The road that stretches out ahead.

A weekend journey to St. Paul to see my niece’s senior year spring play. As it happened, this was also the weekend of the largest civil protest in recent American history so I made plans to attend that, too.

And we brought our shoes. I wanted to run this morning, but managed to do absolutely everything possible to ensure I would have not only a headache, but a killer migraine.

I had two beers over a late, post-show dinner, and no water. I retired last night not only after midnight, but after midnight Central Time. To me it was 1:30 am.

The pillow was too thick, it was chilly so I wore my PJ bottoms to bed and had three blankets. I woke up maybe an hour later, practically baking and with terrible head pain.

I have also not brought any pain medication nor Dramamine. And I got sick to my stomach. It was bad. Fortunately, my sister-in-law gave me some extra strength OTC migraine medication and I was able to finally sleep. I felt bad, missing out on morning time with my brothers family, I finally got up around noon.

Distance: 3.3 miles

Duration: 29:54
Pace: 9:03

The No Kings event at the Minnesota State Capitol Building was epic. The last time I visited the capitol was in 2015, that’s where they put the finish line for the Twin Cities Marathon.

It was a rogues gallery of MN progressive pols, including Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her. Sen. Bernie Sanders also present, and Jane Fonda, too. Performers included Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers and … Tom Morello? I think?

After standing for four hours (including the bus ride there) I thought of taking a nap. I mean, I barely slept last night. But the weather was so nice. In fact, if I had taken a run this morning, it would have been thirty degrees. Tomorrow morning will also be thirty degrees.

Route: Fairview & Summit to the Mississippi and back 
Temperature: 54°
Climate: clear with light clouds
Mood: positive

1969 Playlist

Skylarking - Horace Andy

Do What You Wanna - Ramsey Lewis Trio

Two of Us (Naked Version) - The Beatles

Sex Machine - Sly & the Family Stone

Only the Strong Survive - Jerry Butler

We're Not Gonna Take It - The Who

Sugar, Sugar - Archies

Stretches: I need to do better with this.
Water: yes

Big river.

I suited up, and took a gorgeous pre-sunset run down Summit Avenue to the Mississippi. Many other runners were out, too.

Listening to the finale from Tommy … Andrew Hickey is currently covering the late-60s Who with an emphasis on the creation of that album. My brother turned me onto that when I was twelve or thirteen, and I am still a big fan. I think I will use that as an album for running when the year runs have concluded.

Tommy sings, “Here comes Uncle Ernie to show you to your very own machine.” Surely, Tommy realized it was him after his senses were restored (if they were even truly gone) and yet, gave him a job at his camp. The Uncle Ernies of the world always get a pass. Even those who play him on stage.

I'm a dude, dad.

Would the weekend have been as taxing if I were not ill? As we continue into the week, I feel as though I have had a piece of me bitten off. Disoriented, dizzier. 

My run on Monday, as I reported, included a few near spills. Slips on snow and ice. I don't want to become like my father, falling all the time. Losing my balance. 

I wonder if household falls are going to become an issue for me. I have never liked how cluttered our house is, having to navigate piles of stuff. Our halls are too narrow for this. I am going to tumble backward and break my hip, or worse.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:25
Pace: 9:28

We are making plans for the Cleveland 10K, and by we, I mean me and one other. It will require training. The race is on 16 May. Ten years ago, that weekend, it fucking snowed. It could again, right? I mean, who knows what the fuck will happen?

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: sunny!
Mood: unsteady & grateful

1972 Playlist

Popcorn - Jean-Michel Jarre

I Saw the Light - Todd Rundgren

Satellite of Love - Lou Reed

You're So Vain - Carly Simon

Crocodile Rock - Elton John

All the Young Dudes - Mott the Hoople

Traveler in Time - Uriah Heep

Gudbuy T’Jane - Slade

City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie

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

This morning I was socked with a migraine. I haven't felt such head pain in, I am glad to say, I very long time. Much of this was my fault, stayed up later than my body wanted me to, didn't drink enough water last night. I had head pain all night, in the morning I tried to fight through it, but there is only so much you can do. I even took a shower, and almost fell over in the tub. Not good.

Two ibuprofen, one Sudafed, and a Dramamine -- it's the Dramamine I could have used twenty years ago, the sick feeling of the migraine that makes it unendurable. I was able to sleep for three solid hours.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

Spring-like weather. See you Friday.

Don't need to walk around in circles.

