It has been a couple of weeks since I wrote a blog post. I have still been working, training, and listening to good music. The past two weeks got pretty busy and chaotic with work. As we get closer to the tax filing deadline of April 15, my work life became pretty intense. I still found time to cycle or run for about an hour everyday but did not have time for much else outside of work. I have also managed to keep my run streak going. At least one mile everyday.

This past week I started to sprinkle more running, as my glute has not been giving me issues recently. So far, my body seems responsive. I will still keep a couple days of cycling in the mix each week.

I got to run on the trails in the Santa Barbara front country a couple of times the past few days. It felt like sunshine at the end of a dark tunnel. In some ways quite literally sunshine. My favorite runs are those when I can get on trail before sunrise and watch the sun come up as I climb a mountain. It is an amazing experience to be in the presence of the sun as it peaks its first light over a mountain ridge. I get a feeling of harmonic resonance with the environment. Like being a note within a beautiful symphonic chord.

After several days of running, my glute seems to be doing okay. Some areas of my legs still feel a bit tight but overall I think I am recovered and ready to start regaining my trail legs. Tahoe 200 is on the horizon.

In my work life, I have about one more week of long hour days. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Once we get through the busy season, I will have the capacity to start ramping up my running to get ready for Tahoe 200.

The “light at the end” cliche is a good descriptor of my mood recently. The nearness of the end of busy season at work, the positive reaction of my body to running, and the opportunities for long mountain runs in the future. I’m ready to let some light into the darkness.

Some music selections during training the past couple weeks:

Godspeed You Black Emperor! 3/17/2025 Den Haag, NL. Thanks to taper: Bart.

I have not listened to this band since high school. Such a unique approach to musical craft. I did not realize they have quite a dedicated fan base. Their shows regularly get recorded and posted to the Internet Archive.

Japanese Breakfast’s new album For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)

Great new album. I was a sad brunette listening to this. Will need to give this another listen when not cycling.

Goose 10/19/2020 Frederick, MD. Thanks to taper: Bryan Belay. Throwback to the COVID tour of drive-in shows. Crazy times.

Drive to Space 3/14/2025 Cottage Grove, OR. Thanks to taper: Bluegirl541. First time listening to this group. Very nice jams.

Kitchen Dwellers live album Live at Brooklyn Bowl. I need to see these live at some point. Love their songwriting and improv style.

Paramore albums Riot and self-titled. Always a boost listening with these albums, especially Riot. I could run through a brick wall on For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic.

Metallica’s album Master of Puppets. Huge fan of this album. I put this on when I want to scream at the world.