: all right

1968 Playlist

Requiem pour un con - Serge Gainsbourg

The Letter - Nirvana Sitar & String Group

I Say a Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin

Daydream Believer - The Monkees

All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

Harper Valley PTA - Jeannie C. Riley

Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers

Born to Be Wild - Steppenwolf

Classical Gas - Mason Williams

Those Were the Days * - Mary Hopkins

Man. Those kids would listen to anything.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs. (-1.0)

Sometimes, often these days, I think about all the running. And that's not good. Because I think, God. That's a lot of running. And then I think, why am I doing this? It brings my enthusiasm down. Then I pull myself together and get out there, and I feel great. I feel great now, having run.

Folks think running is hard. But it's really just getting out there that is.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

But still physically fit.

What will happen?

Distance: 3.2 miles

Duration: 28:21
Pace: 8:51

Snacking on Tuesday, all day. Chocolate, Cheez-Its, extra bowls of granola & yogurt. Watch that shit.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: sunny & beautiful
Mood: pretty okay

1988 Playlist

VX Gas Attack - Skinny Puppy

All She Wants Is (US Master Mix) - Duran Duran

Awake and Watching - Click Click

I'm Your Pusher/Pusherman - Ice-T

Blind - Talking Heads

Beat of Love - Voice of the Beehive

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs. (+1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

The type of person capable of such deceit.

Back to the gym. Sometimes it snows in April.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:56
Route: rec center
Temperature: 36°
Climate: light snow
Mood: getting busy

2008 Playlist

Sex On Fire (153 BPM) - Kings of Leon

Spaz - N.E.R.D.

Nada - Zoe

Sweet Dreams - Beyoncé

Black & Gold (Marcussen Album Version) - Sam Sparro

Long Division (164 BPM) - Death Cab for Cutie

L.E.S. Artistes - Santigold

Aught runs take me to some unhappy places. Which is shame. It was a special time.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes 
Weight: 160 lbs. (-0-)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

Time's running out.

A day off, at home. Entirely off, no outside responsibilities, except those that I have put off until today, to work on at my leisure. The house is a bit of a mess, isn't it always. But I have done laundry, and hope to sit out of doors and handle some extra-curricular work.

I spelled that correctly without even having to look it up.

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 35:56
Pace: 8:57

Soon, baseball! Our first game is Monday. Should be cold and rainy, we shall see.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 74°
Climate: clear, breezy & warm
Mood: working it

1978 Playlist

Rasputin (Club Mix) - Boney M. ft. G. Mart

It Gets Me - The Rezillos

Every 1's a Winner - Hot Chocolate

Last Dance (12" Version) - Donna Summer

Tommy Gun - The Clash

Driver's Seat (12" Version) - Sniff'n'The Tears

This Year's Girl - Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Come Together - Aerosmith

Spinning Top - XTC

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs. (-0-)

"Driver's Seat" was released in October 1978. Listening to that one-hit wonder on my run today, I was hit with a wave of memory, subtly felt memory. I was confused by the timing, because it was a preadolescent confusion ... but I was only ten that season.

I was, however, in fifth grade. And then it made sense. Because that was a big year. Later songs had more definition, this was a vibe, tapping into something that was only just beginning.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA 

Sit-Ups: yes

See you tomorrow.

I really don't think you're strong enough. No.

Did a two hour shift at the food bank on Monday. I can't complain, my life is good. We were packing boxes for seniors, boxes would come down a (slowly moving) conveyor belt, and we would put items into it as it passed. My job was picking up two, one gallon grape juice bottles and placing them up and into the box next to each other.

Yeah, my arms are still a little sore. But I also have a repetitive stress injury in my right index finger. Two hours, that's no time at all. What a difficult gig. We packed 360 boxes. Worth it.

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 35:49
Pace: 8:56

Some times, you just need to take an extra day. Parking buses, lots of time on my feet. And the weather has disagreed ... until today.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: all right

1998 Playlist

Blue Monday - Orgy

Believe - Cher

The Way - Fastball

Hoodoo Voodoo - Wilco

Torch - Sister Soleil

Let Me See - Morcheeba

Millennium - Robbie Williams

Dry the Rain - The Beta Band

Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix) - Beastie Boys

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs. (-1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes