I'm saturated.

So, I have developed another bout of sciatica. Alas. It's on the right side, just above the glute, and goes all the way down through my calf. If I didn't know any better, I'd think that's also why it feels like I pulled a string in my right big toe. Or maybe that is why I feel that. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:37
Pace: 9:13

"He looked at his friends. He saw these beings who never wearied, unless from sport -- who never sweated, unless for sport -- who were never out of breath, unless from sport. Beings requiring their joyous games in order that their food and drink might agree with them, in order to be able to sleep well and digest easily."

- "Metropolis" by Thea von Harbou

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 62°
Climate: lovely
Mood: good

Lovely day off yesterday. Much personal work accomplished. Return to my desk for the first time in three weeks, all of June. Imagine working.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+2.0)

Okay, working on a period accurate summer mixtape for the year 1988, and by that I mean tracks I was actually listening to at that time -- and recently released. Which begs the question ... should I include a song from Joy Division? A CD collection called Substance (also the title of New Order's greatest hits collection, released the previous fall) dropped in July 1988, exposing myself and countless others to the band.

This is is why, amongst Never Tear Us Apart by INXS and The Killing Moon by Echo and the Bunnymen, it makes sense that Love Will Tear Us Apart is in Donnie Darko.

I think I just answered my own question.

Summer 1988 Mixtape (in progress)

Guns In the Sky (Kick Ass Mix) - INXS

Monkey (Jam & Lewis Remix) - George Michael

Spark (acoustic) - The Church

Fast Car - Tracy Chapman

Suedehead - Morrissey

(Nothing But) Flowers - Talking Heads

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

It's great to see you but I'm running late.

Took a dip yesterday, I was so thrilled to wake up all alert and positive on Wednesday only to be totally exhausted by the end of that day and dragging my ass Thursday morning. But hey, you're not twenty-one anymore. I mean, in maturity, sure. But just because you have briefly stopped intoxicating yourself, you're not just going to reset.

Speaking of being twenty-one again, I choose College Music.

"Fields suck."

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:04 (no lights!)
Pace: 9:03

Four dry days. All right, then.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 78°
Climate: sunny & hot 
Mood: apprehensive

Time to make the calls.

College Playlist (1986-1990)

Monkey (Extra Beats) - George Michael

I Don't Want to Be a Hero - Johnny Hates Jazz

Kiss - Prince & the Revoilution

Begin the Begin - R.E.M.

Enjoy the Silence (Hands and Feet Mix) - Depeche Mode

Guns in the Sky (Kookaburra Mix) - INXS

The Beaten(en) Generation - The The

Was It Worth It? (12" Mix) - Pet Shop Boys

Stretches: sorta
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs. (-1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Hey. Only fools rush in and only time will tell if we stand the test of time.

This week has been challenging. A post-Mother's Day ball game was less-than pleasant because the air was just a bit too chilly (we did defeat the Angels, however.) 

Then on Tuesday, I played substitute at my old middle school (not the same building, but like ship of Theseus, it occupies the same space) and, I'm not getting into this, but agreeing to let my colleague run the class they way she preferred meant I was standing for the better part of five hours.  

I came home and took a two hour nap, which is not my custom, it's not something I can do, sleep for two hours in the afternoon. But I was exhausted. This morning, I woke exhausted, but needed to teach a day-long Romeo & Juliet workshop at my spouse's former place of employment.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:23
Pace: 8:49

I thought I would be destroyed, but it was a lovely day. My throat burns from two days of talking, and I did take a twenty minute nap after work, but you know? Sometimes I feel better after a run.

Even when it is cooler than I would desire

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 51°
Climate: overcast and breezy, nice
Mood: driven

Prom 1986

Why Can't This Be Love - Van Halen

Pretty In Pink - Psychedelic Furs

Red Red Wine - UB40

If You Leave - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

These Dreams - Heart

Your Love - The Outfield

Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes 

Don't You (Forget About Me) 12" Version - Simple Minds

We have this mini-class reunion happening on Friday, so I was in a mood.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 166 lbs.

Here we go. Can we bring it back. We've been enjoying a lot of high calorie leftovers. Also, cake.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

How can someone so young say words so sad?

Drive like your kids.

