Wherever there is comfort there is pain.

On this date, twenty years ago, I was deep into marathon training. Five miles on a Wednesday.

"Okay, that hurt. I neglected (forgot?) my shin stretches before going out, and now they both are singing. The front of each shin was bright and pained, it made for little, tiny - but swift - steps. Hmn. Gotta watch that."

Indeed. Here we are, without pain in our legs at all. I was developing muscles on the front of my calves, I didn't know you could do that.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 29:07
Pace: 9:23

Also, I was listening to Podrunner a lot. On September 6, 2006 it was "I Put My Big Boy Pants On" which was one of those early mixes that included music he either didn't have the rights to or lost the rights to, in either case it is no longer available.

I have it burned on CD. It's one of my very favorites.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: bright & beautiful
Mood: all right

In the 1970s, Tim Finn put together a band called Split Enz. It was quirky pop, frenetic post-punk, agitated (and agitating) tunes, aspiring to be "Ashes to Ashes" David Bowie or Sparks or early XTC but never really as good as any of those. 

By the early 1980s Tim's kid brother Neil had joined the group, who was to become one of the greatest (and underrated) songwriters of the decade. Singing lead for truly great songs like I Got You, One Step Ahead and Message to My Girl, you can see in the music videos how Tim tries embarrassingly to attract attention to himself, as if to remind people it's still his band.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 173.4 lbs.

New digital scale. And this makes sense. My revised weight goal is 165 lbs., which I believe is only appropriate. I much prefer the accuracy. I stepped on the thing three times, it said the same thing every single time. 

When did I buy the manual scale, how long have I had that thing? Liar.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

After Split Enz broke up, Neil started his own act, Crowded House, and almost immediately produced one of the best known and loved songs of the decade, "Don't Dream It's Over." The original Crowded House trio of the Neil Finn, Paul Hester and Nick Seymour created two amazing albums, Crowded House (1986) and Temple of Low Men (1988), which were so important to me during my college years.

Then in 1991 it was announced that Tim had joined the group. I can only imagine the holiday dinner over which Tim Finn was able to wheedle his way into the act. The result was Woodface, which includes some of my very favorite Neil Finn creations, and a couple unfortunate songs that are obviously Tim's. He even managed to sneak a few stupid turns of phrase into otherwise decent Neil Finn creations. A "lounge room lizard"? That's Tim's schtick. See also, his lead vocal on All I Ask.

And let us not mention the execrable, fat-shaming opening track, Chocolate Cake.

Woodface - Crowded House (1991)

Chocolate Cake

It's Only Natural

Fall at Your Feet

Tall Trees

Whispers & Moans

Four Seasons In One Day

Fame Is

... As Sure As I Am

Italian Plastic

She Goes On

That it dropped during the summer of that fateful year, as I was going through a tense will they/won't they with the person who I would eventually be married to (for a short while) gives the truly great songs a nostalgic pull for me, tracks like It's Only Natural, Fall at Your Feet, Whispers & Moans, Four Seasons in One Day and She Goes On, they are all hers.

Tim left the band during the tour.

The other side of summer.

Two days on the road, driving home. Lovely visit to Oneida to stay in the community mansion house, spotted a runner Saturday night and though, that looks nice. But taxing. I have had that dizzy feeling again recently, much of it to do with poor sleep.

So sleep we must.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:44
Pace: 9:16

Also, while I would like to create a list resolutions for the month of August, it is a question as to whether I will be able to stick to them.

However. I may run in Athens, Cincinnati and Chicago before the month is through. And wouldn't that be interesting?

Route: Forest Hill Loop

Summer 1991 Mixtape

The Other Side of Summer - Elvis Costello

Mama Said Knock You Out - LL Cool J

Who? Where? Why? (The Crisis 12" Mix) - Jesus Jones

Pop Goes the Weasel - 3rd Bass

A Roller Skating Jam Named "Saturdays" - De La Soul ft. Q-Tip & Vinia Mojica

Kiss Them For Me - Siouxsie & the Banshees

Pure - Lightning Seeds

The best mixtape I ever made was the summer 1991 mixtape. Or maybe it wasn't, who knows. It was stolen the following LL summer, along with the minivan it was in. But I put a lot of time and love into that tape. Themes from sit-coms, snatches of porn films, and some truly amazing songs, chronicling a major transformation. A true beginning.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 170 lbs.

