One stop to the rhtyhm.

Yesterday, my sister-in-law sent me finish line photos from when I ran the Twin Cities Marathon in 2015. My brother and his family live two blocks from Summit Avenue, which is the final straightaway to the Capitol building and the finish line.

This weekend is marathon weekend in St. Paul. I wonder if the governor will be there? Probably not he's been very busy this week.

I was very happy to see these pictures again. She encouraged me to join them in Minnesota for the marathon again some day. It sure is tempting.

What's That Lyric?

Semi-Charmed Life - Third Eye Blind

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:09
Pace: 9:23

Whoa. Run got messed up by an unleashed dog in someone’s yard. No people around, that fucker came at me.

Why don’t you like dogs, David? Because unless they are abused into docility, they are uncontrollable and dangerous.

This isn’t a metaphor, dogs aren’t people. They are mutated wolves.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: sunny  beautiful
Mood: all right, until ...
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Pain Reliever: TBD

Upper body: 

Core Strength: 

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, fresh fruit w/yogurt & granola

Lunch: pesto pasta plus

Writing Time: White Russian (2x)

Dinner: homemade pizza, beers

You said you hate that I’m a writer.

On Sunday, October 1, they canceled the Twin Cities marathon. It was due to excessive heat, it would’ve been 70° when the race started.

Some folks were less than understanding. “We all trained in this weather!” one guy carped. Maybe you did, sir. A lot of people come in from out of town for that race.

In 2012, when I went in the Cleveland marathon, it was about 70° when I finished. I remember seeing a young woman, she looked extremely fit. She was leaning against a post and vomiting.

This is what we’re up against. The last time a major race was canceled, it was the New York City Marathon, (also in 2012) because of Hurricane Sandy.

Distance: 2.5 miles

Duration: 25:02
Pace: 10:00

Tucson Run. Did not end up where I planned, on a bike path by the highway instead of through a green space, but it sure is Arizona.

What can I report? We saw Josh Ritter at the Rialto last night, but instead of listening to him this morning I chose a random modern country playlist … and I liked it.

Route: AZ 210 Bike Path

Temperature: 60
Climate: arid & cool

Mood: good

 
Stretches: yes

Water: yes

Stopped at a light I developed a brief back spasm. Never had one of those before. Hope I never have one again.

Breakfast: coffee w/milk

Lunch: cheeseburger w/green chilies, fries, mandarin wheat beer

Dinner: chicken tacos, rice & beans, cheese crisp, Modelo Negro

Alcohol? yes

Reading: yes

Writing: yes

What’s That Lyric?

Fall In Love With Me - Morgan Wade

MOVE OUT THE WAY

The Mississippi River
October 2015

Finding it very difficult to justify run time. The time is there, I need to take it. I mean, yes. I have a lot of work work and homework and housework, but seriously. Run that run!

Besides, The Current created an awesome thirty minute playlist last Friday, inspired by the Twin Cities Marathon, which was last Sunday.

Man. The Twin Cities Marathon. That was really good.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:34
Pace: 9:32
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 63°
Climate: bright & cool
Mood: better!
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 183.5 lbs.

Goal: 180 lbs.

Laws, that was gorgeous. See? Still so many beautiful fall days left, get your ass out there, man.

Breakfast: pasta w/vodka pepper sauce, Coffee (2x)

Treat: Twin Bing

Dinner: whipped potatoes & sausage, apple

Snack: popcorn, beer

Coffee Break: Marathon Playlist

Roadrunner - Modern Lovers

Ready Steady Go - Generation X

My Adidas - Run DMC

Pump It Up - Elvis Costello & the Attractions

Ready to Go - Republica

Fast As You Can - Fiona Apple

Every 1's a Winner - Hot Chocolate

MOVE - Beyoncé ft. Grace Jones & Tema

2015 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

Full Minnesota

Official Time: 3:42:07
Avg. Pace: 8:29

Previous Best: 3:56:19 (Cleveland 2012)

First of all, everyone loves Captain America.

