I sense. I feel.

Pride weekend in the CLE. I thought of dropping in, but I have many things to do, many beautiful, creative things, right here at home. That, and the cat always wants to be outside these days. He used to rummage around in the tall grass, now he just wants to laze in the sun. Who can blame him.

Distance: 4.4 miles

Duration: 41:00
Pace: 9:20

Metropolis - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1984)

Love Kills - Freddie Mercury

Here's My Heart - Pat Benatar

Cage of Freedom - Jon Anderson

Blood From a Stone - Cycle V

The Legend of Babel - Giorgio Moroder

Here She Comes - Bonnie Tyler

Destruction - Loverboy

On Your Own - Billy Squier

What's Going On - Adam Ant

Machines - Giorgio Moroder

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 68°
Climate: light fluffy clouds & breezy
Mood: determined

Georgio Moroder's experiment in reviving this classic silent film has dated somewhat, the film is timeless but the songs aren't -- with the exception of his own instrumental themes. Machines is a very important track to me. 

Machines is 1984. It is the future. It is Metropolis. It's iconic. Timeless. 

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 167 lbs. (+4.0)

It's not just that we returned to drinking, those those calories are real. It's the junk food that comes with it and I ate a lot yesterday, a Saturday. I even had a stress dream about driving into a McDonald's (not like, crashing into it, I was driving my car down an aisle) that had a build it yourself burger bar that was utterly disgusting.

It gets worse, after building my burger I accidentally dropped it into a wastebasket and fished it out. That is how bad my subconscious feels about the dinner I had last night.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

This race is all but run.

The weather has finally, truly turned. Depressing headache yesterday, as the clouds came in and the temperature dropped. It's rained for about a day, we're bringing the plants inside, I'm starting to close the windows, the heat is on.

And it is time to hit the rec center.

Distance: 3 miles 

Duration: 25:42

A few years ago, when I was having trouble turning a small idea into a big idea, I started to go on longer and longer runs. The urge was to make a metaphorical idea come true; by tracing a bigger area with my feet, perhaps I could trace a bigger idea with my mind.

-  by Ben Ratliff, "Run the Song"

Route: rec center
Temperature: 45°
Climate: rain
Mood: irritated

Just a few days ago, it was my Noomaversary. Surprised they didn't let me know, but that might run counter to their programming, drawing attention to the passage of time. Or maybe a lot of people quit after one year.

My recreation center membership renews in December. That's how late I signed up, how long I ran in the cold and rain before taking that step. Now, I just need to prepare in the morning, and I go. It's not a big deal.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 170 lbs. (+10)

How do you jump ten pounds in two days? It was surprising to me, but not too surprising. The fact is, the past two days, yesterday especially, were not "mindful." They were, in fact, ordinary. The headache compounded my desire, I sat in a classroom in Aurora, miserable, taking notes, and thinking how much better life would be with sugar and caffeine. I made a beeline to the nearest Starb*cks and got not only a PSL, my first, and hopefully only of the season, and why not, a slice of banana bread.

That banana bread is 380 calories, all by itself. This was after having had my traditional breakfast.

Lunch was packed, which was good. But it is sugar season and there is candy all over the office, I had one, two, I mean, they're so small, three pieces of candy. Two of them were chocolate.

Last night I was on my own and I made dinner. Leftover mac and cheese, but I did not measure it, and so it was closer to two cups, not just one. In that way I could just empty the container. Why not? And I grazed on pretzel sticks as I air fried sweet potatoes.

Later, watching TV eating dinner and having a beer, I decided not to let the honey mustard I made go to waste and fetched two unmeasured handfuls of pretzel sticks, but also made additional honey mustard to go with it.

Unregulated, unmeasured, unrecorded, unmindful. This describes what used to be a normal day for me. Just, eating whatever.

There is a lot of produce in the fridge, but I could not be bothered to make something good for just me, which is unfortunate. But there you go, ten pounds in two days. A lot of that weight is probably just working its way through me, waiting to get out. But some will remain.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: TBA

What’s That Lyric?