It starts there.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I'm chill like that.

Pretty epic.

Here's the thing about my last run, or my last two runs. They were slogs. Often, I am feeling down but when I hit the road I feel great. It's kind of why I do this.

The last two runs, especially on Monday, and in spite of the lighter weather, it took effort to lift my feet. And then on Tuesday I just tapped out at work. I almost passed out, twice, I think. Not feeling well. No pain, no temperature, just malaise, dizziness, exhaustion. I slept thirteen hours on Tuesday night.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 32:19
Pace: 9:13

The consistency, it has been a gift. Sometimes you need time off. We have been driving to Maine, getting in and out of a car has been arduous. Just sitting down. Just walking. Sitting down is actually more difficult that standing up. I need to see a doctor. 

Route: Martin Point Run
Temperature: 67°
Climate: light fluffy clouds & breezy
Mood: good

90s Summer Hip-Hop

Fantastic Voyage - Coolio

Hip Hop Hooray - Naughty By Nature

Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) - Digable Planets

They Reminisce Over You - Pete Rock & C.L Smooth

Full Clip - Gang Starr

Slam - Onyx

Award Tour - Tribe Called Quest ft. Trugoy the Dove

Insane in the Brain - Cypress Hill

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

And now, we are on vacation. We are in Maine. I did not know if she would be with me, but she is. Beside me, holding hands, reading, drinking, writing, loving. It was a difficult drive (my leg, the weariness) but here we are. Currently at peace. 

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Did you get off on a bad foot, baby?

Content advisory: Discussion of D's.

D's what? Deez nuts.

Thirty years ago, I would run occasionally. I weighed somewhere between 180 and 190 pounds, still smoked, and would huff my way around the neighborhood dressed in a cotton T-shirt, cut-off sweats, and traditional cotton briefs. No special gear, even the shoes were several years old at this point, and much too small.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:27
Pace: 8:51

I started feeling pain in my lower abdomen and was worried I had developed another hernia. The doctor told me I had a varicose vein in one of my testicles. She found it, manipulated it, held onto it for a bit, all while telling me her diagnosis. It was excruciating. I had to ask her to please let go. She wasn't my doctor for much longer.

So, I started wearing compression pants. It was depressing, and I feared I would have to wear them for the rest of my life, but this was not the case. Maybe a couple years? Can't remember. What I know is this; the condition is exacerbated by a lack of support, so I never wear boxers, and try to find briefs which are just a little too tight. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 54°
Climate: beautiful
Mood: getting there

And when I started training for the marathon (ten whole years later) I purchased my first athletic supporter. Ever. I was thirty-seven. Everyone with junk, even a casual runner, should invest in one, early.

I have also found that additional weight can also contribute to this discomfort. This is an additional reason why I obsess about keeping it all under 165. 

1996 Playlist

Ugly Stadium - Tipsy

Star People - George Michael

Shadowboxer - Fiona Apple

Single (Photek Remix) - Everything But the Girl

Backpedal - Queue Up

Soundtrack To Mary - Soul Coughing

Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison

Man. The 1990s. That was wild.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+4.0)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Get it.

Have a nice life.

We have been aching lately. Check the exercise roster, that may have something to do with it. Hips, ankles, feet, knees. All a bit sore. Unpleasant.

Distance: 4.15 miles

Duration: 37:25
Pace: 9:01

But anyway, I did bring my kit to Cincinnati. I have a day all to myself, and that should include exercise. The forecast is wonderful and I would have seriously regretted not taking the opportunity for a run.

How were we last year? Not bad.

Route: Gaslight Loop (2x)
Temperature: 71°
Climate: dark clouds w/thunder in the distance
Mood: good?

