Our bodies displayed through the dance.

Fourteen runs in September, best since June. Time was, I would get into these bursts where I'd run every day, like I was in training or something, and it would get to me. That was doing all this running -- every single day -- but not for any reason. Just to rack up runs.

Running every other day just feels normal. A day off feels good, but so does running again, after a day's rest. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:01
Pace: 9:02

DID YOU KNOW ..? Infatuation is an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone or something.

Life In a Spanish Disco
Let the Music Play (Remix) - Shannon

Blue Light - David Gilmour

Infatuation - Rod Stewart

To France - Mike Oldfield

Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr.

Relax (New York Mix) - Frankie Goes to Hollywood

One of my Lugo compatriots just recently posted photos from a return trip, forty-one years later. They mentioned the playlist, I am glad to put this together, back in 2009 (it was a twenty-fifth anniversary inspiration) because I'm not sure I would remember them all now.

I always wondered if we would have a reunion but I don't believe that is in the stars. Goodness, we were all so very very young then. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 57° 
Climate: clear & cool
Mood: good

Stretches: yes 
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Through teenage years.

Me & Arden
Muralla Romana de Lugo (1984)

How do we celebrate a holiday like Memorial Day? Regression. I can recall my uncles who served (and my grandfathers who did not) those near and far who have been are presently are in the armed forces. Mostly, however, I think how it used to signify the closing of the school year. And in my job, it still does.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:26
Pace: 9:10

High School Run (1982-1985)  

The Perfect Kiss (Video Version) - New Order

To Look At You - INXS

Rip It Up - Orange Juice

Just Got Lucky - Jo Boxers

This Charming Man - The Smiths

Owner of a Lonely Heart (Extended Remix) - “Yes”

Trouble & Strife - EBTG

Our recent trip abroad put me in mind of what I was like when I was there, during the summer of 1984. I came home with a tranche of memories, and while I should focus on those that were positive, I fixate on those that were not. I was bullied. I also had the opportunity to be the worst of myself. I mean, I was a teenager. The music, however, was incredible.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 56°
Climate: lovely
Mood: also lovely
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

I would also like to report that the midges are insane this week.

She makes a man want to speak Spanish.

Stressful day on Monday, but not a lot of walking. Not unless you count pacing all over the train station in Zaragoza to locate a lost cell phone.

Distance: 5.75 miles

Duration: 55:47
Pace: 9:41

We have a fine duplex in Barcelona, with floor to ceiling glass doors in our rooms and living space, overlooking the street.

Route: To the Med and back.
Temperature: 60°
Climate: bright & beautiful 
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Final run in Spain. But was it worth it? Hell yeah, it was. It’s a two mile down run Carrer de la Marina to, well, the Marina. To the Mediterranean Sea. And right past the Basilica de la Sagrada Família, an iconic structure designed by Gaudi, and mobbed by sightseers. Other than that, the sidewalks were clear and wide, and I encountered many other runners.

2005 Playlist

Tropical Ice-Land - The Fiery Furnaces

Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex - CSS

I Don’t Want to Fall in Love - She Wants Revenge

O Green World - Gorillaz

Sugar, We’re Going Down - Fall Out Boy

Hips Don’t Lie - Shakira ft . Wyclef Jean

On Repeat - LCD Soundsystem

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall

Tear You Apart - She Wants Revenge

Ladykillers - The Similou

Bound Too Long - Crystal Method

Suddenly I See - KT Tunstall

Weak - Skunk Anasie

Looking at the World from the Bottom of a Well - Mike Doughty

Marvo Ging - Chemical Brothers

Our entire journey to date has been marked by showers — not an inconvenience, not unpleasant, just a fact. Today it is bright and sunny and warm in Barcelona.

It was so special to see the sea. Heading back was all uphill, and I got turned around at the basilica, which took me a couple blocks out of my way, but I figured it out.

One run in each city. I’m proud of myself.

Can’t keep running away.

My knees are going through it. Running is fine, but walking — walking and standing. It’s a lot. In the morning, well-rested. They feel all right. Zelda thinks that when my knees finally give out I should get a cane, and they are correct. I’m not looking forward to it. But when the time comes, I will embrace my cane life.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 31:35
Pace: 9:01

Decided against a morning run in the rain. I took a walk around Saturday night, to see where might be good, the river walk among the Nerbioi Ibaia, then to the Parque Etxebarria — which is a mountain, really. I would have liked to explore that, at the entrance I found was very steep. I decided this morning I neither wanted to risk losing my feet on the way up, not getting entirely drenched.

Route: Nervion River Walkway
Temperature: 59°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: good
Stretches: been walking all day
Water: yes

Spent the day at the Guggenheim Bilbao, and between then and dinner took a run by the river just before the evening rains. 

1995 Playlist

Runnin' - The Pharcyde

Friends of P - The Rentals

Shook Ones, Pt. II - Mobb Deep

Drop - The Pharcyde

We Prick You * - David Bowie

Gangta’s Paradise * - Coolio

Take Another - Filter

Kelly’s Heroes - Black Grape

I know that running culture is everywhere, but until I have seen others running, I am insecure. It was a joy to see the others, where they went, how they avoided the pedestrians, that they do use what I thought were bike lanes (not actually marked for bikes alone).

What a lovely, cool evening.

It’s not very far, I’ve been there before.

Weather this spring has been disappointing. Maybe I have just wanted what it should actually not be yet — warm. Not even so, when it was cool for so out just day in Madrid, I expected Spain to be warm this time of year. Why? Because it’s a Spanish-speaking country? Should I even admit I thought that?

Is probably due to the fact that the last time I was in Spain, it was July. More fool me.

First Run

Distance: 3 laps (plus those stairs)

Duration: 16:27
Route: Parque Del Oreste
Temperature: 49°
Climate: nice, light clouds

Two runs. The just, the Parque de Oreste which features a magnificent view of the city (sunset is a daily attraction, we were there last night with a hundred others) and the Temple of Debo’s, a sister to Dendur, in size and scale and shape, but out of doors, of course. 

Second Run

Duration: 13:59

Route: ???

Temperature: 50°

Then the boy and I ran. We planned to do El Campo

Del Molo, but it wasn’t open at eight. Instead, we took a meandering course around Plaza de Espana and ended up in Parque del Oreste! The historic structures and our winding course reminded me of Wii Fit.

Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

1985 Playlist

Good Good Things - Descendents

Makes No Sense At All (160 bpm) - Husker Du

Are You Trying to Be Funny? - EBTG

I’m Your Man - Wham!

Walk Of Life (172 bpm) - Dire Straits

Singapore - Tim Waits