Evan Dando vs My Running

I had a tempo run on schedule for Monday.

I hate tempo runs.

My iPod refused to play my Evan Dando playlist (rude), so I settled for whatever random stuff I had on there.

My tempo run was... good. Not just, like, I didn't die good. Like, for real, actual good.

Conclusion: Evan Dando has been the key to my recent crappy runs.

Gabby's birthday is tomorrow, and we picked up the ONE THING she's been asking for for ages....

I have no idea. I've certainly never recommended fishing.

I've been obsessively checking weather reports for our camping trip this weekend. Last week, there was a chance of showers on Saturday. That would suck. Then, it shifted to Tuesday. Awesome.

But then it shifted to Wednesday. And then Thursday.

Plus, there's this.

Brrr. WHY did I think October camping in the mountains was a good plan?? Assuming I survive the bears, I sure hope I don't succumb to hypothermia.

Someday, I will learn that I cannot keep candy at my desk.



I took a total rest day yesterday, in my ProCompression socks (orange might be my favorite....). I intended to come home, do weights, and eat chicken for dinner. Instead, I played Trouble, and made pizza. Way better.

Tonight, I get to do my long run. 16 exciting miles, after work. Whee?

I don’t get bored watching the tube

but holy bejesus, the Olympics are KILLING me.

They're on so, so late, and there's so much filler, and for REAL, what was that indoor cycling velodrome thing the other day? WHY?

I mean. I was super gung-ho about the whole deal before it started. I don't think I realized it was going to air until midnight every single day, and that NBC would stretch out all the good stuff so I was forced to not get enough sleep by staying up way past my bed time everydayeverydayeveryday.

Rude.

And the men's marathon is being aired here at, like, 3 or 4 am Sunday.

That's really early.
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For the first time in, like, 2 months, I've been following my PFTW.

Since I started tapering for Seattle (BACK IN JUNE), I kind of took my training schedule as a suggestion. Was I tired? Eh, let's skip that run. Does my shin feel wonky? Maybe. Adios, speedwork. Too hot out? Later, gator, long run.

It did not make for an easy return to 800's last night.

I did them, and I didn't die (clearly, but it was questionable for a few minutes....). Glancing back through my plan, it looks like my 800 pace now is a bit faster than it was the last time I was told to do them.

Not fun. Not fun a tiny bit.

1 mile warm up, 6x800 @ 8:40 pace, 400 RI, 1/2 mi cool. Actual intervals: 8:42, 8:42, 8:42, 8:36, 8:36, 8:30. 

It felt really, really hard. REALLY HARD. I know, I know, speed work is not supposed to be easy. But man. It wasn't a good time to be me. Also, my quads feel sleepy. Is that a thing?

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Do you know where I snagged the title of this blog today? No? Google tells me (shocker!) it's a Lemonheads song!

This is relevant today (I mean, don't be confused, Evan is relevant every.day.ever), because rumor has it, a fall tour is being announced any moment.

Well, that was the rumor yesterday. Which prompted a flurry of emails amongst a small group of people, typed entirely like this:

OMG DID YOU SEE THIS??!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe a little overkill on the caps and !!!!. Maybe.

I don't want to brag or anything (lies, I kind of do), but Evan and I are pretty chummy, thanks to the Twitter machine.

Oh, hey there, Becka.

Man, I love the internet.

I ain't sayin you ain't pretty

• When was the last time I did bullet points?


• My to do list today after work: 1. pick up chemo at the pharmacy, 2. stop at REI for Nuun and GU.


• The AC in my office has gone wonky. It apparently doesn't run at night (fine), because it's warm when I open my office. Then, around 10, for 10 minutes every half hour, it runs FULL BLAST. That makes it FREEZING (not fine). I don't like to be cold. I'm pretty much getting hypothermia.


• I am running 20 miles tomorrow. TWENTY. Do you know how far that its? IT'S FAR.


• I've been mildly obsessed (shocking) by Evan Dando performing Different Drum for... oh... weeks. I know. Someone should stop me.


• Goofy registration opens next week. Who's running? (Psst, I am)


• Actual Wine and Dine planning has begun, too. I am SUPER SUPER STOKED for this one - a bunch of my non-bloggy friends are running. So excited.


• I had a tempo run last night. I really hate tempo runs, but every now and then one isn't SOO bad, and I think it could be less horrible than I think.


• Warm up was dreadful. Everything hurt. And not just, like, man my legs sure are tired I've been doing so much hurt, like motherEFFER that hurts ow, maybe I should stop. But sometime between mile 1 and 1.5, the ow stopped, and my body realized I wasn't just stopping. And it decided to play nicely.


