Wednesday, July 28, 2010

so hard!

Okay, summer doesn't get any hotter, here. It's nine at night, exactly as humid as the rest of the day was. I got off work early tonight, I had every excuse not to go for my 5k tempo lined up and executing themselves through my loudspeaker. It's too hot, I worked too hard today, I already taught a skate lesson, I got my cardio chasing my mower, I sweated too much, I will dehydrate, my shoes are worn out, my feet are worn out, my knees are worn out, my toes are sore from the harsh manicure I gave myself, I'm so stiff, I'm so tiredddddddddd, I'll just add it onto tomorrow's/next day's/next week's, no biggie, I wanted to scale them back a bit anyways.
I threw some popcorn into the micro, and started planning my crawling into sleep rituals. As the corn was popping, I found myself gathering up my Ipod and armband, putting my shoes on, setting the distance, putting FU Manchu , the "Go For It" live album on to play me through, and then I was in the road, groaning, "Nooooooo, I don't wanna gooooooo."
But I was off.
It was hot.
Everything hurt.
I had no energy.
The aches and swellies came on before the first km was done.
I was tired.
My mouth was so dry.
I was so sweaty.
I hated most of it.
But I had a moment or two where I was so glad I went.
Now sitting typing and listening to the new Gwar that plays like a funny comic book in my head, I can't wait to go crawl into bed and sleep satisfied that I made my way today the hard way.
I won.
I think my popcorn tastes better for it.

Monday, July 26, 2010

make that 260!

Long run tonight. Was dreading it by the time it was go.
Hottest day of the year so far, and I worked through the thick of it, bent over tugging out Shasta daisies and blackberry roots. Sweating buckets. I tried to swim when I was done, but although the river was a perfect cool, it smelled like wet dog and piss. I got half way to my sunny rock and quit, floating back down to the rock ledge and leaving before I got my fill.
So I set out.
Strange Times Black Keys
Down the Main Strip, always a little embarrassed to be seen.
Be Stiff Devo
Over the bridge, into the park, I like running to this song, it has a good, stiff beat.
Nobody's Fault But Mine Ben Harper
Junesong P Coheed & Cambria
Two Kms. I got to walk. I was on Headquarters Rd, just past the old folks home. Everything okay so far. I was thinking about how Michael gave my number to someone who was traveling. I hope he calls, it's been awhile since I got to show this place off, and I always enjoyed being a skate tour-guide. It gives me an excuse to go to parks not in my town, and someone to go with. Plus it just feels good that someone passed my name along as good peeps.
Countdown Black Keys
ONEtwothreefourfivesix.seven-EIGHT-nine! My total today! Lucky song.
That'll Be A Better Day Old Crow Medicine Show
TV Set the Cramps
Haha, eyeballs for dials, I always picture it clearly, I can feel them like grapes. What can I put eyeball dials onto?
Are You Ready for the Country Neil Young
This was funny, I was just coming up on the left turn that leads out from the high school and busy road, to the country fields and one lane bridge.
Death of a Clown the Kinks
Hello to the pretty horses. I think they must be deaf, they did not return my greetings.
Love Like Laughter Beth Orton
Eek, a slow song! I debated skipping it, but I tried to make myself zone out instead, off of the music, out into the world around me. Birds were chirping, but only halfway which made me think my knees were creaking. It was almost in perfect time with my old joints movements.
198d At The Drive-In
The turn towards home, ahhh. It was just at 6 my foot started to feel out of whack. Like, as if things were out of place., I had to limp a bit, favor it, which is no good. I considered walking, but I had just done my walk...fuck it, it had to go away.
Remember When Black Keys
New Kind of Kick the Cramps
No Trust Black Keys
Coming up on the corner, my foot issue went away at 7! But my knees started doing their owes about then, so...
Save It the Cramps
NY State of Mind NAS
Down the last stretch of Condensory. I startled a raccoon that was hiding in the deep ditch grass, and it startled me launching up and away from me, into the woods. I launched away from it, into the road. Glad that wasn't a skunk, and that there wasn't traffic.
Slaughter of Bruce The Gits
Coming over the Condensory Bridge I was considering getting in the water. Soaked. My knees were complaining like hags.
Apocalypse World Split Saviours
This got me up that last hill, grunting, moaning, gritting my teeth, pumping my arms and shoving with my chest. That was fuckin' hard today, I wouldn't have run it without this song on, I would have fully wussed out without the metal to anger me on.
It All Dies Anyway The Gits
Past my new favorite downtown house with the wrap porch, and I was done. 9K. Fuck yay.
I Got Mine Black Keys
Walked me home.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

250Km's!

