Pump positive vibes.

Same energy.

So. War in the Middle East. Jesus Fucking Christ.

Distance: 3.17 miles

Duration: 31:48
Pace: 10:01

New shoes. They did not have 880s in stock, which is shocking because every white man in America over the age of fifty wears NB 880. They did have 1080s, which are like walking on marshmallows. Doesn't necessarily sound like a bad thing, but I'm so high off the ground I was worried I might twist an ankle or something.

This did not happen. The elder and I both got new kicks, there may be a 10K in our future. Maybe.

Good partner run. But cold. But good. Very impressed they ran a 5K easily, our first time out in a while.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 27°
Climate: sunny & cold, light wind 
Mood: all right

Thirteen runs in February, illness took my off my game but I only missed one. Hope to make fifteen in March. March, right?

1991 Playlist

Diane - Material Issue

Good Vibrations - Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch ft. Loleatta Holloway

Visions of You - Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart ft. Shuhada' Sadaqat

Pain Lies On the Riverside - Live

Rush - Big Audio Dynamite

Why Should I Cry For You - Sting

7 - Prince & the New Power Generation

Rockin' Back Inside My Heart - Julee Cruise

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs. (-0-)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Hear my heart beats in the hallway.

It was not until I started training for my first marathon that I began having one pair of shoes that I used only for running. In the past, I would run in whatever sneakers I currently owned. Run in whatever.

In short time, it became anathema to do so, to use my running shoes for walking around. They were for running, full stop. When they were retired, and I got a new pair of running shoes, then they became my walking shoes.

When we visited Cincinnati, I brought a pair of shorts, which is unusual for me. I know a lot of folks wear shorts. But when I travel, I prefer not to. I want to be seen as an adult. But when it's hot, in America, men wear shorts. And I knew it was going to be very hot. 

So I brought the shorts. But not the sneaks. I had my knock-off chukka boots. And I wasn't going to wear them with shorts, I'd look like a grampa.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:50
Pace: 9:18

Forty years ago this summer, I discovered The Cure. Their 1985 release, Head On the Door is possibly their most accessible record, we caught the video for "In Between Days" on Night Flight.

Their first album was released as Boys Don't Cry in the United States and included the title track and also [The Canceled Song] but today I run to the original LP, Three Imaginary Boys. It includes the very first Cure song I was aware of, "Grinding Halt" which was on the Times Square soundtrack.

Three Imaginary Boys - The Cure (1979)
10:15 Saturday Night

Accuracy

Grinding Halt

Object (154 BPM)

Foxy Lady (164 BPM)

Meathook

So What

Fire in Cairo

It's Not You (167 BPM)

Three Imaginary Boys (169 BPM)

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 77°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

Yesterday I was grazing, but in moderation. Over the weekend dining was at odd hours, anyway. Today I begin public transit summer, taking the bus to work. I may make this a regular thing. When all I am doing is going downtown, parking, then coming home, what is the point of driving myself?

Also, I can read.

UPDATE: In my original draft of this post, I said that 1985 was thirty years ago. It was, in fact, forty years ago. My wife was the first to correct me, and I will never forgive her.

Got my head in the sky and a heart like a hurricane.

And we're back. Following a thirty-hour day (literally) we arrived home, managed to put a few things together before passing out. We saw so many beautiful things together, and as a family. It was just what I wanted.

And I only gained one pound. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:53
Pace: 8:59

Also, came home to find a new pair of shoes. We'd bought these the day before departure, but I didn't want to break them in on the trip. Why? Because they are eleven and a half. Yes, a half size larger than my last pair -- which were a half size larger than the pair before that.

Either my feet have gotten two sizes bigger in the twenty years since I began running in earnest, or I have always been cramming my feet into shoes that are too small. I think it's a bit of both.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 69°
Climate: clammy & humid
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 161 libs.

2015 Playlist

Magnets - Disclosure ft. Lorde

Bury Our Friends - Sleater-Kinney

Know Now - Public Image Ltd.

