Grove Hill Loop

I went up and into Grove Hill and back around via Ogletree and Wright's Mill. It's a nice cool Fall day, so I wore a long sleeve T.  Probably could've gotten away with short sleeves. 

Playlist	Newly installed
The Way You Move	Outkast
Boll Weevil	Presidents of the USA
Les Yper-Sound	Stereolab
Our Lips Are Sealed	the Go-Gos
Airline to Heaven	Billy Bragg and Wilco
That's Good	Devo
Rosa Parks	Outkast
Groove Is In the Heart	Deee-Lite
Big Poppa	Biggie Smalls
When the Levee Breaks	Led Zeppelin

Distance 4.84 mi
Cumulative 19.52 miles
Time 41:32
Pace 8:34 min/mi

Gettin' out

Wasn't quite sure about my run today.  I was more sure about my music choice.  I got David Bowie's Aladdin Sane a while ago, and haven't really taken the time to try and fall in love with it.  So I decided to give it a listen as it was intended.  I went up Gay and decided to go all the way up to Magnolia and Toomer's Corner, which was quiet, since the Tigers have been at their worst in years and years and lost today to Vanderbilt.  I thought I would do my 5.46 mile run, but decided to extend it a bit by not turning down Woodfield, but heading down to Donahue along College.  I was huffing and puffing up that last hill, but I did keep my feet moving, albeit a little more slowly than usual.

Playlist	Aladdin Sane
Watch That Man
Aladdin Insane
Drive In Saturday
Panic in Detroit
Cracked Actor
Time
The Prettiest Star
Let's Spend the Night Together
The Jean Genie
John, I'm Only Dancing
The Jean Genie
All the Young Dudes
Changes (Live)
The Supermen (Live)

Distance 6.24 miles
Cumulative 14.68 miles
Time 56:30
Pace 9:02 min/mile

New 4+ route

This evening, after a disappointing Auburn game, a resounding Oregon State game, a soccer game in which my daughter scored a goal (!) and an Orchid Society picnic in Columbus, Georgia, I went out for a run as the sun was setting.  Fortunately, I was carrying a flashlight.  I decided to run up University to Donahue, and instead of turning up towards College I turned towards Longleaf and up into that neighborhood.  I came out on Summerhills and crossed over into Town Creek Park. 

Playlist
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together	Taylor Swift
Gangnam Style	Psy
Frontier Psychiatrist	the Avalanches
Sweet Emotion	Aerosmith
Walk Like An Egyptian	the Bangles
Crosseyed and Painless	Talking Heads
Cantique	Kanda Bongo Man
Lady	Fela

Distance 4.42 miles
Cumulative 8.44 miles
Time 37:36
Pace 8:30 min/mile

Yikes! It's been another long while

Over a month off.  Jeepers.  And still haven't hit my new goal once this year.  But, I did hit the road, went four miles in a decent time, and thus far have lived to tell the tale. 

Playlist
Walk On the Wild Side	Lou Reed
Work It	Missy Elliott
Cult of Personality	Living Color
Milkshake	Kelis
Red, Red Wine	UB40
All the Young Dudes	David Bowie
T.B. Sheets	Van Morrison

Distance 4.02 miles
Cumulative 4.02 miles
Time 35:38
Pace 8:53 min/mile

Been a While Again

Gosh, I've been a lump again.  For reasons I'd rather not go into, I've been a loafing lump again.  Anyway, I'm back.  I went out to Chewacla and back, and felt kind of lumpy doing it.  And a little sore.  Treats me right, hopefully I'm back for good.  It's a little cooler out, so maybe that will provide a little motivation.  I'm way off of any of my goals for the year, but that's just spilt milk. 

Playlist
Hold On	Alabama Shakes
Red, Red Wine	UB40
TB Sheets	Van Morrison
Side With The Seeds	Wilco
Brown Sugar	Rolling Stones
Chicken Strut	Meters
Walk On The Wild Side	Lou Reed

Distance 3.52 miles
Cumulative 7.72 miles
Time 31:37
Pace 8:59 min/mile

DC weekend

The wife and kids and I are in Washington DC for the weekend the girls are staying with her aunt and Joss and I are staying in a hotel near Dupont Circle. Joss has some work to do so while she is seeking Wi-Fi and coffee I decided to go on a run down to the National Mall. I ran down 17th and then along Constitution to the Lincoln Memorial around to the Potomac side and up to just west of the Washington Monument. I had wanted to run the complete mall down to the capital but it was rather muggy and hot and as I haven't been running a little while didn't really feel up to it. So I ran back up 17th and home well to the hotel. I forgot to bring any of your phones so I brought my two nomadic along just to keep up with my mileage.
Distance 4.20 miles
Cumulative 4.20 mi
Time 37:49
Pace 8:59 min/mi

3 Generations Running Together

Up in Portland, OR, with my sister's family and our folks.  So today was the first time I ran with my Dad and my daughter.  The two of them went out a mile and a half with me, taking it easy, then I peeled off and kept running up into my Alma Mater, Reed College.  I crossed campus and past my old house at 40th and Woodstock.  I picked it up a bit and put in my earphones once I was on my own.  All together, another 5 miler.