Glad I got out for my run tonight. I've got a long distance one tomorrow, and I'm looking forward to it in some strange way, even though it will probably hurt. Also, Lance Armstrong told me tonight that I have covered 250kms since I got the Nike+! Holy Shuyza! Good for me!!!
Benatar We Belong
Ran past a couple of really fragrant gardens, saw some of the boats I saw at the lake earlier on their way home.
Fu Manchu Wurkin
Still feeling good, saw that it is time to trim up the Love Bug garden.
Beck Chain Reaction
Ran up towards Lake Trail School, imagining how nice I would make that Chevy truck look, and thinking of what errands I need to get done in Nanaimo next weekend other than the thrift shop mission. I have to get new runners there, the shops here haven't got my favorite Asics in my size.
The Kinks Here Come The People In Grey
Making the loop at the end of the field, I'm half way, and starting to feel the brownies I just made and couldn't not taste before I left on my run. It is not pleasant.
The Kinks Kentucky Moon
Thinking back on the camping in the gorgeous hayfields, under the bright full moon, next to the river last night. So nice. So fun. This song got too slow.
Black Keys Just Got To Be
Da nananana na nA nunnn...better! Saw a bush with little pointed clusters of tiny white flowers, Summersweet?
Dan Auerbach My Last Mistake
Walked the last block. There's apples started on the tree in the yard, cool.

Monday, July 19, 2010

cake

SO today was supposed to be a long run for me, 9k this week. Well...I missed Friday's run, then yesterday's as well, so I figured that with no run up to the long run, it might be a bad idea for me to do it today...okay, truth is I am feeling lazy. I just didn't go yesterday...and for no reason...I did NOTHING yesterday. I skated for an hour at noon. Then I sat on the couch for the rest of the day, doing a few house chores here and there. I felt I needed a recovery day to gather my thoughts.
The only reason I finally got off the couch to do this run tonight is because I promised myself a slice of cake at the end. I figured I'd do 5k, hit Thrifty's, and walk home with my cake. Hahaha!
I think I have PMS. Glad I also have PMA.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

one for my homie

Harry Rag the Kinks
aw, it totally is about joints!
My head is killing me tonight from too much sun and heat. I am taking so many pills right now that I dont want to eat Advil on top of the 4 giant vitamins. More water...

I head out for my run in spite of the slight heatstroke in Paula J Fresh's honor. She is my fallen comrade and I've been sending her super good vibes all day. She is the one who got me into this in the first place, and we ran the 1/2 together in May, even though I ran in her dust! She is on her annual summer retreat in Bali, and she just had surgery this morning to get a screw put into her ankle that she busted during a longer-than-it-needed-to-be, just-for-the-love-of-running, run.

Get Stupid "Fresh" Pt1 Mantronix
I was thinking I'd go anyway, since my head can't possibly hurt as much as her foot right now, and since she would much rather be out running than in a Bali hospital, even if it does have Wifi.
I would go for both of us, and I would do my best to infuse my run with her drive and passion for it. I didn't manage to get the speed yet, though...it was a slow start.

Let Me Roll it to Ya Wings
No offense P, but right about here, I was feeling like you were actually on my back and thinking, holy crap, Paula's heavy! I felt really sluggish and tired, and there was a great pressure around my eyes, but I kept on, I didn't slow down, I even made for the hills, cos that's what Paula would do.

Bust That Groove Stetsasonic
"Hot butter on, say what, the cornbread!"
Oh, man, I couldn't do it, I got to the bottom of the hill and turned back, the way I came. My head had a feeling like it might burst out through my eyes. I wanted to stop, but that wouldn't be fair. I kept on, not slowing down. The mechanical hand claps spurred me on. The sky was pink around the edges...I figured that was probably what my eyes looked like, too... "we did the push ups, the sit ups, the jumping jacks, and when we were through, we ran around the track! But when you smoke that crack, you run like a snail, our gym teacher told us we were going to fail, but when that test came, you know we passed, cos we're the best emcees in the whole gym class!" Smiles.

Why Can't I Forget Him Blakroc
At the fields. Feeling draggy foot. Pukey heartburn in my throat. Just ran to the beat, step to the beat. Got a catcall, woot! Stared at the trees as far ahead as I could see, the sky, the cars passing. Head. Throbbing. Things don't change, they stay the same, if you let 'em...so keep running, Em. That thought got me out of my head, into the artists I was checking out today, grasping at that feeling of inspiration, a taste, a certain smell, so fucking vivid. I love it. Kept running.

One Armed Scissor At The Drive In
Faster song to step to. Counted out how many blocks to go, had to make a detour from the usual route to make the distance,. Conveniently chose to run past the house with the manual pad and parking block out front. I always go faster there. As much as I don't want to be seen, I do, just looking like a champ...for Paula, of course.

Bassline Mantronix
And I was done and walking past the new coffee shop back to my house. It told me my pace was 6.16! I must have been channeling my girl, cos that's faster than lately, and with a crusher of a headache. Good girl, I told myself, and came in sweatier than ever, with little twitches in my thighs that I am trying to stop by stretching and rubbing.

Aw, Paula, heal up!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Rock and roll hair.

She's Your Baby Ween
Set out as soon as I got home from the LINC. 3k Tempo run. I was not feeling the speed, so I set out nice an ease. The streets were empty, and I ran on the road. The air was just slightly cool. Nice

Good Times Roll The Cars
This came on as I was running in the streets, I'd never really heard the line, "Run your hands through my rock'n'roll hair" before...

