5 Miles

Finally got out there and ran today. I put 5 miles under my feet. This was my first run in almost a week. My lack of training runs have been due to the weather. It's been so cold and too painful for me to be outside. It's good to have the temperature rise. 

January To February

This month couldn't end fast enough for me. It has been one of the coldest months I can ever remember. Now February is on it's way and the 4 full weeks of this month have a was way of moving  slow too. I hope it's not as cold as last month. 

That's Great

Other than this migraine headache I have, everything else is just great.

The New

Are you set to do a routine?
That would be a new thing to do.

A Morning After

I'm hearing that Maureen McGovern song on the AM radio. Just like when I was a kid. 

Forget It

No run today. Too cold. I'll get back at it tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be better for working out then. 

The Same

It's still very cold outside. I might make a training run out of it today and try to get myself back into condition. The local running club has a Winter Series Grand Prix Race this Sunday and the only way I would run it is if I start training today. I'm so out of condition right now. Time to shape up.

More Practice

Nick & I worked on songs for the gig next month. We continue to work on our vocals. Playing everyday makes the difference. Keep on practicing. 

So Clear

The skies are blue
No clouds in sight
The day is new
So clear tonight

Pete Seeger

Folk legend Pete Seeger died today at the age of 94. He was a musical and political pioneer. Quite a life. 

Nick, Pat & Seth

Just finished a practice with Nick. The vocals are getting better. We played along to my metronome Seth. Everything getting into the action.

Question

What is it you want to know?
Don't worry, I'll take care of it.

Depression

All this craziness in my brain really makes me tired. It can get pretty depressing when you feel like you're not accomplishing much of anything. How about a siesta then? Sure, that will be productive. 

Crazy Brain

It makes no difference whether I'm going to sleep or waking up. I feel like I'm out of my mind. I know I'm crazy. Maybe I'm sane enough to recognize it right now.

Inside

It gets there
Gets inside me
Can't change it
I want to
That is it
I want change
Even more so
Having made up
Things being different

4 AM

Woke up early. Can't sleep anymore. Had coffee and cereal. Dark of the night is still in sight. All going on at 4 AM. 

My Night

I'm not long for this night. I will be trying to sleep now. Goodnight people of the blog. 

Practice Jam

Nick & I ran through the set list of songs for the gig this afternoon. It's sounds tight. There are a few tunes that need work. Just have to keep working on it. 

Took A Week

It ended up being a week between training runs. I went there and did 5 miles. I need to get my sea legs from under me. Even with the weather being so cold, I plan on getting a few more miles in over the next few days. Since I'm not running the 30k tomorrow, I'll look forward to the 10-Mile race in a couple of week. Unless the brutal cold remains. 

Songs

Jammed with Mike yesterday. We worked on the rock opera and a bunch of other songs. I plan on working with Nick on the set list of songs for our gig next month. All about the songs.

Friday Time

This has been a brutal week for running. It's been so cold out that I haven't done any training runs. If I  were getting ready for a Spring Marathon, then I would have to consider joining a health club. There are times like these when it's too tough to stay on plan when the weather outside is dangerously cold. 

Old Kinderhook

It has to be O.K. with me. This is the choice Made. This is where I chose to be. Now make it work. 

Clear & Cold

It was clear & cold outside. Single digits with the temperature. 0 degrees is 1 thing if  it's Celsius. That would be at the freezing level. So cold and no end in sight.

Oh So Cold

We might not have had the snow like others did, but the brutal cold is here. This really  screws up my training runs. It's just too cold to do it. I've already decided not to run the 30k on Sunday. Not only because of the lack of running, but also this cold snap isn't going to breaking anytime soon. I don't want to be out there in single digit temperatures. It's just too cold and no fun. 

Upstate Downstate

At this time in my life, I'm living in upstate New York.  For the past few years, I had been downstate. It was amazing to me how much more snow would fall there than here. That is the case today. It seems several inches fell in the New York City area, while there is no snow in the Albany region. This has been the pattern. It might be colder on average up here but the snowfall is less. Oh well. 