Playlist	More I
I Wanna Roo You	Van Morrison
I Am the Fly	Wire
I Can't Quit You	Led Zeppelin
I Shot the Sheriff	Bob Marley
I Me Mine	Beatles
I Refuse to Lose	James Brown
I Will	Beatles
I Would Die 4U	Prince
I'm a Mindless Idiot	Meat Puppets
I'm Amazed	My Morning Jacket

Distance 5.13 miles
Cumulative 25.29 miles
Time 48:14 min
Pace 9:24 min/mile

Ego Trip

Another lovely day in San Francisco, another 5 mile run.  Today I went the other direction, up into the Presidio and over to the head of the Golden Gate Bridge.  After my last experience with running on the bridge, (it sucked, too many aimless gawking tourists to bump into, I advise against it) I opted to take a picture and turn around, knowing that I had a good run in.  Again, I had to stretch it out by going down a block or two, but I got it to exactly 5.00 miles.  For no particular reason, I thought I'd make a very egoistical playlist.

Playlist	In the Key of "I"
I Luv I Jah	Bad Brains
I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend	Ramones
I Stole Your Love	KISS
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart	Wilco
I Lost It	Lucinda Williams
I Got The Feelin'	James Brown
I Fink U Freeky	Die Antwoord
I Feel Fine	The Beatles
I Do	J. Geils Band
I Wanna Be Sedated	Ramones
I Wanna Roo You	Van Morrison
I Am That I Am	Peter Tosh

Distance 5.00 miles
Cumulative 20.16 miles
Time 43:49
Pace 8:45 min/mile

GG Park II

While Veronica is with her grandparents, I thought I'd go on a solo run to see if I can still go longer and faster.  It was rather painful, actually.  It's a bright sunny day in San Francisco, probably in the 70s so much cooler than I'm used to, but still I didn't feel like going on and on and on.  As it was I went up 14th Ave to Geary, then up Funston to Fulton and into the Rose Garden (in full bloom!, that's about 1.0 mile) Then I went up JFK to over by Oak near Haight and back near the playground and carousel, then around the mall by the DeYoung (where I went this morning) and Cal Academy of Sciences.  Then back out by the Rose Garden and home with an extra block to make it 5+.

Playlist
Vibrate On	Augustus Pablo and the Upsetters
Red, Red Wine	UB40
T.B. Sheets	Van Morrison
Jump Around	House of Pain
How Many More Times	Led Zeppelin
Pass the Dutchie	Musical Youth
Enter the Ninja	Die Antwoord
Creep	Radiohead

Distance 5.03 miles
Cumulative 15.16 miles
Time 43:27
Pace 8.38 min/mile

GG Park I

We arrived in San Francisco on Saturday evening, and Veronica and I went for a run in Golden Gate Park on Sunday.  All together, we ran/walked about 3.69 miles.  She was having a bit of a tough time staying in a jog, and ended up walking a bit.

Distance 3.69 miles
Cumulative 10.13 miles
Time 39:06

Run and not jump in a pool

Veronica and I ran the summer 5K again this week, after a couple of weeks off.  It was pleasantly overcast and threatening to rain, and we did get a few drops on us and some nice gusty breezes.  V seemed a bit off, needing a bit more time to walk, and we ended up coming in a few seconds off our previous time.

Distance 3.29 mi
Cumulative 6.44 mi
Time 31:10

Run and jump in a pool

Veronica just had her 9th birthday last week, and her sister had her 7th this past Monday.  Our friends with a pool graciously allowed us to host a party at their house.  As we had done before, Veronica asked if she and I could run there while sis and mom drove over, and I was happy to. It was plenty hot out, and a good 5k route.  It was a fine run, with Veronica doing very well, having to walk in a few spots, but no shame in that.  

No music, just talking

Distance 3.15 mi

Cumulative 3.15 mi

Time 32:00 

Pace 10:09 min/mi

Early Morning Long Run

It's been a while since I got up this early to run, but I got out just after 6 this morning, and it was quite nice. I was alone, so I had some tunes, and went farther than I've been going, and all that slow running has slowed me down a bit.  I went up Gay all the way to Glenn, and then back down College to the Art Museum and back.  All together, exactly 6 miles.

Playlist	Peter Tosh
Crystal Ball	from "Mystic Man"
No Sympathy	from "Legalize It"
Reggaemyelitis	from "Wanted Dread and Alive"
Glasshouse	from "Mama Africa"
Equal Rights	from "Equal Rights"
Coming In Hot	from "Wanted Dread and Alive"
I'm the Toughest	from "Bush Doctor"
Rastafari Is	from "Wanted Dread and Alive"
Burial	from "Legalize It"
Till Your Well Runs Dry	from "Legalize It"

Distance 6.0 miles
Cumulative distance 25.74 mi
Time 51:40 min
Pace 8:36 min/mi

Summer 5K III, Veronica's Debut

Tonight I ran the summer 5K with Veronica at my side.  It was her first 5K, and she did very well.  She ran with me most of the way (though I was keeping to a slower pace than usual), stopping at the water stop each way.  I'm very proud of my girl.

Distance 3.29 mi
Cumulative distance 19.74 mi
Time 31:05

Short and sweet with Sarah K.

