They All Say They Long To Reach Their Sorrow

Got in 3.5 hours yesterday on the bike. It was a beautiful day. Makes me wish Winter wasn't around the corner. Today was just a run. My plans to do a session on the trainer were postponed due to lack of tubes. I had no puncture repair patches left either. I could have gone down to Providence bike and made the effort but the energy was not there. I will make up for it tomorrow. 8 days to surgery so time to make the most of it. I am really excited to see Mew on Wednesday night. The below session is on its 11th viewing today. It will be 20 (at least) by tomorrow.

Love Kel

Insane Love Is Awakining

AM: 90 Minutes Trainer W/ 15 x 2 Min Hard, 1 Min Rec
AM: 30 Minutes Easy Running

Just when I thought Spencer had hung up the mic for a while the news surfaces that he is releasing new tracks in January. Spencer doesn't rest, the guy is prolific and unstoppable. Earlier this year he released a 7" with two tracks under the moniker "Introducing Moonface". The songs are amazing. Check out "Coming To At Dawn" below. This song has been part of the live shows of Sunset in the past and finally saw release under the Moonface picture disk released in May. Why I thought he would take a break is beyond me considering he is working with about 5 projects and many of them overlap. Some people are just genius in scope and have so much to offer. Spencer Krug is one of these guys. The new Moonface EP will be titled Dreamland EP: Marimba and Shit-Drums.

The tracks will be outstanding and reading this news when I woke (I missed it earlier in the week) set up Saturday to be very positive day, full of good energy. After fueling up with lashings of dark roast I jumped on the bike and hammered a very hard session. On my last rep my tire went flat which was kind of strange since I was on a trainer? It just popped so I had to do a quick change (something I am getting better at) and hopped on for the cool down. Right after I went for a 30 minute run because I still felt great. Solid day of work, topped off with Garden Grille and a couple of IPA's. Meanwhile in other parts of the world Frankie was battling riot police at the WTO protests in Geneva. Not that she was being anarchistic, she was just observing and it sounded and looked like it was a little out of control. Good experience for her all the same. I will get a couple of pics to post later. Happy camper right here.

Love Kel

The Future Of Us All

AM: 75 Minutes Trainer Ride

PM: 25 Minutes Run - Knee felt like exploding

Lazy day. Unlike the many revelers who were participating in consumption at silly hours, I remained tucked up in bed until after 9. A luxury rarely experienced these days, unless of course I only went to bed at about 4 AM, which is another indulgence rarely experienced anymore. I achieved very little today. Its a huge challenge when I'm still in pj's at 11 listening to the latest sounds on the blogosphere. And there was a lot to listen to. Even the world of music blogging had a day off yesterday. How dare they? Don't you guys realize that loyal readers such as moi don't enjoy day offs..........OK, that is not necessarily true, but a day like Thanksgiving is perfect for 2-4 hours of listening to new sounds.

I did some training despite being very lethargic and still suffering with a pounding headache. I was always going to do an easy day after yesterday so I was pleased to feel pretty good on the trainer. I was able to ride at high cadence for the whole 75 minutes and my HR was close to tempo effort the whole way. I got off the bike sat around for a bit and before jumping in the shower figured I'd go out and run. I can't make my knee worse and any chance to get a run in is welcome. Just 3.5 miles easy listening to John Digweed.

I am super excited about the upcoming MEW gig in Boston. I wore away "And The Glass Handed Kites" when I lived in Colorado. It was a perfect soundtrack when driving in winter conditions to Salt Lake or down to the ABQ. With the release of the epic (although not as good as ATGHK) "No More Stories....." they are doing a North American tour and I vowed not to miss them this time around. MEW put me in a great mood. Their music is extremely pop and atmospheric. They have a distinct Scandinavian sound and obviously the vocals, although sung in English, have a fantastic accent that make them richer and very innocent sounding. I use the word joyful to describe a lot of the music I like. However, joyful to me is significantly different to many other people. Radiohead's "Let Down" is one of the most joyful songs I've ever heard and considered to be extremely depressing by the masses. But Mew are to definition extremely joyful, aside from their beautiful end of the world lyrics. Below is the poppiest song off their new album. Great times ahead.