Slammed

I finished last in my first ever poetry slam. Tough competition and I was no match. Good thing I performed with an alias. Part of sports entertainment.

Bad Lyrics Night

Since the theme for tonight's poetry slam is BAD LYRICS, it changes the way I would go about performing. I will read lyrics I wouldn't normally do under these circumstances. This is my first slam so the whole thing is new to me. We'll see how it goes. 

Nitty Gritty Slam

Tomorrow is the Open Mic & Poetry Slam at Valentine's in Albany, New York. I did the Open Mic a couple of weeks ago and next will be the Poetry Slam. It's a spoken word competition. I'm prepared to try a few things, but like any performance, I'll know as it's going. Get your slam on people. 

Slow Monday

Took a couple of headache aspirins a little while ago. This has a way of wiping me out. No run this morning. Not when I'm feeling so tired. The brutal cold weather is about to arrive soon. Time for the deep freeze. 

A New Week

A new week with the same old issues
That sounds about right 
Something about me & you
Makes it out of sight

Over 30 Miles

Ran over 30 miles this week. I really needed to do so for training. 1 week from today is the the 30k race. That's over 18 miles of running. This week will be a challenge from the weather perspective. More sub freezing temperatures are in the forecast and that makes for some difficult running. These are the issues when it comes to Winter Training.

The Linda

I'm in an auditorium called, "The Linda" and I'm waiting for the poets to speak. Outside the snow falls. I hear it's going to be bitter cold in the next few days. Ouch!

Off My Feet

No running today. I gave it a rest after going at it the past few days. I have the 30k race next weekend. All part of the training.

Poets

Tonight I'll be going to an event featuring local poets. This should be good. The poetry scene around here is strong. There's a Slam next week too that I might take part in. Get those words ready. 

Local Friday

Might go out and see a band. One of the local variety. Find it here tonight.

Run It

Ran 7 miles this morning. Didn't think I would after jamming last night. Woke up this morning and had the motivation. This is a good way to start the day.

Start

It's Friday so I'm off to do Friday things.

Tonight's Jam

Tonight I'll be jamming with Mike & Nick at Gerry's. We'll see what the songs will bring. 

6 Miles

Went out and ran 6 miles this morning. It was slippery out there. At least I was able to get some training done. 

Wrong

Contrary to my last post, it turns out the weather outside is slippery. There is a coating of snow on the ground. This makes for slippery conditions. I'm on the fence as to whether I go out there and run this morning. I would really like to. I need the exercise.

Slow Going

Just woke up to start the day and I feel tired. My plan is to get out there and run 7 miles. I do have that 30k monster run next weekend. It's essential I be in the best running shape possible. The weather looks like it should cooperate for upcoming training runs. Up & at it. 

Other Wednesday Things

I went out and ran 7 miles this morning. I would consider this a success if I go out there and do it again tomorrow. I'm in training mode for a 30k race in 10 days. Just finished a music practice with Nick. Going through the set list. Might practice later on. We'll see. 

Bisanz & Irish

Nick & I are going to be performing at the Allen St. Pub in Albany, New York on Friday February 28th. We're going to mix the set list of songs with both covers and originals. It should be fun. 

Tuesday Jam

Just had a practice with Nick. We are performing as a duo next month on the set list of songs. Plenty of homework to do.

Better Than Others

Some days are better than others. I feel lousy. Sick and tired at the same time. Nice life. 

Dark Mood

The gray day matches my dark mood. 

Tuesday News

The temperature is in the 40's so most of the snow that was on the ground has melted. I'm not going for a run this morning. Having been out there for the past few days has tightened things up for me. It's best I give it a rest. I do have plenty of work to do so on with it. 

Another Go

Just got back from a music practice with Nick & Mike. We ran though the rock opera again. It looks like we'll all get together on Thursday for more work. That should pretty much do it for tonight. Goodnight people of the blog

A Run

Went out for a run of 7 miles this morning. It was good to start this Monday with a training run. Later I'll be getting together with Mike & Nick for a music practice. That's the plan for today.

Done

Being a Course Marshall for the running club went well from where I stood. My exercise was walking. Now the Sun is setting. Last light of day.