It’s Not Over (‘Til It’s over and Done) - Bleu McAuley

Just sick and tired of running.

Lock the doors, lower the blinds ...

Sixteen sequential, every-other-day runs. At this rate, I will be completing the annual playlists somewhere other than here. Not in Forest Hills, not at the rec center.

Just you wait.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:41
Pace: 9:14

I am starting to lose it. Doritos with lunch yesterday, like a whole snack bag. That's a bad old habit.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 52°
Climate: sunny & cool
Mood: okay!
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

2016 Playlist

The Night Is Killing You - Kiss the Tiger

Um Chagga Lagga - Pixies

Can't Get Enough of Myself - Santigold ft. BC Unidos

Worship - Lizzo

Wedding - Poliça

Runnin' - Pharrell Williams

Soundcheck - Catfish & the Bottlemen

Suddenly - Drugdealer ft. Weyes Blood

Human - Rag'n'Bone Man

You're breathing faster, silence the only sound.

I am tired of McDonaldland.
These clowns.

Rainy and damp out today. A shorter run is in order. Also? A little dizzy.

Plan for today includes reading and writing, and a Grimace shake.

Distance: 2 miles

Duration: 18:30
Pace: 9:13

Route: Burlington Loop (clockwise)

Temperature: 70°
Climate: light, misty rain

Mood: all right

 
Stretches: yes

Sit-Ups: 10
Planks: 90 sec.

Upper body: 10 reps. (2x)
Water: yes

Breakfast: coffee w/cream, fresh peach, banana, blueberry, strawberry, raspberry w/granola & yogurt 

Lunch: Grimace birthday meal: 10 nuggets, fries & Grimace shake (because it's fucking summer

Happy Hour: Sprite 

Dinner: chicken teriyaki & fried rice

Alcohol? No.

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 170 lbs. (-0-)

Goal: 165 lbs.

Reading: 30 min.

Writing: yes

Blog? Yes!

What's That Lyric?

Paperlate - Genesis

Fade into a bad dream.

You ever feel like you have been running in place your entire life? This is a metaphor.

Anyway, physically ... yeah. I am on a candy and chips kick. That shit has to stop. However, there's this place in my office which sells fresh fruit bowls. It's a scam, sure. You could do this yourself for way less money.

And yet. There's no way I could keep nine different kinds of fruit available in my fridge in quantity, and eat all of it. So, in a way ... it's actually a steal?

I plan to have lunch there every single day for the rest of my time in that building.

Distance: 2.25 miles

Duration: 23:44
Pace: 10:33

Route: Horizon Loop (clockwise)

Temperature: 37°
Climate: sunny & cold

Pavement: clear, mostly
Mood: all right

1972 Playlist

Sliced Tomatoes - Just Brothers

She Cracked - Modern Lovers

I Can See Clearly Now - Johnny Nash

I Wanna Be With You

The City of New Orleans - Arlo Guthrie

One of the Boys - Mott the Hoople

 
Stretches: yes
Abdominals: 120 sec
Water: yes

Summer of soul.

July 20, 1969

I have resolved, as the weather warms and my opportunities to run increase to ease off the garbage food. There has been a lot of that. And you know what? I had also decided not to feel bad about that. But there comes a time when taking it easy feels good. It's stuff I do not wish to carry with me.

The internet is full of blogs like this one, which are a multi-year document of one individual's ageing process as a human, rom teenager to young adult, from older adult into their senior years. I wonder if this one will be of use to anyone, tracking my physical and mental progress from age 38 to (so far) my late-early mid-fifties.

When will it end? When I stop running, I guess. Which will come first, that or death? 

