At this moment...
07.31.05:
July ends on a high note. This morning, as I was out running, I hit the 500 mile mark for the year. Actually, I'm at 502 for the year, so not bad. Today it was 15 mile run. I finished feeling energized, like I could have run a few more miles. The total mileage for the week was 37, with my monthly mileage being 120, which is fantastic considering I missed a few runs (6 total I think) due to plantar fasciitis. Now, three hours after completing my run I'm exhausted, but a good exhausted.
Yesterday I watched Bourne Supremacy and Shaun of the Dead. Both were quite good. I'm surprised that I liked Bourne Supreme cy, as well as Bourne Identity.
On Friday Kelly and I went to see the Cubs play. Below are some photos.
Listening to:
If Your Feeling Sinister - Belle and Sebastian
Madonna Mix CD - Thanks Kelly!
07.26.05:
Finally, we've received some rain...
Listening to:
Ta Det Lugnt - Dungen
07.24.05:
Stepped out of my apartment at 5:15 AM and was hit with a powerful wind of heat and humidity. For a moment I questioned if I should even attempt a run. About a mile in I knew things were going to get worse, but I plowed through. By mile 6 I was out of Gatorade, so I stopped at a gas station and bought two bottles. By mile 8 the first bottle was gone. By mile 9 I decided that I wasn't going to run 14. The humidity was making it difficult to breathe. My mile 11 my body was exhausted and beaten. Anybody who goes running now is pushing their luck.
It's only 8AM and I could already take a nap.
07.23.05:
Yesterday I went to the podiatrist to find out what's wrong with my right foot. Diagnosis? Plantar fasciitis (pronounced PLAN-tar fashee-EYE-tiss). Treatment? Stretching the achilles tendon a few times a day, ice to reduce inflammation, and orthodics. The doctor took plaster molds of both my feet, and within a few weeks I'll have custom orthodics. He also told me no sandals. The good news is that he told me to go ahead and keep training for the marathon. Maybe he told me that knowing that I would run regardless, but I doubt that. He also took x-rays of my foot, and those came back okay. He noted that the ankle joint was larger than normal and asked if that ever bothered me. To which I replied no.
So, I woke this morning at 5 AM and I just came back from a seven mile run. It felt so good, and my pace was 7 mph, which is exactly where I want to be for the marathon. Tomorrow it's a 14 mile run, which means another night of early to bed sleep as it will be blistering hot tomorrow.
Listening to:
Before the Poison - Marianne Faithfull
07.18.05:
Song:
Drunk - Slumber Party
07.16.05:
7:23 AM. Listening to Mouse on Mars. After five days of no running I woke early for a six mile run. As I type my right heel is being iced to reduce any swelling that may occur. Ot felt so damn good to run. I took things easy and now that I'm finished I don't feel the slightest bit exhausted.Hopefully the combination of wearing the Strassburg Sock while I sleep, some ibuprophen, icing my foot after each run, and some stretching exercises will get me through the next few months before the marathon.
Against my better judgement, and for reasons best left unwritten, I've begun to read Murdoch's A Fairly Honorable Defeat and, well, it's brilliant.
07.15.05:
Finished reading Millhauser's Martin Dressler. Quite good. Would have been nice to have someone to discuss it with. Oh well, that's what grad school is for I guess. Too bad I'm not in grad school.
After nearly a week off from running I'm planning on getting out tomorrow morning for a much needed run. My right foot is still bothering me, but I really need to run.
07.12.05:
I'm hoping to start filming a short film starring the wind up Grim Reaper and featuring music by Deerhoof. I have this fantastic idea, but I'm not sure if I have the technical ability to pull it off. Ideally I'd like to film this in some exotic foreign location, but since the buget is small, as in nothing, the streets of Arlington Heights, or maybe my apartment will have to suffice as a set.
Listening to:
Alpine Static - Kinski
07.10.05:
Yesterday woke early and ran six miles, went grocery shopping, made a Spanish tortilla, listened to all of Simon & Garfunkel's studio albums, read for a few hours, went to the record store, stopped by the Moody's house, and went to bed.
Today I woke early, ran twelve miles, established that my heal is screwed up (Plantar Fasciitis), and am now trying to figure out my next steps with my training plan. I should probably cut back on the miles, so we shall see.
Might head over to the studio later to listen to Jason record vocals. Hopefully I won't fall asleep.
Listening to:
Crystal Days 1979 - 1999 - Echo & The Bunnymen
07.08.05:
Sometimes people look funny. Sometimes I look funny.
I anticipated that this would be a slow/dull/quiet week. But it hasn't. So far this week I've seen a movie (You, Me, and Everyone We Know), played 18 holes of mini golf, and last night I went to see The Pain and the Itch at Steppenwolf. Eveything was highly unexpected, especially the play since I managed to get free tickets earlier in the day. Thank you Kelly for partaking in these activities, especially the mini golf, which was a lot of fun.
07.05.05:
Today felt like Monday. I woke at 5 AM and ran three miles. The run went well, especially since at mile two I hit the 400 mile mark for the year. Tomorrow it's six miles. Already looking forward to my weekend.
Song:
Manhattan Skyline - Kings Of Convenience
07.04.05:
The day in photos...
Listening to:
Lullaby For a Liquid Pig - Lisa Germano
07.03.05:
Sunday morning. An hour ago I finished an eleven mile run. Now, I'm drinking some coffee and wondering what the day has in store for me. I could probably fall asleep in a few hours, but I'm thinking the pot of coffee that I brewed will get me through the day. I'm two miles shy of 400 miles for the year. From here on out until the marathon it's 100 plus miles a month. The goal for the year is 1000 miles. Exciting stuff.
Caught the Pink Floyd reunion show on Live 8. Roger Waters didn't sound so great, but it was still cool to see the boys playing again.
Last night I watched a bunch of Pete and Pete episodes. Timeless stuff and still hilarious.
I think that's it.
Listening to:
S/T - Engineers (Kept me on task for the run. Reminds me of Pink Floyd.)
Keep on Your Mean Side - The Kills
07.01.05:
Listening to:
The Repulsion Box - Sons and Daughters (Sadly I predict that this album will go largely ignored in the U.S.. Sons and Daughters are Glasgows answer to the Bad Seeds. Will make the top 10 albums. Brilliant, dangerous, and sexy.)