Floating through the void.

You will know us by our head.

So, the March Mildness thing isn't as much of a "kick" as it was last year, but I'm still glad I'm in it. Probably because of the pain in my knees, which comes and goes. I have to remember to take pain reliever before bed or it can be uncomfortable.

I always scorned St. Patrick's Day when I was a teenager, the mixed messages irritated me. The Irish don't want to be categorized by drinking? Then what is up with this supposedly religious holiday where my classmates rip school to go downtown and drink cheap beer dyed green?

Freshman year at college, a number of us stayed behind once Spring Break had started for an industrial film (my first paying acting gig!) and I was lured into O'Hooley's Pub for the celebration, which included a delicious meal of corned beef and cabbage, traditional Irish music (live) and my first Guinness. It was a sincere celebration of Irish heritage and an education for me.

This weekend started with a birthday gathering at the Tav Co. and they had NA Guinness, which was not bad. It made me hanker for the real stuff, but even so, my first sip brought me right back to O'Hooley's, thirty-seven years ago. The senses are a remarkable thing.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:25

Ugh, It's gonna be cool for the next week. I mean, that's proper for late winter/early spring. But it doesn't serve my knees, uh, needs.

2008 Playlist

Black & Gold (Marcussen Album Version) - Sam Sparro 

Echoes Round the Sun  - Paul Weller

Nine in the Afternoon - Panic! at the Disco

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 41°
Climate: big wet snow flakes
Pavement: damp
Mood: determined

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Breakfast: fettuccine frittata
Lunch: SB&J sandwich

Treat: fried plantains
Dinner: vegan Reuben, potato salad, bok choy, fizzy water

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 182 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 180 lbs.

Upper body: 

Core Strength: 

Don't stop. Get it, get it.

Ducks on ice.

I'm not Irish.

2005 Playlist
Every Day Is Exactly The Same - Nine Inch Nails
Do You Want To - Franz Ferdinand
Like Eating Glass - Bloc Party
I Predict a Riot - Kaiser Chiefs
Keep Hope Alive (JDS Mix) - The Crystal Method
Sixteen Military Wives
Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz ft. De La Soul

Not my favorite playlist. For some reason, it's not a particularly long one. Lot of repeats, year to year. Probably all the children's music I was listening to that year.

Distance: 3.55 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 37°
Climate: bright & cool
Pavement: damp with islands of snow
Mood: better

Such a bright, shiny day, you wouldn't think it's in the mid-30s. Went out in my shorts, thought I'd do two -- Chris and I are running four tomorrow. But that sun ... headed into the park, instead. A bit winded, but I'm also hungry.

Hunger makes me depressed. I am sure that it does for everyone.

Stretches: yes

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 168 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.

Well, yes. I'm still running.

Yesterday I had a pain in my thigh for most of the day, seriously uncomfortable. This morning, fine. But then, it may be aggravated by running. Because that's how that happens.

Also, bent toes. Running. Repetition. Training. Strong heart. Strong lungs. Good health. Remember.

Distance: 3 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 45°
Climate: cool and bright
Weight: 163 lbs.
Mood: all right

Always older men walking around the park. Some with dogs, others running. I can't tell if I am older than any of them.

Three milers are brisk, fast affairs. No fatigue yet. Planning a six for Sunday, or maybe on Saturday and take Sunday off. Haven't decided yet. Sunday is Calvin's Day, though I plan on rising early I don't know if I'd rather be running or writing.

Maybe both, right?

1987 Playlist
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2
Pump Up The Volume - M/A/R/R/S
Honey Bee - The Bears
This Corrosion  - Sisters of Mercy

Yes, some Bono for your St. Patrick's Day.

What kind of douchebag names himself "Good"?

Warmdown:
Alex Chilton * - The Replacements

To win the race.

The temperature dips again. The air tastes like snow coming in. Brisk run in the cool, March air. At least it is not raining. Can't be thankful enough for clear, dry pavement.

Yesterday I returned to the scene of the crime - yardwork. The backyard remains a battleground since there was a backhoe parked in it. Brush to be cleared, gravel and large stones to be exhumed. It is a mass of wet, hard earth which must be carefully brought back to life. Only, hopefully, this time, without damaging me and further in the process.

Temperature: 39°
Distance: 5.15 miles

Baseline: 178.5 lbs.
Today: 175 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Thank you, St. Patrick! Yes, one-half pound a day, for a week, is too steep a drop. But I made myself a promise ... if I can see 175 pounds, then I can have one tasty, high-calorie, alcoholic beverage. And just in time, too. Tonight we are meeting friends for something of a tradition, St. Patrick's Day at Brennan's. If we can get a table.

Now, if I can only take it easy on the corned beef. Wish me "luck".

1990 Playlist
Birdhouse In Your Soul - They Might Be Giants
Freedom 90 - George Michael
Tom's Diner - DNA ft. Suzanne Vega
Can't Stop This Feeling I Got - Prince
Don't Fence Me In * - David Byrne
Too Darn Hot *  - Erasure
So Hard - Pet Shop Boys
Pure - Lightning Seeds
Hippychick - Soho
Everybody Everybody - Black Box
Hello, I Love You - The Cure

So don't you dare talk to me about running.

Nine miles out. Time to head back.

Week 9 Total: 27 miles+
Training to Date: 221 miles

The last week it has been my hip. My right hip, hurts to stand from sitting, hurts to lie down on at the end of the day. The wife suggests butterfly stretches, which is a nice idea and all except they make a man look stupid.

The show I am rehearsing opens with me crawling into the second story window of someone's apartment. This is done in clumsy slow-motion, and hopefully it's funny to watch. I have scored a large bruise on my right knee, not to mention several splinters in my hands. Hi-diddle-dee-dee.

Distance: 18 miles
Duration: 2 hours, 49 minutes
Route: MLK to Dead Man's Curve and back.
Band-aids: check*
Lip balm: check

Investigation. It is March 17 (St. Patrick's Day) but unseasonably warm. Are any facilities open? Will there be water available? I could have checked, I have been driving this route, to and from rehearsal, for two weeks. But I have made no time for it. Stepping into the unknown.

Temperature: 59º
Climate: warm
Weight: 164 lbs.
Snack: banana & GU
Hydration? yes ... barely
Stretches? yes

1. Stopped in to void at the depressing Coffee House at University Circle.

2. Water fountains shut off at Wade Oval, VA Hospital. Getting concerned.

3. Lots of folks heading into town at 8 AM.

4. Cereal fruit bar on North Marginal Road.

5. Port-o-john at East 72nd Street Park. Last cleaned Monday. Sorry, ladies.

6. Halfway mark at 1 hour, 25 minutes. Now we run into the sun.

7. *Somewhere my "waterproof" bandages washed away. Might need to shave.

8. 13 miles in just 2 hours. Now five miles ... uphill.

9. GU with Gandhi.

10. Legs very heavy. Otherwise feel great. I believe if I had brought some water, I might not be having this problem.

11. One mile to go, stopped in at CH-UH Rec Center for some cold, refreshing WATER!

12. Beer at 10 AM. I ran 18 miles, what's your excuse?

Podrunner:
Out With a Bang (165 BPM)
Boys Don't Cry (12" Extended Version 1986) - The Cure (171 BPM)
Corybantic (162 BPM)
Wonderwall - Oasis (173 BPM)
Apogee (166 BPM)

+ MONDAY UPDATE: My schedule on Sunday made a recuperative run impossible.