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 31:03
Pace: 10:19
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 83°
Climate: sunny & HOT
Mood: good

Stretches: yes
Weight: 188.5 lbs. (+0.5)

1969 Playlist

Compared To What - Roberta Flack

It's Your Thing - The Isley Brothers

Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam

Grazing In the Grass - Friends of Distinction

Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley

My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder

Fortunate Son - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival

Give Peace a Change - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Jesus. What a year!

There was a girl who had always run away.

Breathe. Begin again.

Good news, last night I had one drink, which I drank slowly as I did homework.

Bad news, my diet yesterday was garbage. A lot of cheese and oil and ham and chicken and hot sauce, Carbs for days. As I sipped my beverage and read my homework, I also scarfed popcorn, chocolate and Halloween candy.

I opened the Halloween candy. I am reporting this here because I am appalled at myself. Confession is good for the soul.

It's gotten chilly. My left arm has been aching for a week now. First my shoulder, on occasion my entire arm. It's unpleasant. I need to continue with the planking, more upper body work. Any upper body work. And the running.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 29:09
Pace: 9:24
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 48°
Climate: sunny & cold
Mood: aight
Weight: 177 lbs. (+4.0)

Recording my intake has been difficult, because I do not want to admit everything I am eating. But that's why I do it! I will report for a while longer. If I can't write it here, I shouldn't be eating it.

Breathe. Listen to your body. Begin again.

Intake

Breakfast: coffee (2x) 

Lunch: Ramen w/egg

Treat: warm chocolate chip cookies (2x) & milk

Treat: M&Ms

Dinner: roast beef sandwich, curly fries

Also, fizzy water (2x), gum (3x)

Cool run today, broke out the cold weather gear. It has gotten much harder for me to run in cold weather, it can be a drag. Especially if there is any wind. But it felt good to move. 

I finally figured out why my left arm hurts -- I was carrying my phone in my hand, the entire ten miles run on Saturday! Quite the workout, for me.

Songs from "Hadestown" (Broadway Cast Recording)

Road to Hell

Wedding Song

Livin' It Up on Top

Way Down in Hadestown

Chant

When the Chips Are Down

Father/Elder One Mile

Eldest and I took a lap, We haven't run together in some time. We are on our own, the others still in ME.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:38
Route: One time around the block.
Temperature: 72°
Climate: sunny, nice
Mood: all right
Weight: 174 lbs. (+1.0)

Over vacation, I did not drink nearly enough water. A lot of soda pop, and a not unreasonable amount of alcohol. I worked very hard to control my portions, the last two days being something of a binge. I mean, there was a seafood bake at my aunt's with large chunks of lobster and scallops, I didn't even have a large portion but it was like eating gobs of butter.

Yesterday eldest and I consumed a bag of Doritos on the all-day drive home. That was dinner. I gained one pound this week. Good thoughts.

Intake
Breakfast: café con leche (2x)
Lunch: cold fried chicken piece, peas & rice, salad, small chocolate muffin (2x)
Dinner: giyoza, shrimp tempura roll, beer (1x)

Also, fizzy water (3x)

My heart beats faster when I think of all the signs.

I am not right. Last night we had sushi, mine included seafood, which was cooked or processed, so I thought I was safe. And while I did not have an anaphylactic reaction. my belly swelled up like a balloon and I could feel my pulse in my chest, and my wrists, and my temples.

My belly pushed out past my rib cage last night, also because I eat too much. I eat all the time. I am back into that, I must put something in my mouth at all times phase. These things happen. Control is possible, but it is far easier at work to sit at my desk, meditate, and keep on. There is so much food in this house, and not good food.

I do not feel great. I will take a run this morning, but try not to push myself too hard. A few times around the block. The weather is perfect.

Distance: 2 miles
Duration: 19:27
Pace: 9:43
Route: Twice around the block.

On my first loop I was hailed by a passing truck, they wanted to know where a local street was. I stopped, we were distanced enough. I checked my phone, this is my neighborhood, I was irritated not to know off the top of my head, but of course they were grateful. It was a very pleasant, happy exchange.