Yep.

This morning the girl asked if I would ride bikes to school with her. Last week we did this, I borrowed her brother's bike because I thought, you know -- fun. I almost got a hernia.

So I swiftly dove into the basement and brought out my own bike. I pumped the tires and sprayed WD-40 into the gears and off we went. The gears kept slipping and there was nothing I could do about it, this poor, twenty year old machine was kept in a leaky garage for most of that time, neglected and dirty.

I'd like to take it in but I am afraid the bicycle guy will inform me that fixing it will be more expensive than buying a new one. Of course, I could always repair it myself ...

One thing I did realize on my way home after dropping the girl off at school is that cycling isn't a real sport. How can it be when you can just stop moving when you come to a decline? When I am running and I stop ... I have stopped.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 23:08
Avg Pace: 7:42
Route: Boulevard Loop

This morning we learned one of the girl's schoolmates had a migraine yesterday, and during our walk to catch the bus I explained to the boy what a migraine is, how to treat one, and what it feels like. Since then, I have had a headache.

The run was good. Strong, fast. But I do not believe I can run 8 minutes for the entire race. Not sure I should run any of the race at that speed. However, 8:30 would be good. I think. Maybe I can do that. So much depends on how my body feels on the day. Not much I can do about that except eat well and rest.

Temperature: 75°
Climate: okay
Weight: 157 lbs.
Intake: flavored almonds
Hydration: yes

What's That Lyric?
Circles - Soul Coughing

Time to move forward.

This is a dream I had.

So drinking a gallon of water a day is a thing. We were talking about this at work the other day. I have tried a few fad diets in my time, not many. We ate rice a lot for a week maybe twenty years ago (my wife has to keep reminding me that not everything happened twenty years ago).

Apparently, if I drink a gallon a day, my skin will clear up, my general feeling of energy will rise, and I may even lose weight, no doubt through displacement.

The truth is, I certainly do not drink enough water. My pee is often like tar sands oil. So any kind of encouragement to hydrate is a good one, especially when our rehearsal space is on the tenth floor and often the water that makes it's way up those ancient pipes looks like, well, like it came from the black tar sands.

Yesterday I drank half a gallon before 10 AM, I was so inspired, which made the rest of the day kind of normal. The question is whether or not retaining so much water makes it 1) better to run, because hydration, yay or 2) harder to run, because I am bloated like a baby beluga.

One colleague remarked how giddy I appeared yesterday afternoon, but I think that was simply joy that I was making it through a day without the crippling migraine I had developed on Thursday. It was simply a joy to be able to think.

Temperature: 31°
Distance: 3.25 miles

Our year draws to a close. I am collaborating with the girl on the holiday cartoon - yes, I said it, this year there will be a cartoon. It's been five years. They are a lot of work, but they are worth it. They've both grown so much in 2014, they grow all the time, but it seems like we are a different family now. And that is good, too.

2014 Playlist
United State Of Pop 2014 (Do What You Wanna Do) - DJ Earworm
Light Will Keep Your Heart Beating in the Future - Mike Doughty
Everything is AWESOME!!! - Tegan & Sara ft. Lonely Island
Accident Report - Eric Lualdi
Figure It Out - Royal Blood
Dancehall Domine - The New Pornographers
Two Bodies - Flight Facilities ft. Emma Louise
Do You - Spoon

Half a gallon before 10 AM. Waiting for the change.

The pain that grows dark.

I want to go to cool places with you.

Thirty years ago I had a life-altering experience. Summer 1983 was spent washing dishes and cleaning up at a local diner, hanging around the comic books store, and watching as much MTV as possible, for fear I might miss something important.

August meant marching band practice, and pool night that summer, the summer before my sophomore year, was much like the year before. I was with the exact same people -- my friends -- cannonballing, splashing, pushing people in. Horseplay. I was fifteen and still acting like a kid.

Maybe an hour into the festivities, one particular crew walked in late, and to me it was like one of those slow-motion moments when that cool gang walks down the street. In this case the soundtrack would probably be Robert Plant's Big Log.

In the lead was the lead snare, with him that trumpet player -- both now seniors and always wearing shades. One Rockette from my grade, her boyfriend, also trumpet and a senior, and the new girl, the tall one from Kansas, also a sophomore, the cymbal player.

Only tonight she was wearing a white two-piece. No one wore bikinis in Bay Village in 1983.