• Actual tempo run: Scheduled for: 2@10:30, 2@10:00, 1@9:30. Actual: 10:30, 10:21, 10:01, 9:46, 9:14. Take THAT, tired legs.


• Um. I also registered for my 4th marathon. Before I've done my first one. I KNOW. IMS Arizona - registration is only $35 right now. I think it goes up pretty soon, but even with the increase it's CHEAP. Do it. This crazy and THIS crazy will be there too.


• I got an email Wednesday about a caramel blizzard at Dairy Queen. I know exactly what I'm doing Saturday afternoon.


• Go wish Haute Running Mama happy birthday!

Knoxville - The City of Dreams. Also, PFTW

You guys, I don't think Evan Dando listened when I said I was worried about him.

Because that guy, he is looking ROUGH.

I pinky-promise this is my very, very last post about ED (until their next tour...), promise.

My weekend shook down like this....

6am flight, from Orange County. Arrived Knoxville 3:40pm.

I know nothing about Knoxville, or Tennessee, but turns out? It's kinda pretty.

Met Holly from Nothing but Bonfires at the Bijou Theater for drinks and some light Evan Dando stalking...

...which works out great, because in addition to being a lovely person, she's MAYBE as obsessed as I am.

Which is how we ended up walking down the street at the back of the theater and randomly running into Evan Dando outside.

Yes, that happened, and it was magical, and awkward, and glorious, and funny, and sad, all at the same time.

He looks ROUGH. I thought he looked rough in Boulder, but man. That dude is living HARD. Also, he needs to wash his hair. And his shirt.

Anyway, to overshare, he advised us that he was really tired, that he has been touring a really long time (true), and he wasn't sure how things were going to go. However, they went magically, and it was a great, great show, and I am - I think - over my obsession. Especially because they are now heading to Europe, and according to the H, I am unable to cross the ocean to see Lemonheads.

And then the show was over, we ate amazing guacamole...

before heading back to our hotel. Delicious.

Got to our hotel, and discovered that Evan and crew were staying at the same hotel. We tried some light stalking (as in, sitting in the lobby...), but no further sightings.

2 hours of sleep later, I was back at Knoxville's tiny airport, and home by 10:30am. And then I ate, and took a 30 minute nap, and ran 10 miles. I will have to keep that memory tucked away next time I think I can't possibly do a run because omg I haven't fueled properly or didn't sleep enough.

10 miles, fueled by 2 hours of sleep and guacamole.

Then I took #1 to the magic bakery and bought all the things.

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Plan for the Week!

Last week... 21 miles total
Tuesday: 4 miles easy, 42:37
Wednesday: 1 mile easy, 10:45; strength conditioning class
Thursday: 6 miles speed work, 1 mile warm up, 4 miles strides (600 regular pace, 200 realllly fast, repeat, 1 mile cool down). Awful. 200's suck (PS, someone asked, I was doing 7:55 pace for the 200's).
Saturday: Easy 2.5 mile walk through Knoxville.
Sunday: 10 miles, easy pace, 1:53:18.

This week....
Tuesday: 7 miles easy
Wednesday: 2-3 miles easy, strength conditioning
Thursday: 7 miles tempo (<------GROSSIHATETEMPORUNSGROSS)
Saturday: 12 miles, 6 alone plus 6 with PCRF

It's Friday I'm in Love

Last night, I was scheduled for something new - 200's. I've never run 200's. I did it on the treadmill, because I just... felt like it? I don't know.

Turns out, 200's are REALLY, REALLY FAST. I literally felt like it was hard for my stubby legs to keep up with the treadmill. That's kind of terrifying.

About 1/3 of the way through (lame) I sent a text to The H complaining.

They crack me up. My kids are the best.

Anyway, 1 mile warm up, 4 miles strides (600 regular pace, 200 realllly fast, repeat, 1 mile cool down. 6 miles, 1:04:06, 10:40 overall pace. Considering my warm up/cool down miles were 11:30 EACH.... that's pretty fast for me and the stubby legs.

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Ummm... do I know anyone in Knoxville? I'll be in Knoxville this weekend, randomly, for about 18 hours.

{source}

I don't even know what to really say. I hope it's a better show than Boulder? Do you hear that, Evan Dando? Be better.

{source}

According to YouTube, he's been wearing that shirt for approximately 6 months. I mean, I've seen it twice already....

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Team Gab Update!

First.... Karen at la chanson de ma vie ran a freaking 50K for Team Gab! Her race report starts here - part 1, and part 2 is here.