Nine years ago, in New York, I wrote PENGO on my shirt. It was a great thrill hearing all the spectators cheering me on as "Pengo!" I mean, I could have written David, but then I wouldn't be sure they were talking to me. Lot of Davids in that race.

Today, I wore the Captain America shirt. And everyone loves Captain America. And that was entirely awesome.

Everything went very well, beginning last night when I finally (thanks to my sister-in-law Julie, who has been totally awesome and supportive through all of this) got on the phone with their friend Kelly, who has run the TCM some fifteen times.

"Hey, David," he said, when I got him on the phone, "Why are we doing this?"

"Oh, uh," I said, "I want to ask you about the course."

"No," he said, "I mean ..."

"Oh!" I laughed, "Yeah, no idea."

He told me about the route, many things I already knew from driving it. But he also said he was going to be using thin gloves and keep them on during the race. I'd gotten some beat-up winter gloves, which I assumed I would be dumping at the start. Ditto, the sweats.

But he encouraged gloves to use or not use while running, and I remembered how I lose feeling in my fingers on long runs. Denny was glad to take me to Target last night to get some ($3 for two pair in the dollar section) and also large trash bags so I could wear one after packing my sweats. I had planned to just throw them away, but if I timed it right I could pack them in my bag for UPS to take to the finish, and just wear a bag to hold heat in until the start. I could change into them at the finish.

After two races, I think I know how to time my intake-output cycle. I had the biggest pre-race breakfast yet: two fried eggs, toasted ciabatta, and a banana I pockets for just before the race. Many thanks to Denny for making breakfast and taking me to the light rail stop to catch the train for the starting line.

I arrived an hour before the gun, plenty of time to get oriented, have water, use the facilities, adjust my socks, and generally not stress. It was cold, but not too cold. Forty-five degrees at the start, it would be fifty at the finish.

My one error was entering the corral a bit too late. They are called corrals for a reason, and trying to make your way up to the front is very challenging once it is full. I was stuck behind the well behind the 4:00 team, I was supposed to be up with the 3:45 team. Catching up can be very hard, you're all moving fast in the same direction.

Making my way up to them, I could have missed downtown Minneapolis, in general, at least for the first twenty miles, I did a decent job of taking in the Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America®.

By the way, it really, really is.

I caught up with the 3:45 team, and passed them. I wanted them behind me. From childhood, I have been very bad at catching up. It brings out a failure anxiety, an ancient reminder that I am never the best player, ever. Always the slowest, the least coordinated.

However, I am apparently very good at running away from things.

The first five miles were amazing, deliriously so. Once I had headed out in front of my goal ... I slowed down. I relaxed into my running. I was like, "Really? This pace? I can make it just running like ... this?" Delusions of grandeur overwhelmed me. Maybe I could do three and a half!

Meanwhile, people kept yelling for Captain America! I passed this one guy who told me, "Oh, it's you! I was wondering why everyone was calling me Captain America, I thought I was just doing really great."

Denny and Julie and my seven year-old niece caught up with me in three locations, Julie took this action photo.

The fact is, the entire thing went by very well. I had an electrolyte drink and a water drink at every stop (except the one at Mile 25.) I had two GU gels with me, which I had at miles five and ten, and they handed out Cliff Shots at mile 17.

Just an endorsement, GU gels taste good. Cliff Shots do not.

I took on banana, an orange slice - but no Twizzlers. Those get stuck in my throat. Basically, I was extremely well-fed and hydrated, when I finished I had not felt and would not feel any cramping or nausea or any of the feels I had during my first marathon. I felt like I needed to pee through pretty much the entire race, but not urgently and so when I thought about it, I gave myself the same response I give the boy, "As soon as we get home, son."

Speaking of waste, however, I would like to mention what I have noticed as the increasing number of spectators signs relating to shitting or pissing yourself. Ha ha, now knock it off.

