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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finishing January

Last run of the month, and it felt pretty good. Up to Samford and back, just as dusk was settling into evening. It was warm enough to go without spandex, and comfortable in a long sleeve t-shirt. Cool, but not cold; almost perfect weather for a run.

On Saturday I went for a paddle on Hatchett Creek up in Coosa County with some friends. It was a pleasant enough day, but the river was rather rough, and I'm sorry I took my daughters with me. It was more of an adventure than any of us had bargained for, and it left me quite beat up. Fortunately I had my Five Fingers on, which kept my feet from getting cut to ribbons, though my knee felt pretty banged up. I'm OK now, though, and the run this evening felt good.

Playlist
Watermelon Man	Herbie Hancock
Change Clothes	Jay-Z
Show Some Emotion	Joan Armatradding
What Is And What Should Never Be	Led Zeppelin
Walk On The Wild Side	Lou Reed
Up On The Sun	Meat Puppets
Radio Free Europe	REM
Round And Round	Ratt

Times
L1	12:14
L2	6:03
L3	5:48
L4	10:26
L5	0:42
Total	35:13

Distance 4.0 miles

Cumulative distance 40.5 miles

Couple of days off, back on.

Went up to Gay/Samford and back. I'd been trying to get out again the past couple of days, but haven't been able to. I had a little bit of soreness here and there. Most worrisome in my injured calf. But it seems to be okay.

Playlist
You Got The Silver	Rolling Stones
The Song Remains The Same	Led Zeppelin
Rowboat	Johnny Cash
Dead Flowers	Rolling Stones
Drive My Car	the Beatles
You Can't Catch Me	Chuck Berry
Get Back	the Beatles
Cocaine Blues	Johnny Cash
Yes, I Guess They Oughta Name A Drink After You	John Prine
San Ber'dino	Frank Zappa

Times
L1	11:52
L2	5:56
L3	5:42
L4	10:49
L5	0:50
Total	35:09

Distance 4.0 miles

Cumulative distance 11.6 miles

Late in getting to October

First run of October. A bit of resting on my laurels, getting sick, bad weather (but not that bad, really), being busy with work, and plain old SLOTH. I did get out this morning, and did my 4.6 mile loop, up Gay to Samford, College to Woodfield. Not feeling too bad after the hiatus and a night of unhealthy consumption (buffalo wings and beer).

Playlist
Baba-Ye	Mahlathini
Genius of Love	Tom Tom Club
Superunknown	Soundgarden
Academia	Sia
You're My Best Friend	Queen
Here It Goes Again	OK Go
The New World	X
Born Free	M.I.A.
Lust for Life	Iggy Pop
The Width of a Circle	David Bowie

Times
L1	11:51
L2	5:50
L3	6:58
L4	3:16
L5	10:23
L6	0:54
Total	39:12

Distance 4.6 miles
Cumulative distance 4.6 miles

Last of September

Up Gay Street to Samford, back via College, Donahue, University. Thought about turning into Town Creek Park, didn't do it. I feel like I have a lot to do at work, and I need to get in there. I think I'm doing all right, mileage-wise. Another Stones-rich playlist.

Playlist-Song	Artist
You Got the Silver	Rolling Stones
Good Vibrations	Beach Boys
Stray Cat Blues	Rolling Stones
The Man Who Sold the World	David Bowie
Seen and Not Seen	Talking Heads
B*tch	Rolling Stones
2000 Light Years From Home	Rolling Stones
Turn It On	Flaming Lips
Walk On By	CAKE
Diamond Dogs	David Bowie
What Is Life	George Harrison

Times
L1	11:45
L2	5:35
L3	6:44
L4	5:58
L5	12:10
L6	0:49
Total	43:01

Distance 5.1 miles
Cumulative distance 56.5 miles. A good jump in mileage.

Cool Stones

No teaching today, so I could get out on a run.  It feels odd; instead of trying to get out early to beat the heat, I  was waiting for it to warm up a bit.  It's overcast, and feels like it might rain though the rain stopped yesterday.  I thought I'd run through Grove Hill neighborhood, and make a choice when I got to Moore's Mill, either right towards Ogletree and back that way, the long way, or left and back on University, the short way.  I decided to go left, but instead of heading back on University, I decided to continue up Moore's Mill.  While it's cool, and I've got legs and breath, why not? I came up Moore's Mill all the way to Samford, and back along Samford to Gay St. As I passed the Junior High, there were some kids on the sidewalk.  I wasn't sure if they would let me pass on the sidewalk or I'd have to go around.  Just as I came up to them, they cleared, and one of them gave me a fist bump and a smile.  That gave me a warm fuzzy boost of energy.  The rest of my run felt fine, and I'm loving the cooler weather, at least for running.