We have a good friend from college visiting, and I was quite happy when she asked if I wanted to go on a run this morning.  True, I usually go solo, but it's also fun to have some new legs to run with.  She told me she hasn't been out in a while, so we went not very far and not very fast.  She's from New Mexico, so the heat wasn't new to her, but the humidity was.  We went out to Chewacla and back, that old 3.5 mile route.

No playlist, just chatting.

Distance 3.53 miles
Cumulative 16.45 mi
Time 36:22 min
Pace 10:17 min/mi

Summer 5K Series week 2

Another Summer 5K.  A bit warmer than last week.  Veronica ran the 1 mile fun run again, and did well, about 7:40.  She says she'll do the 5K next week.  Violet ran the mile again and did much better, finishing strong at about 10 minutes.  For my part, I started out quickly, ran the first mile under 7 minutes, but I couldn't keep that pace.  Even so, I did all right.  I think I'm starting to get the hang of this course.

Playlist	Reggae
Birds In The Treetop	Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus
Stepping Razor	Peter Tosh
Crystal Ball	Peter Tosh
Cold Blood	Peter Tosh
Peace Treaty	Peter Tosh
Chiney Man	Culture

Distance: 3.29 miles
Cumulative: 12.93 miles
Time 24:26
Pace 7:25 min/mi

Another run with V.

Veronica and I went on another run this morning.  We went up to the Woodfield/Gay stop sign and back, which is not quite 3 miles.  We went a little faster than on Thursday, and she did very well.

No playlist, just talking.

Distance 2.73 mi
Cumulative 9.64 mi
Time 26:14
Pace 9:36

Running with Kiddies

My older daughter wants to start running 5K's, so tonight I challenged her to run to her friends house, which is about 5K away.  Her friends were with us, and wanted to run too, so I said okay and the the three girls and I ran off, with my wife and other daughter following in the car.  My daughter and her one friend did very well, didn't even really need to stop, but her older sister didn't quite have as much gas in the tank and did a lot of walking.  I was going at a pretty slow pace myself, to allow for them to keep up, and at one point I sent the two quicker girls on and went jogging back for the straggler.

No music, just conversation and answering lots of questions.

Distance: 3.66 mi
Cumulative distance: 6.91 mi
Time 36:22 min
Pace: 9:55 min/mi

Start of June, Summer 5K series

Tonight the summer 5K series started over at the High School.  There was a bit of high drama, as I tried to entice my daughters to participate in the 1 mile fun run.  My elder daughter wanted to run the 5K, but hadn't been training as I'd encouraged her to.  My younger daughter was keen to run, but had a hard time pacing herself, and pooped out.  My wife ran the 1 mile with them, and helped the little one get across the finish line with me.  I told the elder that if she trained with me she could start the 5Ks with me next week.

As for me, I felt pretty good on the course, and I think I achieved a PB for this route.  Yep, I beat my previous PB by over a minute.  As you can see from my measurement, it's a bit longer than 3.1 miles, so I don't feel too bad about being a bit slower on my 5K times.  Also, it was warm but not blazing out there.

Playlist
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap	AC/DC
Sure Shot	Beastie Boys
Diamond Dogs	David Bowie
I Lost It	Lucinda Williams
I'm Amazed	My Morning Jacket
Here It Goes Again	OK Go

Distance 3.25 mi
Cumulative 3.25 mi
Time 24:22
Pace 7:29 min/mi

One Last Run for May

I felt that I could get one more good run in, to at least get to 3/4 of my goal for the month.  It was thundering out there, the temperature dropped to a nice pleasant something.  I started out with an old loop around the neighborhood, then up to Samford and back.

Playlist
I'm Amazed	My Morning Jacket
Fireflies	Owl City
Tupelo Honey	Van Morrison
Blister in the Sun	Violent Femmes
Mexican Radio	Wall of Voodoo
Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain	Willie Nelson
La Grange	ZZ Top
Fok Julle Naiers	Die Antwoord
The Humpty Dance	Digital Underground
Benzi Box	Danger Doom
Moonlight On Vermont	Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band

Distance 5.32 mi
Cumulative 30.32 mi
Time 45:17
Pace 8:31 min/mi

Hot End of May

I don't think I'll get out again tomorrow, so this is where I'm likely to hang it up for the month.  Not even close to my monthly goal. Sigh.  I just have to keep trying.  Tonight I went up Gay to Samford, and then turned out toward Dean.  Down Dean to University, and back home that way.

Playlist
Loser	Beck
Heart of Glass	Blondie
Tougher Than It Is	CAKE
(I Was Born In A) Laundromat	Camper Van Beethoven
Epistle to Dippy	Donovan
Electric Avenue	Eddy Grant
New Amsterdam	Elvis Costello
Rock and Roll, Pt. 2	Gary Glitter
What Is Life	George Harrison
Bring It On	Gomez
Chameleon	Herbie Hancock

Distance 4.91 mi
Cumulative 25.00 miles
Time 42:58 min
Pace 8:44 min/mi

Getting Hot/ 4

I tried to convince my daughter to come out with me on a shorter, slower run.  She was up for it yesterday, but I wasn't, then this morning I was up for it but she wasn't.  Rather than argue, I decided to model the behavior of getting out and running.  Instead of doing the shorter route, I went up to Samford and back, my 4 mile route.  It's definitely getting hot out there, to be running at 10:00 am.