13 members running with us in May. Over $3,000 raised. You guys rock my socks.

Then, I got an email from Sandy at BIC Bands last night.

So… you wanna be the first to know?!!
I just totaled the numbers for Jan & Feb =)

Jan donation will be $1500
and Feb will be $1100

For a grand total of $2600 for PCRF!!!!!

SOO exciting!!

You guys.

I followed that email up with a very eloquent thank you.

SHUT. UP.

Are you serious????

Holy crap!!!

Seriously.

Thank you, to everyone who donated, who bought headbands, who shared the story and donation link.

Thank you.

This kid had a lumbar puncture yesterday, and tons of chemo, and then spent the day having lunch with me at Chili's, playing outside, and going to Target.

I don't know how she does it.

Some people have commented about how strong we are, how positive we are, that they would be melting down.

TRUST me when I say, I have moments. Mostly, they're when I'm alone, driving to or from work, randomly something will cross my mind, and the next thing I know, I'm a puddle of snot and tears. Honestly, a lot of times what does it to me, is seeing how brave my 5 year old is. Thinking about how incredibly blessed we are.

We are so freaking lucky.

Livestrong posted this $hit Cancer Patients Say this week, and it's freaking hilarious. It's all true.


And, finally, the winner for Team Gab Virtual Race giveaway this week!

Thank you, random.org....

Congrats, Miss Zippy! Check out the remaining prizes, and let me know what you'd like!

Weekend Roundup, Plan For The Week

1. If you missed it last week, I am EXTENDING the Team Gab Virtual Run an additional 2 week. You can CLICK HERE to read the details and sign up. There are still prizes from BIC Bands, Tommie Copper, Arctic Ease, Road ID, ViiAD Jewelry, and MORE.

2. Team Gab is sitting at $2,994 in fundraising - do you know what that is?

It's $6 away from $3,000. If everyone who read this donated a dollar, I bet we could top 3Grand TODAY.

And, if you donate a dollar - just one, tiny $1 - today, I'll add 3 entries to the Team Gab Virtual Run giveaway for this coming Friday.

Click HERE to donate.

3. PCRF kicked off their training program Saturday with what looks like about DOUBLE the size of the group we had last year - that is AMAZING.

Pepper, our fearless leader (and organizer) reported that the VIP Training participants had raised a total of $7,870 dollars as of Sunday.

Coach Doris is still extra peppy...

IF YOU ARE IN SOCAL, AND ON THE FENCE ABOUT JOINING.... Renegade Racing is offering a 15% discount good through tonight at midnight. You can register HERE, select "Join a Team", type in "Team Gab", and use discount code "presidentrenegade".

The VIP option is an EXCELLENT choice if you want to join a fun group, receive professional coaching and training, and raise money. If you are interested, email me for info.

4. After my run with the group, I went home and put on real person clothes, and headed back out to do some shopping for a party #2 had to go to....

oops. Lulu-aide strikes again.

5. Then we took #2 to the party, sat in Souplantation eating all the things for 90 minutes, went back to pick her up, and locked our keys in the car. So, that was fun.

6. Sunday, I skipped anything active. Yeah. That's right. I skipped a 10 mile run. I didn't cycle like I said I would instead. I slept until 7:30, woke up and won a couple eBay auctions. And then went shopping with #1.

Best purchase of the day. $4!! Then, I met my friend and her pretty baby at Souplantation and sat around eating all the things (again!) until it was lava cake time. It's true, that happened. Followed by a trip to 85*C bakery, again.

Yes, FourSquare, in fact I DO love fresh baked goodness.

7. And that brings us to today, where apparently I'm the ONLY PERSON in OC working.

LAME.

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To recap last week....
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 6 miles, easy, 1:04:47, 10:47 pace. (Of note, my real 10K PR is 1:06:05....)
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: Normally, this is speed work day. But, I was extra tired and thought I needed some extra rest.
Friday: ...and switched my 10x400 to here. Turns out, I was STILL extra tired, and probably should have made this an easy run, but instead, I did this:

Man, did it suck. It was my first time running intervals outside (thanks to some EXCELLENT directions from The Jesse!), so it definitely took a few tries to get the feel for the correct pace. When I got home and uploaded my data, I am equally horrified and excited to report, there were SEVERAL points that I was running 6:03-6:08 pace. I don't even know how to fathom how fast that is, and it's OBVIOUSLY unintentional. I had no idea that capability even existed in my super short stupid slow legs. Anyway, in the end, I think I loved doing the intervals outside, I think I just clearly need to practice this more - and now that it's staying light out longer, I don't feel so creepy running outside alone.

