I'm a lyrical poet.

Twenty years ago today, I ran five miles and the only thing I posted was the header "That sucked." I believe the reason for this was an argument my wife and I had right before heading out that made me miserable.

An anonymous commentator, one who had been following my my progress, wrote:

Well, what did you expect? You didn't stretch or drink. You listened to no music, it took no time and you weighed nothing.

He also added:

Seriously, keep going, guy. You've trained, you've done the work. You will survive this.

I really appreciated that. I think that was my brother.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:08
Pace: 8:44

We made it to Thursday, and then I collapsed. Work at 3 AM with a headache. Slept too warm, got up, took pain reliever, didn't make any difference. Called off work. I feel bad about that, of course, but it/s noon and I still feel like shit.

This is becoming a regular thing now and I do not care for it. Then again, what I particularly do not care for is conducting a five day residency. It's very taxing for me now, on my feet for five hours, engaging somewhat disinterested students, using my voice a lot.

And Death of a Salesman. I mean, come on.

Anyway, I'm hoping a run will drive this out of me.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 72°
Climate: sunny & hot
Mood: good! but my head hurts!

Fall 1990 Mixtape
Praying For Time - George Michael

I'm Your Baby Tonight - Groove Is In the Heart - Deee-Lite

Dance of the Dream Man - Angelo Badalamenti

Feels Good - Tony! Toni! Toné!

Policy of Truth - Depeche Mode

We have begun shedding weight. For the moment I have become accustomed to eating less and getting anxious about any additional intake. I need to find the right balance. I can feel it in my hips, my end, my legs.

Of course, as I said, I have also been standing this week, a lot more than usual.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 163 lbs. (+0.2)

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: TBA

Sit-Ups: TBA

Then he ran.

"Lapdog"
Peter de Sève
The New Yorker
Oct. 12, 2026

Twenty years ago, I took a 48 hour trip to London to share I Hate This with members of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS UK). It was a conference where the director wanted to pitch a tour of the show around Great Britain.

Yes, in the midst of marathon training, I took a very brief transatlantic journey. 

"A small man, on the another side of the planet, going for a run. Different air, different land, same pair of shoes."

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:40
Pace: 8:55

I tried some of that British Lucozade, a "performance energy drink" much like Gatorade. The name was originally Glucozade, get it? 

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 47°
Climate: cool & crisp
Mood: 

We are getting close to recreation center time. Not looking forward to it.

Fall 1983 Mixtape

Big Log - Robert Plant

Undercover (Of the Night)- Rolling Stones

Owner of a Lonely Heart - Yes

Stand Back - Stevie Nicks

Puttin' On the Ritz - Taco

Jacqueline Kennedy
Onassis Reservoir
October, 2023

Suddenly Last Summer - The Motels

I need to make a Fall 1994 Mixtape, full of all the things we were listening to in October 1994.

A lot of them would be from the mid 1980s.

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 163.8 lbs. (-3.4)

It's weird we were in Arizona in early October, and then New York City in late October. Good times, for a few years there. Covid made us adventurous. I wonder if we will be like that again.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

Went to see a show last night. So strange not to obsess about having a cocktail. Because I just wasn't going to have one. I also didn't clean my plate, nor that plate of appetizers. But I ate well, all day. And now I weight fewer than 165 pounds, which was my goal.

How do I maintain this? Maybe it helps to be entirely anxious an distracted by things entirely out of my control. I hate this.

I thought that we'd always be friends.

Homecoming 1985

Attended the first evening of the big reunion weekend last night, and I am as insecure as I was as a teenager. I understand now that it comes off as arrogance. And I was arrogant, too, believe me. I think it's important that we have these rituals to remind us of how terrible we were and of how far we've come.

Or maybe, no. No. We don't actually need that.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:01
Pace: 8:42

Anyway, I left it to a couple hours before departing that I would actually go. I have become accustomed to ordering NA beers at bars now. No one cares. I am SO GLAD I didn't drink last night. I might still be there. I stayed about an hour an left, talking mostly to my closest though I worked very hard to reach out to those others.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 57°
Climate: light clouds & perfect
Mood: f*cking driven

Fall 1985 Mixtape

Take on Me - a-ha

Fortress Around Your Heart - Sting

Pop Life - Prince & the Revolution

Kayleigh - Marillion

Head Over Heels  - Tears For Fears

The Sweetest Taboo - Sade

Miami Vice Theme - Jan Hammer

I mean. The 80s are fucking classic.

