Hold onto me, pretty baby, if you want to fly.

Strange bug bite on the back of my calf. James assures me it's not from a tick, that if it were a tick I'd know, but it round and itchy and weird. A spider? Who knows. Where did I score that? No idea. Monitoring my energy. I think I'm okay.

Distance: 3 miles
Route: Rec Center
Mood: good!
Exercises: yes

Tour time, throws my schedule off. Was enjoying my work in the gym, using the machines. Just takes a day to feel like you haven't done a thing at all. Got a big show this spring, hoping to have more strength and endurance by then. You have to build up to be able to bread down, do you know what I am saying?

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 180 lbs. (+2.0)
Goal: 175 lbs.

Such a pleasant morning, weather-wise. It could have been an outdoor run in a cool mist, but I would have missed the machines. Seriously, I am on a machines kick.

There's this one guy, though, on the track. He bugs the hell out of me. There are four lanes, the inside two are for walking, the outside for running. This guy, he's maybe sixty or so. Tall. He's got airpods in, and he is just grooving, with his elbows working high, really lifting up those elbows as he bops along.

But he's in the outside lane. And he's not running. He's not even speed-walking, he's just walking. Mister, I don't care how high your elbows work, you have to lift your knees to run, get the fuck out of my lane.

2007 Playlist
Land of All - Sky Cries Mary
Le Disko - Shiny Toy Guns
I Feel It All - Feist
The Boys - Dragonette
The News - Carbon Silicon
The Moneymaker - Rilo Kiley
Flathead - The Fratellis
Electro Man - Calvin Harris

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You had better not go too far.

Running the track at the gym means, of course, hard wood floors. I was feeling this in my back and hiner, in my knees and ankles. And yet, working on machines was very useful.

Keeping up with the regimen was challenging this week. Now there is new-fallen snow on the ground, and a date with Fornadel to run in the park.

Distance: 4.3 miles
Pace: 10:13
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 27°
Climate: cold, but so sunny!
Mood: all right

Keeping your kit organized. The struggle is real. Trying to meet up with Chris, can't find my hat or gloves. Used a cowl and the summer running hat. What a clever monkey I am.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 176 lbs. (-2.0)
Goal: 175 lbs.

A rather long run, for me, at this time. Met Chris at the park, ran around the park, said our goodbyes and headed home. Having a partner to run with does help push through those moments it occurs to you to stop and walk.

Returning home, my knees are singing. Not my back, just my knees. There is a (maybe) one inch layer o snow on the ground, just enough not to be a nuisance, but enough to make the going slippery, more arduous. Were we going a ten minute mile? Was it because every step we lost a fraction of an inch through sliding? No idea. We have have been helping each other go slower, which is helpful for both of us at this stage.

1978 Playlist
Who Are You - The Who
Shadow Dancing - Andy Gibb
Last Dance - Donna Summer
Crawling to the USA - Elvis Costello & The Attraction
Lip Service - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Le Freak - Chic
Love The Nightlife (Disco 'Round) - Alicia Bridges

No one loses two pounds after heading to MELT the night before. Doesn't happen, don't believe it.

Also, I totally don't have cancer.

Visit my Team Challenge Crohn's & Colitis page and support my bid for the Chicago Marathon!