Take the note, guy.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:33
Pace: 8:50

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 47°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: I mean

1987 Playlist

Ahead - Wire

The Perfect Girl - The Cure

The Badger Song - The Dead Milkmen

The Dead Heart - Midnight Oil

I Don't Know - The Replacements

Heartbreak Beat - The Psychedelic Furs

Sheila Take a Bow - The Smiths

Everywhere - Fleetwood Mac

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+5.0)

Hold up, wait.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

You have to learn to pace yourself.

For an "easy week" it's pretty full. Conducting the Salesman residency at an exurban high school, attending an in-person staff meeting (a rarity since COVID) and hitting Dark Room. But 80s music is inspiring, so run we must.

Also, we just ended the longest streak of below-freezing days since 1899! But not today.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 24:47

"You need despair and anger in order for an authoritarian to rise."
- Heather Cox Richardson

Route: rec center
Temperature: 30°
Climate: cool
Mood: all right?

1982 Playlist

I'm So Excited (Extended Version) - The Pointer Sisters

More Than This - Roxy Music

Pressure - Billy Joel

Jason & the Argonauts - XTC 

Don’t Go - Yazoo

Rio (Night Version) - Duran Duran

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

We are attending a ceremony of life in Poughkeepsie this weekend, I am not certain if I will get a run in. In fact, I'm not sure that I should try. Because these are the times I should relax and not worry about such things. Still, twenty-one consistent runs since the beginning of the new year. Something to be thankful for.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

His little heart, it beat so fast.

I am glad I have resolved to fight this year because it's been only a couple of weeks and it's been one battle after another. That's not intended as a reference to the movie, it's just the first thing that came into my head.

When things are bad creatively, when things are bad vocationally, when things are bad locally, when things are bad nationally, I take a breath and remember a few things. My home. My partner. My family. My body and my mind. 

It is like the man said, I am the one thing in life I can control. It's a good line.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 24:55
Route: rec center
Temperature: 17°
Climate: cold
Mood: here for it

2004 Playlist

Common People - William Shatner

Hounds of Love - Futureheads

Michael - Franz Ferdinand

Fit But You Know It - The Streets

Broken Glass - Crystal Method

They - Jem

Hoist That Rag - Tom Waits

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

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

You scream and everybody comes … running.

We're reading more books!
(We're just not finishing them.)

The holidays are fun and all, but how do you feel about reality? Thankfully, I took down the icicle lights and wreath yesterday, when the pavement was damp and not crusted with snow, as it is today.

And work, how do you feel about work? Not as though I wasn't working all through the holidays. Or, at least my mind was working. And it is working now.

Distance: 2 miles

Duration: 16:40

Two days in a row? I thought we didn't do that anymore. Yes, well. I know tomorrow is a no-go, with classes all day and a special event in the evening. I'll take the risk to keep on track.

Route: rec center
Temperature: 28°
Climate: light snow
Mood: driven

But, dude. Remember to eat something.

1975 Playlist

Dancing in the Nude - The Funkees

I Got The … - Labi Siffre

Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof Off the Sucker) - Parliament 

Fox On the Run - The Sweet

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+3.0)

Good lord, what a productive morning. I have resolved to make the most of my weekends in the form of creation. Of course, I need to do this every day, but it is particularly edifying to accomplish a handsome amount of several things, in a row, to graze, as it were, through my necessaries.

Study, read, write, tend (i.e. chores), exercise, write again. That's a morning, less than a morning.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I like the way you move.

Guy Richards Smit

Stress. Stress and insecurity. There is much to do. I prefer that to having nothing to do. I made lists for each of the past four days, with very clear objectives for each day. I got half of it completed. Not true, I got half of each task completed, which is better than all of half of them, if you follow me. Things got started, and needed additional time, information, fortitude, time. 

That is an accomplishment: starting.

My back still hurts.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:51

Translation: Gosh! Whatever's in those Epstein files must be really, really bad!

Route: rec center
Temperature: 27°
Climate: overcast & cold
Mood: less anxious

Woke this morning with a headache. In spite of that, I was able to write a new scene, which means I am, in fact, in charge of things. Right? That's all it takes. Keep moving forward.

Let's make this the best week ever.

2005 Playlist

Que' Onda Guero - Beck Hansen

Chicken Payback - The Bees

Movement - LCD Soundsystem

The Hand That Feeds - Nine Inch Nails

Don’t Look Back - Télépopmusik ft. Angela McCluskey

I Like the Way You Move (Radio Edit) - Bodyrockers

Robot Rock - Daft Punk

Wilderness - Sleater-Kinney

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-0-)

I have had a slight touch of the vertigo since last week, but man. There were no fewer than three individuals today who couldn’t stay in one lane if they were duct taped to someone who could.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Commitment: Run Tuesday morning.

