Your feet may take you far from me.

Halfway mark. Time to head back.

The wife took the kids on an overnight trip leaving me at home to make busy around the house. I would have gone, it would have been fun. But I have been out of the house for three weekends already and a) feel a responsibility to get the house in some kind of order before the school year begins for everyone and b) I have this play to write.

The play in question, a commission, has been holding me mentally hostage for several months now. I haven't written anything really new since last spring. Writing yes, but not "writing" writing. But finally, at last, as the deadline closes in, I am picking up speed, getting into the zone, choose your horrid metaphor, I am doing that thing.

Last night, as inspiration (and because it was on my sadly unfulfilled list of New Year's resolutions) I went to see a new play. So yay for that.

Band-aids: yes
Water bottle: yes
Snack: energy gel
Lip balm: check
Glide: sure, why not.

Little sleep last night, it was a bit on the warm side. Coming home from the west side last night I picked up barbeque from Hot Sauce Legacy and gorged myself on salt and fat and sugar while watching part of an episode of Breaking Bad before turning in.

I could have slept more, but am concerned about how warm it will get over the three hours I will be on the road. I will take Forest Hills before heading for MLK and the Shoreway, which means I won't need to go as far as Dead Man's Curve. Ditto, I will take the cemetery back. A different, more interesting route, I think.

Intake: yogurt, fresh fruit & granola
Hydration: yes
Stretches: yes
Upper Body: 90 reps

More weaknesses now, feeling it in my right ankle and knee, not only in my Achilles tendon. Something that lasts all day. No kind of hampering pain, just a reminder. This is before taking eighteen miles at once.

Memories of those harrowing four miles two weeks ago. That stuff can stick with you. Feels like that was the beginning of my troubles. I need to rest more, to eat well, to warm up and cool down more effectively.

Distance: 18 miles
Duration: 2:31:56
Avg Pace: 8:26
Route: To East 55th Street and Back

Soundtrack: The President's Summer Playlist: Day

Listening to the President's playlist it is very, very challenging to keep from having improper thoughts about the First Lady. Obama's playlist beats anything I could put together. President Scott Walker's playlist would be made up of rock acts who hate him.

Week Nine Total: 43 miles
Training To Date: 276 miles

Feast of the Assumption on Sunday at dawn smells like Court Street on Sunday at dawn.

No, I was unaware that Lakeview Cemetery was hosting their Run Though History 5K this morning. Mile fifteen was spent running and hiking up and through Lakeview (9:08 pace) and past all these folks heading for the starting line at 9 AM. If I had known, I could have registered and been there in time to make my last three miles an actual race.

I perfectly planned today's eighteen mile run. I even remembered to head out in sunglasses even though it was only dawn. The sun was high and bright for a great deal of my return run. And yet I regret not knowing about this local race. See, this is what they mean when they say long distance runners are miserable.

Temperature: 68° → 79°
Climate: bright, sunny, humid and perfect
Weight: 157 lbs.
Water Stop: yes, several

I have all day to myself. The plan is to write, fell and volunteer maple, and do a little de-cluttering. But first, an epsom salt bath with the Sunday Times.

What's That Lyric?
Wherever Is Your Heart - Brandi Carlile

Straight into my arms you will run.

My right Achilles tendon has been tight the past several days. I have been giving it special attention before runs, but still some mornings I hobble a bit getting down the stairs.

Things have been largely issue-free during this training session, I do not feel terribly taxed. For the most part runs are enjoyable and positive, or I have that selective memory thing going on again.

If I do have that selective memory thing going on again, it's only for running because this entire year I have been beset with constant and terrible memories of every bad thing I have ever done to anyone.

Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 38:38
Avg Pace: 7:43
Route: Boulevard Loop

Today we are listening to the President's Spotify Summer Playlist Vol 1. - Side Two, Summer Night. I know it is day right now, but it is nighttime in my head. Besides, I am saving the day time playlist for tomorrow's long haul. It's a trip, it's got a funky beat, and I can bug out to it.