Playlist	whatev's
Where It's At	Beck
Pictures of Matchstick Men	Camper Van Beethoven
Chiney Man	Culture
Jean Genie	David Bowie
Jump Around	House of Pain
Spanish Pipedream	John Prine
Notion	Matthew Dear
Fireflies	Owl City
Come As You Are	Nirvana

Distance 4.09 miles

Cumulative 20.09 miles

Time 34:33

Pace 8:26 min/mi

Run/walk with the kiddies

I've pretty much resigned myself to not hitting my target this month.  Bad way to start the new year.  However, my girls (age 8 and 6) have expressed an interest in going out running with me, and now that they are out of school we had a chance to do that.  Being the first run, we couldn't go very far, so I opted to go up and over the hill to the Ogletree/Wright's Mill stop sign and back.  I explained to them both, not to try and run way ahead of me only to get tired and have to stop, but to try and keep up with me.  My older daughter went on a run with me previously, and this is what happened.  But this time, Veronica did great, keeping up with me at a decent pace. Violet, on the other hand, got tired very quickly and ended up doing a lot of walking and fussing.  I'm proud of my girls for getting out with me, and hopefully Veronica will be ready for the 5k series.

No playlist, just chatting.

Distance 2.33 miles (for me, the girls a little less)
Cumulative 16.00 mi
Time 26:00 min
Pace 11:07 min/mi

Return of It

First run since my bday.  It's getting warm out there, and I should be trying to get out earlier.  Today I went down to Chewacla and back, then turned into the neighborhood across from Ogletree, Wright's Crossing I think it's called.  That made for a 4.56 mile loop altogether.  So my new goals for the new year: 40 miles a month, no run less than 4 miles, and try and complete 1 full marathon.

Playlist	Return of IT
Don't Blame It On I	the Congos
I Lost It	Lucinda Williams
Get It Together	Beastie Boys
It's Expected I'm Gone	Minutemen
Let It Bleed	Rolling Stones
Jam On It	Newcleus
Where It's At	Beck
Tougher Than It Is	CAKE
Life and How to Live It	REM

Distance 4.56 miles
Cumulative 13.67 miles
Pace 8:30 min/mi

Cinco de Miles/RIP MCA

Today is Cinco de Mayo of course, so of course my course was cinco de miles, because that's the kind of goofy person I am.  I ran up University to Donahue, and up College to that road just before Samford and back down Gay St.  I had a good pace going for the first three miles (under 8 minutes), but slowed down quite a bit on the last two, and felt it. The Map My Run app now has a nice lady who reports my mileage and pace at each mile, which I'm not quite sure if I like or not, but it's a new thing so let's see how it affects my performance.

On a more solemn note, Adam Yauch aka MCA passed away yesterday from cancer. In his memory, I put together an all Beastie Boys playlist.  I grew up with the Beastie Boys.  I remember buying "Licensed to Ill" on vinyl when it first came out, when I was a freshman or sophomore in high school.  I remember the video for "Fight For Your Right to Party" playing on MTV, and while I wasn't a big partier in high school, the F-you attitude hit me right in the teen angst and resonated.  I remember a good friend in college making me listen to Paul's Boutique, and blowing my mind.  The return to playing of instruments, MCA's conversion to Buddhism, and now... gone.  Rest in peace, MCA.

Playlist	all Beastie Boys
Rhymin' and Stealin'	from "Licensed to Ill"
Sabotage	from "Ill Communication"
Shadrach	from "Paul's Boutique"
Hey Ladies	from "Paul's Boutique"
Jimmy James	from "Check Your Head"
So What'cha Want	from "Check Your Head"
The Negotiation Limerick File	from "Hello Nasty"
Gratitude	from "Check Your Head"
Root Down	from "Ill Communication"
Slow Ride	from "Licensed to Ill"
The Grasshopper Unit (Keep Movin')	from "Hello Nasty"
Shake Your Rump	from "Paul's Boutique"
Professor Booty	from "Check Your Head"

Distance 5.11 miles
Cumulative 9.11 miles
Time 41:52
Pace 8:11 min/mi

Fail, fall down, get up, get going again

So last month ended in abysmal failure.  I failed to meet my monthly mileage quota by a lot, mostly because I failed to get in my third half-marathon, which I was registered for and ready to go to, but my brain kept me away.  Excuses: I had a lot of work to do,  my daughter's softball team needed me,   I've had some personal crises in my life that made ten hours of driving alone and staying in a strange cheap hotel room only to physically exhaust myself all seem, um, unpalatable, to put it mildly.  So.  There's that.

Moving on to this month.  It's been getting warm again, so it's getting to that time of year where I need to put my miles in around the heat.  Today, it's supposed to thunderstorm, and I can hear the thunderheads rolling in.  I knew that three days into May I had to get going or get deeper into the hole, so I chose the former.  I opted for my favorite four mile, up to Samford and back.