Temperature: 55°
Climate: blue sky, light, puffy clouds
Mood: better, now
Weight: 194 lbs. (+2.5)

The weather is perfect, and I am not. I am also not in training. I am also not injured. I can run. I do not hurt, not in my back, hips, knees, ankles, anywhere. Pain comes and so far, it also goes.

What I ran every other morning, consistently? It is a thing I can do. I am awake, the air is cool and clear. I will try to eat more conservatively. There are far more better things to do than eat.

What's That Lyric?
Dying - XTC

The 155-159 BPM playlist totally slaps.

You better run away for good.

The training continues! It does! As we taper, I have been advised not to change up my diet too much, which is fine, because I have been eating shit all month.

Just yesterday a colleague described this sexual experience she had eating a McDonald's spicy BBQ chicken sandwich while driving, so I just had to try it!

Do I regret it? Oh, fuck yes. Would I do it again? Probably.

Distance: 8 miles
Duration: 1:08:13
Pace: 8:31
Route: Forest Hill to Cain Park (and back)
Temperature: 68°
Climate: bright, sunny, awesome
Mood: very good, actually
Stretches: no
Water: yes, but I couldn't tell

What's That Lyric?
Rainy Taxi - Spoon

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 165.5 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 160 lbs.

I'll run the gun for you (and so much more.)

Today I have run as many times as I had last year (two of my posts this year were about recovery.) Every additional run until December 31st is a bonus.

Yet. My training schedule is not perfect. I continue to run, but not as often nor as hard as the schedule dictates. Should have run nine miles yesterday, but when I got into bed on Wednesday night my head was spinning. I don't know what that was about.

I may know what that was about. The truth is, I have been eating garbage for days. In the rehearsal hall we have large bags of candy and chips and I will spend several hours abstaining, but the moment I have a little snack it's off to the fucking races.

Seriously, I have no idea how much processed sugar I have eaten in the past week, but my tongue has been damaged by it. Yesterday I had terrible indigestion. I have to get my shit together or this is going to be a miserable race.

When I go out this morning, the plan is to run for one hour. Because they need me back at home by 6:30 am. I have no idea which direction I am headed.

Before I go, I remind my self of one thing. I really like running.

Distance: 6.5 miles
Duration: 59:18
Pace: 8:56
Route: Heights High-Monticello Middle Loop
Temperature: 55°
Climate: cool & clear
Mood: all right
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Good run, back in time for the house to wake. Long sleeves today, which was fine. Steady run, not too fast but a good pace.

What's That Lyric?
I'll Tumble 4 Ya - Culture Club

Baseline: 179.5 lbs.
Today: 163.5* lbs. (-4.5)
Goal: 160 lbs.

*This cannot be accurate.

Correr como loco.

These folks are rehearsing a play I wrote,
and I do not even know them.
(Culver City Public Theatre)

Okay, here we go, running so often now I am running out of things to say. Or so it goes this morning. Yesterday was an indulgence, and not a good one. Cake, chips and dip, all manner of things sneaking their way into my system. That's not how we do this.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:40
Pace: 8:33
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: sunny & nice & humid
Mood: driven
Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Snack: no

Got behind laundry this week, had to locate pieces this morning, which is always stressful and puts me behind. Also, did laundry, rearranged the fridge, household things. The sun was well on its rise by the time I got out, which was visually challenging but also beautiful.

The slower pace was not as slow as I feared it might be, it's still brisk. Felt good. Tomorrow I hit the gym for upper body work, and I am really looking forward to that!

No, really!

155 - 159 BPM Playlist
Do I Have To Talk You Into It - Spoon
On the Verge - Nick Robinson
Lobo - Torreblanca
In the Waiting Line - Zero 7
Cool Places - Sparks ft. Jane Wiedlin
Whip It - Devo
Ten Duel Commandments - Company from "Hamilton"
Jaded - Green Day
The Shapes Between Us Turn Into Animals - Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians

By seven o'clock last night I was spent. That's where we are getting. Maybe if I had had a fifteen minute nap, those are extremely effective. Discovered that when I was twenty, I was doing three shows -- a mainstage, a class project and directing my own play (both firsts.)