Today

Stretches: yes
Water: yes
Weight: 168.4 lbs.

Switching to a digital scale has messed with my sense of self, and of what weight I should be, exactly. I thought 155 lbs. was the goal, but the other day I got into a pair of 32" jeans that was part of my costume for The Velocity of Autumn. That is as thin as I need to be.

I was 165 pounds. If I was ever 155 pounds I would be emaciated. No, 165 is the goal. And I am nearly there.

Huh. Everyone talks about losing weight in time for their high school reunion, and look at me.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

I really miss hanging on each other's words.

Crazy, there's six first-run movies at the Cedar Lee this weekend that I have already seen.

Muggy days, rain and heat. I hope the fall is cool and long.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:09
Pace: 9:04

We had a power outage last night (always hated that word, "outage") which I managed by reading with a flashlight on the side porch. We have a gas stove so I was able to make ramen.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 70°
Climate: clammy
Mood: surprisingly focused

New For 2026 Playlist

Gas Station - Slayyyter

Cruising to Self Soothe - Ecca Vandal

Automatic - Jessie Ware

We Should Talk - Bleachers

Gotta Keep the Funk Alive - Minneapolis Funk All Stars

Dance ... - Slayyyter

One Step Away - Madonna

Danceteria - Soft Cell

This is how I remain young at heart.

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

No, no idea. I would like to purchase a new digital scale, the one we have now is an old school spring activated version, which changes your weight depending on whether you are leaning forward or back, and I'd like something consistent.

Yesterday, I was exhausted, all day. Just not enough sleep. I tried to keep myself awake by drinking a lot of water (which necessitated many more trips to the toilet) and obsessing about snacks, and though I did have a small snack in the morning (a tiny bag of graham crackers) and one in the afternoon (one packet of fruit snacks) that was it and the rest of my meals were normal.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

It is September. Rehearsals begin in earnest next Tuesday. A lonely three-day weekend. A friend did ask me out for dinner tomorrow night, which was very thoughtful and I am looking forward to that.

It's T-minus eight.

Just hold your heading true.

The big yard sale weekend. This is all I have been working on the past few weeks. Not true. I have been dedicated to the job, and to the creative work, and to clearing out the house, and to, and to, and to.

But. And. Flash thunderstorms notwithstanding, it has been successful. Cash to be made. Materials to be moved out. My attic had not has such space in some time.

Really, there's so much shit in my attic. Is this a metaphor? Perhaps it is.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 28:20
Pace: 9:08

Feeling creaky.

Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 65°
Climate: partly cloudy & nice
Mood: headachy

Songs For My Funeral

Big Time Sensuality - Bjork

Five Miles Out - Mike Oldfield

Satellite of Love - Lou Reed

I.G.Y. - Donald Fagen

Brand New Colony - Postal Service

Cleveland Rocks - Ian Hunter

Future Sightings- I Am The World Trade Center

It's a six and a half hour playlist. There are moods. A wide variety -- a lifetime of moods.

Stretches: ope
Water: yes
Weight: 165 lbs. (-2.0)

So. You dropped five pounds in five days. What this says to me is that there's a lot of stuff in there that needs to come out. TMI? In any even, this is the wall. However, it should be observed that it is easier for me not to snack at night when no one is encouraging me to do so.

It should also be observed that a lot of my caloric intake yesterday was in some form of alcohol.

Planks: yes
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes 

Let me steal this moment from you now.

So this is a thing I'm working on.

We're back on Noom. That's how these apps get you ... by working effectively. I started the program in Fall 2024, which was also the last time I was stuck at 170 lbs. I go back and forth, gaining twenty pounds, losing twenty pounds. The fact that I had been consistently 160 lbs., for over a year, was remarkable.

I would like to get back there before I calcify into these old habits. I logged off in January, it took fewer than six months to gain ten pounds.

Distance: 3.1 miles

Duration: 27:55
Pace: 9:00
Route: Forest Hill Loop
Temperature: 67°
Climate: cool & humid
Mood: all right

Songs For My Funeral

Back to Oz - Sufjan Stevens ft. Angelo De Augustine

Kang Mandor - Degung Orchestra

Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush

If I Can't Change Your Mind - Sugar

As - George Michael ft. Mary J. Blige

Little Talks - Of Monsters & Men

Ah. The forbidden track. Interesting.

Stretches: yes
Water: Yes
Baseline Weight: 170 lbs. 

Planks: TBA
Push-ups: yes

Sit-Ups: yes

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