The signs were by and large very supportive and clever they always are. And some surprisingly topical:

If Trump Can Make It To The Primaries, You Can Run 26.2 Miles

- and -

If Mark Watney Can Grow Potatoes On Mars, You Can Run 26.2 Miles

The most difficult aspects of the race occurred around mile ten, I think, when it felt like both socks slipped, and suddenly I had seams biting painfully into callouses on both feet. The thought of blistering my feet open for the next sixteen plus miles was distressing, but all I managed to convince myself the pain would eventually go away, and it did. The flesh of my feet doesn't actually appear too damaged, actually.

I wish I could say the same for my toenails. For some reason training alone has been very hard on those and I believe I may actually lose a half dozen. Seriously. They're are all chalky and bruised. Weird.

One other thing, and this may have had something to do with my gloves (which I chose to wear for the entire race) or my awesome Captain America shirt, I don't know ... but my arms hurt more than they ever have. I mean, they started hurting halfway through the race, I have never felt so weak in my arms before.

The dreaded Mile 21, however, was not a problem for me at all. Thank you, Little Italy for all of those training runs, the miles up to Summit was no big deal at all. My brother's family had planned to catch me one more time, at Fairview and Summit, where we had watched the marathon four years ago. But I was too fast for them and they could not bicycle their way there in time.

However, by Mile 23 things had gone the way of all marathons and I was ready to be done. Just tired, stiff, looking forward to the state capitol building and the finish line.

Family at the finish line.

But what a sight it was. There are a few dips in the road but mostly downhill the last couple miles, where I could see the finish line dead ahead for the last point-two miles, and ran flat out towards the end.

I hadn't beaten my personal best - I had crushed it, shaving fourteen minutes from what I thought I was best capable of.

Maybe Amy is right. Maybe I can make 3:30. And where might that happen?

(Many thanks to the organizers and volunteers of the Twin Cities Marathon, which is an extremely fun and pleasant event all the way around. Extremely well-organized and truly the most beautiful urban marathon in America.)

Get out of the way.

Spoonbridge and Cherry

Yesterday was one, big, successful check list. It began by sleeping in, at least for as long as possible. I get up at 5 AM on a normal day, that's 4 AM here. I did manage to wake and then go back to sleep long enough to achieve some semblance of rest. It's just how my brain works.

My brother and I headed out in late morning to drive the entire route of the marathon. This was good, as I am now aware of certain long inclines, and generally know what I have to look forward to. For example, when I pass Spoonbridge and Cherry there is a long steady incline past the Walker Arts Center.

Footnote: Spoonbridge and Cherry at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, the team who (figuratively) gave Cleveland The Free Stamp.

We got turned around a lot around the many lakes, and I carped that my brother was making the race seem a lot longer than it actually is. But we got straight by the second half, which is pretty much north to the East Franklin Avenue Bridge and then East to the State House.

But there is Mile 21. It is a steady incline, for an entire mile. We are not safe until we have passed the 22 mile marker and are heading due east on Summit Avenue. And that is the distance at which I began to cash out last time. It is good to know.

Then we proceeded to the Expo at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, which for those who have never attended one is like a runner's mall. There are kiosks of product for runners and its very crowded and busy and you always have to pick up your bib number in the back to make sure everyone buys something. I told my brother it would be quick, that I wasn't there to do any shopping, and yet I found myself lingering over the displays, hoping to find a new glasses strap. I did pick up a few gel packs and we headed back onto the street.

Big river.

Interesting ... unlike any other of the races (Kids' race, 5K, 10K) the marathon runners don't receive their shirt until the finish line.  This was new to me, I wonder the logic behind it. Why would organizers want to handle the additional headache of bringing thousands of shirts to the race on Sunday? Has there been a rash of individuals registering for the race, getting their shirt, not running it and then fraudulently claiming that they had?