Playlist	pretty hard stuff
For Those About to Rock, We Salute You	AC/DC
How Many More Times	Led Zeppelin
The Jean Genie	David Bowie
Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution	AC/DC
You Got The Silver	Rolling Stones
Books About UFOs	Husker Du
Corona	Minutemen

Time 32:55
Distance 4.00 mi
Cumulative 4.00 mi
Pace 8:13 min/mi

Marie W. Wooten Memorial 5K

I ran the second annual Marie Wooten Memorial 5K this morning.  The route was the same, so it seemed a little more familiar this time.  I saw a lot of my colleagues from the College of Science and Math out there, and I finished in a reasonable time.  I was trying to go fast and keep up.

Playlist
Crawl	Kings of Leon
Fok Julle Naiers	Die Antwoord
Jump Around	House of Pain
El Microfono	Mexican Institute of Sound
Born Free	MIA
How Many More Times	Led Zeppelin

Time 22:21.  Reckon that's a PB, though maybe a slightly shorter route
Distance 3.1 (3.02 according to Map My Run)
Cumulative 22.63 miles
Pace 7:41 min/mi

Run around Campus/Sweatin' to the 80s

I had to move a vehicle from one parking lot to another parking lot across campus for work purposes, so I decided to make a run out of it by taking the long way back from lot A to lot B. Lot A is the Hemlock Lot, and lot B is over by Funchess Hall. So let's see. I don't know that I can or want to describe the route, and I don't know that I'll do it again, so maybe I'll just call it a new route and cut to the playlist and numbers. It was all over and around AU campus, though.

Playlist	Esoterica from the 80s
Moon Rocks	Talking Heads
She Blinded Me With Science	Thomas Dolby
Genius of Love	Tom Tom Club
Blister in the Sun	Violent Femmes
Mexican Radio	Wall of Voodoo
The New World	X
Once In A Lifetime	Talking Heads
Motel Room In My Bed	X
Bust A Move	Young MC
Steppin' Out	Steel Pulse
Gardening At Night	REM
Round and Round	Ratt

Distance 5.53 mi

Cumulative 19.61 mi

Time 45:37

Pace 8:17 min/mi. Don't think I've been that fast in a while.

A new long route

A new long route today. A beautiful Spring day. I went out to Ogletree to the end, then up Moore's Mill to Samford and back via Gay St. I put together a playlist of some stuff plus a lot of slack key guitar (which I'm trying to learn how to play), then ran out of tunes and decided to add Meat Puppets II to my playlist. Sweet.

Playlist	slack key, meat puppets, etc.
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain	Willie Nelson
La Paloma	Ray Kane
Hula Blues	Sonny Chillingworth
Ho'omalu Slack Key	Sonny Chillingworth
Wai Hu'ihu'I O Ke Aniani	Gabby Pahinui
Radio Hula	Ledward Kaapana
Haleakala	Gabby Pahinui
He'eia	Gabby Pahinui
I Ka Po Meke Ao	Gabby Pahinui
Palolo	Gabby Pahinui
Isa Lei	Keola Beamer
Nanea Kou Maka I Ka Le'ale'a	Ray Kane
Mino'aka	Keola Beamer
Moana's Laundry Basket	Keola Beamer
I Lost It	Lucinda Williams
Sweet Caroline	Neil Diamond
Coumba	Orchestra Baobab
Split Myself In Two	Meat Puppets
Magic Toy Missing	Meat Puppets
Lost	Meat Puppets
Plateau	Meat Puppets
Aurora Borealis	Meat Puppets
We're Here	Meat Puppets
Climbing	Meat Puppets
New Gods	Meat Puppets
Oh, Me	Meat Puppets
Lake of Fire	Meat Puppets
I'm A Mindless Idiot	Meat Puppets

Distance 9.13 mi

Cumulative distance 14.08 mi

Pace 8:46 min/mi

Start of April

Due to business, I've had to skip getting up to 50 miles last month, and gotten a late start on April. Today, I opted to go up and into Grove Hill, out towards University, up Moore's Mill to Dean, and back down to University and home. Turns out it's not quite five miles. One more good run will have me back on track for my monthly goal, though. Hopefully I can find the inspiration for those eight nine ten mile runs again.

Playlist
All Apologies	Nirvana
Jump Around	House of Pain
The Jean Genie	David Bowie
Walk On By	Cake
Strange Apparition	Beck
Draw the Line	Aerosmith
Manic Depression	Jimi Hendrix
Tougher Than It Is	Cake
A Little Better	Gnarls Barkley
Notion	Kings of Leon
Heart of Glass	Blondie
Epistle to Dippy	Donovan

Distance 4.95 mi

Cumulative 4.95 mi

Time 42:42

Pace 8:38 min/mi

Misty Mississippi Morning

I was on a field trip for work at Grand Bay NERR near Moss Point MS, and I wanted another try for the run from the dormitory to the boat ramp, as I did last year. Also, this time I thought I'd use the mapping app.

I left just before daylight, and the sun was coming out just as I dipped my toe in the bayou to turn around. I was worried about alligators, but then I didn't see any.

Playlist
Abbey Road -the Beatles
(Come Together to Mean Mr. Mustard)

Distance 4.49 mi
Cumulative 47.23 miles
Pace 8:45 min/mi

Quota for March!