Pedestrian at Best - Courtney Barnett

Disappointing - John Grant ft. Tracey Thorn

Head Over Heels - JD McPherson

The Shade - Metric

Don't Wanna Fight - Alabama Shakes

Running down to the riptide.

It's a birthday! So I got up early to make breakfast for our 19 year old and had a meeting at eleven so I wasn't planning to run. But it's so beautiful out! Then the meeting was pushed back to noon. Perfect!

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:27
Pace: 9:30

Normally, I ascribe any song to the year it was released. But as with all things, we make an exception for Taylor.

2014 Playlist  

Style (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift

BoJack's Theme (Full Length)  - Patrick Carney & Ralph Carney

Avalanche - Walk the Moon

Riptide - Vance Joy

Under the Pressure - The War on Drugs

They Want My Soul - Spoon

Two Bodies - Flight Facilities ft. Emma Louise

I have decided I do not actually like The War On Drugs.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°

Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Regarding my feet. Up until the year 2006, I was wearing a size 9.5. They were tight then, but as I ran and I needed new shoes I was surprised to bump up to a ten. And then a ten and a half, where I have been for at least ten years.

The other day I got a pair of elevens. I was surprised even then, that my feet are even longer. But you know what? They're too small.

Upper body: 40 reps.

Core Strength: 

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 179 lbs.(-0-)

Goal: 175 lbs.

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, ebelskivers w/whipped cream & syrup

Lunch: sunbutter & preserves sandwich, Cheetos

Happy Hour: beer, dried fruit & almonds

Dinner: noodles, dumplings, broccoli

Nightcap: Gold Rush

There's an open road that leads nowhere.

Shared this with the boy last night.
Holds up.

Surprise! The boy gets up early, and asks me to run. 

We had a two hour workshop yesterday, which hurt my knees and exhausted me. This morning I have been dizzy, woozy, unsteady. I had just been thinking I would exercise, to knock me out of my torpor. Then he asks for a run. One mile. Perfect! 

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:09

1975 Playlist

Evil Woman - Electric Light Orchestra

Mamma Mia! - ABBA

That's The Way (I Like It) - KC & the Sunshine Band

Also, new shoes!

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: light rain
Mood: good!
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Upper body: 60 rep

Core Strength: 

   Sit-Up: 40

   Bicycle: 50

   Plank: 60 sec.

Baseline: 185 lbs.
Weight: 179 lbs. (-0-)

Goal: 175 lbs.

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, oatmeal, butter, brown sugar, cream w/dried & fresh fruit

Lunch: broccoli cheese casserole

Snack: Coke, Cheetos

Dinner: bean paste & toast, cocktail

Evening: Doritos (fuck you)

Kiss me and kiss me 'til I'm dead.

Should I run today? I don't know. Socked with a Saturday morning headache for no reason I have managed to do good, in spite of the pain and nausea. I did my writing! I put down over fifteen pages of my new play script! I bought new shoes! 

I have also taken two naps and feel highly vertiginous. Maybe I should just not. But Pandemonium is tonight and I want to clear my head and move my body. So here we go!

It will not be a late night. When my gig is through, I am having one beer and going the heck home.

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 37:34
Pace: 9:23

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 69°
Climate: overcast & cool

Mood: good

Truly the last relevant original movie soundtrack, on this Gen X and Millennials can agree.

 

William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music from the Motion Picture

#1 Crush - Garbage

Local God - Everclear

Angel - Gavin Friday

Pretty Piece of Flesh - One Inch Punch

Whatever (I Had a Dream) - Butthole Surfers

Lovefool - The Cardigans

To You I Bestow - Mundy

Talk Show Host - Radiohead

You and Me Song - The Wannadies

Exit Music (For a Film) - Radiohead

*Kym Mazelle's cover of Young Hearts Run Free and Everybody's Free (To Feel Good) by Quindon Tarver are not currently available on Spotify.

 
Stretches: yes

Sit-Ups: 20

Water: yes

Good call. I feel so much better, and ready for the evening.