It's always an exciting vibe, though. Seeing all the different kinds of people who run races like these. And today was Friday, tomorrow the joint is going to be packed.

After we met up with my sister-in-law for lunch, and then a trip to Goodwill for a cheap set of sweats. I got an awesome hooded MINNESOTA shirt I wish I could keep and some boss pants to keep me warm until the race starts Sunday morning.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:30
Avg Pace: 8:28
Route: Summit Avenue

Brisk morning run, low sun and somewhat blinding. It will be very cool tomorrow when we set out, I may begin the run in this sweatshirt, I do not know, it will collect a lot of sweat and losing it will make me cold. But I do not want to wear shirtsleeves.

I will run with the 8:35 group. I have been able to maintain eight and a half minutes very well throughout my training. And that will help me break my previous time. Because that's the plan.

Temperature: 43°
Climate: sunny & cool
Intake: none
Hydration: yes

What's That Lyric?
Houses In Motion - Talking Heads

The fear is falling away.

Many years ago I asked for something, a solo trip to Chicago. The wife was pursing her Masters at Goddard College, and I had had a few solo weeks with the children (aged 4 and 2) and wanted some time on my own in the summer, before residency rehearsals began.

The Lakeview Cemetery
Photographs from Cleveland's Historic Landmark
By Barney Taxel

I took one bag and caught a bus to the rapid to work, and then the rapid to the airport. I took a plane to my destination, and another train to the neighborhood where I would be staying. Never drove, never took a taxi. I was proud of that. It's not like me to be out there without a car, not alone.

Today I walked my son to the bus, and walked from there to the Little Italy RTA stop. Perhaps more of a walk than I was prepared for, it really did take about an hour, which surprised me. Then the train downtown.

Throughout the day my right thigh, which had been a little pained that morning, started feeling more and more uncomfortable. That has since died down. The only thing I can compare it to is the meralgia parasthetica I occasionally suffer from, though it feels quite different.

End of the day I took the rapid to the airport, It is at times like these that I notice the solitude, even in crowded settings. How long I go without speaking to anyone, or communicating in any fashion. It can feel calming, not to have anyone to speak to. It can be melancholy.

Trying to find a place to be, or at least a satisfying place to wander before my flight, I came across an exhibit of beautiful photographs of Lakeview Cemetery, taken by Barney Taxel. You can find them between concourse A & B at Cleveland Hokpins. I have spent many runs this year, since the summer, training for this race by taking turns through the cemetery. It felt auspicious to linger over these images on my way to the starting line.

My loving wife with a great deal of forethought had gotten us rewards credit cards, and so I was able to make the trip with frequent flyer miles. And as long as these are imaginary dollars we don't really have that we are playing with, why not go first class? This was new to me. Having so much leg room will be particularly helpful on the way home, when who knows what shape I will be in.

However, what truly got me was the convenience of not having to pay for drinks, of receiving drinks on the ground before we took off - and another in the air - and that these drinks were served in glass.

Not just the alcohol. Water ... in a glass. I felt like a person.

Brothers at O'Gara's

The book I have brought with me is Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. Within the first few pages I feared I had made a terrible mistake, due to the subject matter. Adolescence has swept through on our home, sweeping personal items clear of every surface and crashing furniture through walls and I could go on with Hulk Smash devastation metaphor point being this tale of tragedy that befalls a suburban family might not be a good fit for someone in my mental state at the moment.

By the time I had finally arrived in Saint Paul, I'd read half of it. It's really good.

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 40:43
Avg Pace: 8:11
Route: Summit Avenue to the Mississippi

Temperature: 63°
Climate: idyllic
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: yes

Beautiful fall day in St. Paul, clear and cool and bright. Took a run down the wide, grassy median of Summit Avenue, because people do that. It's a path, and an uneven one, but it's more fun than the sidewalks. Also more dangerous, wen it comes time to cross side streets and not at the crosswalk. But people do. I did.

