November Work Outs and Runs

 

11 23 25 21:10

I went for a run today.  It was more than 6 miles and I was thinking maybe I should sign up for the Christmas race again this year.  Last year, I ran in the single digits, down Main Street and up hills and over streams.  I can do it.  But I have not been running as consistently in the past few months.  I have my reasons.  It used to be every other day and then three times a week and two times, but the last couple have been one 4 miler and couple of milers on the tread mill at the gym.  There’s so much to say about a good run, my mood is better, a sense of accomplishment, seeing a few other runners and bikers.  There’s a trail I used to take fairly often and it’s been weeks – dare say months since I was on the trail.  It’s off of Sand Island and leads under train trestles.  I was surprised I was able to go out for the distance and get back feeling very good.  Good enough to get to the gym for a little work out.

11/30/2025 21:13

And a week later, I was on my ass for most of the day.  Meli and I have been battling a virus that effecting our throats, coughing fits and our voices are raspy and whispery like Miles Davis in any interview.  No run today.  Tomorrow, back to work.  I took a walk today and finished my push-ups.  Our gym has a board and if you make it to the gym, at least 12 times you get on the board and if you go 15 times you’re in another group and 20 or more, well you make the elite group.  My goal each month is to get on the board, at least 12.  Considering we flew back on 11/9, I made the board. 

Dave and Rennee stopped over yesterday with dinner, White Castle and Bo Jangles Fried Chicken.  I have not had a White Castle in ten years.  And my body was paying the price.  Overall, we eat healthy in this house and eating fast food is a treat.  Tastes good going down, but my body sends off warning shots, what the fuck are you putting in me? 

And Thanksgiving, we spent Wednesday night in a hotel in Philadelphia with a beautiful view of the river and skyline and saw the parade.  It was the first for both of us and next year we’re planning to take in the Macy’s parade in NYC, the 100^th anniversary and besides, I want Meli to see the floats.  The room is already booked.

Tomorrow night, Patti Smith reading in Philadelphia.

Thank you for reading this

Running shakes off the Blues

I try to run every other day. Mornings are best, but when I feel days have passed and a little sluggish, I’d get home after work and go out for a 3 mile run. Avoiding the blues, lethargic, even sick, I push myself and get out. Running is not difficult for me, there’s not a lot pain. This summer there were extreme humid days and I should have skipped those days, breathing was difficult, my muscles ached since they were not receiving the rich oxygen; I stopped running and would walk losing time and feeling the pressure of getting on the road to work. Of course the spring and summer are best. Getting out with a long sleeve t-shirt that soaks up the sweat is best. My sneakers are light and I try to run in shorts as often as possible. My faded orange baseball cap had sucked and dried up layers of white sweat stains. Sometimes I assume strangers look at me and guess if I played ball. Thoughts swirl back and forth, and there have been some satoris or awakenings during some runs. My writing has been effected in a positive way, the ideas of a scene – how it would develop - the narration, a character emerges or a scene shifts and when I get home I try to remember it all. When I travel I like to run in different cities, there’s an intimacy with the streets and the landmarks that only a runner can have. At home, there are a few occasions when I go out for long runs, to the end of the Port Jefferson harbor where the boats and ferries pass through a narrow opening…big rocks…the desolation of shells and abandoned wrecks. Those runs are rare, but when I get one in, I feel a closer connection to God and send off prayers in the salty breezes.