1997 Playlist

Drinking In L.A. - Bran Van 3000

Candyman - Cornershop

Selfless, Cold & Composed - Ben Folds Five

Everything * - Mary J. Blige

Dark & Long - Underworld

MMMBop - Hanson

The Impression That I Get - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Atom Bomb (Atomix 1) - Fluke

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Decent rest. Good breakfast, Maria always makes something nice. Now, what am I going to do with the rest of the day? The last time I was in this room, I was writing and doing research for the play that goes up later this month. Today, I may just read.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I really don't think you're strong enough. No.

Did a two hour shift at the food bank on Monday. I can't complain, my life is good. We were packing boxes for seniors, boxes would come down a (slowly moving) conveyor belt, and we would put items into it as it passed. My job was picking up two, one gallon grape juice bottles and placing them up and into the box next to each other.

Yeah, my arms are still a little sore. But I also have a repetitive stress injury in my right index finger. Two hours, that's no time at all. What a difficult gig. We packed 360 boxes. Worth it.

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 35:49
Pace: 8:56

Some times, you just need to take an extra day. Parking buses, lots of time on my feet. And the weather has disagreed ... until today.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 73°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: all right

1998 Playlist

Blue Monday - Orgy

Believe - Cher

The Way - Fastball

Hoodoo Voodoo - Wilco

Torch - Sister Soleil

Let Me See - Morcheeba

Millennium - Robbie Williams

Dry the Rain - The Beta Band

Body Movin' (Fatboy Slim Remix) - Beastie Boys

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

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I hit the ground running.

Oh, great. Another cold. What the actual. I have to say, parking the buses in sub-freezing temps does take a physical toll, but seriously? Anyway, runny nose, high feeling in my chest -- though that's actually the Sudafed. Been taking a lot of Sudafed this season

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:54
Pace: 8:59

Brisk run, enjoyable. I didn't wat to do it, I feel now like I might regret it. But I enjoyed the run itself very much.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 46°
Climate: partly cloudy & cool
Mood: illing

1999 Playlist

Lullaby of Clubland (Jay 'Sinister' Sealee Remix) - Everything But the Girl

All Star - Smashmouth

Livin' la Vida Loca - Ricky Martin

Steal My Sunshine - Len

And One (on One) - Lilys

Push Upstairs - Underworld

Fast As You Can - Fiona Apple

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs. (-1.0)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: yes

See you Saturday?

You better move.

We are in weather insanity season. Sixty degrees and rain, thirty degrees and snow, fifty degrees and high winds, twenty degrees and cold. I hate it.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:53
Pace: 8:59

At the same time, I am also tired of running in circles indoors.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 33°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: not bad

1990 Playlist

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

My Friend Goo - Sonic Youth

U Can't Touch This - MC Hammer

Mama Said Knock You Out (12" Remix) - LL Cool J

From This Moment On - Jimmy Somerville

The Power (12" Version)  - SNAP!

Stretches: yes 
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs.

Maintaining. The past two days I have had a lot of restaurant produced foods, from Sushi En, McDonalds, Stone Oven, XYZ, Provence at the CMA. And snacking, a milkshake, Twizzlers. Not good.

But this is why: I have not been cooking. There are few leftovers, which is good, because we have been eating them and not letting them go bad. But I need to make a dinner. Tonight, for example! I will make dinner tonight. It's an at-home day. Lots of writing and housework to do.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

See you tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow. It's going to be seventy degrees. See?

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

The crime was looking up the truth.

Thank God, it's Presidents Day. We had a lovely weekend with my wife's family, celebrating the life of her eldest uncle. I do love spending time with her family, very much. They are all so thoughtful, compassionate and creative. The service was remarkable. It was held in a chapel in Hyde Park, the priest gave the most sincerely affecting homily, I don't believe I have ever left a memorial service feeling so hopeful.

At the same time, I was nursing my cold and felt a bit stand-offish. I wanted to thank her, to thank the musician at the reception, our hosts, but I kept losing the moment. I can still do these things (well, not for the guitarist) and will make a note to do so.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 34:21
Pace: 9:49

We took the Lake Shore Limited. We discussed the possibility of never flying into NYC again. True, it takes half a day to get there, but so what? It's so much cheaper, the taxi from LaGuardia to wherever we're staying -- one way -- is one hundred bucks all by itself, and you get dropped off in the heart of the city! And it's not like air travel has anything to recommend it, it's maybe half the time, all told, right? Six hours, as opposed to twelve?