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

Lunch: ramen w/egg

Treat: chocolate filled croissant (from my love)

Dinner: taco bowl w/rice, chicken  beans

Alcohol? Dortmunder (1x)

Late Night Snack: pizza (1 slice)

Reading: HTD

Writing: transcribing the scenes!

On top of the world, looking over the edge.

Ha ha. See you on the cove. Sure. I would like one summer when I can and do run for the entire season.

My retina detached (more on that here) and was repaired. But impact-based exercise was off the table for an extended period. And I was unable to join my family in our annual retreat. Things could be worse.

Things could always be worse.

For the time being, I have been walking. Three miles, every other day or so, when I have the time. And that's really been nice. And it's kept me sane. And it's good for me. I follow the same path to the park, through the park and back. 

When I started it took twenty minutes to walk a mile. Then it was more like eighteen.

But I have been eating whatever. Back to square one. Time to get my act together. Again. 

One month ago.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 33:25
Pace: 10:47
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 77°
Climate: lovely (but humid)
Mood: good, you know?
Stretches: yes
Water: not enough

Weight: 182.5 lbs. 

Goal: 180 lbs.

Today I had my one month visit and was told that my retina looked "gorgeous" -- that was the word he used. I no longer must sleep only on my right side, and I may resume normal exercise, like running.

The celebrate, I bought a new pair of New Balance shoes at Second Sole. Support your local business!

What's That Lyric?

Cloudbusting - Kate Bush

I wonder what you're living for.

As my mother used to say, "Well. I'm glad you got that out of your system."

Today is not a day I would choose to go running. It's very hot. I had a poor night's sleep. And I feel weak, disengaged, numb, depressed. I'm not actually numb, I feel like crying. I feel like giving up on everything.

But the boy and I just got new shoes from Second Sole. Saucony, that's a first. He was leaving as I got home, and he encouraged me to take a run, which was thoughtful.

I'm tired. I feel like doing nothing at all. Once my father had a terrible headache (he told me this story) he was a young man and his head hurt so much he couldn't stand it. He said he took ten aspirin, figuring they would either kill him or make his pain go away. Anyway, it didn't kill him.

I have no idea if this is a smart thing to do. It doesn't feel like it. But I keep dithering her at my laptop because I have no idea what else to do.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 30:26
Pace: 9:22
Route: Boulevard Loop
Temperature: 79°
Climate: hot & sunny
Mood: very bad
Weight: 169 lbs. (-1.0)

It was difficult, but not hard. Not much speed, but I felt good. Managing rush hour traffic, and the Greek Festival. Watching pedestrians and parked cars and stopping at all intersections.

Saw some bullshit at the main intersection, up the hill. Not paying attention to people in the crosswalk when trying to make a left turn in front of oncoming traffic. Blowing your horn three times to let people know you know you're running a red light, but I don't care. Assholes.

Heading down the hill I see a car coming to a stop at a side street at the stop sign, so I run through. Then they accelerate. I shouted, they saw me and looked shocked as they peeled past, missing me by feet.

I am going to get killed. Someone is going to kill me.

Nice new kicks, though.

Intake
Breakfast: coffee (2x)
Lunch: pizza (1 slice), salad, cupcake
Dinner: nachos w/pico de gallo, corn on the cob

Dessert: cookies, milk

Also, fizzy water (1x), mocktail

What's That Lyric?

First Wave Intact - Secret Machines

We can change the world.

Kill me.

We go days without drinking alcohol. None. It has been several days, including weekends. Friday night, soda water. Saturday morning, the headache. The Saturday morning headache. The day ruining headache.

Usually, when I have this kind of head pain I think it must have had something to do with alcohol, and in that way I can work up a real, Puritanic guilt. I fucked up This is my fault. That is an unhealthy way to think, anyway. But in this case, it's just false.

I spent most of the day in bed dozing. What a waste. At least I was able to read. And the turth is, it kept me from running. I think these joints need a day between runs, one day at least.

The mornings are cooler. It is the golden time for running -- and also sinus headaches.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 18:15
Pace: 9:07
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 66°
Climate: nice.
Mood: determined
Weight: 179 lbs. (-2.0) Achievement unlocked.

