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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

It's the Second Run of 2012

I've been slacking a bit in terms of getting out, so I tried to make up for it by going longer. I had been questioning whether I'll be able to do the half marathon, due to my limited training and (dietary) effort in recent weeks. But I'm feeling good after seven miles , so maybe one more long one could convince me that I'm ready. I hit a new route, heading up to Toomer's via Gay, then down Magnolia to Donahue and down to Lem Morrison and back to Samford to Gay and home. I saw some students of mine by the Arena, and they waved vigorously, which was inspiring.

Playlist	"It" returns
Bring It On	Gomez
Ch-check It Out	Beastie Boys
(I Love It When You) Call Me Names	Joan Armatradding
Cool It Down	Velvet Underground
I Love It Loud	KISS
It's Expected I'm Gone	Minutemen
Let It Bleed	Rolling Stones
Tougher Than It Is	CAKE
Where It's At	Beck
Why Don't We Do It In The Road	Beatles
Say It Ain't So	Weezer
Save It For Later	English Beat
Life and How To Live It	REM
Legalize It	Peter Tosh
It's Summertime	Flaming Lips
If It Runs	Bad Livers
I Wanna Know If It's Good To You	Funkadelic

Times
L1	12:27
L2	6:26
L3	5:56
L4	21:03
L5	5:55
L6	11:12
L7	0:52
Total	1:03:52

Distance 7.0 miles

Cumulative 13.0 miles

First Run of 2012

Five days in, and just getting my first run in. I actually prefer the cold, since I like wearing the spandex compression suit. I headed up and over the Interstate, then up Gay Street. I decided to go up to Toomer's and back down College, and back via Woodfield, though at Gay I decided to head back up to Wright's Mill and come back that way. That added on a bit and got my route just over 6.0 miles (6.07). My back felt a little sore for a bit in the third mile, but it resolved. Toward the end, my right heel felt a little tight.

Playlist
Blister In The Sun	Violent Femmes
Radio Free Europe	REM
Pass the Dutchie	Musical Youth
I Me Mine	the Beatles
To Kingdom Come	the Band
Sheena Is A Punk Rocker	the Ramones
Sledgehammer	Peter Gabriel
Driver 8	REM
Chest Fever	the Band
Chameleon	Herbie Hancock
Life and How to Live It	REM
Watermelon Man	Herbie Hancock

Times
L1	12:07
L2	6:19
L3	6:00
L4	11:26
L5	3:21
L6	15:28
L7	0:51
Total	55:32

Distance 6.0 miles

Douthat State Park

I just got back from a trip to western Virginia, which capped off our grand travels for the Winter Holidays. We had a lovely stay with some old college friends at a lodge at Douthat State Park. We did some hiking up in the mountains, and generally passed the time keeping warm. I went on a run just before dusk, and ended up going farther than I had intended, mainly because I got a bit lost. The last thing I wanted was to get exhausted and have to start walking as the sun was setting, but that didn't happen, and instead I got a long run in instead.

Playlist
Benzi Box	Danger Doom
Blister In The Sun	Violent Femmes
Jump In The Line	Harry Belafonte
Wat Da Hook Gon Be	Murphy Lee
Misty Mountain Hop	Led Zeppelin
Pop Muzik	M
Party in the USA	Miley Cyrus
Over the Hills and Far Away	Led Zeppelin
Dig A Pony	the Beatles
Time to Pretend	MGMT
I've Got A Feeling	the Beatles

Times
L1	14:45
L2	31:35
L3	0:28
Total	46:49

Distance: Not really sure, but about 5-6 miles
Cumulative distance: 35.1- 36.1 miles. Very close to my goal for December. Yay

Charlottesville

In Charlottesville with the whole big happy family. My sisters and my folks and our families all together. Today I got to go out with my Dad and my brother-in-law, on my Dad's three mile loop (actually a little short, I measured) plus a little more for me. Always fun to have a little company, in lieu of music.

Time 46:00

Distance 5.0 miles

Cumulative distance miles 30.1 miles

Roosevelt Island

Last day in DC, I wanted to go check out Roosevelt Island. For the first time in memory, I crossed a state line while running. I ran through Georgetown down M Street, and crossed into Virginia. Then down the Mt Vernon Trail to the footbridge and across. It was muddy on the trails, which are mostly unpaved though there is a good stretch of boardwalk. I stopped long enough to snap a pic of the statue of Teddy.

Then back through Georgetown, trying to dodge Xmas shoppers. A bit cool, but no spandex.

Playlist
Monkey	Matthew Dear
El Microfono	Mexican Institute of Sound
Evil Urges	My Morning Jacket
Fireflies	Owl City
Bassism	Sun Ra
Bring It On	Gomez
Cool It Down	Velvet Underground
Change Clothes	Jay-Z
Chant a Psalm	Steel Pulse
Funky Dollar Bill	Funkadelic
Heroes	David Bowie
Benzi Box	Danger Doom
Wat Da Hook Gon Be	Murphy Lee

Times
L1	34:03
L2	17:46
L3	0:47
Total	52:36

Distance 5.6 miles

Cumulative distance 25.1 miles

Banned in DC

In Washington DC on vacation visiting family. I ran up over the P Street Bridge and into Georgetown, then down to the Potomac and around Georgetown Waterfront Park.

Playlist
I Luv I Jah	Bad Brains
Banned in DC	Bad Brains
Sissyneck	Beck
Evil Boy	Die Antwoord
Dirt Off Your Shoulder	Jay-Z
(I Love It When You) Call Me Names	Joan Armatradding
Secret Laboratory (Scientific Dancehall)	Lee "Scratch" Perry
Born Free	M.I.A.

Time: 33:55

Distance 3.7 miles

Cumulative distance 18.5 miles