At this moment...
09.29.05:
Leave it to me to catch a cold 10 days before the marathon. This sucks.
09.27.05:
Woke early to discover that Fall has finally arrived. Ran four miles. At first I was slightly sluggish, but then I picked up my pace and smiled. About a mile in I passed another runner who didn't like the fact that I passed him. Some people don't like being passed, and this guy was one of those people. Within a block he was trying to pass me. I could see his shadow creeping up on mine, and I found him to be rude. I sped up, but so did he. Eventually I gave up, and turned onto a side street.
Running felt good. Even after shitty runs I need to remind myself how much I love to run, and my run this morning was perfect.
Listening to:
The Runners Four - Deerhoof
09.25.05:
Some runs/races go better than others, and some are complete crap. Today's half marathon wasn't one of those better runs, or even good runs. I've been beating myself up since mile eight. Last weekend I ran 20 miles without feeling tired or fatigued. Today's run just kicked my ass. I was prepared, probably far more prepared than others. When I woke at 5 AM I was energized and ready to break last year's time of 01:52. And then, as I took my first step out the door of my apartment I noted the high humidity. It should have registered something to me, like, not to push myself too hard. My body can't take high humidity. In order for me to run really well, the ideal temperature is around 60 degrees with low humidity. Humidity was stike one.
As I was driving to the race I was excited. The Kennedy was like a ghost town, and The Stone Roses were blastng and I was mentally prepping myself. Things went well up until mile eight, and then my body shut down. My legs started to burn, and I could sense that there was no energy left. The rain that began to fall didn't make things any better. So I struggled. Last weekend I felt like I could have run 26 miles, this weekend, well, it was shit. My unofficial time is 02:07. I'm not competitive by nature, but, I'm disappointed in myself. There's always next year.
The marathon is two weeks away. I need to stay focused. Everything will go well.
09.24.05:
While I didn't make the above sign, it speaks the truth.
This morning I woke and ran three miles. Do you know how running only three miles feels to me? Very odd. Sure, I ran three on Thursday, but that was only because I got caught in a storm. I intended on running five. However, today I planned on running three and it just didn't feel like enough. Tomorrow I run the Chicago Half Marathon. Hopefully I can run it in under 01:50:00, but we shall see. After my run I went down to the city to pick up my race number and goodie bag. Since I've run the half marathon four times, I received a special shirt, and a different colored number. The shirt is quite nice considering it's long sleeve and not made out of cotton, which means I can actually use it to run in. Since cotton doesn't breathe I refuse to run wearing it.
Upon returning home from Chicago I stopped at Tower to pick up the new Echo and the Bunnymen album, a few Franz Ferdinand singles, and the Finisterre DVD presented by Saint Etienne, which I may add is really quite good. I guess you could call it a love letter to London.
Then I did some laundry, and now I'm home. My apartment feels cluttered, so I think I'll put on some Nick Drake, and do a bit of cleaning.
09.18.05:
By 10 AM, or just a little before that, I completed my final 20 mile run for the 18 week marathon plan. I finished feeling good, and I ran it slightly faster, abut three minutes faster, than the 20 mile run two weeks ago. It was another fantastic run, and once again, at around mile 11 I caught a runner's high.
On Thursday I went to Garret's to record a bass track for a new Zerostars song. I left wondering if my part was any good. Jason writes the most amazing melodies, so I never want to interfere with them by playing too much. Yesterday, while Jason was recording acoustic guitars, I began to feel better about my part. It fills things in quite well. It's a damn good song.
Song:
Twilight - Elliot Smith
09.15.05:
7:08 AM. Upon returning home from my run I started thinking, or maybe it's wondering about, what makes me disciplined with my running. Yesterday, after work, I ran eight miles. Less than 11 hours after completing that run I was out the door and running another five. That's really not all that unusual considering my long runs on Sundays are usually over 13 miles, so that's 13 plus miles in less than a couple of hours. Obviously my body is comfortable with that type of mileage. But still, why do I run? Lowest on the list would have to be the health benefits. I guess I run to stay healthy, but I don't think it's the number one, number two, or even number three reason why I run. I could pick a number of other physical activities, but I pick running. Maybe I run because it allows me to be free? Does that even make sense? Such an open ended question. Or maybe I run to keep one step ahead of the Grim Reaper. Yet that's too morbid, and gets back to the health advantages of running. Maybe I run because I have to, as it's in me, programmed. More on this later... Time to iron a shirt for work.
Listening to:
War On Sound - Moonbabies
09.13.05:
7:11 AM...