I was fucking blinded. I mean, brain-blinded. It's like some one slapped me in the face, trying to wake me up. You spent the summer in front of the TV, you're a teenager for God's sake, get busy!

It wasn't just the bikini, it was the entire picture. Jumping off the high drive screaming like an asshole suddenly didn't interest me anymore. Keeping my eye on them, I made sure to notice when they were making to leave, and when the snare drummer picked up his stuff, I ran up and asked if he was headed out.

When he said yes, I got down onto my knees and begged, "Wherever you all are going, please take me with you."

He raised his eyebrows and smiled. "No problem, guy."

Temperature: 75°
Climate: cool breeze, but humid
Distance: 5.15 miles
Weight: 170.5 lbs.

Since Saturday I have had a sinus headache, every single day. Last night it was a full-blown migraine, covering the left half of my face, in my ear, my jaw, across to my nose, up and through my eye to the crown of my head. Horrible. It's been a long time, over-the-counter sinus medication has taken care of most attacks since I decide to cover them that way. But not Monday. Not yesterday.

Today it started after sitting in front of the screen at work for two hours, and the rehearsal hall does not help either, filter light and filtered air. They let me go early from work as the pain began to work its way from behind my right ear.  It has subsided a bit, and now, hopefully, some aerobic work will help clear my head.

1983 Playlist
Big Log - Robert Plant
Work That Skirt - The B-52s
I Will Follow - U2
Everyday People - Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Come Dancing - The Kinks
Catapult - R.E.M.
What Difference Does It Make? (161 bpm) - The Smiths
Cool Places (159 bpm) - Sparks
Overkill - Men At Work
The Invisible Man - Elvis Costello & The Attractions
Song For A Future Generation - The B-52s

... aaaaand my headache is gone. POOOF.

You got the moves. So let's see them.

After more than a week, I was yearning to go for a run. I had become depressed and unhappy. But by evening last night, my eyes were aching, and my ears felt stuffed, my head full of painful density.

But I suited up, and headed out. The first ten paces were wonderful. Then I felt the weight of my stomach, I felt heavy and unwieldly. After a few houses I was overwhelmed by fatigue, and the pain behind my eyes, weighing on my head beginning to swell.

I knew that if I could just keep going, this would pass. I turned the corner, and my temples began to throb, and them my entire head was biting with pain. I slowed to a walk, pulled off my kerchief, rubbed the space between my eyes, breathed deeply and step by step I headed home.

Four pain relievers, two Benadryls, and a trippy night's sleep. When I woke the pain was still there.

Oh, the great turn of the season.

Distance: 3.3 miles
Temperature: 66º
Weather: lovely.
Weight: 171.5 lbs.

Good Lord. That was much better.

Do What U Like Genius Mix
Do What U Like - Bad Boy Bill
Rocket Ride (160 bpm) - Felix da Housecat
Derezzed - Daft Punk
Feel It In My Bones - Tiësto ft. Tegan & Sara
Cascades Of Colour - Ananda Project
Gypsy Woman - Crystal Waters
The Launch (Rollercoaster's Pumped Up Mix) - DJ Jean
9 PM ('Till I Come) (Signum Remix) - ATB

I'm never gonna stop 'til the sun comes up

Thursday was a nightmare. My car does not have air conditioning, and sometimes driving across town (just to work and home - 25 minutes) can leave me exhausted, dehydrated, and sunblind Even gulping a large bottle of water and wearing sunglasses.

I was having migraine symptoms before visiting my physician and obtaining the new medication. But I began it that evening, and was socked with a criminal stab to the face. It was as though my right sinus were closed and my right eye was receiving a terrible, shooting pain.

Yesterday, day two of medication, was spent with my son at home. He had a fever which was occasionally spiking, and I was the victim of a surprisingly tenacious migraine-hangover. By evening things had leveled off, and I felt mostly normal by bedtime. It remains to be seen whether the medication had anything to do with this ordeal.

I have had no alcohol since Tuesday, opting instead to reach for the kettle. This morning I have already had a large glass of water, and coffee, and a slice of bread with sunbutter on it. Now for a lovely run ... right?

PODRUNNER: Sunchaser (169 bpm)

That is an amazing sunrise mix, sir. I will be using that again soon.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 62º
Weather: perfect
Weight: 166 lbs.

Bad things currently in my house: ice cream and potato chips. It doesn't matter if I cut the extra calories in beer if I find them somewhere else. The doctor warned me this new medication may cause weight gain - though not nearly as much as previous versions of same.