I was also designing the set and sound for my first play. There was a lot of work, and I learned to set a timer for ten minutes, cross my arms across my chest like a vampire, and drop dead asleep. Woke like I had emerged from an oasis of cool.

Anyway, by nine o'clock I was practically comatose. Not nodding off, but as Mark noted (this was at a party) I was not as animated as usual. I was previously unaware of my animation.

Cain Park Bike/Run

Good lord, did I eat a lot of crap watching the Brazil v. Belgium match this afternoon. What am I, still on vacation?

Distance: 4.1 miles
Pace: 9:02
Route: Cain Park Loop
Temperature: 71°
Climate: sunny & warm
Mood: all right

The boy and I took a trip around the Heights. Much cooler weather, but still. And trying to keep up exhausts me. However, the bike can hold a water bottle, and this is very convenient.

Exercises: a few. not enough.

I am raw material.

There always comes a day, and it's usually in the middle of February, where I'm just tired of running in freezing temps. Just don't wanna.

2015 Playlist
Wait For It - Leslie Odom Jr.
Angels - Chance the Rapper ft. Saba
Know Now - Public Image Ltd.
The Party Line - Belle & Sebastian
Run - San Cisco
A New Wave - Sleater-Kinney
Water - Ra Ra Riot
Snakeskin - Deerhunter
S.O.B.- Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

It can be demoralizing. There is a lot going on, and narrow windows in which to exercise. The week is supposed to be above freezing, I hope I can get back to business.

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 43°
Climate: cool & misty
Pavement: wet w/slush and puddles
Mood: determined

Last Saturday night was a bit decadent. as there was a birthday party in the house. I asked the boy to serve me one scoop of ice cream, which he festooned with caramel sauce, whipped cream and mini-chocolate bits. But I only had two slices of pizza that night.

Sunday, however, was hard. Too many snacks, available for the taking. Doritos, potato chips, cheese balls. Grazing more or less all day. Self-control is hard when it's all right there.

Stretches: yes

So I waited until today. I waited until after dark. After work, after I had made dinner -- after I had put dinner in the warming drawer. Because that was when the running was meant to happen.

Baseline: 178 lbs.
Today: 174 lbs. (-0-)
Goal: 170 lbs.

Over and over again.

This afternoon the family went to see Hidden Figures, which seemed a particularly appropriate film for Dr. King's Day. Many of the barriers he worked to break through were being overcome, almost in secret, through this story. After, the boy and I went to catch the Power & Politics exhibit at the Western Reserve Historical Society (you have until February 20.)

Distance: 3.25 miles
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 36°
Climate: cool and cloudy
Mood: maintaining

Today's Diet:

• coffee (cream, no sugar)
• Strawberry Jell-O® Pretzel Salad
• popcorn with butter-like topping
• Mike & Ike's®
• Skittles®
• Coca-Cola®

Seriously. It's 6:00 PM and that is the only food I have eaten today. On the plus-side, however, I ate a lot of it.

Baseline: 174 lbs.
Today: 170.5 lbs. (+1.0)
Goal: 165 lbs.
Ideal: 160 lbs.

Four runs in four days. Now the weather warms up for a few days, let's see if I can keep this up.

2006 Playlist
Young Folks - Peter Bjorn & John
Like a Pen - The Knife
Us v Them - LCD Soundsystem
No Hay Igual (Club Mix) - Nelly Furtado
SOS - Rihanna
Tell Me Why - Supermode

Larry Steinbachek, we salute you!

With my mind she runs.

Dog In A Bathtub

This is how this happens. For three weeks we have been rehearsing the residency program, and there has been a lot of sugar and fat in the rehearsal room, and I have been eating it. My weight has not increased, but that is not the point. My sugar intake, that which I had been so carefully keeping, has spiked. I have gone from complete control, to more casual, to complete lack of control.