Run, run. run. How we run!

Oh my God, that week finally ended. It was full to bursting with work, and good work, but exhausting and mind-consuming. Not a lazy week, no. And we ran! And that is good. This weekend is more of the same, only on my own, shopping for the holidays, attending creative meetings, visiting my loved one for dinner (she is having a personal retreat), doing chores, reading, writing, etc.

And more running! 

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:31

Saturday was a big day for creative endeavors, holiday shopping, and a lovely romantic dinner with my partner. It also snowed a lot. No time for running! And that's okay!

Route: rec center
Temperature: 15°
Climate: cold & snowy
Mood: driven

Pudding Mix 2025

Christmas Wrapping (Live) - The Waitresses

Santa Hugged Me - Morel

Viva la Vida/Domino Dancing (Christmas EP Mix) - Pet Shop Boys

Wintergardens (Chris Kimsey Mix) - Killing Joke

Winter Sky - Big Country

Happy Holidays - Hermine

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-0-)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

We’re all God’s children running.

Work. Managing a fleet of school buses through the sleet and rain. Yesterday, I thought I would drop but I kept my bearings and made it to five o'clock and felt much better. These are long, full, productive days.

Also, I have a stye. I am far too vain for this to be okay.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 27:42

Sower run today, just whipped. But it was good, and I am glad I went. There were younger runners, too. That's always a surprise.

Route: rec center
Temperature: 24°
Climate: icy
Mood: tired but determined

Pudding Mix 2025

Things Fall Apart - Cristina

Wintergardens (Chris Kimsey Mix) - Killing Joke

Winter Sky - Big Country

They're All Out of Liquor - The Waitresses

Candy Carol - Book of Love

Fear Not (While Shepherds Watched Their Flock By Night) - Before the Flood

Joy - Bogan Via

Everyone Should Light a Candle For Christmas - The Gold Needles

Give Me Back My Heart - Jona Lewie

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-0-)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I'm on the dark side of the street (not the light side of the street).

We reach the end of another (abridged) week. I am full of anxiety but I do not know why. I mean, there are reasons. I have a headache for one. Don't appreciate that. But there are a myriad of little things, many of them are normal, I guess. The writing contest matinee approaches, the possibility of additional work, the IRS thing, the writing, the research.

I reached back and found that an anniversary is approaching for a particular artistic piece which has not aged well. But I want to share it. Should I fear? So many wonderful people collaborated on it, but I made a couple mistakes. Should I draw attention to it? Probably. Admit your mistakes and move on. Though, it's much easier when they are simply memory-holed. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:10
Pace: 8:46

God, it feels like years since my last run. Two days, but it feels like years. These have been busy days. I should embrace that. And what about today?

Everything But the Girl Workout Playlist

Lullaby of Clubland (Jay 'Sinister' Sealee Remix)

Come On Home (Extended Mix)

Twin Cities (Wildwood Remix)

One Place (acoustic)

Driving (Masters at Work Racing Mix)

These Early Days (Dave Bascombe Remix)

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 43°
Climate: sun w/light clouds
Mood: all right

Lovely, outdoor run. Wore the jacket, brought gloves which I removed halfway through. Still slight head pain but there is so much to do today -- and so much time to do it! 

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 164 lbs.

Maintain, son. Maintain.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Oh, mama. Running out of luck.

Every other day, for more than one month. This time last year I weighed 173.5 lbs. Consistency. Mindfulness. Obsession. I mean, how else am I supposed to stay fit?

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:17

These have been long days, which is good. I like living life, and life -- for me -- is good. Attempting to visit three different schools today, I found myself traversing several two lane roads, and with time to get coffee. 

Seeking something that is not corporate, I pass a school I did not expect to see, one with which I am familiar, but no my destination. And I remember in a moment there is a small strip mall right across the street, and that mall includes a cute, independent doughnut shop.

Hell, yeah, I got that doughnut.

Route: rec center
Temperature: 45°
Climate: cloudy & cold
Mood: improved

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

What’s That Lyric?

Barely Legal - The Strokes

Your heart is racing.

Fall continues. This should be the breathing space, but it's not. There are responsibilities. There are also post-responsibility drinks, and that part is nice.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:19
Pace: 8:48

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: bright & cool
Mood: better

Listen In 0120
Stretches: yes
Water: not really
Weight: 161 lbs.