I sleep in a fever

This has been a challenging day.

Woke late - went to bed late, the last one up, doing housework, and more housework, until 11. Already I was feeling headachy and dehydrated. A small boy woke me at 6.30, I was not feeling well then, then the girl came in ... I got up to take aspirin, but my lack of sleep and the stuffiness of the room was doing its damage. Sleeping in is also bad, still dehydrated, now no caffeine or food. By 9 AM I was not refreshed, but had sinus pain and was well on my way to a full-blown migraine.

By ten (I forced myself to drink and have a banana, but I felt so bloated and ill my system was rebelling) I realized I could either a) lie in bed miserable all day or b) try taking a run. It would feel like I was in Hell - but I wouldn't have to stay long.

I ran a good part of two miles. The running cleared my head, but walking let me know I was seriously taxing myself. My head throbbed, and I was shivering and sweating. I then lay down on my back, propped up for an hour ... and the world began to come back into focus. By one o'clock, I was ready to take the kids out for a movie. I think I made the right decision.

Distance: 2 miles, running & walking
Temperature: 81º
Constitution: feverish, sweaty & shaking

This has been a challenging week.

Returning from New York City, I picked up the bug the girl had during the weekend, which made her vomit all night long. Tuesday night, I got to vomit all evening long, and shiver in bed all Wednesday. My wife had picked it up by Friday night. I did not sleep all night Friday, nor Saturday morning. Now you understand why going to bed last night at eleven was not a wise choice, and how I have suffered for it.

Meanwhile, while I admit I have gained a few pounds recently, Tuesday night's bug-fest has left my belly distended. I lost weight as a result of that night's toilet-oriented festivities, and yet I still feel and look like I have a melon in my stomach.

This has been a challenging summer.

Why? Funny, you might think that taking time off from work would give me more time for running. And yet look at the stats - 8 runs in the entire month of July, most of them Fridays. Guess I really am putting that grant money to good use.

But every morning has been like swimming to the surface, and every night ... well, there's either something to clean or something to read. And oh yeah, write. There's that. It has been a long summer. And rich, and full, and wearying and fantastic and special. There's that, too.

Oh, and I took a proper run tonight. Like emerging from dull torpor into graceful lucidity.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 72º
Weather: hot, but oh so cool.
Weight: 162 lbs.

Living In A Spanish Disco Playlist
Street Dance - Break Machine
You Take Me Up - The Thompson Twins
Breakin' ...There's No Stopping Us (Club Mix) - Ollie & Jerry
I'm Free (Heaven Help The Man) (160 bpm) - Kenny Loggins
High Energy - Evelyn Thomas
Dance Halls Days (12" Version) - Wang Chung



As God is my witness, I have been trying to find this song for 26 years. Seriously. That whistling refrain has been stuck in my head and I needed to get it out. Yes, that whistle has been going around in my head for a quarter century.

In 1984 I visited Lugo, Spain as part of an exchange program. We spent a lot of time in the disco, and I have a nostalgic fondness for the songs they played there, even (especially) the really awful ones. But I completely lost track of this one-hit ditty by the end of the year.

Man, there really were a lot of quickie R&B-Lite pop songs about breakdancing that summer. We even caught a free "drive-in" movie (actually projected onto the broadside of Westgate Mall) of that Lorenzo Lamas classic Body Rock. Awesome.

Old friend

A migraine! Wow. No, I haven't missed you at all.

Managing my head has been relatively simple. I am lucky. It's usually a dose of Sudafed and a handful of Ibuprofen. Not today. And sometimes it just feels like sleep, like there is something pulling me to the floor - literally feels like pulling my body down - and keeping myself up makes my eyes water, my head hurt, my nose closes up ... and then the nausea. Yes, it has been a while.

Got a blessed late-afternoon nap. Hard to wake up. And then imperative to run.

The "I Was Born In Croydon" Mix
Regret - New Order
Enola Gay - OMD
Love Is The Drug - Roxy Music
Sunflower - Paul Weller
It's My Life - Talk Talk
Me Ship Came In! - The Style Council
Love Action (I Believe In Love) - Human League
Is There Something I Should Know - Duran Duran

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 68º
Weather: warm & overcast
Weight: 159.5 lbs.

This calls for a toast

Seventeen runs in January, nine in February, and in March ... five. This totally sucks.