I would have gone to the park this morning ... but I put on the wrong shoes. These things hurt me in Chicago, I should never have run in them.

Kamala's Summer Playlist
Push It - Salt-N-Pepa
Girl - Destiny's Child
What If - India.Arie
Day Dreaming - Aretha Franklin
How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings

Here at breaking point, mind and body tired.

Have a kink in my right ankle again. Is it my stride, or my shoes? Could be the shoes. It might be the shoes. Or is it me? It's a question.

Did we dine sensibly yesterday? Depends on what you mean. I did have snack of almonds before dinner. And there was dessert, but not an outrageous one. Ice cream with macerated apples and caramel. I let my wife serve me, it was a fine portion of dessert (also delicious.)

So. There. So there.

Distance: 3.5 miles
Duration: 34:23
Pace: 9:49
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 61°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: all right
Weight: 191 lbs. (-1.0)

Did I say right ankle? I meant left. Left ankle. At least, that was today.

I think it's the shoes.

Teenage Kicks: Block Rockin' Weekend Edition!
   The Specials:
Breaking Point
A Message To You, Rudy
Concrete Jungle*
   The The:
This Is The Day
Dogs of Lust*
The Beat(en) Generation
   Kate Bush:
Why Should I Love You (ft. Prince)
Running Up That Hill
The Man With the Child In His Eyes

Okay, that was amazing.

Random thoughts on the race.

With Con & Nell, Oct. 13, 2019

This will be unpleasant.

The large band-aids (nipple protectors) fell off around mile ten. Like, both of them, within a quarter mile of each other, just started sliding down my torso. The lesson here, trim chest hair no less than a week to five days beforehand. (Trim too close to the run and you will be a miserable, itchy madman.)

These shoes. I reported an unhappy toenail incident when I ran the twenty mile, my first long run with these shoes. Well, I think I may have killed most of the toenails on my right foot. It's too early to tell but they are all very tender and bruised. Ditto a few on the left foot. Hate to be a hater, but I think it's the shoes. The soles are just a little too soft, not enough support.

Seriously. These shoes trashed all my toenails.

Spent the week answering people's queries about the race. "How did it go?" I feel like an idiot when I answer, "it was hard."  Of course it was hard, it's a marathon! But this was harder. I wanted to enjoy it more. Memories of previous races I don't recall the pain. Perhaps that is what I will be left with for Chicago.

It truly was a beautiful day.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 28:43
Pace: 8:49
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 64°
Climate: perfect
Mood: not bad

Since the race I have been eating. Eating everything. No abandon. Not exactly true, I have been avoiding sweets. But fats, I'm all over that. Okay, a week. You had a week. It's time to exhibit traditional restraint. I think I can manage that.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 170 lbs. (+2.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

Okay, I love running again.

... and then I die.

Night of pain, and a sore day. I fell asleep on my left arm and when I woke up it was a world of hurt. So, of course, I thought I was having a heart attack. (I was not having a heart attack.)

So, recovery run it is.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Duration: 28:18
Pace: 8:42
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: cool & humid
Mood: decent
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

In the run up to Y2K, there was a theory that the date 9/9/99 might also cause havoc as "9999" was a shutdown code in older computer systems.

This did not happen. January 1, 2000 also arrived without incident, and nothing bad has happened ever since.

To commemorate the "little y2k" I made a mix tape. This is what I was into twenty years ago today.

Now it's a Spotify playlists. Enjoy!

(Missing: "Cinnabar" and "Oops!" by Tipsy, "Comfy Club" by Pnu Riff.)

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 166 lbs.
Goal: 160 lbs.

Evening run. Gotta run in the evening so you can write in the morning.

New shoes, Under Armour. Like running on clouds.

What's That Lyric?
The Sky Is Broken - Moby

The phones are tight and the music's playing loud.

Home much housework can I get done before two pm? I was going to sleep until seven, but a cat started to vomit on my wife's desk around six-thirty so I had to spring into action and get him off of there before he launched. So I have been picking up a little while I wake. Simple breakfast, crossword, watched an episode of The Umbrella Academy while I folded laundry, only got halfway through.