And you can read on the train, take a walk, relocate for a bit, they have acceptable food options, or you can bring your own. 

Then again, returning home today. Not sleeping on the coach, and it was so cold. I am so sick and tired of cold. Pulling in at 4:00 am. The day is a complete write-off. Thank God, it's Presidents Day.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 50°
Climate: sunny & lovely
Mood: more determined than ever

Pavement damp, puddled, or clogged with crispy snow. Nearly wiped out twice from slipping, once almost falling forward, the second to the side. Still, ran steady but easy, stopping when necessary, into the street when the sidewalk was high with snow and the street was free.

First outdoor run since the Turkey Trot, first park run since November 22. The gym is so even, so controlled, so predictable (others notwithstanding) the outdoors makes me breath harder, think harder, move harder. It is more taxing to run outdoors. It is more rewarding.

1992 Playlist

One Place (Acoustic) - Everything But the Girl

Eastern Bloc - Thomas Dolby

Mama's Always On Stage - Arrested Development

Television is the Drug of the Nation - Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy

We Are Each Other - Beautiful South

Humpin' Around - Bobby Brown

Galileo - Indigo Girls

The King of Wishful Thinking - Go West

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs. (+1.0)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

Too many Tuesday mornings.

"Name three races you've finished."

Difficult couple of days, disjointed, uninspired. The only way through is to keep moving. Get rest, eat wisely, exercise, continue to complete the assignments.

Distance: 3 miles (?)

Duration: 26:59

Been reading a lot recently, to the exclusion of going out. It's so cold, the idea of seeing a movie doesn't appeal. Then, neither do the movie selections. But reading is good.

Route: rec center
Temperature: 21°
Climate: downright balmy
Mood: prepared

So many men walking in the running lane. Timing is off, but it may be accurate. Jesus.

1993 Playlist

Tuesday Morning - The Pogues

Come Baby Come - K7

High Noon - Kruder & Dorfmeister

Insane in the Brain - Cypress Hill

Sodium Light Baby - The The

Return to Innocence - Enigma

Pennyroyal Tea - Nirvana

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs. (-3.0)

The goal is still 155 lbs.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

Every morning I just hit the ground yawning.

There was this day, maybe the day after the day after new year's 1996, when I called in late to work and my boss said, "Remember, you're not on break anymore," which was a condescending thing to say and entirely appropriate for my relationship with her and sound advice for someone who was my age and at that time.

Joyce was a like a mother to me in many ways, and taught me many, many things. But that also means some of her admonishments stick in my mind the way those from my mother also still do. (Joyce is fine, by the way, this isn't about Joyce.)

Rolling out of the holidays, these days, I hit the ground running, as I have this year and better than most. However, I have been drinking a lot. Much of this has to do with what I have been doing with my evenings which has included a great deal of reading and writing. So, why not? I'm home and safe, the liquor is stocked and I am safely seated on the couch before the fire (ostensibly) writing.

Tea is a beverage, too, though. And water. We're short on seltzer, I need to get on that. The writing (and reading) gets worse as I drink, anyhow.

In 1990, I wrote an entire 300-page book manuscript fueled by Southern Comfort 100 and Camel Lights. It was garbage. 

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 24:53
Route: rec center
Temperature: 22°
Climate: overcast & cold
Mood: full of scorpions

1994 Playlist

Rollercoaster (King Britt Scuba Remix) - Everything But the Girl

Stay (I Missed You) - Lisa Loeb

Intermittently - Barenaked Ladies

My Name is Jonas - Weezer

I Don’t Understand Anything - Everything But the Girl

Down to This - Soul Coughing

Shoop - Salt-N-Pepa

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 161 lbs. (+1.0)

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

See you Saturday.

Currently, I think we’re in a state of an emergency.