Volunteer

I will be a volunteer at the local running club race today. I'll most likely be a Course Marshall. That is usually what I'm assigned to do. This means I'll be on the road directing runners and automobile drivers to take heed of each other. I do this because without the volunteers, there would be no race.

Spoken Word

There are plans for me to do a live reading of my rock opera THE FRONT DESK in April. This would be a great honor. I'll fill you in on more details as the become available.  

Ran 7 Miles

I ran 7 miles this morning in my new running shoes. I really like them. The 1 thing I'll have to get use to are the heels. They're much thicker than any other sneaker I've ever had and I hit the ground quicker per step. They do provide more of a cushion. This should be good on my heels. I'll know more when going for longer distance runs in the future. 

A Must Run

It is important to me that I get out there and run more than a couple of miles. More like several miles to be exact. This has been the pattern for Winter Training. Really feel the push to the 2014 Season begins now. Diet & stretching too. Time to go. Goodnight people of the blog. 

Friday Ride

There was a dusting of snow on the ground. I went out for a run of 2 miles. It's just my second run of the year. I didn't wear my new sneakers due to the messy streets. The local running club has a race this Sunday. I plan on helping with the race and not running. It's what I do sometimes.

Rocked The Opera

Tonight was the first time I played the entire rock opera with Mike & Nick. It was a thrill. Being able to do this makes moving here worth it. I'm getting creative things done. 

Training Blues

This has been a tough Winter for training runs. The weather has been bad, so that's held me back. The one good thing is that I bought new running shoes yesterday. They are the Nike Rosche Run shoes and they could be the best running shoes I've ever owned. I'll know I start running in them. It has the nylon covering over my toes so they won't get bruised. The heels have a thick cushion for my feel. The next race I plan to run is a 30k (18.6 miles) and that will tell me what I need to know about those sneakers. I'll wear them for the first time tomorrow in a training run. I hope the weather will be O.K. 

Jam Tonight

I'll be jamming with Mike & Nick tonight. The gig for late February is on. It will be Nick & I as a duo. Keep jamming on.

Future Gig

Plans are being made for a live gig at the end of February. This would be my first planned concert in over a year and I won't be performing alone. There will be other musicians too. I'll keep you posted.

2 Poems

I read 2 poems at Valentine's in Albany, New York last night. The first one was called ON THIS NIGHT that I wrote yesterday and the audience was very kind to. The second was a poem written by Mike Jurcovic called ALICE. Nice to do some spoken word.

Slam Poetry

Tonight will be a night of spoken words. It's Open Mike Poetry and I'll sign up for a few stanzas. Get your slam on.

The Plan

The plan is to stay warm. It's so cold outside. Too dangerous out there for a training run. Not only is there black ice on the ground, but the wind chills are at -40 degrees below zero. Brutal indeed.

Another Deep Freeze

Brutal cold. I would take heat & humidity over my current conditions at any moment.

Snow To Ice

With all the snow that fell in the Northeast United States, the rain that's falling now is washing it away. The temperature is going to drop dramatically later on, so I hope it doesn't turn into an ice rink outside.  

Eva

It was great being with Eva today. I'm on the train back home. I am tired.

On The Train

I'm on the Metro North train heading south into New York City. I have a date with Eva today. I haven't seen her in a couple of years. I'm looking forward to it! 

Drove From Albany

Drove down from Albany this afternoon. I was driving into the Sun. It was setting just as I arrived to my destination. Now it's dark. Goodnight.

Along The River

I'll be driving today. Leaving Albany and I should find myself in New York City tomorrow. I'm traveling parallel with the frozen Hudson River. Keep warm people.

Wow

Right up to it in 2014. Tonight I saw Geo perform at the Allen St. Pub. It is so cold outside. The temperature is below zero. That is painful.

More Snow

The snow has been falling all day and will continue to fall through the night. It seems to be falling all over the world.

The New Year

Happy New Year! I started off 2014 running the Hangover Half Marathon in 1:43:15 and later in the day jamming with Geo & Nick. A great way to start things off.