This is what I do when the family i out of town. I do housework, and then I write about it.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 27:00
Pace: 9:00
Route: Neighborhood Loop

Can't figure out why my left toe is hurting. Does this have anything to do with the bend in the joints? I have (more or less) successfully kept from developing a bunion for thirteen years. Keeping my toe straight, running with intention. But this is a pain which make me feel like I have been putting too much stress inward, landing on the inside of my foot.

Or maybe it's just irritation from a callous building up from all the running. I will continue to monitor.

Temperature: 70°
Climate: rain!
Mood: all right
Stretches: a little
Bandage: forgot

Decided to stay close to home, as it was threatening to rain. And then it did - a little. A pleasant rain. Makes a difference when I am wearing a cap with a bill rather than being caught in a downpour in a bandanna. Hardly noticed it. Hardly brought the temperature down, I am a sweaty boy.

I think it's just the shoes, and the way I run in it. I don't really like these shoes, I should get a new pair.

1980 Playlist
The Wanderer - Donna Summer
Over You - Roxy Music
Ceremony (demo) - New Order
Go For It - Graham Gouldman
Skateaway - Dire Straits
Transmission - Joy Division
Another Nail In My Heart - Squeeze

It's so cute listening to Bernard Sumner pretend like he can sing.

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 172 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 170 lbs.

All flesh, begone!

The boy's doctor suggested he get proper running shoes for exercise (of course) so today in addition to other back-to-school numbers, we picked up clearance-priced sneaks at Nordstrom Rack.

I have new New Balance Abzorbs, Asics Gel Absorb-4s. Time to hit those streets!

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 76°
Climate: sunny, bright
Mood: okay

We ran a little, walked a little, around the block. His feet hurt, he thinks from trying on other shoes, not these. His feet usually hurt when we hit the pavement, it's also humid and hot. He did so well in Maine, though. It's probably the weather. And those other shoes.

He's been very conscious of his diet, in a good way. He gave me most of his bread from lunch (sensible portion of mac & cheese, with salad) which I then ate. I didn't need to eat that.

Exercises: later

Great run by myself, around the park. Folks grilling, fishing, walking dogs. I am a hot and sweaty mess, but at least I feel good.

I still need to write about acupuncture.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 170 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 165 lbs.

What's That Lyric?
Poor Skeleton Steps Out - XTC

I can still hear the footsteps.

Elvis stops the show.

Running in new shoes is like running through a brand new world, on new, comfortable surfaces. Yesterday there was still a kink in my right ankle, as before. It was a mental exercise to roll through my foot properly, to not favor one leg over the other, that is how I can cause further damage.

Soon the pain was gone, all was well. The new shoes were doing their work, and all was good. Today, no pain at all.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Pavement: dry
Temperature: 52°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right

Unfortunately, last Friday I wore some old leather shoes to work which I believed had been broken in. But, uh, they hadn't been. My heels got all chewed up, there are sore spots there, not yet scabs. However, father left me (which is to say, I took from his closet) a set of shoes stretchers and I am using them to give these nice, virtually new shoes (dress brown Timberlands) a new direction.

Thanks, Dad.

Baseline: 174 lbs.
Today: 164.5 lbs. (-1.5)
Goal: 165 lbs.
Ideal: 160 lbs.

The girl and her cohort are obsessed with Saturday Night Live. They are desperately waiting for next weekend when new episodes resume. I have said a few things about watching the show in the early days, but have resisted sitting her down to watch any, because I don't think she would like them. Few women (only the chosen one and the humiliated one) and one person of color who was sorely miscast. Mostly brash, obnoxious, white, drug-addled men, and that's just a fact.

1977 Playlist
See No Evil - Television
Never Going Back Again - Fleetwood Mac
I Robot - Alan Parson Project
Warsaw * - Joy Division
Commando - The Ramones
Tie Your Mother Down - Queen
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
Less Than Zero - Elvis Costello

2017: The year Television broke. I have known about this band for decades. Why have I never listened to them?