It was not my intention to take ten days to get back onto the street. The fact is, I am under a lot of stress. This weekend - I hope - was a breaking point.

That just flowed out of me naturally, it was not my intention to blogroll.

The tour closed, I have some major deadlines in April, there are some artistic situations I am unhappy with (no, you can't) and a bout of headcolds that was passed around to everyone in the family except for the one person who needs to slow down the most. The boy.

And no, I do not know what I was thinking having three martinis with Dave and Ben on Friday night, I do not know what I was thinking. But they tasted very good. At least the first two did, I have no idea what the third one looked like.

So yesterday morning ... well, okay, most of the day was, while not exactly a wash, just very, very difficult. Did I take the boy to his piano lesson? Yes. Did I take them to see the Balto exhibit? Yes, I did. And the wife and I had something we have not had in a very, very long time.

No, not that. Longer. A dinner out at a very nice restaurant and never bothered checking the time or the prices on the menu.

Sp, cool, right? I was going to get up early and make that ten mile run, out the Ghandi and back, that I have been longing for, right? No. This morning it was a that-time-of-the-year, head-shocked, seasonal MIGRAINE. Like two hooks caught in my eyeballs, wrapping up into a skullcap of pain, reaching back to where the hair begins.

I got the morning, but she got the afternoon where I took some less than cheery, yet willing, youngsters on a series of errands before settling in for a new Sunday tradition - dinner watching Project Runway. It's all part of my lifelong scheme to make the boy fabulous. Not sure it's working, he HATES the sight of Michael Kors.

"Why is he always on there?!"

However, I did cut out for ninety minutes when dinner was being made ... to think.

Not much time thinking these days. No, not at all. Not for me. I cannot think.

But I did. I thought. I had a prospective email. About a festival of new works in D.C. And it made me think. It will not pay, but it made me think and though you really shouldn't accept gigs that won't pay, anything that makes me interested is worth my time. At least it is today.

Tonight I am going to sit up thinking. And writing. And that's new.

Oh, and I ran.

2005 Playlist
I Write Sins Not Tragedies (170 bpm) - Panic! At The Disco
Don't Look Back - Telepopmusik
Keep Hope Alive (JDS Mix) - The Crystal Method
Tear You Apart - She Wants Revenge
Winners - 7 Seconds of Love
Solsbury Hill - Erasure
Water of Nazareth - Justice

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 50º
Weather: very light rain
Weight: 157.5 lbs.

The best of times

Thanks for all the supportive comments about today's appearance on AROUND NOON. Those of you who missed it can still podcast or stream it from their site.

I misunderstood the run-down of the show, and thought I would be returning to the mic following the performance - as a result, I failed to mention the supporting voices by name. They are actor-teachers from Great Lakes Theater Festival, and had featured appearances in this order:

Nathan Ramos, Annie Hickey, Steve West, Tim Keo and Carrie Williams.

As we did with the radio drama for I HATE THIS, I thought additional voices would provide more context to the reading than just doing it all myself. That doesn't mean it wasn't confusing, but hey, it was live, an experiment, and hopefully fun to listen to. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

The broadcast is worth it for the performances of Joe McBride alone. Heidi Klum has your number, friend.

Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Techstasy (136 BPM)

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 65º
Weather: humid
Weight: 158.5 lbs.


Noble to Home

Crappy morning, very difficult to sleep last night, my sinuses plugged up, woke with the origins of a migraine which are still within me - I have a nail in my right eye and a queasy feeling in my stomach - though running cleared my head greatly, I am hoping this is an upward progression ... it is going to be a long, full day. I have work, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards and then a rehearsal of my wife's play for the benefit this weekend.

It's our local Father's Walk to School Day, so at 6 AM I drove to my girl's school, parked, ran home (the long way) and will shortly walk her to school before driving to work. The best of times.

migraine WIN!

That was a close one. Last night was late one, again, and the power was out in the apartment. Max is three and gets up early and he is a delightful, lively boy who wakes me up. I have kids, this is not alien to me. But the circumstances are different, I am camping in the living room, it's hot, there is little escape. And I was very, very tired.

Josh called at 7.30 to announce their train finally arrived in Park Slope at 2.30 AM. They would not be joining us for an 8 am run. Seriously? That's a shame. Now excuse me, I think I need to vomit because I have migraine coming on.

Pain relievers, a shot of coffee, a dark room, and more sleep. I woke an hour and a half later later feeling better, with plans in my head to hit the art museum. There was no way, in spite of my desire, to go running on this, opening day.