Playlist -More Rolling Stones
Let It Bleed -from "Let It Bleed"
Sympathy for the Devil -from "Beggars' Banquet"
No Expectations -from "Beggars' Banquet"
Jigsaw Puzzle -from "Beggars' Banquet"
Street Fighting Man -from "Beggars' Banquet"
Prodigal Son -from "Beggars' Banquet"
Stray Cat Blues -from "Beggars' Banquet"
Gimme Shelter -from "Let It Bleed"
Midnight Rambler -from "Get Your Ya-Yas Out"
Jumping Jack Flash -from "Get Your Ya-Yas Out"
Rocks Off -from "Exile on Main Street"
Casino Blues -from "Exile on Main Street"
Sweet Virginia -from "Exile on Main Street"

Times
L1 26:07
L2 16:53
L3 6:00
L4 11:06
L5 0:52
Total 1:00:58

Distance 6.5 miles
Cumulative 11.3 miles.  On track, though like Ba says,  gotta up the mileage to get ready for the half marathon in October.

Let It Bleed

I've once again let the month get a little older than I wanted before hitting the pavement again. I did get out this evening, after a very rainy windy Labor Day, complete with tornado warnings, wind advisories, etc. But it was nice and cool and breezy and only a little damp out as I headed up Gay St. to Thach, over to Armstrong, and back down Wright's Mill. I haven't been on this route in a while, and I was a little disappointed that it didn't quite make 5 miles. So I'm off to my start for the month, and a little behind. But as they say in Mexico, "Hay tiempo".

Playlist (Let it Bleed, the Rolling Stones)

Gimme Shelter

Love In Vain

Country Honk

Live With Me

Let It Bleed

Midnight Rambler

You Got the Silver

Monkey Man

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Times

L1 12:49

L2 6:15

L3 7:44

L4 15:51

L5 0:52

Total 43:31

Distance 4.8 miles

Cumulative 4.8 miles

Another month's quota accomplished.Thank you, Major Tom

With one day to spare, I hit my target today, ending up at 39.2 miles. I waited til after the girls had drifted off to sleep, and the Sox game was over (alas, a loss to the dreaded Yankees), for my departure. I went up to the corner of Samford and Gay, passing my wife and her friends closing down Amsterdam Cafe.

I told my Dad about my cunning plan to run 3 half-marathons between my birthdays, and he told me my monthly mileages were too low. I still have almost two months until Athens (GA), so I think I still have time to work up to it. He said he's not in any condition to run it, but he'd be glad to come watch me. That's HIS birthday weekend, so I'm really touched that he'd do that for me.

Playlist, all David Bowie
Space Oddity -from "Space Oddity
Queen B*tch -from "Hunky Dory"
The Man Who Sold The World -from "The Man Who Sold The World"
Moonage Daydream -from "Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars"
Diamond Dogs -from "Diamond Dogs"
The Jean Genie -from "Changesonebowie"
Ashes to Ashes -from "Changesonebowie"
Oh! You Pretty Things -from "Hunky Dory"
Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed -from "Space Oddity"

Times
L1 12:25
L2 6:09
L3 5:51
L4 11:13
L5 0:46
Total 36:24
Not bad for me, almost back under 9:00/mile.

Distance 4.0 miles
Cumulative 39.2 miles. Whew!

Four miles

The term is over at Auburn, and my students are all assessed. So now I have time to run during daylight hours, or so it would seem. It's gotten quite cold, and I fortunately have some nice new warm things to wear while running. I did get a bit further, 4 miles, up to Samford and back. What the flip happened to my statcounter?

Playlist
Slavedriver -Jenny and Johnny
Candy -Presidents of the USA
Can't Get There from Here -R.E.M.
Rock Problems -the Hold Steady
Manic Depression -Jimi Hendrix
Frontier Psychiatrist -the Avalanches
Black Country Rock -David Bowie
As Good As I Can Feel -Funkadelic
Bubble Pop -Del the Funky Homosapien
Come As You Are -Nirvana
Easy Skanking -Bob Marley

Times
L1 12:38
L2 6:15
L3 6:16
L4 11:27
L5 0:53
Total 37:29

Distance 4.0 miles
Cumulative 8.4 miles