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

Start to run into the trees.

Easy days, working on the synopsis. It's always good for me to have a little project.

I find myself just staring past the birch trees, at the water. Standing, sitting. Like I owe it to someone to be doing that. It's not normal for me, to sit passively like that. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe I am meditating and don't realize it. I'm certainly not thinking anything.

First Leg

Distance: 2.1 miles

Duration: 19:47
Pace: 9:28

80s Running Alternative Mix
A Forest (Remix Mix) (163 bpm) - The Cure
Idiot Box - Incubus
The Perfect Kiss (Live) - New Order
Fruit Machine (168 bpm) - Ting Tings
Falling to Pieces - Faith No More
Bad Day - R.E.M.
There's a Barbarian in the Back of My Car (166 bpm) - Voice of the Beehive

Route: Martin Point Run 
Temperature: 66°
Climate: overcast & cool
Mood: all right

Last night we all went to the community cabin to play bingo. Entrance to play is that you bring a prize. I brought a dish of blueberry muffins I had baked that morning, and I won a "Property of Shawshank Maine State Prison" T-shirt. Next year I need to remember to bring an Ohio State Reformatory T-shirt to offer.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Absolutely gaining weight on this trip. The notches in my belt don't lie. Not much I can, or want to, do about it right now. There has been a great deal of stress eating. But also, portioning my meals ... which have been fried to a significant extent.

It doesn't help that all the local produce has been scraped up and I am wary of the salad. America today is so fucking stupid. 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Stopped to see my brother at the place he is staying, which is conveniently along my route. Saw his wife taking a walk and she asked if I was stopping by for coffee and I whined, "I'm in the middle of a run ..." which is dumb, I'm on vacation and never turn down an invitation for coffee.

Second Leg

Distance: 1.45 miles 

Duration: 13:34
Pace: 9:24

The echo machine ran wild.

US Cover

I have older brothers, and they have friends who became my friends and so I was into a lot of cool stuff many of my contemporaries were not, like indie movies from the 1970s, and some truly great albums.

One guy did a two-person, acoustic gig with his roommate /in their mod at O.U. which went over gangbusters for the twenty or so people who were in attendance, and I got a bootleg recording (yes, we can call it that) which I listened to a lot when I was a junior in high school.

Most of it was covers and they did a devastating take on the Hoodoo Gurus Dig It Up. It's not exemplary of their work, it's more of a novelty song, but it inspired me to pick up Stoneage Romeos, their first LP.

The Hoodoos had this funky retro garage band style, like Violent Femmes with more polish.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:24
Pace: 8:46
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 46°
Climate: bright & cool
Mood: determined

AU Cover

Stoneage Romeos - Hoodoo Gurus (1984)

(Let's All) Turn On

I Want You Back

Arthur

Death Ship

Dig It Up

Leilani

Tojo *

In the Echo Chamber

Oh, dear. The same casual racism toward Asians as evidenced in contemporary tracks like Turning Japanese and China Girl.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 167 lbs. (+1.0)

When do I just stop recording my weight?

Here’s the thing. I have been drinking a lot. Like, I feel like I have consumed more alcohol in the first four months of this year than I did in all of last year.

That’s how bad things are. Not at home, not with the world in general. Just to calm my nerves about my work. I still love everyone I work with. But it is so hard to manage all these thoughts. To rest. To sleep. To focus on one thing; a book, a movie, a conversation. It’s all too much.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA 

Sit-Ups: TBA

Hey. Only fools rush in and only time will tell if we stand the test of time.

This week has been challenging. A post-Mother's Day ball game was less-than pleasant because the air was just a bit too chilly (we did defeat the Angels, however.) 

Then on Tuesday, I played substitute at my old middle school (not the same building, but like ship of Theseus, it occupies the same space) and, I'm not getting into this, but agreeing to let my colleague run the class they way she preferred meant I was standing for the better part of five hours.  

