Sweet serotonin rushes.

The old man is not well, his eye is ulcerated and requires medicine and attention. Friday night he woke me up several times, to get under the covers which is nice except when he gets in and out of bed.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 26:44
Pace: 8:37

Also, the new cat likes to get on top of me when I sleep, which is usually pleasant, but if Tiger is under the covers, then that's an issue. Anyway, it was a bad night's sleep. 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: overcast & beautiful
Mood: all right

Today, I will travel to Cincinnati to attend a recital/gig. The wife remains at home to care for an old cat.

2017 Playlist

Formidable Cool - Wolf Alice

Waving Through a Window - Ben Platt

On Hold - The xx

Green Light (Chromeo Remix) - Lorde

Serotonin Rushes - Fujiya & Miyagi

We Got the Power - Gorillaz ft. Jehnny Beth

High Ticket Attractions- New Pornographers

Bad Liar- Selena Gomez

Twenty years ago, on April 10, 2006, I was lamenting the fact that, though I had taken a running kit with me to London, I hadn't done any running. By that time in my life, I had gotten used to -- nay, looked forward to -- taking a run in New York City. Not that I had done it a lot, but I did a few times when I was there for the 2004 NY Fringe.

"Ran roughly four miles. Man, Sunday it is a free-for-all, everyone running in every direction. Keep your head up."

Millennium Bridge, 2006

But that was because I was squatting at an apartment two blocks from the Central Park on the Upper East Side. I knew my way around that part of New York. 

What's On Daddy's iPod?
Transatlanticism - Death Cab for Cutie

In spring 2006, we were staying at my brother's place in Battersea. I had not yet started using mapping programs to find my way around unusual places. The next year, when we returned for the I Hate This tour, I took a run in London and another in Plymouth. I had learned how to prepare.

This weekend, I am preparing by running at home on Sunday morning, and then hopefully on Tuesday, so I don't need to run in Cincinnati at all.

Stretches: yes

Water: yes
Weight: 162 lbs. (+2.0)

We're eating more junk food! Lot of grazing. And cookies. Time to bear down again.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Goddamn right, it's a beautiful day.

You may notice my posts have gotten longwinded. Once upon a time, they were quite brief, now I go on about all manner of things relating to my personal life (ideally related to my personal health) and there is a good reason for this:

I write them in advance.

Distance: 3.1 miles 

Duration: 29:29

Pace: 9:30

I used to compose my posts after I took a run. Ostensibly, to write about the run I just had. Which can be tedious.

"Had a run. The run was good. Weather is nice. Ah, uh. Yeah."

Because right after I have had a run, I am sweaty and winded and my keyboard gets drippy and salty. Better to reflect on how I am feeling between runs, when I can think and I am dry.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 58°
Climate: clear & lovely
Mood: tender

As with the playlists, which I plan in advance because there is nothing worse than trying to decide what to listen to right when I am about to head out. The "year" playlists are the best because I don't need to think about those at all, they are just there.

2000 Playlist

Mr. E's Beautiful Blues - Eels

Saginou - Zulya

Renegades of Funk - Rage Against the Machine

The National Anthem - Radiohead

Ms. Jackson - Outkast

Oops! ... I Did It Again - Britney Spears

Bye Bye Bye - *Nsync

Playground Love - Air ft. Thomas Mars

I even jot down what the first song will be, in advance. Usually the newest track to add to the list.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs.

Late night. Survival run this afternoon. So many plans laid to waste. But it was a wonderful party.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Yes! We did that. Back on track. See you Tuesday.

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.

One summer never ends.

Kamala!

Kind of surprised I chose to run five miles on Tuesday, considering recent back issues, and that I was generally feeling weak and uninspired. Prince helped however, as I pushed on, taking odd turns so that the album would end close to home, I was tripping a little bit. The Artist can do that to a person.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 9:17

Now. A one mile run is a thing, too. You mustn't feel like it's nothing, it's a lot. Some folks can't even do that. Just suit up, choose your daylist (thinking about the music can take up a lot of time) and hit the road.

But also, treat it like a long run. You don't stretch any less, remember to drink water, and for heaven's sake, do not rush. Trying to run too fast, thinking it will be over faster that way, is a sure way to hurt your back (leaning forward) and your shins.

It's simple. Stretch, relax, run. One mile. Then a rest tomorrow. This is a plan. You can run three miles on Saturday!    

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 74°
Climate: overcast & humid
Mood: anxious?
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Pain Reliever: yes

Core Strength:

   Plank: 90 sec. 

Baseline: 185 lbs.

Weight: 174 lbs. (-1.0)

Goal: 170 lbs.

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

Lunch: ramen w/carrot & egg

Dinner: TBA

What's That Lyric?

Suddenly Last Summer - The Motels

If you want to run away with me, I know a galaxy.

Made it. Twenty runs in August. Also, submitted a grant proposal. We continue.

It is a Thursday, and I have run every day for several days. I will run a short distance today, to keep moving but also to give myself a break.

The nights get longer. I have spent a half hour or so every morning this week on the porch or on the deck, writing. It has been a long time since I have been dedicated to the writing, not since I graduated, really. Or before that. It's been a long time. I took a break, intentionally. But we're back and it is good.

Distance: 1 mile

Duration: 9:03

Route: Haselton Loop

Temperature: 56°
Climate: coolee-cool

Mood: good. confident.

