Let's go, left foot, right foot ...

The point of running is to run. Whatever else is happening, running will help.

New Year's Eve was spent at home, much like it was last year, at home, grazing on cheese, crakers, bits of fruit, hummus and pita, and some generous but not terribly indulgent cocktails and bubbly.

The difference was the girl was with us, the boy spent the evening at a friend's house. We binge-watched The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. It means a lot to her to share this with us, and it's fun.

But staying up late does not work for me. I love New Year's Eve, because it is our special night. We met on a NYE so many years ago. Last year it was important to be together, on our own. My mother lay dying across town. My wife an our togetherness made even more poignant. 

What will happen? No idea. Hopefully I will muster the strength and desire to exercise, in spite of medication, to feel properly. I need this body to get it all done.

Ladies and gentlemen, we begin. 55 Playlists for 55 Years (1967-2021).

2020 Playlist

Hollywood - Car Seat Headrest

Dance of the Clairvoyants - Pearl Jam

If You're Too Shy (Let Me Know) - The 1975

Dying to Believe - The Beths

lucy - Soccer Mommy

Levitating - Dua Lipa & The Blessed Madonna ft. DaBaby

Therefore I Am - Billie Eilish

WAP - Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion

Straight to the Morning - Hop Chip ft. Jarvis Cocker

Well, damn. A bunch of great songs I never ran to last year.

Here's the deal. If I run solo, I will post a year playlist. If I am running with one of my children, I won't. There's no agenda, no need to get through all the playlists as soon as possible. If I am still listening to them in September, so be it. At least that means I will be alive in September.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 30:51
Pace: 9:56
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 34°
Climate: cold, rainy

Pavement: wet with patchy snow and puddles
Mood: confident
Baseline Weight: 185 lbs. 

Here's the thing. I never broke 170 last year. Never even made it to 170. But I should totally live at 170 lbs. Over that, I have pain issues. It is difficult to sit without pinching certain nervse. Prefereably I will live at 165 lbs., so I don't have to worry so much.

So that's the goal. 165 pounds, and to be there by the end of the year.

Stand back. Let me do my shit.

I made three running resolutions last year, and I kept two. I kept running, and I ran the Cleveland Half Marathon. But I wanted to keep my weight down between 160 and 165, and there I have not been very successful.

Is it important? Yes, it is. Two years ago I was warned about my weight and my blood sugar level. I need to control my diet, continue to eat less sugar. I will keep running, and I will work to control my eating.

Last year I started the year with fifty playlists from 1967-2016, this year I am expanding the lists in each direction, from 1966-2017. And so, ladies and gentlemen, let us begin 52 Playlists for 52 Years.

2016 Playlist
Worship - Lizzo
FloriDada - Animal Collective
My Shot [Rise Up Remix] - ft. Busta Rhymes, Joell Ortiz & Nate Reuss
New Song - Warpaint
HandClap - Fitz & The Tantrums
Heathens - twenty one pilots
Born Again Teen - Lucius

Cooldown:
Subways - The Avalanches

Pleasant day, family, friends, family. Now that the holidays are over, vacation through, it is time to bear down. Reframing scripts, making submissions, making communication, putting the pieces together. Thank yous, gratitude, housework, homework, work work.

Distance: 3.2 miles
Avg. Pace: 8:12
Duration: 26:20
Route: Boulevard Loop
Pavement: dry

Set out later than I had planned, after dark. Can't run through the woods without light. Taking the city streets can be fun, except heading up Lee Road can totally wind me, sometimes. Like tonight. Still, not bad all things considered. Time to pass on desserts, less alcohol, smaller portions.

Yeah? Possible? Can we do this? I think that we can.

Temperature: 32°
Climate: cool
Mood: leaning hard

Baseline: 174 lbs.
Today: 174 lbs.
Goal: 170 lbs.
Ideal: 165 lbs.