Yesterday was a our first day in schools. Not including meals, here are the items I consumed that are heavy in sugar:

One large coffee with flavored creamer, one large coffee cake muffin, one frosting topped mini-cupcake, a McFlurry (Oreo & ice cream), two small eclairs, three cookies.

Yes, a McFlurry. I stopped at MacDonald's after work for a treat. A treat. As if I were the one who had been on my feet teaching all day instead of sitting and watching people teach all day. And I still felt entitled to dessert twice after that.

So. We have had our fun. This morning, without a run first, I weighed 160 lbs. I should weight at least that much, but the weight should consist of better things.

Today, I was good.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 23:30
Avg Pace: 7:49
Route: Boulevard Loop

Been writing lately. Expanding on a piece I began last year. Taken me long-forgotten places, like that dream I had this summer. Today I had to visit a school on the near west side, GPS took me down a side street I had been down in nearly thirty years, one I describe in this new work. That was odd in its timeliness.

Temperature: 64
Climate: cool and humid
Weight: 159 lbs.
Intake: tater soup, with bread and butter
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: no
Stretches: no

What's That Lyric?
Golden Brown - The Stranglers

Recovery Run

Crystal Pond.

First need for a "recovery" run. Yesterday's sixteen mile trek took a lot out of me, I spent most of the morning in my pjs, napping and reading ... which is kinda what I have done this morning. No alarm to wake me, then sitting by the fire, reading, writing, checking the online media.

My calves were very sore all day. They are sore now. So many hills yesterday, especially at the end. But my back feels good, and I have been concerned as to how longer and longer runs would affect my recent injury. At present, not at all.

I have been eating pretty much whatever I choose. I made a decision a few days back not to pick up a case of Coca-Cola. Traditionally, I would be drinking one rum and Coke a day, but I can't ... there's no Coke. Also, still enjoying sensible portions for dinner ... but also dessert pretty much every night. Then there are the Doritos, which are gone, but at least I wasn't alone in consuming them.

But they were good. I ate them, and I was glad.

However, though we have no scale in the house, my belt has provided a certain indication of my intake. In March I was at the last notch in my belt. Last month I was on the fourth notch in my belt. Yesterday I realized I would be much more comfortable at the third notch in my belt.

Not an emergency. But it has been noted.

Distance: 3 miles
Duration: 25:40
Avg Pace: 8:34
Route: Martin Point Run

Felt downright cool went I headed out, but then the sun came out and the temperature rose three degrees. Doesn't take much. Started at the top of the hill instead of running it. Did myself that favor.

Just another perfect day in the cove. I do have plenty of writing to accomplish, but also promised the boy we would hunt down a mackerel jig. We must head out in the motorboat today.

Temperature: 70° - 73°
Climate: bright and humid
Intake: banana
Hydration: yes

Stretches: yes

Martin Point Run

Michele takes the best pictures.

Considerable consumption of junk food yesterday, the way I managed to largely avoid in North Carolina. Just yesterday afternoon I was reflecting to the wife how some times Doritos feel in my mouth as nothing more than gravel when at others they have the consistency and flavor of the greatest food ever formulated. My affection for Doritos knows no bounds, except for when I curse them and all their fried abuse.

Anyway, I ate a lot of Doritos yesterday. Cheez-Its, too. Dinner, however, was absolutely remarkable, we all teamed together to create loaded carnitas tacos, complete with rice and beans and guacamole and grilled vegetables and everything.

At dusk the girl asked to go kayaking. She's very careful, if she goes out on her own she would prefer an adult at least in attendance on the dock. I asked if I could go out with her and so we did, it was between low and high tide and we headed straight out past the tip of Pa's Island and back.

We left home a week ago today, we leave Flood's Cove a week from today. Much time left to accomplish many things, or not one thing at all.