Love Kel

Be A War Child, Form A Circle

AM: 3:25 Bike Ride. W/ Intervals.

Had a great ride with Coxy this AM. The roads were empty allowing us to comfortably ride in the driving lane. Obviously we were passed by a couple of cars but at times it felt like the roads were closed. I wish it was Thanksgiving everyday. We pushed some sections of the ride really hard and I developed the mindset that today was going to be a session. After I dropped Lee off I did another 5 x 5 minutes all-out intervals. By the time I got home I was tanked and since the end of the ride I've had a splitting headache. Even now, after dinner and a lot of fluids I still feel like I have a hangover. I don't think I've ever experienced this before. Most likely its down to only drinking 1.5 bottles on the ride. When its cold I tend to forget about getting the fluids in. Headache aside, I feel great, all be it very full. All the carbs will be put to work tomorrow. For once I don't actually feel like I ate that much but like all Thanksgiving dinners, Vegetarian ones too, they are so carb heavy that the stomach fills quick. Mylene made a wonderful meal and I washed it down with a couple of Harpoons. Content and very much at ease right now.

Love Kel

Oh You Can Take Me To The Dragonslayer

Had a fantastic visit with Dr. McKeon today. Easily the best Ortho I have ever come across and I doubt there are many better, anywhere. The guy is like one of my mates. Completely gets it and needs no prompting or reassuring. I have ZERO time for indecision when it comes to matters of injury healing. I don't want to be told that I need to take a break or that I do too much. I don't want to hear about ice, ultra sound, stim, or anti-inflammatory pills. And I certainly don't want to hear "give it more time". I want what Brian McKeon does and says, which is, "you have a tear, here it is (points to MRI) and we need to get rid of it so I want you ready for Surgery on Dec 8th and if I can get you in before that are you willing to come?" That is proactive and realizing that time is precious and I am running out of it. He reckons I will be running by mid Jan. Now here is why he actually RULES. My left knee is the real problem. The favoring of my right leg has led to this tear but the left knee has the defect that my insurance company won't pay for. Doc told me today that if it holds me back in 2010 he'll do it anyway and won't worry about payment. He knows I can deal with a certain amount of training but if it gets worse he is going to go in and sort it out. Why? Because he gets it and since he works with the best Basketball players in the world he isn't exactly bleeding in the financial department. However, its more than that. He sees the desperation and desire and understands exactly what I'm feeling. I'm so impressed and if I were ever to become a Doctor (which would be impossible) I would want to be like this guy. Ok, enough of the stroking. I am in a better place and I believe that this surgery is going to be awesome.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving (I hate the term Turkey day) and even though I've been in the USA for 13 years I still don't relate to the holiday. I love the day off and the wine/beer consumption. I used to love the racing too. But everyone gets together with family and mine is across the ocean. This year Frankie is across the ocean too. I'm heading to Coxy and Mylenes and chances are we will drink Gansett and eat a lot of vegetarian fare. Stopping out to Ray Treacys for a drink at some point too. It will be a great day, kicked off with 4 hours in the saddle.

So Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends and know I give thanks for your friendship everyday. We haven't had Radiohead in a while.

Love Kel

Living In Your Dreams

Listening to the below track while trying to figure it all out. Trip to the Doc tomorrow for some Surgery prep. Not that I need any prep. There is a few potential changes on the job front. With this being the case I had a long day and didn't get in my planned training. Although I did get my rear wheel for the trainer set up so I can save my Zipp wheels for the real riding in the spring. Still on a high from Julian Plenti and getting the head together for a rendezvous with Mew next week.

Love,
Kel

I See Your Face And I Let You Own Me.

Friend Of Plenti

Just back from a beautiful gig in Boston. Better than the NYC show by a ways. This is how we learn.

Not too much on the exercise front today. A solid 3.5 mile run on my very painful knee to usher in the lunch time and the viewing of the annual NCAA XC. The coverage, which I am thankful for, was at best Amateur. Don't want to jump on the negative train because I appreciate Versus doing their bit but lets get some real runners in to do the interviews or something. Hell I'd do it for free! Some shoddy statements and observations and the camera work was marginal at best. But I got to see it live, and so did lots of others so hats off to Versus.