Six episodes this season. The beginning appeared to lead somewhere but then they got a bit silly. We're back into some kind of ongoing narrative, but it doesn't matter. I like the voices. Breaks up the run.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA
Sit-Ups: TBA

This episode, however, was surprisingly relevant, dealing as it does with those people who believe they can do your job better than you do and talk behind your back to recent recruits about what you're doing wrong. We've all been though that, haven't we?

Fall '25 Workout

TGIF - GloRilla

I Know You'd Kill (The Blessed Madonna's Godsquad Mix) - Joy Crookes

Feeling Good (Austin Millz Remix) - Nina Simone 

Sex  - The Dare

The Beast - Lady Gaga

Different - Lady Can't Swim

I Can't Escape Myself - The Dare

Heaven Scent - Soulwax ft. Chloe Sevigny

This playlist keep giving.

The lengths that I will go to.

*attacked*

Okay. Yesterday, I came home from work and worked. I got up this morning (see below) and continued that work. Then I went to work. It's Saturday.

I was going to go out of town for a day and a half, but I'm no longer doing that. I'm owed a couple days off, but the timing is all wrong. Because I have to work.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 27:55
Pace: 9:00

My right knee has been giving me some serious shit. It's even been keeping me up in the middle of the night. A lot of ibuprofen. I have been waking at 4:00 AM the last couple of days just to take more pain reliever.

Maybe I should take a break from running, but

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 75°
Climate: clear & warm
Mood: all right

Rock Mix

Take Another - Filter

Losing My Religion -R.E.M.

Jumping Jack Flash - Rolling Stones

Hungry For You - The Police

Let the Day Begin - The Call

American Music - Violent Femmes

Terrible Lie - Nine Inch Nails

Come As You Are - Nirvana

Gen X, right?

Stretches: yes 
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

Keep on pushing.

Okay, here's a week. Residency rehearsals, last night the season kick-off party. So that was a long day. But the spouse is out of town, and I am on my own tonight. I have been good about going to bed at a decent hour, to get seven and a half hours of sleep if not eight -- I have resumed morning pages. And that is very good for me.

So, we keep on running. And writing. And drawing. And making ice cream. Can I do all these things and still get to sleep at nine?

We made pasta salad over the weekend. That stuff as fed me for days. God, I love pasta salad.    

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:20
Pace: 9:28

Stopped on my run, hailed by an East Cleveland neighbor. Fine looking, svelte , in a tracksuit, and holding an extinguished cigar. He wanted to know how far I run, I told him by couple times a week, right past his house. Told him he has a fine house, I drove by on my way to work every day. It is a fine house, done a lot of work, they have a great yard maintenance company.

He’s 75, he doesn’t inhale the cigar. Told me it’s his only vice. He asked me my age, I told him, he said I looked about 50. I guess the running has taken a couple of years off.

Man. I hope I look like him in 20 years.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 71°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: good
Stretches: no
Water: yes

Pain Reliever: TBD

Baseline: 185 lbs.

Weight: 175 lbs. (-0-)

Goal: 170 lbs.

Maintain.

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

Coffee Break: PSL

Lunch: salad with chicken, candy, a pickle!

Dinner: pasta salad, fizzy water

Evening: old fashioned, Oreos (4)

What's That Lyric?

Push - Pharoahe Monch

I’ve placed faith in geography.

Hot mane.

Awake at 2:30 AM in an Airbnb in Over the Rhine, fretting existential questions, deciding to sit up for an hour to write out my thoughts.

Getting our money’s worth out of this bougie hipster flop.

Distance: 2.5 miles

Duration: 22:39
Pace: 9:03

We are in Cincy to see the boy over  UC’s “family weekend.” So far we’ve had some good together time, got to existence a new neighborhood, even saw a play on campus. Shame about the football game though we couldn’t even get tickets, anyway.

Route: Over the Rhine

Temperature: 48°
Climate: partly cloudy & cool

Mood: anxious

  

This is in an Urban Outfitters

Ah, Sunday morning in Gentrification Land, where last night’s cold IPA is this morning’s warm piss.

“Watch out for uneven pavement,” she said, and it was a warning well-heeded. For the most part, though, and easy course, and safe, and one I would be happy to elaborate upon.

Stretches: yes

Water: yes

What’s That Lyric?