The morning was a casual one, the kind you have on Saturdays. I wrote a story, my wife read me a story, she went out to run while I got ready. The kids sleep in. It is still summer but it's been hard for me to remember that this week.

When it is ten degrees and they still haven't fixed the sidewalks on Monticello, I will remember.

Temperature: 75°
Climate: not too hot, very pleasant
Weight: 157.5 lbs.
Intake: yogurt & granola
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: no
Stretches: yes

The wife just booked my flight using our frequent flyer miles. First class, baby. Not sure I have ever flown first class before. Not so important heading out, but it will feel so very good coming back.

What's That Lyric?
Moondance - Van Morrison

Sleeping on the sidewalk.

Blowed up real good.

Low-key Fourth, spent lazing at mom and dad's place in Lakewood. We are not a big fireworks family, we tried taking the kids but every year it seemed they were less and less interested or impressed. We asked if we should skip this year and they were all for it.

Fun driving home along the Shoreway, the sheer amount of people gathered along the north side of Detroit Avenue surprised the boy. One year (only one?) they shut down the Shoreway for fireworks and my wife and I sat on the median with so many others.

Guess I don't get out much, but the sheer tonnage of illegal fireworks being discharged in a half-mile radius from the intersection of Superior and Euclid last night was truly stunning.

This three-day weekend leaves me a little at loose ends, artistically, physically. Thursday night we turned in after midnight, and slept in ... rendering me with a major sinus headache which plagued me for the entire day. Just no fun, sometimes I truly hate my head, desiring to drill holes through it to relieve the pressure.

Meanwhile, work continues on a new script. No idea where it's going, but I know where it has to lead. This morning when the boy is at band practice I will hole up with a notebook and torment myself with the blank page. Nothing to do but fill it.

Temperature: 68°
Distance: 3.25 miles

Strangely unsatisfying run, despite the cooler temperature and what promises to be an entirely beautiful day. On Thursday, I had a good run, and then took a walk up and down North Coast Harbor, which left my Achilles tendon feeling very sore, and it still was today. Generally, I felt dispirited (in spite of the music) and logy, and largely uninterested in running.

Hmn.

Lust For Life Playlist
Lust for Life - Iggy Pop
Train In Vain (Stand By Me) - The Clash
Sheena is a Punk Rocker - The Ramones
The Man Who Sold The World (live)  - Nirvana
Search and Destroy - The Stooges
London Calling - The Clash
The Passenger - Iggy Pop

I tried to run, but I didn't get far.

Okay. So I was thinking of taking a break, to ease the constant strain in my right leg. And unintentionally so, that break was ten days. Maybe not very long, but that's all you get. I went for an easy, brisk three-miler yesterday, and my Achilles tendon hurts again. And yes, now I will state the pain in definitely in my Achilles tendon. Time for some Achilles tendon exercises.

Temperature: 28°
Climate: snowflakes!
Distance: 3.25 miles

We had a late night, the family going to see a show at the Hanna. Kids in bed with a few pages of Fellowship by 11:30, I did the wii while the wife read playscripts. The order was to leave her alone until she woke up on her own, she was up at 3 am the night before. I was in bed by 12:30 last night, she much later.

I rose strangely refreshed at 7:30. For an hour or so I leisurely drank coffee, made banana-nut pancakes and sausage, and waited for someone to join me. The boy came down first, so we ate and talked about civil rights. When the girls were up, we all got in bed and discussed plans, and then I left for a run while they had breakfast together.

This afternoon I will perform in a show I wrote in my own local public library. A pack of blessings light upon my back.

1980 Playlist
Space Invaders - Uncle Vic
I'm Ready - Kano
Hungry Heart - Bruce Springsteen
Crosseyed and Painless - Talking Heads
Only A Lad - Oingo Boingo
Can You Feel It - The Jacksons
All Over The World -  Electric Light Orchestra