The nation is sick. And by sick I mean dying.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 24:47
Route: rec center
Temperature: 36°
Climate: overcast
Mood: determined

1995 Playlist

The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul - Ruben Blades

Geek Stink Breath - Green Day

Down By the Water - P J Harvey

Jackson Cannery - Ben Folds Five

The Brooklynites- Soul Coughing

Drop - Pharcyde 

Alright- Supergrass

Stutter (172 bpm) - Elastica 

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 162 lbs. (-1.0)

Need to eat more vegetables. Must have more vegetables in the house.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Time to deliver.

Running retreats to the rear of my imagination. This happens, it's not unusual. There are a weight of obligations at the front of my imagination, which makes me unhappy. It shouldn't, being un-occupied is much worse. But I hate being responsible for anything.

Anyway, I have made a little list. Let's see how much I can accomplish today ... and tomorrow!

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 24:43
Route: rec center
Temperature: 30
Climate: cloudy
Mood: stressed

It's the 90s!

Mama Told Me Not to Come - Wolfgang Press

Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) - C+C Music Factory ft. Martha Wash

Give It Away - Red Hot Chili Peppers 

Season of the Witch - Luna

Nothing ‘Bout Me (Remix) - Sting

The Last of the Famous International Playboys - Morrissey

Guitarist Breeze (6000km to Amsterdam) - John Beltran

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

Timing. What I eat and when I eat. 

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

They cut off my legs.

Running into Pride month like

This month, the Hit Parade podcast has been dedicated to the 1990s and how "alt-rock went mainstream." The decade was neatly divided — for me — by Guerrilla and Night Kitchen. But as Chris Molanphy reminded me, the decade (in music) can also be neatly divided by Woodstock '94 and Woodstock '99.

The first, best represented by iconic performances from Green Day and Nine Inch Nails, the second by hideous performances from Limp Bizkit and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:42
Pace: 9:15

Night Kitchen Playlist (1995-1998)  
Andy Warhol (Live at the Starplex Amphitheater) - David Bowie
Virtual Insanity - Jamiroquai
That Thing You Do! - The Wonders
You and Me Song - The Wannadies
Flagpole Sitta - Harvey Danger
Consider This - Filter
Good - Better Than Ezra
Melochord Seventy-Five - Stereolab

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 54°
Climate: beautiful!
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

God knows where I'm going to.

It was a different time.

Logy morning, headachy. The kitten (is she a kitten? she's huge) reliably wakes us up at 4:00 AM. Not sure how long this is going to last. It's like having a toddler. A toddler with claws.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:57
Pace: 9:20

We got so irritated to learn that when Millennials thought of "the 80s" they were thinking of late 1980s, because of course they were. To them, "the 1980s" meant Bon Jovi, or Guns & Roses. To us, it was the early 1980s, which meant The Police, or Van Halen.

Actually, when we thought of the 1980s, we were really thinking of the late 1970s, like The Cars, Blondie and, well, The Police.

Now, when folks talk about the 90s, they really mean the late 90s. But that music was shit. The early 1990s, that was a golden era.

Guerrilla Theater Run (1991-1994)  
Strongman - Lucious Jackson
None of the Above - Duran Duran
Buried at Sea - MC 900 Ft. Jesus
Passin' Me By - Pharcyde
The Earth Died Screaming - Tom Waits
Ripcord - Radiohead
Strangers - Portishead

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 54°
Climate: misty
Mood: headachy, that's a mood
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

Thought of not doing three, was surprised by the mist. Also, had a phone meeting right after, if I did do three. But three I did. Proud of myself. 

Can’t keep running away.

My knees are going through it. Running is fine, but walking — walking and standing. It’s a lot. In the morning, well-rested. They feel all right. Zelda thinks that when my knees finally give out I should get a cane, and they are correct. I’m not looking forward to it. But when the time comes, I will embrace my cane life.

Distance: 3.5 miles

Duration: 31:35
Pace: 9:01

Decided against a morning run in the rain. I took a walk around Saturday night, to see where might be good, the river walk among the Nerbioi Ibaia, then to the Parque Etxebarria — which is a mountain, really. I would have liked to explore that, at the entrance I found was very steep. I decided this morning I neither wanted to risk losing my feet on the way up, not getting entirely drenched.