Distance: 3.5 miles
Route: Martin Point

Previously charted the trip out to the end of Martin's Point Road and back as four miles, in reality it is closer to three and a half. I would give you an accurate measure, but my phone died on the trip. She's right, I need a Garmin.

Passed one of these Down East Characters on my run today:

DOWNEAST CHARACTER: How we doing?
PENGO: Good!
DOWNEAST CHARACTER: Say, you still running since yesterday?

Temperature: 70°
Climate: bright, humid, paradisical
Intake: none
Hydration: yes
Water Stop: no
Stretches: sort of

Time for freshly baked blueberry muffins, Here's a little breakfast music:

Z practicing a Bach piece for her audition.
Posted by Michele Kosboth on Thursday, July 30, 2015

Two foots racing.

Ghosts of 1997

How is life without a wife? The girl and I were discussing that yesterday, the days are longer. Much, much longer. I am shocked it is only Wednesday. The kids are more vocal about how much they miss her, but they understand why she had to take this journey. She's getting a lot work done, good work, and I am so proud of her.

Temperature: 41°
Distance: 3.25 miles

Now, dammit. Twenty degrees warmer should feel warmer. But I bless the rains that fall in Cleveland Heights. I am lighter and I can feel it. Breathing is easier, striding is easier. If only this string in my right thigh would not sing all day long. Doesn't bother me when I run, only when I walk.

Baseline: 178.5 lbs.
Today: 171 lbs. (-1.0)
Goal: 170 lbs.

I did not eat three meals yesterday. I had four. Breakfast, lunch, a modest dinner before we headed out for the tour performance, and another after we returned. I am of the belief that what I am not eating is what is making the difference. What I am eating includes whole grains, not too much, more good protein and far more fruits and vegetables.

Look, the day I went in for my physical, a little over two weeks ago, on the drive there I knocked off almost an entire can of Pringles. This is what I am talking about.

1997 Playlist
How Bizarre - OMC
Water From a Vine Leaf - William Orbit
Absurd (Landslide Mix) - Fluke
Miss Modular - Stereolab
Busy Child - The Crystal Method
Good Shit - Cornershop

I have a dearth of good running music released in the years 1999 and 2000. Why is that? Sure, the year 1999 gave us Moby's Play album, and Everything But the Girl's Temperamental, the following year Radiohead's Kid A ... but then what? Suggestions welcome.

You spend time running from depravity.

Lately, life makes me forget about running. It's supposed to be the other way round.

Certain days I suddenly think, well, you are losing interest. Nice try. And I have to work so hard to convince myself, "What the hell is wrong with you, your training is entirely on schedule!"

Except for the junk food. Lotta junk food the last week. That's gotta stop. Holiday's over, pal. No more candy, no more chips. More fruits and vegetables. No more alcohol before bed, it's time for tea, and water, water, water.

Distance: 6 miles
Route: Neighborhood loop

See, this is what I'm talking about. I set out, and immediately thought, oh, don't run six. Five will be fine. Or even three for that matter. I was supposed to run six on Sunday, but only had time for four (had, had, had to get to the bar) so that would be bad, only running four. Or three.

I ran six. And it felt really good! Damn.

Temperature: 39º
Climate: wet pavement, then light rain, cool but not unpleasant (until the light rain started)
Weight: 168 lbs.
Snack: no
Hydration? yes
Stretches? no

Blue Genius Playlist
Feel So Close - Calvin Harris
So Light Is Her Footfall (158 bpm) - AIR
Cold War (160 bpm) - Janelle Monáe
The Girls - Calvin Harris
76, OCean Drive (Apache Vocal Mix) - Nicola Fasano V...
Hunter - Portishead
Worst Day (171 bpm) - Calvin Harris
Wandering Star (160 bpm) - Portishead
Sing Sang Sung - AIR
My Love Sees You - Beni
Radio #1 - AIR
Let Go - Gabriel & Dresden