I came home and took a two hour nap, which is not my custom, it's not something I can do, sleep for two hours in the afternoon. But I was exhausted. This morning, I woke exhausted, but needed to teach a day-long Romeo & Juliet workshop at my spouse's former place of employment.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:23
Pace: 8:49

I thought I would be destroyed, but it was a lovely day. My throat burns from two days of talking, and I did take a twenty minute nap after work, but you know? Sometimes I feel better after a run.

Even when it is cooler than I would desire

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 51°
Climate: overcast and breezy, nice
Mood: driven

Prom 1986

Why Can't This Be Love - Van Halen

Pretty In Pink - Psychedelic Furs

Red Red Wine - UB40

If You Leave - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

These Dreams - Heart

Your Love - The Outfield

Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes 

Don't You (Forget About Me) 12" Version - Simple Minds

We have this mini-class reunion happening on Friday, so I was in a mood.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 166 lbs.

Here we go. Can we bring it back. We've been enjoying a lot of high calorie leftovers. Also, cake.

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.

I feel so strong now.

Home again. Rainy day. Funny how a 64° morning, after a spring rain, can feel cooler than a dry 56°. Maybe it's the moisture in the air? 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:57
Pace: 9:20

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 64°
Climate: damp. nice.
Mood: all right

Last night, depression. This morning, better. I was awake for about an hour in the middle of the night, just when I would distract myself from one concern, another would take its place.

1977 Playlist

New Rose - The Damned

Love → Building on Fire  Talking Heads

Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment - The Ramones

Point of Know Return - Kansas

Pulled Up - Talking Heads

Deacon Blues - Steely Dan

Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabriel

Dust in the Wind - Kansas

Good run, though. Lovely, après le déluge.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+3.0)

This is not a surprise. Lot of fast food, restaurant food, Maria's delicious, calorie-dense breakfasts. I need to eat at home, be mindful of portions, choose the salad, etc.

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

I begin to run.

She likes to get on things.

Here's the thing about the New Cat. Last fall we began our foster parenthood for a tortoiseshell kitty named Diwali, when the boy's boyfriend went to college. 

I was concerned about this, because when we brought Masha into our house in late 2024, it almost killed Tiger. Maybe Masha had nothing to do with it, but she wouldn't leave the old man alone and he started becoming very ill, indeed. He recovered, but I was worried another kitty would outright murder him.

The wife theorized that a new, younger cat would occupy Masha, and they would both leave Tiger alone. And she was right! That is pretty much what has happened. 

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:29
Pace: 9:11

However, I now love Diwali and am also even more concerned about her leaving when the boy's boyfriend moves off-campus and can assume possession of his cat.

In the meantime, Diwali likes to sleep on top of me. When I sleep on my side, she gets on my hips, or my thigh or my knees. I would think this would be uncomfortable for her, but its not. And it's sweet. Except it also means having a weight on my legs for hours at a time, which can be uncomfortable, even painful.

When I am in training, my knees can hurt a lot, and my thighs, or my back. I can only imagine how dreadful this would become with this cat sleeping on them.

But I love her.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 69°
Climate: warm & windy
Mood: fragile

1970 Playlist

Liar - Three Dog Night

Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today) - The Temptations

25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago

Mother Sky - CAN

No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature - The Guess Who

Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Again) - Sly & the Family Stone

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (+5.0)

So, the scale says I gained five pounds, which makes sense. I feel like I have gained five pounds, I woke with my belly full. This is what I am talking about. There's been a lot. There just needs to be fewer.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

The wife and I have just been tired and not up to speed, for weeks. The sore throat is back. Because I'm dehydrated. Even though I have been drinking water. My legs felt heavy, that's been a while. Good run, though.

See you Tuesday.

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

Tears run rings around my eyes

There are, like, ten people who regularly follow this blog. Or maybe, just ten people randomly access blog posts the moment they drop. I get ten or twelve hits, and then it just sits there.

Which is fine. People don't need to see this, unless they are also weird about running or need ideas for workout playlists.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:17
Pace: 9:07

Though music has no tangible form, it has a physical form, and can enter a body. Moving with it -- running with it, as I run round my neighborhood -- can make it a memento or marker for a present and a past experience. Running with it can also reveal music as a disposition, as a philosophy, or as an open system, even if you don't own the music as a physical document.
-  by Ben Ratliff, "Run the Song"

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 51°
Climate: clear & cool
Mood: better

A bit chilly. Wore the jacket.