Don't let it get you down, good people.

For Christmas, mom got me a gift certificate for Cleveland Running Co. on Lee Road (thanks, Mom) which was very nice. Though I have only been running in the Asics Josh gave me for ten months, I have given them quite a workout, and my feet have been causing me pain of late.

And, hey. Gift certificate.

So Jim fixed me up with a pair of Brooks Neuro 2, and also a new pair of all-weather pants. Good news!

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Pavement: dry
Temperature: 54°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: decent

Lordy, if every day could be like today, I would run forever. Too much to do, however, so I kept it short. Bright and cool, with an amazing playlist. Only two more in the 52 Years list, and it is a bit anticlimactic. Worked up a head of steam then petered out in March. For the best, I imagine. And I probably get to complete the 2017 Playlist on another beautiful, spring day.

Baseline: 174 lbs.
Today: 166 lbs. (+2.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.
Ideal: 160 lbs.

Karl goes under the "knife" on Friday, arthroscopic surgery on his knee. He has a torn meniscus, as I had nine years ago and is having a similar procedure. Everything goes as planned, he'll be back on his feet in no time.

That was a difficult time for me, I was turning forty and I had my last run in July 2008. It was very painful, I just kept going even though things never got any better. I was in denial for some time. Since the operation in September 2008, I have run two marathons and basically feel as good as I ever have.

Positive thoughts for Karl!

1997 Playlist
Piku - Chemical Brothers
Good Shit - Cornershop
Come - The Vampyres
Fat Ass Joint - Cujo
Star People '97 - George Michael
Parsec * - Stereolab

I'm in need of some restraint.

Last night I was up until one am with a sick child and this morning my hip hurts from the first run I had taken in almost two weeks.

But its sixty degrees out, and it's Sunday. That is when the running happens.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Avg. Pace: 8:39
Duration: 28:08
Route: Forest Hill Loop

A lazy Sunday morning, but not lazy enough. My mind is in such a tumult I could not locate my toe spacers and I headed out with my last running shoes. I should have turned around, I had a kink in one ankle, then the other, and in my right knee again, briefly. Took it a little easier. That's hard for me to do.

I am overdue for new shoes.

Temperature: 63°
Climate: coll & humid
Mood: anxious

Baseline: 174 lbs.
Today: 165 lbs. (-3.0) Uh, okay?
Goal: 165 lbs.
Ideal: 160 lbs.

1968 Playlist
Grazing In the Grass - Hugh Masekela
Trouble/Guitar Man (live) - Elvis Presley
Stray Cat Blues - The Rolling Stones
Can I Change My Mind - Tyrone David
Daydream Believer - The Monkees
Sympathy for the Devil - The Rolling Stones
White Light/White Heat - The Velvet Underground
Son of a Preacher Man - Dusty Springfield
Astral Weeks - Van Morrison

All I want is to forget how old I am.

Because fuck you.

Once again, I made a personal best, and under such oppressive conditions. How is this even possible? I mean, it's not Olympic, but I am how old I am. I have been running with regularity since 1998, and I keep doing better.

And I am depressed, for two reasons. One, I fear this could be it. I thought that in Minnesota, I am thinking it again. When do I do less better? How will that hit me?

In addition, what if I had started earlier? Why did I not go out for track when I was in eighth grade, or entering high school? Why marching band, why not something original, exciting, new, and uniquely my own?

The extent to which athletics was considered a non-possibility in my house when growing up makes me very sad.

Distance: 3 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop

New shoes! Josh got some Asics and they don't work for him, so I am the benefactor. A little snug, on the smaller side of 10.5, but after one run they loosened up a bit. We'll see if they work out for me.

Thanks, Josh!

Temperature: 61°
Climate: warm!
Weight: 163.5 lbs.
Mood: good

Didn't run since the half. No time, too much going on. End of the school year affects my home life and work life, and there are so many places I have to be. And that's good.