Today we went to the Expo. More on today tomorrow.

What's That Lyric?
Jump In The Pool - Friendly Fires

I’m in my September.

Monday, Twin Cities In Motion tweeted this:

City officials have informed us that the St. Paul chapter of Black Lives Matter is planning a disruptive protest... https://t.co/2YdLobau5S

— TwinCities In Motion (@tcmarathon) September 28, 2015

Yesterday, Nina forwarded an article from Runner's World,

Black Lives Matter Says It Plans to Disrupt Twin Cities Marathon

"Our plan is just to disrupt business as usual and try to create as much awareness as possible," [organizer Rashad Turner of Black Lives Matter St. Paul] told Runner's World.

"Our hopes are that when the marathon runners reach us at the finish line, instead of being more concerned with finishing the marathon, that they’ve been able to do some critical thinking throughout this week and understand how powerful it would be if we all stood together in solidarity against the injustices that are plaguing our society and plaguing the community right here in St. Paul, Minnesota.”

- Runner's World, 9/29/2015 

Runners World states the activists intend to "stop runners from finishing the marathon."

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 23:22
Avg Pace: 7:46
Route: Forest Hills Loop

I approve of civil disobedience, and am a supporter of the Black Lives Matter campaign. As has been pointed out, time and again, the only appropriate time for BLM to have their voices heard is at a specific time in a specific place of someone else's choosing where no one can hear them except those who already agree.

Having openly criticized those supporters of Bernie Sanders who got the vapors over BLM disrupting one of his events (wrong time, they said, wrong place) I do not feel it is my place to criticize the proposed Oct. 4 protest at the marathon. Why is our event sacrosanct?

However, I will say it makes me uneasy because it is a marathon, and we have had a big city marathon "disrupted" quite recently and I regret the comparison this action will create. I have assumed that security at the finish line of any large scale marathon would be higher since Boston, and I do not want anyone to get hurt.

Having said that, I wish them luck in stopping me, because I do intend to finish and as you know, I am fast. However, after I cross that finish line I'd be happy to listen to anyone who cares to have a conversation.

Temperature: 59°
Climate: misty, light rain
Weight: 157 lbs.
Intake: bagel w/cream cheese & preserves
Hydration: yes

What's That Lyric?
No Sympathy From the Devil - Public Enemy

Straight into my arms you will run.

My right Achilles tendon has been tight the past several days. I have been giving it special attention before runs, but still some mornings I hobble a bit getting down the stairs.

Things have been largely issue-free during this training session, I do not feel terribly taxed. For the most part runs are enjoyable and positive, or I have that selective memory thing going on again.

If I do have that selective memory thing going on again, it's only for running because this entire year I have been beset with constant and terrible memories of every bad thing I have ever done to anyone.

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 38:38
Avg Pace: 7:43
Route: Boulevard Loop

Today we are listening to the President's Spotify Summer Playlist Vol 1. - Side Two, Summer Night. I know it is day right now, but it is nighttime in my head. Besides, I am saving the day time playlist for tomorrow's long haul. It's a trip, it's got a funky beat, and I can bug out to it.

The morning was a casual one, the kind you have on Saturdays. I wrote a story, my wife read me a story, she went out to run while I got ready. The kids sleep in. It is still summer but it's been hard for me to remember that this week.

When it is ten degrees and they still haven't fixed the sidewalks on Monticello, I will remember.

Temperature: 75°
Climate: not too hot, very pleasant
Weight: 157.5 lbs.
Intake: yogurt & granola
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: no
Stretches: yes

The wife just booked my flight using our frequent flyer miles. First class, baby. Not sure I have ever flown first class before. Not so important heading out, but it will feel so very good coming back.

What's That Lyric?
Moondance - Van Morrison

You always run around breaking all the rules.

Courtesy of The Onion

Hey hey! I got profiled on the Twin Cities Marathon 20 Questions Blog!