Reading about the way others run is akin to learning how others have sex. It's shocking. Really? You do it like that? In the case of Ben Ratliff (this is in regards to running) I was shocked to read that he stretches for fifteen minutes before running, and that he runs every day, and that he runs between four and twelve miles. Every day.

And he is Mr. Ratliff significantly younger than I am? Or in some bizarre way, older? Why no, he was born in 1968, and so was I. Jesus.

I wonder how he fucks.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 160 lbs.

We don't "noom" as responsibly anymore, these things happen. I keep track of meals early in the day, which gives me a better idea of how to manage the rest of my day, so I don' need to record that. My weight, which was constant, has these little jumps which I clock and behave accordingly. I just want to maintain. This is not obsessive. No, really. It's not. It's not obsessive.

Sophisti-Pop 80s Workout Playlist

Shattered Dreams (12" Extended Mix) - Johnny Hates Jazz

Tears Run Rings - Marc Almond

True - Spandau Ballet

Mirror Man - Human League

Every Day I Wrote the Book - Elvis Costello & the Attractions

When It Started to Begin - Nick Heyward

I Confess - The Beat

This playlist is currently nine and a half hours long.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Do you read this blog regularly? Leave a comment.

Moves? I make them.

The vast majority of Zombies, Run fan art features a female presenting Runner 5. I am entirely okay with this.

Eavesdropping 0118

Distance: 3.2 miles
Duration: 29:21
Pace: 9:02

No, I can't seem to run every other day. This won't always be the case, but I have been busy, busy, busy.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 76°
Climate: clear & warm
Mood: angsty

I seem to be gaining weight. Either that, or I have been standing on the scale wrong and if that's the case, I just need to be wiser with my diet.

I didn't think it was an out-of-control weekend. In fact, I skipped lunch on Saturday, without even intending to. As we head into sugar season, I must be mindful.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 164 lbs.

My right knee had been in pain for over a week, even waking me up at night, but that has subsided.

Now my left knee hurts. What the actual.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Upbeat Mix

360 - Charlie XCX

Now That We Found Love - Heavy D & the Boyz

Block Rockin' Beats - Chemical Bros.

DARE - Gorillaz ft. Shaun Ryder & Roses Gabor

One Girl/One Boy - !!!

Whip It - Devo

Alright - Janet Jackson

Slow up and stop all my running around.

I have to force myself not to leave the house too early when catching the bus. I am always there with plenty of time to spare. But it is a ten minute walk to the stop, and when I am prepared in advance, I will go and regret it, just standing for an additional five minutes.

That is what I am doing right now. Not preparing to run, but creating busy work, sitting down, so I do not leave.

Okay. Now.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 28:09
Pace: 9:05

Am I living my best life? By that I mean, am I doing this right? Am I getting all I can and also giving all I can?

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 66°
Climate: sunny & cool(er)
Mood: all right

So, I did a lot of stretches. Different stretches. Sitting, doing circles with my ankle, others. And it made a difference, it really did. I didn't start out feeling as though I was running on a broken heel. I need to take more time before each run. I can do this.

Stretches: yes!
Water: yes 
Weight: 160 lbs. (-2.0)

Maintain. Relax. Breathe. Think. It took two weeks to bring it back down to 160, and now I must maintain. Just stay here. My consumption yesterday was good. Good food, portioned, thought out. I could drink less. I did, actually, drink less. It was still a lot. Maintain. Focus on what is right in front of you, work, play, relaxation, dining.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

This Is Gabriel & Dresden

Sydney

Sequoia

Twelve (Darude Remix)

I'm Not Like Everybody Else (ft. Sub Teal)

Tomorrow Comes (ft. Neil Ormandy)

White Walls  (ft. Sub Teal)

I had a mood.

You make my feet move.

#HandsOff, motherfucker.