I've been in the swing of things and managed to hit my monthly quota over a week early. I went up Whippoorwill (three sets of double letters, I observed as I passed the entrance sign at the top of the big hill). On the way back, I went down Old Wright's Mill, which I thought would have gotten me over 8 miles today, but not quite. Anyway, a good run. Knock on wood, I'm feeling good. The playlist includes a number of songs I'm currently learning to play, including some Hawaiian slack-key guitar. I was also trying to think up a new challenge for my next birthday year. I'm thinking about doing the Music City Half Marathon at the end of April for my third in this year, and for next year: 40 miles/month, with no runs under 4 miles and at least 10 a month? A full marathon (that's 42+ km)? I've got a little time to figure it all out.

Playlist	eclectico
Manteca	Dizzy Gillespie
Isa Lei	Keola Beamer
Mino'aka	Keola Beamer
Moana's Laundry Basket	Keola Beamer
Papa's Okolehau	Keola Beamer
I Ka Pi Me Ke Ao	Keola Beamer
Blue Ridge Mountain Home	Flatt and Scruggs
Crazy Heart	Hank Williams
Paradise	John Prine
Rowboat	Johnny Cash
The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don't Want to Get Over You)	Waylon Jennings
Good Hearted Woman	Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain	Willie Nelson
I'm the Man Who Loves You	Wilco
Heavy Metal Drummer	Wilco
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart	Wilco
War on War	Wilco
Sugar Never Tasted So Good	White Stripes
Do	White Stripes
The New World	X
Motel Room In My Bed	X
Stray Cat Blues	Rolling Stones

Distance 7.79 mi

Cumulative 42.73 mi

Time 1:08:37

Pace 8:49 min/mi

Warming up/West Pace

It's starting to get warm out there. And here it is the first day of Spring? Happy Vernal Equinox!

For today's route, I hit the Shel Toomer Bike path and out around West Pace. It was the first time with the MapMyRun app, so I was able to measure it: 6.89 miles. Also, I recently was introduced to some Wilco that I really like. I've heard Mermaid Avenue, but it didn't really turned my knobs. But Yankee Hotel Foxtrot? That's some crazy good shtuff, there. Today's playlist features it prominently, to wit:

Playlist
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart	Wilco
Sugar Never Tasted So Good	White Stripes
Heavy Metal Drummer	Wilco
Who Loves the Sun	Velvet Underground
I'm the Man Who Loves You	Wilco
Live With Me	Rolling Stones
Kamera	Wilco
Evil Urges	My Morning Jacket
Do Nothing	the Specials
Reggaemyelitis	Peter Tosh
Here Comes Your Man	Pixies
Time to Pretend	MGMT
Inspector Gadget	Lee "Scratch" Perry
Monkey	Matthew Dear
How Many More Times	Led Zeppelin

Distance 6.89 mi

Cumulative 34.94 mi

Time 59:09

Pace 8:36 min/mi

Double dippin'

Took a few days off, went up to Atlanta with a dear friend, ended up spending the night on Friday, and didn't get out yesterday. So today another dear friend of mine invited me out for a bike ride in Tuskegee National Forest, on the Pleasant Hill Trail. We went, he and I and his son. It turned into another misadventure, though no bones broken, only an inner tube, and I spilled over the handlebars three times. Distance on that was only about five miles.

When I got home, I felt like hitting the road again, only metaphorically this time. So I suited up and went on my four mile, up to Samford and back. In spite of being beat up and a little tired, and it being warm, I actually increased my pace a bit. Maybe it's the shorter route compared to what I've been doing.

Playlist	David Bowie
Life on Mars?	from "Hunky Dory"
Queen Bitch	from "Hunky Dory"
Oh! You Pretty Things	from "Hunky Dory"
Diamond Dogs	from "Diamond Dogs"
Heroes	from "Heroes"
Black Country Rock	from "The Man Who Sold The World"
The Width of A Circle	from "The Man Who Sold The World"
The Man Who Sold The World	from "The Man Who Sold The World"

Distance 4.02 miles

Cumulative 28.05 miles

Time 35:21

Pace min/mi 8:47

Happy Pi Day, Miles Ahead

In honor of Pi Day, I ran 6.28 miles (2 Pi) actually 6.29, but I'm willing to round down for a celebratory tone. Also, in using the iMap My Run app, I realize I should just convert to a hundredths mile format, even if I'm not sure about the accuracy. Up Gay to Magnolia, down to Ross/Chewacla, down Samford to Dumas and around to Wright's Mill, Across Brookwood to Gay and University to Wright's Mill to the top of the hill and most of the way back down. I stopped short just to celebrate. A bit overcast, but warm. Not a bad day for it.

Playlist	Miles Davis, 69-71
Shhh/Peaceful	from "In A Silent Way"
In A Silent Way	from "In A Silent Way"
Right Off	from "A Tribute to Jack Johnson"

Distance 6.28 miles

Cumulative 24.03 miles

Time 56:33

Pace 8:59 min/mi

Long Moonlit Route/ More Zeppelin'

In spite of a long work day (not quite from 7 to 11, more like 7 to 7), and a long outing on Monday, I felt like going on a run this evening. And once I got started up Gay heading towards Samford, then up to Magnolia, I just felt like going and going. I went down Magnolia past Tooomer's to Donahue, and then all the way back to College. Then up College back to Toomer's and back to Gay via Magnolia. Then all the way back down Gay to University, and when I checked the mileage, I decided to keep going to try to get over 10 miles. So I went up to Old Wright's Mill and around home that way. I was inspired. It felt really great, with the full moon, and more Led Zeppelin, and ... well. Just inspired.

