Pedometers and Shitty Knees

I bought a pedometer about 3 months ago to track how far I was running. At the time I would just go out with a watch, come back exhausted but have no idea how far I went. Side note: I have to say, Delaware is backwards in many ways, but they do their parks right, and looking at all the gorgeous houses is a nice distraction.

Anyway, I bought the pedometer at Target for five bucks. But upon reading the directions realized you have to measure your stride in order for it to be anywhere near accurate. (I realize this is common sense, but it was an impulse buy, therefore little thought went into how pedometers truly work.)

So I was too lazy to lay out a measuring tape and measure my stride. But with the beautiful weather (and a half marathon on the horizon) I decided to measure. This wasn't easy since I have to measure ten running strides and I only had a normal measuring tape. BUT I succeeded, programmed the pedometer, and was on my way.

I should mention now that I have bum knees and blow them out almost once a year by forcing them to do too much.

So I've been running inside on the treadmill for about 2-3 months due to cold and lack of sun, which is considerably easier and I go for a much shorter time. (There are only so many cars I can count while staring out of the Y's windows.)

But on our first decent day, I decide to go for a real run, outside. At five miles my knees started to hurt, but I looked at that DAMN PEDOMETER and though, "only five? Push it!" and kept on running. Seven and some tenths of a mile later I was taking the hottest bath possible and popping Ibuprofen. I spent all f-ing week recovering and doing yoga to stretch it out. And what the hell happens? We get another beautiful day on Saturday and I do it again. So I get to six miles this time and tell myself, "You can make it, do nine." I slept both Saturday and Sunday night slathered in Tiger Balm. I am an idiot.

Conclusion? I should listen to my knees and not my pedometer.

New Resolve... Easy Start.

At the prodding of Abbey Smith (see her blog, link to the right) I have decided to actually write on my blog with some sort of frequency. Mainly because I know only six people read it, but also because lately I've been thinking "in blog." You who blog know that this means when something happens or you think of something (or for Tim, when you find a lost archive of a song) you think, "Oooh I should blog about that!" If you don't think like that - please spare me the comments. It will just ruin my new resolve. ha.

Ok, that said, I'm going to start slow and easy with a playlist. Cop-out, I know. But I actually wish more people did this. (So bloggers, do this!)

So here is my newest "long run" playlist. It got me through my first (known) 9-miler. (I just started using a pedometer... More on this in the next blog.)

1.) "Wraith Pinned to the MIst and Other Games," Of Montreal
2.) "Glase Danse," The Faint
3.) "Cheated Hearts, " Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4.) "Lover I Don't Have to Love," Bright Eyes
5.) "Disappear," The Faint
6.) "Monster Hospital," Metric
7.) "Still In Love," The Stills
8.) "Young Bridge," Land of Talk
9.) "Legionnaire's Lament," The Decemberists (Purely love the word choice here)
10.)"Blacking Out The Friction," Death Cab
11.)"Scythian Empires," Andrew Bird
12.)"Rubidoux," Cold War Kids
13.)"Me and Mia," Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
14.)"Heretics," Andrew Bird
15.)"Dream at Tempo 119," Silversun Pickups
16.)"Speak For Me," Cat Power
17.)"Witches' Rave," Jeff Buckley
18.)"Cicatriz ESP," The Mars Volta
19.)"Noah's Ark," Cocorosie
20.)"Joga," Bjork
21.)"Organs on the Kitchen Floor," The Jealous Girlfriends

So depending on your speed that won't get you all that far, but I find The Faint albums on repeat make for a pretty great time, as well.

Happy Running/Listening/Downloading!

Epsom Salt

So, after a long run or a killer workout I like to take Epsom Salt baths. I realize this is slightly old-lady like. I am telling you, it does a world of difference for sore muscles. I suggest setting the ambiance - a candle or two, a bath pillow, music, and tea or wine (depending on your mood).

The warning label, however, is to not get too comfortable.

Yesterday, for the second time, I fell asleep in the bathtub and woke up only when my head went underwater. Of course this prompted a complete flight of my relaxed energry and evoked panic instead.

THE WEIRD PART? Both times that this happened I was listening to Jeff Buckley. HAVE YOU SENSED THE IRONY YET?

He drowned.

Buckley's Everybody Here Wants You

Hmm...

So many angles... so much you could say. I'll just leave you with the photo which, at the moment, I find hilarious.

Such a Fan...

Of Silversun Pickups lately.

Check 'em out.

White House Organic Farm?

Daniel Bowman Simon (whoever he is) is driving this "double decker" bus around the country to get people to sign a petition so that he can put an organic farm on the White House lawn.

So, I'm pretty sure it'll never happen, but it's a pretty fun way to draw awareness to the benefits of sustainable agriculture. Apparently if it happens, he already has heirloom seeds lined up to be donated that come from Thomas Jefferson's farm.

Oh, and the best part of that bus? He grows veggies up there!

Interested? Check it out at www.thewhofarm.org

Mostly It's Our Chi

This weekend I went to DC -- again. But this time, I was joined by all 8 of my best friends from high school. Amanda, you were missed greatly. I got your bday card promising a house out with you and a hipped-out boy. Let me know when you get that situated and I'm there. Come home and bring that Cali sun.

The drive back had me thinking - as driving and running always does - and I realized how extremely blessed I am to have such amazing friends. We have all changed so much, and are in such different places, but we can still come back to each other and be real with one another. I know that's rare. So I needed to pause and recognize it.

And thanks to iPod shuffle and a full battery on the drive home, I will dedicate this to them.

"It took me too long to realize that I don't take good pictures. I have the kind of beauty that moves."