Only Harris was at that moment heading out. To run. Wait! I joined him.

Distance: 3.4 miles
Temperature: 74º

Central Park. A lot of people out at 9.30 AM, running, biking, walking. Lots of shade, it is humid, to be sure. Huge storm last night, lots of large branches and even whole trees knocked down. Incredible. But it is a bright sunny day, and I got my run in. NOW, I am headed to the museum.

We have been here for only a little over half our stay. And yet, it hasn't happened yet. I feel confident in my success ... in handing out postcards. Now I actually have to perform. Oh. That's right. THAT'S why I am here.

Around the world and back

Route

Wow. I really hated that route. Took my regular way, then kept going up Lee to Cain Park - such a nice day, thought I would take the scenic route.

Well. Though the park has been plowed, the snowbanks at the sides of the paths cause meltwater the pool. Then I ended up on Taylor Road, which had unshoveled sidewalks, and so had to content with driving blockheads. I took side streets with which I was unfamiliar, and ended up taking a dispiritingly winding trek back to home.

Best laid plans.

Distance: 4.35 miles
Temperature: 49 degrees
Weight: 150 lbs.

Sinuses

With the exception of one day last week, we have been submerged in sub-zero temps since New Year's. Last weekend my right sinus collapsed and I was spiraling into migraine territory. Cahs-strapped, I have been avoiding the prescription stuff in favor of Sudafed, though I needed an Imitrex following the girl's sixth birthday party.

Yesterday was another ugly one, though the OTC stuff did the job. My entire being sudders with relief over the respite from the deep-freeze that began today and will, hopefully, continue until next weekend.

Playwrights Unit

&TYD got its post-mortem from the Unit last Tuesday.

SG said it was longer than it needed to be ... but has no idea what is unnecessary. This was the general feeling about the piece. Nothing is boring, or uninteresting, but it does (ha ha) cover a lot of ground.

Some suggested MARATHON is too long ... but it keeps making Josh cry, so I am loathe to change it.

The Unit had said previously that we don't need two pooping scenes, and the second one seems "unfunny" though I do remember it getting a big response. Remember - hell, I have video! But I do understand, and I have been thinking long and hard about the S.O.S. scene.

SG was wild about the projections, especially Josh's maps, they really give the audience a sense of scale. The music, he said, was not nearly as well integrated, and I am with him on this. I also take responsibility for it, and have loads of suggestions on how to revise them. The music needs to work with the slides better, ad they need to work better with the performer. We can make that happen.

ML is still confused by how many wives I have.

1990 Playlist
World In My Eyes - Depeche Mode
Gonna Make You Sweat - C+C Music Factory
Never Enough [Big Mix] - The Cure
So Hard - Pet Shop Boys
Suck - Pigface
Everybody Everybody - Black Box
Groove Is In The Heart - Deee-Lite
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - They Might Be Giants
Here's Where the Story Ends - The Sundays
The Power - Snap!
Tom's Diner - DNA ft. Suzanne Vega

Migraine Holiday

The migarines came fast and furious for a few years, cresting in 2006 ... and then subsiding. In the past year, as med prices went up and funds dwindled, I began taking OTC drugs to alleviate the swelling in my sinuses. And that was a result of what I believe was the most successful part of my diagnosis - where my migraines start, and how to notice them starting.

It has a lot to do with allergies, for me. And so if I can take anti-allergy meds, and pain reluevers, it can subside without using the expensive, full-bore stuff.

Holidays have been ruined by migraines, especially Christmas, when I seem to get terrible, no-fun headaches. One began tonight and made me unhappy during dinner - we are celebrating "Second Christmas" in Athens with the out-laws. I went to the drug store for crystal meth starter and took two naproxen. I have that "mgraine hangover" - weak, but pain-free.

I am convinced it's the dogs. Three dogs in this house during the holidays (one of my wife's aunts brings the extra one) and maybe that has something to do with my annual Christmas horror show. After all, I did have a headache yesterday.

This is what I have to work on before the next rehearsal:

-Man is the Measure: find voice for Mr. A
-Watch ipod commercials
-Tai Chi
-unbelievable phone call
-Mr. Self-destruct: physicality of Sheba
-Fitter happier
-Marathon: old fashioned story-telling aka, Shakespearean
-At a distance: talking to the hospital; present vs. past tense.
-I need you so much closer
-The end of it all

Original word count: 12,535
November 18 word count: 12,490
Today's word count: 12,278

Show, don't tell.