Late nights do not pair well with early mornings. Just a fact. Lately a certain member of the family can be having a great day, and then when it comes time to rest they simply cannot, fretting over ... something, anything, really. Something that failed to happen during the day. Then comes the reassurance, the calming intervention. It can keep you up til midnight.

I don't care what else is going on or what my schedule is, staying up until midnight no longer works for me, ever, at all.

In other news, yesterday I had lunch al fresco with a former work colleague and the dome of my big bald head is a shiny, deep pink. Now that I put it that was, this former colleague was the first person to so melodiously refer to my head as my "big bald head".

Distance: 6 miles
Avg Pace: 8:08
Route: Cain Park Loop

4 Hours Scrolling Through Facebook Before Bed Referred To As ‘Winding Down’
- The Onion, 7/22/2015

The Onion still has this keen habit of just saying things you don't want to admit that are true. Last week I asked the wife to lock me out of my own Facebook account, which has been remarkably successful. However, I have also now become deeply invested in Twitter.

Temperature: 70°
Climate: humid & clammy
Weight: 158 lbs. (-2.0)
Intake: banana
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: yes
Stretches: yes

Didn't think I would make that one. Not feeling very strong at the outset, too little rest. Fitful sleep. But I got stronger as the run went on, picking up speed.

Next stop: Niagara!

What's That Lyric?
Comeback Kid - Sleigh Bells

Pull a damn hamstring.

Click on to enlarge.

This is the map for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. We round several small lakes, both banks of the Mississippi, and passing just two blocks north of my brother's house on Summit Avenue!

Distance: 3 miles
Avg Pace: 7.22
Route: Boulevard Loop

Flipped the schedule a bit, today was to be a day off but as we will be traveling, why not run today and make tomorrow off? See, that's how we manage these things.

Seriously, though. Look at that map. That's awesome.

Temperature: 61°
Climate: cool!
Weight: 158.5 lbs. (-1.5)
Intake: banana
Hydration: yes
Stretches: a little
Upper Body: packing the car

The week I hope to concentrate a bit more on proper stretching. The pain in my right thigh persists, and I am not sure if or when it will subside. I have tried a variety of stretches, but since they all hurt, it is difficult to know which is best for relaxing the muscle.

What's That Lyric?
The Whistle Song - Flo Rida

Nothing's ever tough enough until we hit the road.

Snacking is a thing, we all know this. Gen X aged parents have had it impressed upon them that they must provide snack. We all know it, we all complain about. Those of us who have tried to rise above the garbage to provide something different and healthy are treated to the confused or even suspicious stare of small children when we offer something home baked or otherwise not arriving safely in a factory-fresh wrapper. Anyone who brings water to the game instead of Gatorade is treated like an asshole.

We've read these articles and blog entries, I need not add to those. Just to tell a personal story. We have had the benefit of a wonderful childcare associate for years, named Sarah. Her job is to keep the children safe, to provide oversight. She is not a nanny, it is not her job to correct the children. They do not need correction, anyhow. Much. She follows our lead. My wife reminds me not to give her too much instruction on how the kids are supposed to spend the two hours between the end of school and when we arrive home from work.

But she is, of course, there for when the kids want Snack. Not a snack, like something to nibble on, but Snack, that fourth meal between lunch and dinner. And as our home is often the venue for classmates who are also in Sarah's care, we keep the cupboard stocked with a variety of less-than-horrible offerings.

The problem is, by virtue of their use, they are usually not fresh. Crackers, sometimes chips, even cookies occasionally. There is yogurt in the fridge, and cheese. But they do not grab fruit or vegetables. Plant matter seems complicated to people. Or it's that a small amount of apples to do last very long, and we used to shop once a week.

But we're thinking healthy. I go grocery shopping for one bag of fresh tings maybe three times a week, like people used to do, or still do in large cities. Have we not a large city, with urban grocers? We do. I get more apples and whatever else they want, and also celery and carrots.