I prepare breakfast before my run, because dawn takes longer to reach us. Breakfast is ready for me when I am exercised, cleaned up and ready for the day. Cut fruit, all that fresh cut fruit.

The Twenties (So Far) Playlist

Levitating - Dua Lipa

When In Rome - Dessa

The Valley of the Pagans - Gorillaz ft. Beck

 
Stretches: yes

Sit-Ups: 20
Planks: tbd 

Upper body: tbd
Water: yes

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

Lunch: sushi, salad

Treat: danish (still with the danish!), also Starbursts (4x)

Happy Hour: ginger ale

Dinner: salt baked potato w/red pepper cheese sauce & broccoli

Alcohol? Imperial IPA

Baseline: 195 lbs.

Current: 171 lbs. (+1.0)

Goal: 165 lbs.

Reading: HTD (30 min+)

Writing: part of one scene

Congratulations on a race well-run.

ICYMI ... earlier this week I posted in my writing blog about Hamilton and all those things it made me think about. So, you know. Check that out.

Two weeks ago I ran nine miles to the first act. Today, the second.

Distance: 9.37 miles
Avg Pace: 7:40
Duration: 1:12:24
Route: Lakeview-Uptown Loop
Week Six Total: 25 miles
Training To Date: 127 miles

Warmer weather, faster pace, slightly longer album - more distance. I was under the impression that this, more complicated side, while my favorite of the two acts, might be less inspiring the run to. I was mistaken. And anyway, there are more songs with appropriate beats per minute for me to make time to.

So, there you go. You can run to Hamilton. All of it.

Hamilton (Act II)

I thought of this gag on my run, then found out someone already made it.

What'd I Miss – Burr, Jefferson, Madison, and Company
Cabinet Battle #1 – Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison
Take a Break * – Eliza, Philip, Hamilton, and Angelica
Say No to This * – Hamilton, Maria Reynolds, James Reynolds, and Company
The Room Where It Happens * – Burr, Hamilton, Jefferson, Madison, and Company
Schuyler Defeated – Philip, Eliza, Hamilton, and Burr
Cabinet Battle #2 – Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, and Madison
Washington on Your Side – Burr, Jefferson, and Madison
One Last Time  – Washington, Hamilton, and Company
I Know Him – King George
The Adams Administration – Burr, Hamilton, and Company
We Know * – Burr, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Madison
Hurricane – Hamilton and Company
The Reynolds Pamphlet – Full company
Burn – Eliza
Blow Us All Away – Philip, George Eacker, Hamilton, and Company
Stay Alive (Reprise) * – Philip, Hamilton, Eliza, Doctor
It's Quiet Uptown – Angelica, Hamilton, Eliza, and Company
The Election of 1800 – Jefferson, Madison, Burr, Hamilton, and Company
Your Obedient Servant * – Burr, Hamilton
Best of Wives and Best of Women – Eliza, Hamilton
The World Was Wide Enough – Burr, Hamilton, and Company
Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story – Eliza, and Full Company

Full, active weekend. Moderated a discussion on drinking last night at the Hanna, today the boy has his first soccer game of the season!

In four weeks, we race.

Temperature: 57°
Climate: warm and sunny
Weight: 162 lbs. (-1.0)
Mood: good

Took my time rising today, that was good. Had sunbutter and eggs on English muffins for breakfast (not mixed together) and plenty of water. No, I was not in the mood to carry water, but I made it through all right.

I cannot stop myself.

I work out.

So many events, visits, conversations, phone calls, preparing for this procedure, late nights and early mornings ... I forgot I am running a half marathon on May 15th.

Training begins today. Huh.

Distance: 3 miles
Avg Pace: 7:51
Duration: 23:32
Route: Forest Hill Loop

Training for a half marathon tops out at ten miles. Once. Some people call that "a run."

Anyway, the schedule will keep me honest. And honestly, this week may be difficult. I am on a low-fiber diet which means I am avoiding a lot of the things I have been eating to stay healthy and where my weight is supposed to stay.

No nuts, whole grains, any kind of beans, no sunbutter (made from seeds), and fruits with skin or pulp ... this morning I had yogurt and bananas and honey, no granola or Grape Nuts.

Ugh. I need to get some juice. Not orange juice, apple juice. Like a preschooler.

Temperature: 45°
Climate: cool and bright
Pavement: dry
Weight: 161.5 lbs.
Mood: all right

2008 Playlist
American Boy - Estelle ft. Kanye West
Great DJ - The Ting Tings
Halo - Beyoncé
Discipline - Nine Inch Nails
Mercy - Duffy
Breakeven - The Script

When you woke up today.

Suddenly, school year. Evenings are spent in the service of others, cooking, cleaning, generally being with. We, all of us, after just three days, wake up so tired. We strive to bed down earlier, and so I must work to rise early, too. To run.

As with marathon training, I need to put out my kit the night before. It makes waking up so much easier, to know I need not search for my outsit. It's there, I put it on, and am moving down the street before I know I am awake.

Temperature: 64°
Distance: 3.25 miles

Morning. So cool. So tired. So hard.

Sub-culture Playlist
She's Lost Control - Joy Division
Nothing - Depeche Mode
Play For Today * - The Cure
Peek-a-boo - Siouxsie & the Banshee
Shellshock - New Order
Subculture - New Order
So Hard - Pet Shop Boys