Playlist	More Zeppelin
I Can't Quit You Baby	from "Led Zeppelin Box Set, Disc 1"
How Many More Times	from "I"
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp	From "III"
Rock and Roll	from "IV"
The Rain Song	from "Houses of the Holy"
Dancing Days	from "Houses of the Holy"
The Song Remains the Same	from "Houses of the Holy"
For Your Life	from "Presence"
What Is and What Should Never Be	from "II"
Misty Mountain Hop	from "IV"
Communication Breakdown	from "I"
Your Time Is Gonna Come	from "I"
Ramble On	from "II"
Tangerine	From "III"
Kashmir	from "Physical Graffiti"
Achilles Last Stand	from "Presence"
In My Time of Dying	from "Presence"

Distance 10.15 miles

Cumulative 17.75 miles

Time 1:30:08

Pace 8:52 min/mi

Sun on my Pelt/Cain't stop Zeppelin'

5 days into March and first run. Up to Whippoorwill and back, though without the extra to get the full 8 miles in. Beautiful day, ran with no shirt. Get some sun on my pelt. Vitamin D. Listened to all Led Zeppelin. I was feeling some tightness in my left side. I don't know why I'd be cramping, though. Maybe dehydrated? Next time: complete sentences.

Playlist	Led Zeppelin
For Your Life	from "Presence"
When The Levee Breaks	from "IV"
The Song Remains the Same	from "Houses of the Holy"
What Is And What Should Never Be	from "II"
Travelling Riverside Blues	from "Led Zeppelin Box Set, Disc 1"
Friends	From "III"
Celebration Day	From "III"
White Summer/Black Mountain Side	from "Led Zeppelin Box Set, Disc 1"
Over the Hills and Far Away	from "Houses of the Holy"
Immigrant Song	from "III"
The Battle of Evermore	from "IV"
Going to California	from "IV"
Custard Pie	from "Physical Graffiti"
Misty Mountain Hop	from "IV"

Distance 7.6 miles

Cumulative 7.6 miles

Time 1:08:59

Pace 9:08 min/mi

Last couple of Miles for February

I thought I'd finish the month with a short enough, familiar route; out to Chewacla SP entrance and back. It was the first time I've hit this route with the Map My Run app, so at least in principle, the mapping is more accurate. I was out celebrating the life of a good friend of mine who passed away last week, so I was feeling a little suboptimal out there. Lots of tightness in the right calf. But I made it to my monthly goal. I've been rounding off to the nearest tenth mile, which has been going in my favor quite a bit, so I felt compelled to go a little further, just to make sure I was getting the fair distance. I'm not sure if subconsciously I selected Miles Davis, in the spirit of the distance, or just in the mood.

Playlist	Miles Davis (two long ones)
Right Off	from "A Tribute to Jack Johnson"
Spanish Key	from "Bitches' Brew"

Time 30:33

Distance 3.45 miles (rounding down to 3.4 mi for cumulative total, I've had quite a few where I've had to round up, so this should take care of it)

Cumulative distance 40.5 miles! Quota for February!

Pace 8:51 min/mi

Closing In on the Goal for February

I tried a new route this evening: Up to Gay, then right at Thach to Chewacla (Street, not the State Park), and down to Samford. Then up the hill to Dumas, and around to Wright's Mill down to University, and home. I thought it would have been longer, but it came out to be 5.4 miles. In my mind, I thought I could finish the month's goal with this one effort, but I didn't want to push it and finish with a big greedy bite; better to take it in two. I wore the compression suit, although it was just about 50 F when I left the house. I was still feeling a little heavy with dinner, too, though that was worked out about 2 miles in. Overall, I felt good.

I also wish to note that if there is any song that expresses joy moreso than "Cooperation", I'm not sure my heart could stand to hear it. That song just nails it.

Playlist
Vibrate On	Lee "Scratch" Perry
Over the Hills and Far Away	Led Zeppelin
Rudie Can't Fail	the Clash
The Man Who Sold the World	David Bowie
Mexican Radio	Wall of Voodoo
Jane Says	Jane's Addiction
Stay Close to Me	Bad Brains
Cooperation	Franco & Sam Mangwana
Can't You Hear Me Knocking	Rolling Stones
San Ber'dino	Frank Zappa

Time: 48:06

Distance 5.4 miles

Cumulative 37.1 miles

Pace 8:56 min/mi

Windy and Warm Evening

Another crack at the Gay-Magnolia-Donahue-Lem Morrison-Samford-Gay route. I went out after the girls' bedtime, and after a good sized (i.e. not small) dinner featuring some tasty, delicious sausage. I was worried it would sit like a stone in my gut. I did feel a little sluggish in parts, and felt like I'd slowed down quite a bit on the way home, but I didn't need to stop. It was windy and warm out, my favorite kind of weather really, almost 70 F out there.