My mother used to do this thing, she would cut sticks of celery or carrot, stick them in a short glass of water, and leave them on the kitchen table. She wouldn't draw any additional attention to them, they were just there. We came home from school, we walked by the table, we took and ate the vegetables. Snack accomplished.

Lately, I have attempted to remember to cut up a vegetable and put it in a glass of water and place it in the fridge for Sarah to bring out after school. At the end of that day, that glass is always on the counter and empty.

Temperature: 43°
Distance: 3.36 miles
Avg Pace: 7.35
Climate: bright and brisk

Weight: 160 lbs.
From Goal: -0-

Wii Fit tells me I am NORMAL. My BMI is precisely where someone my age, gender and height should be. The goal now is maintain, to stay this weight and continue this work.

Sunday Alcohol Units: -0-
Monday Alcohol Units: -0-

The weather is irritating. Yesterday, freezing rain. Forget that. Today, just not as warm as I would care for. But tomorrow ... and tomorrow ... and tomorrow. We return to spring.

My head has been unhappy for days. I used to think it was the daily evening libation. And now we know that is not true. It's just my head and the way it is built.

However, pseudoephedrine can be daddy's little helper. My head is now high and clear. Aaahh.

Playlist: Hot Chip Radio

Marathon training begins Monday, June 15.

Run like me.

Little lion man.

Did it. I registered for the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, October 4, 2015. I have a question about how a long distance run will effect my back ... or rather, the other way around.

Great morning, cool and clear, dry pavement. Picked up the pace a little. Two more playlists, and then I am going to synch my new phone to the iTunes. This will require an update to iTunes and rumor has it that in some cases the upgrade deletes all your self-made playlists.

If this is the case, well, big deal. But it means all my annual playlists - which took some time to make - will be gone.

I am thinking I am not going to be posting complete playlists after this. Not sure. I like to record them. Believe it or not, I go back and look them over from time to time, on this blog.

This blog is over nine years old. That is so totally weird.

Temperature: 51°
Distance: 3.38 miles
Avg Pace: 7.53 (brisk)
Climate: that's-a cool

One dollar for any size drink @McDonalds #imlovinit #diabetes
— David Hansen (@dhansenx) April 13, 2015

Baseline: 178.5 lbs.
Today: 163 lbs. (-0.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.

2013 Playlist
Sigh No More - Joss Whedon feat. Maurissa Tancharoen & Jed Whedon
Harlem - New Politics
Heart Attack - Demi Lovato
Ain't It Fun - Paramore
Come & Get It * - Selena Gomez
Grace For Saints & Sinners * - Iron & Wine
Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z

Tripping on your feet.

Feeling good. Knee stiffness gone, pain in my ankle gone. A little muzzy-headed, slept a little warm last night. Woke early though, to run. Big day, last full day on my own with the kids. The wife returns home tomorrow night. I miss our little talks.

My diet was almost normal yesterday, I even indulged in fish fry for lunch.

This is where it gets dangerous, I have noticed my eating has become faster and I realize I am not tasting. I wait for these moments but then I do not indulge in them with patience.

Temperature: 37°
Distance: 3.38 miles
Avg Pace: 8.08
Climate: cool & dry

Day of events downtown at the Rock Hall. We are thinking of plunging in. Should be a good day for it.

The Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon (The Most Beautiful Urban Marathon in America^®) is Sunday, October 4, 2015. I am thinking that is a thing that might happen.

Baseline: 178.5 lbs.
Today: 165.5 (+0.5)
Revised Goal: 165 lbs.

2011 Playlist
Rise Above - Reeve Carney ft. Bono & The Edge
Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men
Feel So Close - Calvin Harris
Breakthrough from "Lemonade Mouth"
The Afterlife * - Paul Simon
Monkey Maker - The Black Keys
Makelloser Mann - Mike Doughty
Into the Un - Mike Doughty