But for a recovery run, it was pretty fast, free and fun. No goals right now, no timing my run, just listening to my body as I move through space.

Spring 2016 Playlist
2AM  - Bear Hands
Soundcheck - Catfish and the Bottlemen
I Know You Got Soul - Eric B. & Rakim
The Only One I Know - The Charlatans
Crown On The Ground - Sleigh Bells

Warmdown
Water - Ra Ra Riot

Dude thinks he's Annie Lennox. That's cool.

Resolution

March, 2006

Yesterday it was 52° outside. Today it is considerably colder.

Ten years ago today, I began this blog. I began keeping Daddy Runs Fast.

January 10, 2006 

Bad News: 10 lbs. overweight, with a compulsion to eat everything in my reach. Just yesterday I scarfed down some four M&M cookies. Today it was fried crap from BK.

Good News: There was a period last year when I doubted I would ever run again. The plan is to run no more than three days a week, and only for short distances, until the first day of spring. It will be a difficult road back ... but it's been harder than this before.

When I said I was ten pounds overweight it was because I was around 170 lbs. At that time I had applied for the New York City Marathon but would not find out until June that I had won the entrance lottery.

Distance: 2.5 miles
Avg Pace: 8:40
Duration: 21:40
Route: Three times around the block.

New York Marathon, 2006

In ten years I have run three marathons (2006, 2012, 2015) and three half marathons (2007, 2008, 2010.)

I wrote a play about my life as a runner titled And Then You Die (How I Ran a Marathon in 26.2 Years) which was performed at Cleveland Public Theatre and at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2009.

I had arthroscopic surgery on my left knee, to shear a torn meniscus. I developed and have dealt successfully with a herniated disc. I was on Lexapro for a year, and then off it ever since.

I have weighed 182 pounds. I have weighed 148 pounds.

Temperature: 27°
Climate: cold! ice! snow!
Pavement: crusty and slippery

I continue to run. I get better at it. Every race I have run faster and recovered faster. I wanted this to be part of my life, but until I started keeping a record of it, in this blog, I never really had. I would run, on occasion. Sometimes often, sometimes not for months.Writing about it, even if just making a note, maybe just saying how I wasn't in the mood to say anything, but making a mark every time I ran has kept me going.

I was 37 when I began this blog, now I am 47. My daughter was two going on three. At the end of this month she turns thirteen. The boy was not yet one.

January, 2016

Today we all went to the sporting good store to cash out a very generous gift card from my parents. I got new shoes, the boy winter gear, the girl shoes for futsal, and my wife - the runner - got an all-weather jacket and pants.

Weight: 162.5 lbs. (-3.0)
Mood: not bad
New shoes: Saucony Power Grid

2006 Playlist
Someone Great - LCD Soundsystem
Shine - Take That
Punkrocker - Teddybears ft. Iggy Pop
Mothership - Kid Beyond
Beware of the Dog - Jamelia
Heart In a Cage - The Strokes

Better angels.

On your left.

One thing I neglected to note yesterday was how pleasant it was to run in the dark in temperatures in the mid-60s. Delightful, really.

Also, last week Fil asked about shoes. His were past their freshness date, but he has a long race coming up and should he continue to wear them through the race or get new ones?

People had all kinds of opinions, but as I normally ask in any given situation, "How does this affect me?" I checked and realized my shoes are well over a hundred miles past their limit.

Distance: 6 miles
Duration: 48:23
Avg Pace: 8:03
Route: South Euclid Loop

Radio 360: American Icons: The Lincoln Memorial

The idea of listening to podcasts is not necessarily inspiring. However, often I find them useful. Certainly downloading them means I am not streaming data, which helps with our cell plan. But I also run briskly while listening to them, and I feel as though I stand straighter. Today's episode concluded just as I was rounding the last bend and as I walked the last few yards I felt taller. Perhaps I was inspired by the man himself.

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
- Song of Solomon 8:6

Temperature: 57°
Climate: cool
Weight: 155.5 lbs.
Intake: banana
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: no
Stretches: yoga (10 min.)
Upper Body: 80 reps