Buzz

First buzz cut of the summer today. Or as I refer to it, shaving the squirrel pelt. I'm quite grizzly, you see, salt and pepper with extra salt, if you haven't seen me lately.

I headed out towards Chewacla feeling fine, and decided to head up the bike trail *just* a little bit. So that's what I did, just up to the first paved intersection (up to Whippoorwill) and turned around. It seemed quite a bit hotter on the way back. The heat almost deterred me from heading out at all; I didn't get started until after 11:00. But I think I'm starting to get used to it, or I'll eventually shift back to the night shift. I keep saying that, but I keep resisting as well.

My right foot numbness didn't kick in until the way back. I loosened it up quite a bit at the start, but I think it's still just a little tight, sigh.

Playlist -Mostly classics, some assorted oddments
Sweet Emotion -Aerosmith
Loser -Beck
Time is Too Expensive -Del Tha Funky Homosapien
Sugar -Imperial Teen
The Wind Cries Mary -Jimi Hendrix
What Is And What Should Never Be -Led Zeppelin
Hot Pink -Meat Puppets
Dashboard -Modest Mouse
The Gnome -Pink Floyd
Every Breath You Take -Police
Sympathy for the Devil -Rolling Stones

L1 8:17
L2 6:53
L3 5:07
L4 5:20
L5 7:38
L6 7:37
L7 0:57
Total 41:48

Distance 4.6 miles

And yet a little further

Second day with the new shoes. A little numbness in my right foot. Shoe too tight? Loosen laces? I hate to return things. Hate Hate Hate. I'll give it one more try. Up to College/Samford and back via Gay.

Playlist (Rough Guide to Congolese Soukous)
Cooperation -Franco & Sam Mangwana
Amie Mamibo -Zaiko Langa Langa
Loi -Koffi Olomide
Sarah -Tabu Ley Rochereau
La Vie -Deyess Mukangi
Naji -Pepe Kalle

Times
L1 12:30
L2 3:26
L3 7:27
L4 5:47
L5 10:43
L6 0:52
Total 40:44

Distance 4.6 miles

New Shoes

Finally got myself some new shoes. New Balance 993s, following the New Balance 992s. I like them because they're pretty tough in the support department, which I need given the state of my knees. I also like them because they're the last athletic shoe made in the U.S.of A. I got them on Friday evening, and just tried them out today, on the short loop down to Chewacla and back.

Summer is hitting with a vengeance. A friend of my commented, "jeez, Summer, you could have bought me dinner first or something". It doesn't help that my little one is sleeping in, which keeps me off the road until 10:00 or so. Fortunately, I had a big quaff of H2O a few minutes before the slog.

Playlist
No Expectations -Rolling Stones
Xtabenium -Acme Rocket Quartet
F*ckin' with My Head -Beck
Alone + Easy Target -Foo Fighters
Over the Hills and Far Away -Led Zeppelin
Oh, Me -Meat Puppets
Walking on the Moon -the Police
Black Hole Sun -Soundgarden

Times
L1 8:48
L2 7:23
L3 7:32
L4 7:08
L5 (the kick, Tanglewood to Millbranch) 0:52
Total 31:43
Still a bit slow, but I'll get there. My calf is telling me it's still not fully resolved. I wonder if it ever will as long as I keep running.

Distance
3.5 miles

Day off, day on

Yesterday I stayed at home with my daughter and a friend. Haven't gotten into night shifts again, yet. With the warmth today, I know it's coming. It seemed nice and moderate when I got suited up, but then as I dallied that Lucky Ol' Sun came out and started cooking up some asphalt. I thought I'd hit Gay/Woodfield and straight back, but I did make it up to Gay/Samford and back. A little bit further, no walking, no calf pain (yet), getting back on track.

Playlist (Mellow)
Shh/Peaceful -Miles Davis
Rastafari Is -Peter Tosh
He'eia -Gabby Pahinui
Academia -Sia
The Overload -Talking Heads

Times
L1 12:31
L2 6:11
L3 5:57
L4 11:16
L5 0:58
Total 36:53

Length 4.0 miles

Two snakes

I saw two snakes on the road today. One alive, the other dead. Actually, on the way home the other appeared to be dead also. But where have I been? I was on a vacation with my wife last week in the Netherlands and Belgium. I packed my shoes but I did not run. So I've been off my feet for a while. My calf is feeling better at the moment.

Playlist
Moonage Daydream -David Bowie
Fall Out -the Police
Diamond Dogs -David Bowie
Queen Bitch -David Bowie
Haleakala -Gabby Pahinui
Cooperation -Franco & Sam Mangwana
Dadje Von O Von Non -Gnonnas Pedro et Ses Dadjes

Times
L1 8:29
L2 7:29
L3 7:58
L4 8:38
Total 32:33

Distance 3.5. I've lost some serious ground. I've gotten this route down to under 30. Boo

New month. Not off to a good start at all./Old 5k result

So today I did a few things that I HATE doing. Shortened up a route, and walked. Since I started this blog, I can't remember a time where I actually had to walk rather than just slowing down. Factors involved made it necessary.
1. I've taken a whole week off. I didn't mean to, but since my younger daughter is now out of school, I'm taking care of her, and haven't wanted to revert to night running.
2. It's hot out there, and I didn't get out until it was about the heat of the day. Not used to it, and like I've said previously, I should avoid it.
3. Last night's dinner was exceptionally heavy. Ribs AND chopped pork bbq plus corn on the cob (fried). I ate a rather anemic looking salad as well, then probably surprised my guts with the invasion of the pork brigade.

I'm somewhat glad I did it though. It's a fine line between pushing myself and just being stupid. It's a bad precedent to set though, for not too particularly long runs. I tried to do the UDMGAG, but went straight down Gay instead of the jog over to Armstrong (and the other jog down Payne). I walked from Samford/Gay to Woodfield/Gay, which a good chunk of walking, but I didn't want to have to stop a second time. I did get out on a fairly short bike ride the other day, but otherwise I've been rather a SLOTH. Bah.

Playlist- Cinco de Mayo, new stuff, and old stuff.
Mexico -Cake
Mexican Radio -Wall of Voodoo
Suspicious Minds -Elvis Presley
Roxanne -the Police
It's Summertime -Flaming Lips
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic -the Police
Show Some Emotion -Joan Armatradding
Give It Up or Turnit Loose -James Brown
For Your Life -Led Zeppelin
Enchanted Pork Fist -Meat Puppets
Rock and Roll, Part 2 -Gary Glitter
Speaking in Tongues -Eagles of Death Metal
The Humpty Dance -Digital Underground
Andy Warhol -David Bowie
Chiney Man -Culture
Beautiful Delilah -Chuck Berry
Meanwhile, Rick James... -Cake
War Pigs -Black Sabbath

Times
L1 14:27
L2 17:05
L3 4:45
L4 7:05
L5 12:03
L6 12:13
L7 1:07
Total 1:08:46
Distance 6.6 (includes 0.6 walking)

In other news, I went back and found my time in the Forest Preserve 5k when I ran it in 2006. 26:24. So I've improved quite a bit since then.