Then I went to see Julian Plenti for the second time on this tour. Frankie and I went to the opening in NYC which was a very unique experience because it was in the Guggenheim and it was a showcase for the new tour. Lots of scenesters, reporters, hipsters, and museum folk. Tonight was a rock show in a rock venue and I was lost in the music. Absolutely fantastic. If you get the opportunity to see Plenti, go along and become a friend!

Love Kel

One of the best songs of the night for me was "Unwind". Hopefully some video footage emerges.

'Cause Harmless Medications Abound And Your Not Sick

AM: 3:05 Bike Ride, Hard At The End

Today is the Irish National Championships, actually was the Champs. I have not seen results. The whole thing is very frustrating. I had big dreams of running the Euro Cross in Santry, Dublin. And I had aspirations of doing very well. When I won the Inter-Club Champs back in March my first thought crossing the line was that I will be back here in 8 months. Much fitter, stronger, and hungrier than anyone else. But now I am in a coffee shop preparing for knee surgery and I am about as far from European XC champs as I can be. I have finally got a scheduled Knee Operation happening on DEC 8th. The pain I have been complaining about in my right knee has turned out to be a pretty severe tear of the remaining meniscus. Ironically, I will now have a surgery to fix a problem that stemmed from favoring too much. I wonder what the folks at Blue Cross Blue Shield think of this? Its the only explanation. My right leg is very strong and the reason for my first surgery came after a fall on the trails of Boulder. Actually climbing a fence and some really clumsy action, not so much running on a trail. At least I made the 10 guys I was running with laugh hard. This knee surgery came out of nowhere. I had ZERO pain in my right leg, all the pain is in my left knee and a few months back my right knee just started to hurt. I complained but didn't really think there was significant damage until after NYC Marathon expo. The pain that resulted from standing in the Javits all day was unnatural and seriously drove me to drink. Now I know I'm not a moaner! So I go under the knife which is as natural as anti-biotics these days. Maybe more natural in fact. Plans to go home and watch Euro XC are now shelved for sure and I will head off the week after for some holidays.

Another wonderful Fall day here in Providence. I met up with Ben for a ride over a course I hadn't done before. It was terrific. Ben was putting in about 2 hours so I did some miles before we met up. We rode easy at first but got into a nice groove over the hills in South East Mass and when I dropped Ben off I hammered the last 30 minutes. I had some pent up energy/frustration that needed to be released. So I did my best Sean Kelly impersonation and thumped a big gear until my legs felt like jelly. I like to think I'm a decent bike rider but I put the A in Amateur when it comes down to it! I find myself at the bar of Blue State, a home away from home these days, listening to tunes and watching youtube footage of Julian Plenti shows over the past few nights. I cannot wait to get front and center at the Paradise tomorrow night. It will be another beautiful night of music to kick off a laid back week.

Peace and Love,

Kel

For The Price Of A Human Heart It's Really Not That Bad

AM: 3:55 Bike Ride, Easy/Steady

This whole warm November craic is really glorious. Epic in fact. I got out on the bike today and with the temps hitting mid 50 range coupled with sunshine I was not wasting the opportunity to get a solid ride in. I had to call on two friends to split my ride. I had the Ancient Aged Advisor for the first 2 hours and Coxy for the second 2 hours. Met Jay at Starbucks on Wayland and we headed out to Bristol on the East Bay Bike Path. I know we all want bike paths to be used frequently and by many people, thats the point and I get it. But there is a lot to be said for a 7:30 AM cold morning and lashing down a bike path that is empty. We were 2 abreast and had uninterrupted conversation for the whole ride. Jay was firing off his usual life philosophy and I was soaking it in. So much passion and drive is inspiring and basically 2 hours went by in a blink. I got back to Starbucks, grabbed espresso, and met Coxy. We went the opposite direction and headed North on the bike path up to Woonsocket. This was a little busier with the day heating up and all but still nothing compared to Summer. We could ride in a lane each almost the whole way and meeting Lee was also an opportunity to pick up the pace a little. Once I dropped him off I lashed it home pretty hard and avoided the desire to add on 5 minutes to make it 4 hours. I'm trying to get better with that stuff. Its all arbitrary anyway, 3:55, 4:00, 4:05, the work was done and I felt great.