Still using the Noom, which is, and has been, primarily a repository for my daily intake. The difference between that and this blog, where I would occasionally keep track of what I was eating, the app tallies the calories.

But it's not like I am "calorie counting" as they used to say. I just know what I've eaten, so far, what I intend to eat, and I stay honest. The other day I had a big meal from a fast food place, that didn't prevent me from having popcorn after dinner while I watched TV. I was just aware.

And I have been consistently 160 pounds for over two months. I wonder if I could just stay here.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:40
Route: rec center
Mood: angsty
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

2011 Playlist

Bonkers - Dizzee Rascal ft. Armand van Helden

Romance - Wild Flag

Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO

Girl Panic ! - Duran Duran

Ritual Union - Little Dragon 

Lotus Flower - Radiohead

Doncamatic - Gorillaz ft. Daley

Who's tripping down the lanes of the rec center?

"Almost, Maine"

Spent one night in Minnesota to see my niece in the school play… there’s had been so much familial celebration the past two weekends. And more to come! I have dined out considerably the past two weeks. It’s like we’ve been out of town or something.

I mean, we have. I have. But also not.

I look first to eating less, and better, again, you know?

Distance: 2 miles

Duration: 17:02

Seriously, since last Saturday, I have eaten bacon on five separate occasions. And these days I never eat bacon.

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

Weight: 160 lbs.

Consistency. I think I have actually learned something.

1967 Playlist

Trip to Your Heart - Sly & the Family Stone

Funky Broadway - Wilson Pickett

Windy - The Association

I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free - Nina Simone

Lucifer Sam - The Pink Floyd

Little Games - The Yardbirds

Mary, Mary - The Monkees

Fourteen consecutive every-other-day runs. Good work. Let's see how the next month goes.

You got me running through the turnstile.

Thursday morning I started getting this low-grade anger as I drove across town and I was like, nah. I'm getting that prescription back.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 25:05

For around twenty days I have been consistently 160 pounds -- and I mean consistently. Usually, my weight fluctuates from day to day. This consistency is, I believe, the result of not eating after dinner. That is where the matter comes into my system and stays overnight. It's never something particularly healthy, nothing "green" but always "orange."  

Route: Rec Center
Mood: maintaining
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

We're back on track (heh) running every other day. We are well again.

2022 Playlist

Power Station - Cory Wong

Here to Forever - Death Cab for Cutie

Wild Child - Black Keys

Postman - Toro y Moi

Welcome to My Island - That Freaky White Girl

Hi-Fidelity - Lava la Rue ft. Biig Piig 

Telluride - Jordan Conrath

Music for a Sushi Restaurant - Harry Styles

Shatter - Maggie Rogers 

My heart runs on gasoline vapors.

Saw PARADE on Tuesday night. I have thoughts.

Those cats. My familiar is not doing well, and sleeps with me, without moving, every night. Just an old man cat. And the little one won't leave us alone. I haven't had unbroken sleep in I don't know when. 

Just keep running.

Distance: 3 miles 

Duration: 26:31

160 is really the sweet spot. I feel so much better. At the same time, I also feel as though my bones appreciated the additional padding.  

Route: Rec Center
Mood: all things considered …
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 160 lbs.

To the threes.

2023 Playlist

There You Are (Beautiful) - Kiss The Tiger

Hot To Go! - Chappell Roan

The Smoke - Nabaté Isles

An Arrow in the Wall - Death Cab for Cutie

Personal Jesus - Iggy Pop ft. Trevor Horn & Lambrini Girls

Girls Talk - Tegan & Sara

$20 - Boy Genius

Lipstick Lover - Janelle Monáe

I'm me. I'm cold.

Bouncing back and forth between 160 and 165 lbs. I make dinner earlier than my wife does (she works later) and making it to suppertime without snacking is a challenge. Anyway, it's a good place to be.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 26:11

Route: Rec Center
Mood: anxious
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 163 lbs.

Now to the nines.