Flutes of Chi Ween
I don't remember this, now. I booked it up past Lake Trail School, alongside the field. I wanted done, home, bed...oh crap, is my ipod frozen, now?

Fuck the Pain Away Peaches
I was past halfway, walking, trying to catch my breath. As the last song ended, and I turned around, this song came on. I almost skipped it. Not feeling it lately, but I thought it would be mindless zoning out music, and it was. I ran. I kept running faster, it seemed. If I can get the run out of my ipod, I look forward to seeing how I sped up when there was more traffic around. There was more traffic the whole way home.

Footloose Kenny
So glad this came on, I'm a sucker for it. Still. Suprises me every time that I still get jiggy with this song. I kicked up my Sunday shoes. I ran faster.

Grounds for Divorce Big Business
I fucking ran so fast I was home already. I was on my last couple hundred meters, and I thought I was going as fast as I possibly could, but then it told me I was done, and I pushed even harder, off the lit up street, into the darkness of my block.

Boo the machine is frozen, now. Have to let the battery die, I guess. All the old tricks aren't working.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Owie-wowie, I made 8k

She's Your Baby Ween
This song always comes on first when I pick this playlist, I love it, and can sing along since it's right at the start and I feel good and not out of breath yet.

Love Is a Battlefield Pat Benatar
I don't feel much for this song anymore, except that it is a total classic and reminds me of my childhood, singing and dancing with my best friend Nicola in her playroom.

Born To Run Bruce Springsteen
I don't know what it is about the mumbling Bruce, but this song made me happy, like it always does when it comes on, and I get pretty pumped at the breakdown when he sings about "Highways jammed with broken heroes
on a last chance power drive.
Well the bodies out on the run tonight,
but there's no place left to hide.

Together Wendy we can live the sadness,
I'll love you with all the madness in my soul.
Whoa someday girl I don't know when,
we're gonna get to that place we really wanna go and we'll walk in the sun,
but til then tramps like us, baby we were born to run!"

Hands Up Big Business
Love this, too. I was out in the farmlands by this point, looking out at the sun illuminating and amplifying all the green, and at the shadows cast across the fields a kilometre long by the trees up at the corner.

Skin & Bones Kinks
This song makes me smile. She used to be so cuddly...

One Armed Scissor At the Drive-In
I don't remember this song coming on, but I would imagine it must have been right around where I saw the traffic light at Dove Creek Rd up ahead, coming around the corner on Condensory. I pointed at it to let it know I was coming for it, and started to lift my knees and kick my feet up, pumping my arms and giving it my all. I remember the feeling of covering ground quickly, and hoping that there was someone who might be impressed by my form in one of the trucks that passed me during my awesome sprint.

Snakedriver Jesus & Mary Chain
Oh, yes I remember this song coming on, it was about where the fast caught up with me and I had to slow way down. I remember trying to blame the guitar noise for the reason I needed to go slower, or felt so done. I felt that it was not soothing, too much pointed stick in my ear and not enough order, rhythm. But it got me to the traffic light, and starting down Dove Creek Rd.

Stellify Ian Brown
I had a walk, and decided to turn back the way I came. I don't like the stretch past the high school and through town, and I was starting to get some chafing between my legs. This song makes me really smile, and has a great strong beat for running to.

Black Tambourine Beck
This song keeps me going. Good beat. This is where I started to run with one leg in the grass.
it felt so nice, the feathery tops of the tiny trees, so soft and comforting, that I ended up running most of a km with one foot in the grass. My knee started to really throb around now, and I was glad I had turned back.

Children's Story Slick Rick
Skipped it, I've been playing it at work alot for the kids, they dig it. Good kids!

RX Queen Deftones
Between the chafing thighs and the heat and throb in the knee, I was starting to hate life, even with the view of the sun setting on the trees.

Picket Fence Cartel At the Drive In
Stoked to hear this. But in too much pain, I walked through it and hand danced a little until Footloose came on.

Kenny Footloose
Of course I ran to this, even though my knee felt like something was hanging off of it...like a vise. I kept on going...all the way back to the bridge and over it to the bottom of the hill...which I happily walked up at 300m left to run.

Big Business Grounds For Divorce
This is good stuff! I could not run anymore...except when I saw an exceptional looking fellow on his lovely porch stoop in a Volcom tee, then I ran until I was juuuust out of sight of him, haha!

Livin On A Prayer Bon Jo-jovi
More like walking on a crutch! It feels like I might need one tomorrow!
For once I managed to get the set list out of the machine, which is a nice change. 8k in 58mins. Yeah...ouch.

Friday, July 9, 2010

midnight runner

I have discovered a new thing in running. I love to run at night.
Good thing I don't live in some city, I might have not loved it so much when I was out there last night struggling through the last km, and I looked up to see the stars out in full effect, everywhere and sparkling back at me. Its cool, its quiet, it smells so moist and fresh, and I can run in the street since there's no one driving on them! They are all mine, and I'm practically invisible, out there finding new angles to see from.
I was about to give up on summer running, but there it is. I like the nighttime.