Woo!

Brisk! Fast! Got a migraine doctor's appointment - gotta run!

Distance: 2 miles
Temperature: 30 degrees
Weight: 156 lbs.

Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Trailblazer (160 BPM)

UPDATE: It is a great feeling to show up for a doctor's appointment an hour after a short run. My blood pressure was fabulous!

A little disturbing, however, to then be asked if I have had an irregular heartbeat. "Uh, no," I said, "why, do I have one now?" The answer was yes, yes I do. Then I was asked if I had been drinking coffee and yes, I had double the dose of caffeine this morning as I polished off the wife's mugs as well as mine. AND they were full-strength servings, as we ran out of decaf it cut it with last week.

Anything to worry about? No, she said. Not if I have been drinking coffee this morning.

Whew. I think.

Where do we go from here?

No real opportunity for a recovery run yesterday, I began suffering migraine symptoms in the late morning which would not abate until I took my perscription. If I had run, would they have subsided without medication? Sometimes they do.

Then again, sometimes they subside for the run and then come back with force.

Anyway. Next?

Distance: 1.62 miles
Weight: 170 lbs.
Stretches: yes
Drink: Accelerade
Snack: none
Start Time: 6.30 am
Temperature: 59º
Weather: cool

Playlist:
Big Time (Extended Version) - Peter Gabriel
Games People Play - Alan Parsons Project
Six Feet Under (Photek Remix) - Thomas Newman

I found a fox, caught by ducks ...

Visited my new podiatrist on Tuesday. I like him. Maybe because he's young and cute and says nice things about my feet.

They are in good shape, apparently, my feet. They bend well, they have a good pulse (who knew?) there's just problem A and problem B.

Problem A, yes, the warts. He has a new treatment, something I never heard of before, A prescription that is 10% formaldehyde. That's right, you f*ckers are already dead you just don't know it yet. We'll see how well the stuff works (or how hideously painful it is) in the next six to eight weeks.

Then there's the bunion. He praised my use of the toe-spacer, which actually seems to work, somewhat. He also recommended orthopedics, but my health care plan, which kind of blows, does not cover them (they have also refused to pay as much as they used to for my migraine meds, God I love this country.)

Distance: 3.15 miles
Weight: 163.5 lbs. (?)
Stretches: yes
Drink: PowerBar Endurance Sun Tea
Lunch: sunbutter & preserves sandwich, baba & celery sticks
Time: 1:00 pm
Temperature: 77º
Weather: hot & sunny

Playlist:
Shine - Take That
Regret - New Order
Hounds of Love - Kate Bush
Miami Vice Theme (1985) - Jan Hammer
Gimme Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment - The Ramones
Around the World - Daft Punk
I Must Confess - Everything but the Girl
Happiness In Slavery - Nine Inch Nails
Warmdown: I Created Disco - Calvin Harris

Take That
"Shine"


Pingu - get it?

How much do you commit yourself?

Nation's Joggers Sick of Finding Dead Bodies
- The Onion, February 12, 2007
CHICAGO—Citing the sobering statistic that over 10,000 of the 12,800 slayings in the United States in 2006 were reported by joggers, a national coalition of fitness enthusiasts called upon government officials Tuesday ... (more)

Distance: 3.25 miles
Time: 10.30 am
Stretches: yes
Sit-ups: yes
Drink: Gatorade All Stars
Weight: 169.5 lbs.
Weather: 12º (but with the wind chill it's a balmy 65 and sunny!)

2003 Playlist
The District Sleeps Alone Tonight - The Postal Service
Slow (Chemical Brothers Remix) - Kylie Minogue
You're So Damn Hot - OK Go
The Way You Move - Outkast
Extraordinary - Liz Phair
There There (The Boney King of Nowhere) - Radiohead
It's My Life - No Doubt
Solsbury Hill (12" version) - Erasure

Intake
Breakfast: coffee, oatmeal with raisins, mile & brown sugar, mango, V-8, vitamin
Snacks: PowerBar Triple Threat, coffee, banana
Lunch: Leftovers! A little chicken curry, sweet potatoes, pasta salad & bread
Dinner: broccoli rizzo with pita, french fries, coffee
Nightcap: Manhattan

My moustache froze.

Dear, dear me. Here I am, turning onto Euclid Hts. Blvd., blissing out to the once-upon-a-time-was-edgy, rock-chick stylings of Liz Phair, when who should flag me down but my neighbor, Mz. J, driving by in her subcompact. After slowing to almost a walk and extricating my earphones from my odd-neck-thing, she asks if I need a ride.

Woke before dawn with a headache, took ibiprofen and a glass of water and went back to sleep. Still nagging pain in my head when I got up, making me feel queasy, though going for a run has entirely eliminated it. Love it when things work out that way.

UPDATE: Oh my God! Rehearsal tonight was a funky puppet dance rehearsal - my shins were screaming! I can't tell wether it was a good thing or a bad thing I went running today. I have been going much fast, I think, just to get the f*ck home. Thank you, Tylenol 8 Hour!

... is not Chicago.

Distance: 4 miles
Weight: 166.5 lbs.
Stretches: yes
Drink: Gatorade Endurance
Time: 9.40pm
Weather: 59º cool, man, cool.

"Married/Buried" Playlist
Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago - Soul Coughing
Serious - Duran Duran
Veronica - Elvis Costello
The Globe - Big Audio Dynamite II
Kinda I Want To - Nine Inch Nails
Brave New World - Michael Penn
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory
Disappointed - Electronic
Cooldown: Vogue - Madonna

This may not be my best day ... but this ain't no golden age.

Time, a hideous migraine, family illness, dehydration and sheer exhaustion made it utterly impossible for me to run in Chicago, indoors, outdoors or anywhere else. So much for a second twenty miles, I am taking the risk. Made my big push two weeks ago, and am already gearing up for the big run. Travel plans are in effect, I need to seriously question my diet (no tomatoes, no tomatoes, no tomatoes) and keep myself rested, limber and well-energized.

I need to buy goo, and try it out on my fifteen miler this Saturday. Also, I must go thrifting and get some disposable sweats, gloves and maybe a hat. The gel soles in my shoes are well worn and should be replaced now, rather than later.

The shoes are good. The gear is good. My shin splints are gone. My corns are gone. Today, my hip does not hurt. It is, as the kids used to say, all good.

I kiss the city of New York

Week-end total: 24 miles

Distance: 13 miles
Weight: 165.5 lbs.
Stretches: yes
Sports drink:yes
Snack: balance bar (bfeore) NutriGrain bar (after)
Time: 2 hours, 4 minutes
Weather: 5:30am, cool

"The Brat Pack" Playlist
I'm Your Man - Wham!
Perfect Kiss - New Order
Everyday is Halloween - Ministry
Close (to the Edit) - The Art of Noise
Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
Conga - Miami Sound Machine
Like Wow Wipeout - Hoodoo Gurus
Space Age Love Song - A Flock of Seagulls
Delirious - Prince
Weird Science - Oingo Boingo
Don't Go - Yazoo
Road to Nowhere - Talking Heads
Let's Go All the Way - Sly Fox
Strait Old Line - Split Enz
Nemesis - Shriekback
Whammy Kiss* - The B-52s
Can't Get There From Here - R.E.M.
Hyperactive - Thomas Dolby
The Power of Love - Huey Lewis & the News
Gone Daddy Gone* - Violent Femmes
Synchronicity II* - The Police
Shout - Tears for Fears
Pressure - Billy Joel
The Metro* - Berlin
Mirror in the Bathroom* - The Beat
Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Hold Back the Rain - Duran Duran
The Fanatic - Felony
Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) - Haircut 100
Cooldown: I Go Swimming - Peter Gabriel

The wife suggested coffee the moment I wake up, before stretches, might assist in my exoneration. Caffeine is a diuretic, but it also dehydrates, so I had a little more fluid ... and felt like I needed to pee the entire run. But it did take care of the other problem, too.

I woke with a slight headache, as I have the past several days. I did not take my prescribed Imitrex. That stuff constricts your blood vessels in order to stave off migraines - and I didn't want to have a heart attack this morning.

Down Little Italy and through University Circle to MLK. Took a lovely walk through the Italian Cultural Garden before heading back. Water break at Wade Oval, one lap there, past Severance Hall and the hospital before heading back up the hill, past Coventry (water break in Turtle Park) and home.

I did feel some pulling in one glute, and then the other, about two-thirds of the way through, but stopped to do some gentle stretches and they went away.

A half-marathon, all by myself. And it only took a little over two hours, which is entirely acceptable.

The question is, could I do it again, right now?