Gold Rush - Death Cab for Cutie

Something happens to you to throw you off course.

Big weekend. State Thespian Festival. Backstage Bash. Going to rain later, time to run now. Beautiful fucking hot gorgeous day.

Distance: 4 miles 

Duration: 38:35
Pace: 9:39

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Temperature: 78°
Climate: overcast & hot

Mood: good, you know?

Push it out on a warm and breezy Sunday afternoon before the rain. Good playlist, too.

2004 Playlist

Just a Ride - Jem

(Reach Up For The) Sunrise - Duran Duran

This Fire - Franz Ferdinand

Holiday - Green Day

Grown So Ugly - The Black Keys

Golden Touch - Razorlight

Ooh La La - Ditty Bops

Breathe Me - Sia

Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson

Destroy Rock & Roll - Mylo

Whatsername - Green Day

What was 2004? First iPod, which started this entire endeavor. Seriously, without modern audio technology, I would not be a runner. I always ran, but I never ran consistently until this year. Also? New York International Fringe Festival, and the end of Bad Epitaph.

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 90 sec. (2x)

Upper body:  reps
Water: yes

Saturday

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, doughnut

Lunch: Caesar wrap, Doritos, cookie

Dinner: tater tots, chicken strip, GLBC Burning River (2x)

So many events, so few vegetables.

Sunday

Breakfast: coffee w/cream

Lunch: veggie bao, potato chips, fizzy water

Treat: raw cookie dough (yes)

Happy Hour: tea w/cream & honey

Dinner: spaghetti & meatless sauce

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 179.5 lbs. (-2.0)

New Goal: 175 lbs.

The city streets are empty now.

Molly Seidel wins USA Bronze in 2:27.46
Women's Marathon, Toyko 2020 Olympics
Only her third marathon!
(My third marathon I ran 3:42:07)

This week has made me tired. Just tired. I will nap and wake up tired. Doesn't help that last night I woke at 2 AM, and tossed about in bed for an hour. Finally I got up and read before sleeping on the couch, then back in bed. The hours added up to a full night's sleep but it's not the same thing.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:25
Pace: 9:48
Route: Forest Hills Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: sunshine & light rain
Mood: better!
Weight: 171 lbs. (-1.0)

This is the first time I have shut out work for the duration of a two week vacation in twenty-five years. In fact, it was because I hadn't checked my work voice mail for two weeks in 1996 that we missed out on a promotional opportunity, a fact which seems trivial now but at the time I felt a great deal of shame about it. Since then I have continually checked my work email, all during vacations. I don't always respond, but I keep in touch. Not this year. Hopefully never again.

Tomorrow, however, I will have to resume in preparation for Monday. What will happen?

Intake
Breakfast: cafe con leche
Lunch: ramen w/fried egg & salsa

Snack: Four squares of cheese with four crackers.
Dinner: tomatoes w/oil & fresh basil, toasted pita w/lemon salt & oil, a variety of small cheeses

Tonight, Sean McPherson is playing nothing but the 70s. Gonna be a good night.

What's That Lyric?

Turn to Stone - ELO

A lot of emotional anxiety about work and homework. I have returned to having a drink most nights, and feel it in my muscles. This is not necessary. Today is a day for focus, fasting can help. I have not been drinking as much water. We are moving into the winter, for the past two years I have packed on the pounds at this time of year. Let's see if I can do better.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 19:01
Pace: 9:29
Route: Two times around the block.
Temperature: 34°
Climate: partly cloudy & cool
Mood: edgy
Weight: 181 lbs. (-1.0)
Plank Challenge: 150 seconds

The most difficult part of planking are my weak, little arms.

Also, yes. It feels better to take a break between runs. But, the BPM kept me moving and I knew it was a short run, so I kept driving on.

Work the body work work the body.

Not a bad office.

For your information, exercise is also a form of homework. Trying to do my job and my studies have kept me off the pavement, which is not a good thing. The weather is perfect, even if the world is not. Get out in it.

Distance: 4.0 miles
Duration: 37:03
Pace: 9:15
Route: Hocking River Bike Path
Temperature: 80°
Climate: bright & beautiful
Mood: anxious

Spending a holiday weekend in Athens. Mom's boyfriend spent the night last night, a small family gathering and one which was greatly needed. I have not been here since Christmas.

What's That Lyric?

Boom! Shake the Room - Fresh Prince & DJ Jazzy Jeff