Route: Nervion River Walkway
Temperature: 59°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: good
Stretches: been walking all day
Water: yes

Spent the day at the Guggenheim Bilbao, and between then and dinner took a run by the river just before the evening rains. 

1995 Playlist

Runnin' - The Pharcyde

Friends of P - The Rentals

Shook Ones, Pt. II - Mobb Deep

Drop - The Pharcyde

We Prick You * - David Bowie

Gangta’s Paradise * - Coolio

Take Another - Filter

Kelly’s Heroes - Black Grape

I know that running culture is everywhere, but until I have seen others running, I am insecure. It was a joy to see the others, where they went, how they avoided the pedestrians, that they do use what I thought were bike lanes (not actually marked for bikes alone).

What a lovely, cool evening.

Stomp on the street when I hear a funky beat.

Every other day, for an entire month. That's something to be happy about. I have mapped out my runs for the next two weeks, I will miss some days but that is entirely acceptable, considering what we have planned.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:29
Route: rec center
Mood: anxiety
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

Going to take all my "Treat Days" all at once ... for two weeks. How will I fare? We'll find out.

1990 Playlist

This Love - Daniel Ash

Soul Free - George Michael

I Left My Wallet in El Segundo - Tribe Called Quest

Groove Is in the Heart - Deee-Lite

Justify My Love - Madonna

Hippychick - SoHo

Sinister Minister - Bela Fleck & the Flecktones 

Woof. Too cold outside, but too warm in the rec center.

Everyone’s a little queer.

State Sen. Jerry Cirino defends bullshit
higher education bill in Cleveland talk
Ideastream Public Media, 4/17/2025
(Can you spot my spouse?)

The year playlists will be through before I know it. I don't even know what 2025 is yet, apart from national chaos and much more personal creative hibernation.

At least, thanks to my constant but not overwhelming running schedule, a third of the year will have passed before playing the 2025 Playlist, so there will be (there already is) over thirty minutes of music there, so I can get at least a 5K in.

However, as is usually the case, it's not necessary a great list, but just the most recent releases from artists I am familiar with, which generally catch my ear first, before other tracks that have already been (or will eventually be) released have gotten my attention, from artists with whom I am not yet familiar.

Is this interesting? I do not know. 

Distance: 4 miles

Duration: 37:40
Pace: 9:24

When one is stuck in an existential malaise, a three-day weekend isn't actually something to look forward to. "Oh, look. Another day searching for meaning and now I don't even have work to shirk from."

Warrants a longer run, I suspect. Especially on a lovely day such as this.  

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 60°
Climate: overcast & breezy
Mood: good?
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight:160 lbs.

1996 Playlist

Sea of Heartbreak - Johnny Cash

Tombstone - Suzanne Vega

Spinning the Wheel - George Michael

Macarena - Los Del Rio

Broken English - Queue Up

Super Bon Bon - Soul Coughing

Season of the Witch - Luna

Pink Triangle - Weezer

Walking Wounded (Dave Wallace Remix) (158 BPM) - EBTG

Yes, sir. That's exactly what we were listening to in 1996.

I want to run.

You know, there's that time in the spring when you just really, really want decent weather for running. Sometimes -- get this -- sometimes it snows in APRIL.

Sometimes I feel so bad.

Anyway, things progress. Art happens. The stock market is down, but it goes back up again, you know? Like, the magnolia blossoms in my back yard that just started blossoming and then were caught in a frost and now they're brown and not as pretty.

What was I Talking about? Oh, yeah. Spring. Might be nice. Glad I can still run indoors. Fuck.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:22

And now, the fun bunch. An early morning quartet of walkers who take all four lanes.

Route: rec center
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

1991 Playlist

Who? Where? Why? (Crisis 12" Mix) - Jesus Jones

Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You) - Pet Shop Boys

Rush - Big Audio Dynamite II 

Losing My Religion - R.E.M.

Good Vibrations - Marky Mark & the Fun Bunch

Pain Lies On the Riverside - Live