Playlist
New Amsterdam	Elvis Costello
Honky Tonk Women	Rolling Stones
Who Loves the Sun	Velvet Underground
Genius of Love	Tom Tom Club
Cities	Talking Heads
Solidify	Sheryl Crow
Smile	Lily Allen
Driving South	Jimi Hendrix Experience
Rock and Roll	Led Zeppelin
Gardening At Night	REM
Bring It On	Gomez
Search and Destroy	Iggy and the Stooges
Electric Avenue	Eddy Grant
Opera Singer	CAKE
Paranoid	Black Sabbath
Beercan	Beck
Sweet Emotion	Aerosmith

Distance 7.0 miles

Cumulative 31.7 miles. The rest should be doable.

Time 1:03:58

Pace 9:08 min/mile

I didn't run the Love Your Heart 10k this year because my calves were feeling like they might go bad again. So I've been kind of a lump and haven't gone out again until today. I tried a variation on my typical 4.0 mile, up Loftin (a bit daunting hill) and across Peachtree back out to Gay, adding about 0.3 miles to the route.

Playlist - a bunch of songs to play on the guitar

The Width of a Circle	David Bowie
Fiona	Lyle Lovett
Mexico	Cake
New Amsterdam	Elvis Costello
Yes I Guess They Oughta Name a Drink After You	John Prine
Two Glasses Joe	Ernest Tubb
There's a Tear In My Beer	Hank Williams Sr and Hank Williams Jr
Paradise	John Prine
Rowboat	Johnny Cash
Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)	Waylon Jennings
Folsom Prison Blues	Johnny Cash

Time 37:47

Distance 4.3 miles

Cumulative 24.7 miles (yes, I need to get on my horse and run to reach my goal).

Pace 8:50 min/mi

Fun with a Purpose

I ran up to my office on campus today, to print out some papers for tomorrow. It's just up Gay to Samford, and across College St. It was bitterly cold (at least by Alabama standards), so I donned the compression suit. Still, it seemed rather unpleasant, and I wasn't feeling great on the way out. On the way back, after about a 15 minute break (to work), I felt a lot better. Probably because I was warmed up, and because it's mostly downhill on the way back home. I also added another bit to try and get a little longer run in.

Playlist	Electronica et cetera
Chameleon	Herbie Hancock
Frontier Psychiatrist	the Avalanches
Monkey	Matthew Dear
Fireflies	Owl City
Enter the Ninja	Die Antwoord
Big Poppa	Biggie Smalls
Under Pressure	Queen with David Bowie
Dirt Off Your Shoulder	Jay-Z

Times

L1 20:03 (2.27 mi)

L2 20:46 (2.53 mi)

Total 40:49

Distance 4.8 miles

Cumulative 19.4 miles

Whippoorwill it's been a while

Logged another long one today. 8 miles, out a route so old it's practically new. Down Wright's Mill to Chewacla, and up the bike path to Canary Drive, and all the way around Whippoorwill. I opted to head down and around the big part first, then the smaller loop. On the way back, I decided to stretch it a bit and instead of turning into Tanglewood right away, up to Briarwood and down Mill Branch, making it an even 8 miles. It's a bit chilly out there, so I got to wear the spandex, which makes me smile.

Listened to an all-African mix, which has also been missing for a while. Heavy on the Mahlathini, because he is AWESOME.

Playlist	All African
Qhude Manikiniki	Umahlathini Nabo
Dadje Von O Von Non	Gnonnas Pedro et ses Dadjes
Indoda Yejazi Elimnyama	Amaswazi Emvelo
Feeling You Got	El Rego et Ses Commandos
Baba-Ye	Mahlathini
Guajira Van	No. 1 de No. 1
Thul'ulalele	Amaswazi Emvelo
Yonde Love Me	Kanda Bongo Man
Coumba	Orchestre Baobab
Cantique	Kanda Bongo Man
Beaux Dimanches	Amadou et Mariam
Kudala Besifuna	Mahlathini
Kumnyama Endiini	Mahlathini
Sai	Kanda Bongo Man
Ukuluma Izindaba	Amaswazi Emvelo & Mahlathini
Akekho Noyedwa Owaziyo	Amaswazi Emvelo & Mahlathini

Time 1:08:16

Distance 8.0 miles

Cumulative 14.6 miles

Pace 8.39 min/mi

In spite of my team not winning the Super Bowl, I'm still rather gleeful mostly because of this sunshiny playlist. Also, it's a bright beautiful day out there, and I got in a decently long run. Which I had to do, if I'm going to try to meet my goal in this lengthened but short month. I ran up into Grove Hill, out to Moore's Mill, up to Samford, and back via Gay. I also got the Map My Run app to work, so I was able to get an accurate distance and pace (but no splits, who needs splits, anyway).

Playlist
Jump In the Line	Harry Belafonte
Jambalaya	Professor Longhair
Pass the Dutchie	Musical Youth
Good Vibrations	Beach Boys
Chameleon	Herbie Hancock
Chicken Strut	The Meters
Jolene	CAKE
Birds In the Treetop	Ras Michael and Sons of Negus
the WAND	Flaming Lips
Elevator Music	Beck
I Love It Loud	Kiss
As Good As I Can Feel	Funkadelic
Thul'ulalele	Amaswazi Emvelo
Run (I'm A Natural Disaster	Gnarls Barkley

Time 1:00:33

Distance 6.7 miles

Cumulative 6.7 miles

Pace 9:06 min/mi