I've been listening to THIS mix non-stop for the last few days. It by the guys at Binary Records and is a mix that reflects their sound. The music is Dreamwave and post New Wave, with elements of disco, house, and breezy soundscapes. There are links to a lot of the music that I have been posting here and I am very happy I came across this blog. Another blog, this one about cycling is also good - Ritte Van Vlaanderen is a bike team out of LA and they are purists. Their blog is hilarious and if I could grab a few scoops with these guys I would. What has this got to do with music? Nothing. But I thought I'd mention it. Anyway, the guys at Binary are putting out some music that is for sunsets on sandy beaches. With old man winter coming in I think its a good time to have these sounds playing. The track below is by Million Young, a DJ/Producer from Florida. He creates beautiful, ambient, electronic tunage that lifts spirits, hearts and minds. I wish the best for this guy. More people putting out these killer, dreamwave tracks, more happy folks we'll have. And everybody wins.

Off to Not Just Snacks for the best Veggie Samosas in the world.

Peace and Love

Kel

Positron

AM: 65 Minutes Steady Trainer Ride

PM: 20 Minutes Run - To Make My Knee Sore

PM: 36 Minutes Swim

Work from home days are fantastic, although motivation to do actual work can sometimes be hard to find. I needed to do a lot of computer cleaning but found myself listening to music extremely loud all day. Not that I did nothing, rather I just wasn't that productive. I managed a solid day of exercise all the same. Kicked things off earlier with a trainer ride, spending most of the time in a tempo zone. Avoided the temptation to do intervals by listening to some downtempo and indie rock music by The Album Leaf, Stripmall Architecture, Bat For Lashes, and some Amiina. Nothing too exciting at all. Just a solid ride for 65 minutes in one gear at a pretty hard tempo.

I am going to see my Ortho tomorrow morning and my knee has not felt too bad since I've done no running or precor on it since Austin. I decided to go for an easy 3 mile to flare it up so I would have more specific feedback rather than giving myself delusions that it may be getting better. I have an early start but if I get my ass out of bed I can do another 3 miles in the morning to really screw it up. I want to get in for surgery asap and if it really hurts when I am in there the Doc will take one look at the desperation in my eyes and know I can't mess around.

Went up to the pool after for another slog. I really need some lessons because I fail to see how I can possibly become a faster, more efficient swimmer by doing the same old routine.

Thinking of buying tix to see Friendly Fires in Boston. It's on two nights after Mew and it will mean three shows at the Paradise in 10 days. Leaning towards going but with Fuck Buttons playing Great Scott next Wednesday the 25th it would be 4 shows in 10 days in Boston. Its a bit of an epic week for music actually. Why it all happens at the same time I don't know. Knowing my luck I'll be scheduled for Surgery right before the Mew gig and I'll up missing both shows. Things kick off with Julian Plenti next Monday night. Looking forward to seeing Plenti again, and in a venue actually made with music in mind and not wine drinking. And with that, some Album Leaf to bring in the dreams.

Thats the buzz,

Love KEL

Gone Are The Days Bonfires Make Me Think Of You

PM: 1:40 Trainer Ride

Building up the training load as I get better. I had a very solid session today. The time went by super fast, helped by boiling frustration that Ireland got knocked out of the World Cup by a blatant (and later acknowledged) handball from Thierry Henry and some cheesy Trance and Progressive House tunes. When it comes time to do hard intervals I tend to turn my back on my beloved sounds and opt for the hands in the air anthems.

30 Minutes Warm Up followed by 10 minutes of alternating single leg drills. Next up was a 10 minute hill climb with the first 5 minutes out of the saddle, really hard. Needed a decent break after that. Moved into 6 x 3 minutes where one minute of each effort was out of the saddle, and after that was a set of tabatha sprints. I cooled down about 10 minutes and was completely jocked and very satisfied. Completely over the cold I had and back in the saddle.

FrYars has been around for ages. Stereogum had him as a 'Band To Watch' back in 2007 and I didn't pay much attention. Not saying I didn't like the sounds. I literally had too much music going on and I didn't even listen. That sounds pathetic but its true. Then while reading about music (something I do in all my spare time) I saw his name attached to a song and the words "Feat. Dave Gahan". I immediately jumped all over it. And then I realize the tune has been out for a year (almost). I've got no idea how I missed this. The track is simply amazing. His album came out in September and I will be picking up. But before that I have to stop listening to this track on repeat. Dave Gahan is simply awesome. And as for Mr Ben Garett, hats off me man. I will be buying the record.

Peace and Love

Kel

In The Flowers

PM: 75 Minutes Trainer w/ 25 Min Tempo

Drank way to much coffee today. I'd hate to put a total on it but if I were to guess I'd say I put away about 64 oz (thats being conservative to make myself feel better). I was hammering away at orders, sitting at the bar of Blue State Coffee and I just kept refilling my 16oz Sigg mug. Blue State offers free refills and although I don't like to take advantage today was one of those days that I did. Funny thing though, I am no different after 4 or 5 mugs of coffee as I am after one. I don't get too hyped up which tells me that I am already pretty strung and I should really back off caffeine completely. But coffee is so good.

I was super excited to get on the bike this afternoon. I am feeling a lot better today and my energy is back. 75 minutes seemed like a decent workload considering I have missed a few days and even though I feel better I'm not actually better. Since I came off the bike I've been completely at ease and tomorrow I will resume normal training loads. My 25 minutes of tempo was really enjoyable. I pushed my HR up to the 170 range and held it there, feeling amazing all the way. Tomorrow I'll do some longer reps getting the rep workout total into the 30-35 minute range.

Yesterday I mentioned having come across so much music I've never heard. It continued today and I have about 6 groups that I need to explore and purchase. I don't know anything about the band Monarchy because their myspace is pretty much bare. They are from London and their demo track "Gold In The Fire" is really lovely. The track is another in a long line of 80's sound throwback tunes that I simply can't get enough of. The synths are straight out of any one of the hundreds of 80's high school flicks. I know I will eventually get very bored of this sound but right now I find it really uplifting. Its a joy to listen to while banging out reps on an indoor trainer. I have included the original and the Diamond Cut remix which is awesome and really highlights the epic parts of the original. Happy tunes.

Love Kel

Am I Still Ill

PM: Hour Easy On The Bike Trainer

I should have undoubtably taken a day off but Kim said going for a run made her feel a lot better so I figured I would try the same. It worked for an hour and then things went pear shaped. I do think I am over the worst of this cold/flu but I still should have sat on my arse tonight. I find it difficult to do anything less than 60 minutes on the bike. Its something I really need to get over. Got all my right knee medical reports from Boulder sent to Dr. Brian McKeon. Hopefully I can get in to see him asap. Need to sort this out.

The PC Track reunion was on Saturday night and was awesome. It was great to see so many friends gather and to connect with guys that pounded the pavement around the tiny campus over 40 years ago. For those guys to see the facilities and support the team gets now makes me realize that even I was lucky despite still using the old Peterson center. Those guys had very little but still put in the miles and still made the PC team what it is today. The next day I had a hangover but worse than that was the realization that the illness I've been fighting decided to attack. All day was spent in the scratch, achieved by knocking myself out with Nyquil and Termaflu tea. I feel good right now and I am hoping I sleep a bit tonight. 12+ hours of sleep is like hibernation for me. Could be a long evening.

Since posting "Two Door Cinema Club", I've been addicted. Great electro pop music that reminds me of early Bloc Party. The three guys are from Ireland too which makes it even better. We need to keep putting out acts. Only one more track from these guys and then I move on. Yesterday was Ali Love - Diminishing Returns. Yes it is a complete "When Doves Cry" rip off but still enjoyable. Could easily post three or four tracks tonight, lots of great music coming out now.

Peace and Love

Off To The Reunion

No, We Won't Stop Playing

Just back from a busy 5 days in Austin. Great city, great energy, great weather. Rather than take the week off like I said I would I decided to cross train using the Precore. It may have been a mistake because I did some two a days and my knee is jocked in a similar fashion as it might be if I ran. I did learn flipturns in the pool however which is a positive.

The week called for a lot of late nights but not super early starts so I felt great until today which is not good. But thats irrelevant because with my current stress there is a lot more to worry about then a little cold. I got all the info out of Boulder regarding my first couple of knee surgeries on my right knee. Mike Silva thinks they may be seeing some of the old surgery issues on the Pics. I am going to have the MRI looked at again, comparing it to the pics and report from 3 years ago. This could be positive because it may mean the tear is not as bad as the report suggested. I will still need an operation but it may be less work and thus quicker recovery.

I was disappointed not to get to any shows in Austin. There were a few bands playing but there seemed to be things going on every night. No worries because I have plenty (plenti) to look forward to. Tomorrow night is the PC track team reunion which should be great fun.

Can't stop listening to the song below. I need to get more from these guys.

Love Kel

Sleeping Is For Dreamers

AM: 2:08 Bike Ride Scituate Rez Loop

What a day, 69 degrees, super sunny, and a great energy in the air. My mood was immediately lifted when I got a text from Ben enquiring my interest levels at going out for a ride. The only let down of the whole experience was only doing 42 miles. We should have went 4 hours but it was later in the day and Ben has not been riding much lately. All positive.

I got the results of my MRI and the news is not good for me. My right knee, which has been perfect is no longer intact. There is a sizable oblique meniscus tear which will require surgery. How messed up this whole situation seems is unfathomable to me. My left knee needs surgery to fix a major defect but my insurance company won't pay for it so by trying to run I end up favoring my right knee which develops an injury of its own that requires surgery. Maybe this is why Blue Cross does not want to pay for any more surgery because things in my knees rip and tear very easily. The arthritis in my knees is very bad and the running scene might just have to stop. Even though I sound like a broken techno record (many of which I have in the basement) this really could be it. BUT, if the surgery will fix it then we can revisit. Much of the stream of conscious that I write here is like my running advice. Do as I say not what I do, and like the things I write here, its not what I ever do. By telling myself that this is the last knee surgery I am having it makes the winter on the trainer easier. But the reason I will kill myself on the trainer is to maintain fitness to run. None of this makes sense but to me its very clear. And anyway, whats the kelrock blog without a solid knee injury. Maybe its something about RI because I feel like everyone is hurt with something or another.

I had a few scoops on the weekend and have now dealt with it (somewhat) and tomorrow I am off to Austin for work. No exercise for a few days and maybe a good lash of scoops on sixth street with friends is what I need. Blog action will resume as normal but there may not be too much to write about. Years best albums, and albums of the decade will be getting priority!

Awesome new video to Grizzly Bear - Ready, Able. Check it

Peace and Love

Kel

Bring On The Dancing Horses

PM: 90 Minutes Trainer Ride - Workout

Man, my google alerts are being inundated with Radiohead news stories, except they are not the band Radiohead stories, rather they are about a race horse named Radiohead. I don't like horse racing anymore (not that I ever loved it or really even liked it) but its cool that some owner named their horse after the best band on the planet.

Not sure why that was worth talking about but I just checked my alerts for news and the first 4 stories were horse racing related. Tonight, I banged out a hard session on the bike. Probably pointless since I am only trying to keep general fitness but I was in a self torture mood for no particular reason. I just thought about Forest Gump right as I wrote that sentence. Anyway, I warmed up for 20 minutes and for the next hour I did intervals ranging from 20 second tabatha sprints to single leg efforts to out of the saddle hill climbs. I was dying at the end but so content with the work I put in. The evening was made better by going to Abes for a few pints with the fearless leader and Coxy. I Like Thursdays.

If you like the band Fiery Furnaces you should probably reconsider. They gave the middle finger to Radiohead because they thought that the song "Harry Patch, In Memory Of" was actually about an American composer Harry Partch. They proceeded to claim Radiohead were simply trying to associate themselves with things that other people consider cool. How silly do they look now. The Fiery Furnaces, pathetic. You only wish you had the talent of Radiohead. But you don't.

Love Kel

With A Buzz In Our Ears We Play Endlessly

PM: 90 Minutes Trainer Ride - Steady Tempo Effort

There is a significant chance that Liverpool will not qualify for the Champions League knockout stages. Awful. And very frustrating. A season that started with so much promise looks like it will be the worst under Rafa's watch and questions must be asked. Energy was low when I got on the bike but after the first beads of sweat crested my brow the energy was back and I was firing. No matter how tired I feel it seems to drift away at the first elevation of the HR. When I still feel awful after the first 10 minutes then I know I'm tired and I stop. After 90 minutes today I was still hungary for more but the wise part of my brain encouraged me to get off. Lovely evening in the saddle.

Driving home I was cleaning up old CD's that litter my car. Some really terrible ones too ! They find their way into cracks and under the seat during the moving process. I had to toss a couple because they are brutal. But found a few great ones including Portishead - Third. One of my favorite albums of 2008. I forgot I bought a hard copy.......thats a sign of the times if there ever was one! So I listened and was completely content. What an amazing journey. The Rip is my favorite track, and not just because Thom York covered it, but because it is beautiful.

Love Kel

Lets Go Down The Waterfall

PM: 75 Minutes Bike Trainer Ride

PM: 31 Minutes Swim

It felt so good to workout again. 6 days off, with the exception of a dodgy run in Central Park, does not help the head or the heart. So tonight, I jumped on my trainer and did a solid 75 minutes steady. I went straight up to PC pool after and managed to swim for just over 30 minutes. Not a straight swim mind you, more a warm up followed by random reps of 50, 75, and 100 yards. my arms are hanging off me right now, evidence that I have a long way to go before I become shark like and blitz through the water. Ok maybe not shark, but you get the vibes.

Nothing beats starting off the day in a GE cylindrical imagining machine getting in depth pictures of my knee. I've had 6 MRI's on my knees now and a total of 14 MRI's in my career. 3 Shin, 2 Pelvis, and 3 Sacrum. This is what I can remember, there could have been a couple more. I fell asleep to the jackhammer sound but if it was quite I would not have fallen asleep. Odd, I know. Having a REM sleep while getting an MRI clearly indicates that I'm tired from the week in NYC. And since the unplanned Nap I have felt amazing. To celebrate being one day closer to an answer about my knee pain I listened to Sigur Ros, loud. I also spoke to Frankie on Skype which is amazing.

So the plan of attack (I have to many plans, and none of them ever come to fruition) is to ride and swim all week, awaiting results. If there is no tear then I will get aggressive on the therapy, and if there is a tear I will get another surgery. At this stage it is more natural to get Knee Surgery than it is to run races. It will be my last running related surgery because if it comes down to operation number 4 it might be time to listen to the alarm bells and stop running. Hopefully it does not come to this but I don't feel like getting a knee replacement at 32. I have many more raves and concerts to attend........

Love Kel

Here I'm Allowed, Everything All Of The Time

I'm alive. Just on the road in NYC for the last week. I had the New York Marathon Expo to look after and as per usual I promise myself lots of breaks and bed early and as per usual I take no breaks and I stay up late. Its an intense 4 days but really fun. The only downside is the pain I have in my knees. Working an expo for 13 hours is worse on the knees than any run. I was feeling depressed after the last day because of how sore my knees were and watching excited athletes on the eve of the marathon didn't help.

The marathon itself was awesome. I was really happy to see USA get their first win in over 25 years and even more pleased to see Meb get it done. He has been such a consistent performer since graduating from UCLA in 1998 and in recent years has somewhat slid under the radar. With Teg, Ritz and Hall putting forth such amazing performances it seemed that everyone forgot about Meb. The joy he exuded after crossing the line showed that he probably felt some of that loss of spotlight too. It was a real wake up to everyone that Meb is one of the best American distance runners we have ever seen. He really deserved the win and I believe everyone was genuinely happy for him. Ryan Hall may not have lived up to his pre race favorite tag but 2:10 being a "bad" run in New York shows what a class act the guy is. Lots of friends had good runs but I was disappointed for Paula Radcliffe who carrying an injury faded to 4th. Great day and another first class event by NYRR.

Been off the music scene for a week now. Really frustrated by this because I just got on the blogs for the first time and I have missed a lot of stuff. Therefore I have a lot of reading to do tonight and tomorrow. I am getting an MRI on my right knee to see how severe the loss of cartilage is on that side. Nothing like having two battered knees and attempting to still run.

Keeping the faith and the love,

Kel