Saturday: 4 miles, easy pace with PCRF. LOVE THIS GROUP.

For this week.....
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 6 miles easy
Wednesday: I might try to hit the Mind Body class PCRF provides for us. Maybe. It's so early, though - 6am. And then I'd have to come into work late. So... not sure.
Thursday: 6 miles easy
Friday: rest
Saturday: RACE DAY (for REAL, I've double checked). 10K. I'll post later about my goals.

I feel like this was really long, and you're probably not reading still by this point, so now seems like a good time to throw in that I'm reallllllly excited and again, equally ashamed, to start planning a trip to Knoxville (Knoxville, no really) to see Lemonheads March 3. I know. I'm out of control. It's madness. In my defense, this time, This Lady started it. And, we're in agreement that considering my BFF Evan Dando's current lifestyle, there's no telling how much time we really have left to enjoy him. So.... might as well.

Things I Love.

1. Bollywood.

{source}

2. Okapi's. Zebra? Giraffe? DON'T KNOW!

{source}

3. Evan Dando covering Whitney Houston.

{source}

4. Poppies.

5. Pineapple.

{source}

6. Once Upon a Time.

{source}

7. Blackjack.

{source}

8. Alias.

{source}

9. Mountains, streams, waterfalls, and meadows.

10. Cooking delicious things.

11. That things like this can come from running, and writing about running.

{click HERE to donate to Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation}

12. Friends - internet and IRL - that truly *get* me.

13. These fools.

14. And this one, too.

Dear Evan Dando, We Need to Talk.

Years and years ago, when you graced the pages of People Magazine's Most Beautiful People edition, I was thrilled. You WERE awfully pretty....

I mean, I liked the Lemonheads. But mostly, I liked your pretty face. It wasn't my fault. Who could resist this?

In my young (as in, high school) and superficial mind, you were a pretty face that sang pretty things.

But I always bought your CD's. When my first kid was born, I would sing "Into Your Arms" to her when she fell asleep (poorly, so I apologize, #1).

When I got my first iPhone, years ago, Lemonheads were among my first iTunes downloads.

{source}

When I started running, my playlist was comprised solely of songs I knew the lyrics to, and could sing along with (have I mentioned I'm a terrible, terrible singer?). Lemonheads made more appearances than any other artist.

All of this to say, Evan Dando, that you've been part of my life for a really, really long time.

Twenty years is a long time.

When I saw you were playing in OC last October, I was GIDDY. I don't know that I've ever bought tickets to something with so much excitement.

And it was magic.

I'm a little OCD sometimes. And I've been mindlessly youtubing you for MONTHS now. And if I didn't really appreciate Evan Dando and the Lemonheads before, I for sure do now.

I laughed, in a mortified kind of way, at your rendition of Billie Jean.

I could play your version of Like a Rose over and over.

I spent 30 minutes fascinated by PESTO.

But, this is the thing, Evan Dando.

I not only made plans to go see a SECOND show in Boulder, but I pushed another blogger off the fence and over the edge of crazy.

And through Snowpocalypse, I made my Internet BFF drive me to the Fox Theater.

And the show was okay.

Not magic. Just okay.

I saw you walk by while I was on the phone outside...

But you looked pretty... melancholy.

You're still pretty, even if you look as if you've aged a dozen years in the past 4 months...

I'd guess touring for months on end would be tiring.

But your voice is still lovely. It always pleases me when artists sound as good live as they do recorded... and you probably sound even better live.

The playlists snagged from the stage after you left were full of interesting songs that you skipped. You had the entirety of It's a Shame About Ray listed, but still mixed up some songs.

You had the words to Hard Drive typed up for you...

You seemed not super excited to be there.

Bummer.

Was it Snowpocalypse? I mean, I can understand how that would irritate anyone...

On our way out, after your relatively short set... I told Holly I was considering ways to finagle another trip to another show (Disney Princess Half what?!). But after that mess, I was leaning towards not.

But then, while innocently youtubing a new Evan Dando playlist, I found recordings of shows, made as recently as late January... and they were GOOD. Full of energy.

And now I'm busily plotting a redemption show.

My husband is less than amused at my obsession.

Flying out to the east coast for a(nother) concert seems crazy, even by my standards, so I probably won't do it. I am resigning myself to wait patiently for your next tour.

Based on your Tweeting, I sure hope you make it that long....

Best,

The totally not I swear creepy stalker,

H.

{what's that? this is a running blog? Right... 5 miles, Tuesday, easy pace, nothing exciting to report.}