Songs:
Letter From Home - Ulrich Schnauss
Hong Kong - Gorillaz
I listened to Letter From Home on repeat for the last two miles of my run. I've been listening to Hong Kong on repeat since returing home from my run.
09.12.05:
So, this is the last high mileage week before the marathon. After this week the mileage decreases until October 9th.
Today I registered for the Chicago Half Marathon. Initially I wasn't going to run it, but decided I enjoy it too much to pass it up. Maybe someone will come to cheer me on for that race.
Why, oh why do I even bother shopping at Jewel? They are almost always out of baskets, and if they have them they are encrusted in dirt and grime. It's just disgusting. I also happen to think the whole preferred card is nonsense. I don't need them tracking my buying habits. For the most part, the only thing I purchase from Jewel is bottled water and Gatorade. The Jewel that I shop at is always filthy. Oh well.
Listening to:
A handful of songs from Help: A Day in the Life, with the best being Hong Kong by Gorillaz. The Radiohead song is fine, but I feel like they've been there and done that already.
Kyberneticka Babicka EP - Stereolab
09.11.05:
Strange how four years has passed. Four years since I ran my first half marathon. Four years since I lost my best friend, and I still miss her. Four years since The Holiday Costume dissolved (Zerostars was formed from the ashes). Four years since I lost my first job out of college. I guess there's some good stuff in there as well, but still, four years that only seems like a day. Time confounds me.
Now, it's 8:46 AM, Satie's Gnossiennes play as I eat a bowl of strawberry yogurt with fresh organic strawberries (damn, these strawberries tatste wonderful) on top. I was out the door and running by 5:45 AM. The run today (12 miles) made up for yesterday's poor excuse of a run. At around mile 8, as a song by the Doves started playing, I caught a fantastic runner's high and was reminded why I run. It's the type of high that only lasts a minute or so, but still, it feels as if you own the world.
And today, I will drink coffee. There's no point in trying to not have any. I'm addicted to the stuff. I'm sluggish without a cup in the morning.
09.10.05:
Heat + humidity = terrible run. Last week my 20 mile run on Sunday was flawless. A week later, and an eight mile run kicks my ass. I blame the heat and humidity. What month are we in? After my run I kept wondering if there's a cooler place that I need to move to. I am contemplating moving to Maine, but that's a year away. I just wonder if there's anything left for me in AH/Chicago. Maybe, maybe not. I suppose only time will tell.
6:49 PM and I haven't had any coffee since I woke up. I could go for a cup, but if I have any I'll be up all night long. Just wish I didn't have such a killer headache.
Listening to:
Greatest of the Delta Blues SIngers - Skip James (Maybe I'll watch Ghost World later.)
In A Silent Way - Miles Davis
Quiet Nights - Miles Davis
On Fillmore - On Fillmore
09.07.05:
At just a bit past 6 AM I hit the 700 mile mark (mile four of five). It's now 7:10 AM, Matt Pond PA is on the stereo, and in a weird way I wish I could crawl back to sleep. Not that I'm tired. It's just that some sleep would be nice.
09.06.05:
The new Richard Hawley album, Coles Corner, is quite gorgeous.
09.05.05:
Yesterday I ran my first of two 20 mile training runs before the marathon in October. Everything was perfect. Usually I have to take a brief walking break or two throughout the run, but I didn't take any during the run yesterday. The weather was amazing, and I held myself to my pace. Actually, I came in about three or so minutes ahead of pace, and looking back, miles 12 through 16 were about 30 or so seconds ahead of pace, and I finished strong.
I'm slightly sore today, but not too bad. The one thing that I've learned this year is that after my long runs I need to stay active. In the past I would fallen asleep all day. Yesterday, Kelly and I searched Chicago thrift stores (the oddest purchase being a t-shirt with "November 2" printed on the front), the occasional record store (the latest Isolee album, a Fennesz album, and a Mouse on Mars album), and a few other places. After that it was a few drinks, then a movie at the Musicbox (Genesis), and then a nice dinner at a French bistro on Lincoln Ave (steak frites, a nice Grenache-Syrah, and some creme brulee). Thank you Kelly for a relaxing afternoon (although, damn that Jimmy Buffet for playing at Wrigley Field).
Listening to:
Post Rocks: the EP collection - Mouse on Mars
Bringing It All Back Home - Bob Dylan (She Belongs to Me just kills.)
09.02.05:
More ideas for the upcoming Zerostars EP...
09.01.05:
Attempt #1. Too industrial, but I still kind of like it.