1979 Playlist

Theme from "The Warriors" - Barry Vorzon

Goodbye Girl * - Squeeze

Cars - Gary Numan

I Feel For You - Prince

52 Girls - The B-52s

I’m Cold - The Cure

Knock On Wood - Amii Stewart

I’m The Man * - Joe Jackson

I Want You To Want Me (Live) - Cheap Trick

A solar superman.

Last month, I developed a rash down both arms which I can only attribute (at that time) to the costume I was wearing. However, while the irritation has calmed down since then, it has not entirely gone away and I continue to have daily bouts of scratching, in spite of whatever medicine, lotion, or treatment I provide -- or even if I leave it alone entirely for a time.

My mother also had s skin condition which affected her forearms, and I assume this is also that. I need to check in with a dermatologist.

Am I disgusting? I think I might be.

Distance: 3 miles

Duration: 26:52
Route: Rec Center
Mood: good
Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Weight: 165 lbs.

Yes, thanks to Noom I have lost ten pounds. The question is whether I can keep that weight off. My compulsions can be great. This is a good weight. If I could lose (and keep off) another five pounds, that would be perfect. But it is good to be here. I feel so much better. And I feel no pain.

1994 Playlist

Doctor Worm (173 BPM) - They Might Be Giants

Get the Message - Electronic

You Gotta Be - Des'ree

The Becoming - Nine Inch Nails

Supernova - Liz Phair

Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago - Soul Coughing

Cornflake Girl - Tori Amos

It's bleak in the 1970's sun.

Happy Presidents Day. Got another stye. Another one. I am sick of this. It's in the corner of my eye, makes me feel like I have a headache. Sick of it. Happy Presidents Day. Fuck.

Distance: 1 mile
Duration: 10:25

God. That was a delirious prelude, and a delirious run. Beautiful weather, I overdressed.

My belly is too big for this. I can breathe well at this weight.

1972 Playlist

Hocus Pocus - Focus

Old World - The Modern Lovers

Route: Neighborhood Loop
Temperature: 38°
Climate: sunny!
Pavement: mostly dry
Mood: delirious

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Drop to your knees.

Three days in a row -- in February! How odd. I may have taken a break, but tomorrow is pretty booked so I that will be my break. The goal is to get back up to speed, with my lungs and legs at capacity by March.

Still need to get that additional knee brace. Got to put that on the list. If it's not on the list, I forget. And the list is so important on a Saturday. My Saturdays are for ..? Housekeeping. Groceries. Also, writing and cooking.

We have had this pumpkin sitting here since fall. So? I made a pie. No idea I was going to do that today. That kind of spontaneity I can get behind.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Duration: 31:36
Pace: 10:11

Oh, shit. That was arduous. Perfect day, bright skies, a little cool, low breeze, but shit. I was out of breath. I am unprepared and weigh too much. Worth it? Sure, but fuck.

1992 Playlist

We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful - Morrissey  
They Reminisce Over You - Pete Rock ft. C.L. Smooth
Hit - Sugarcubes
Not Sleeping Around - Ned's Atomic Dustbin
Get Ready - 2 Unlimited
Kiss That Frog (Mindblender Mix) - Peter Gabriel
Candy Everybody Wants - 10,000 Maniacs
Free Your Mind - En Vogue

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 43°
Climate: cloudless  cool
Mood: all right

Stretches: yes
Water: yes

Stripping down to dirty socks.

Earbuds!
(with visible acne scarring)

Had to sub today, left me exhausted. Thought I might nap after I got home, but it's fifty-seven fucking degrees out.

Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 39:38
Pace: 9:54

2012 Playlist

Let's Have a Kiki - Scissor Sisters
22 (Taylor's Version) - Taylor Swift
Good Time - Owl City ft. Carly Rae Jepsen
Paddling Out - Miike Snow
Five Seconds - Twin Shadow
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen
I'm Shakin' (160 bpm) - Jack White
Clarity - Zedd ft. Foes
Youth Without Youth - Metric
Die Young - Ke$ha
Locked Out of Heaven - Bruno Mars

Route: Forest Hills Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: clear skies  lovely
Mood: good

I think I have gained at least five pounds since the beginning of the year. I will begin again on March 1.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes