First proper run in a long time.

Just over five miles, for what it's worth. Six months ago, I ran that twice a day as often as not, and more than a minute per mile faster, and laden. But a year before that I hardly ran at all. There is plenty of progress to be made, so long as I'm smart about not doing too much too fast. I know that running with a mask on doesn't give the same effect as altitude training (I'd need a portable hypoxicator for that, if such a thing even exists), but I do look forward to being able to run without any mask on with a clear conscience. Plenty of folks around here run with no mask on. Conclude from that what you will.

Tomorrow will be interesting. The morning will consist of stretching as well as full-body strength training, with a couple of medium-length bike rides in the afternoon, followed by donating platelets and a longer bike ride home. This is one of the (many) reasons I'll never run any sporting event at any significantly competitive level; I'm not single-minded enough. If you told me I could run the Boston Marathon next year and finish in the top ten percent, but I'd have to stop donating blood, I'd turn it down. Heck, I'd turn it down even if it meant I'd finish in the top ten people.

As regards other matters, I've cleaned off and reorganized my back porch (such as it is), reformatted a few long-overdue personal documents, submitted my final paper for my latest college course, and started another batch of fire cider. For anyone who doesn't know, "fire cider" is just code for "we soaked a bunch of stuff in cider vinegar". Mine consists of apple cider vinegar mixed with grated horseradish, chopped onions, minced garlic and ginger, peppercorns, lemon and orange zest, and a few hot chili peppers. After letting it soak for about a month, I strain it and let it settle; then I draw off the clear liquid from the top. That's the fire cider. What's it good for, you may ask? One shot of it will clear your sinuses in about two seconds. It's regarded by some as a sort of general tonic; I take a shot every morning and it wakes me up faster that coffee does. Speaking of coffee, stand by for the results of my first experiment with "bulletproof coffee" (coffee with butter in it).