Meaningful Moments and Music: The Afghan Whigs at Union Transfer on September 12, 2017

So many meaningful moments and bittersweet memories over the past few days.

On Saturday, I ran the Undy Run in memory of Joe and Dave Rosser to support the Colon Cancer Alliance.

On Tuesday, thanks to my dear friend Anne, we spent the evening with The Afghan Whigs at Union Transfer.



On Friday, I registered for the 2018 Boston Marathon as a time qualifier.



Just over 5 years ago I connected with Anne through our love of The Afghan Whigs. We soon discovered that we were also mother runners.

I was so inspired when Anne reached her goal to run the 2016 Boston Marathon. Her love and support kept me going as I kept trying to reach my BQ goal.

I've been running to the music of The Afghan Whigs since the days of the cassette Walkman and finished my 1st marathon in 1995.

Twenty-one years later I qualified to run the 2018 Boston Marathon (my 12th attempt since 2013) while raising awareness & funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer in memory of Michael & GG.

Thanks again to Greg, John, Patrick, Jon, Rick & Dave for the music that keeps me running.

As soon as I learned I'd have a chance for a photo opp, I knew I had to put the flat twins on sticks. ;-)



Greg is holding me and John is holding Leah.

Greg's reaction when I showed him the flat twins was awesome.



I would've left happy with these priceless photos of the flat twins with the band but they insisted I get in on a group photo.

I wasn't feeling particularly photogenic but I'm grateful they persisted even if I think I look like a deer in headlights.  ;-)



Pre-concert selfie with Anne and our signed VIP posters.

Mother runners who rock the front row.



#VivaLaRosser



Thanks to Joe del Tufo for this concert review and photos:

The Afghan Whigs mesmerize at Union Transfer

http://thekey.xpn.org/2017/09/14/the-afghan-whigs-union-transfer-2/

Setlist:

Birdland
Arabian Heights
Matamoros
Debonair
Crazy
Light as a Feather
Honky’s Ladder
Oriole
Toy Automatic
Can Rova / Last Goodbye (Jeff Buckley cover)
What Jail Is Like
Algiers
Going to Town (Slight Return)
Demon In Profile
It Kills
John the Baptist
Somethin’ Hot
I Wanna Be Your Lover (Prince cover)
Amphetamines & Coffee
Into the Floor

Encore:

Parked Outside
Summer’s Kiss
Faded (with intro: How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees cover)

P.S. This is why I love YouTube ...

Dear Prudence at the VIP Soundcheck

Going to Town at the VIP Soundcheck

Birdland / Arabian Heights

Matamoros

Debonair

Crazy

Light as a Feather

Honky’s Ladder

Oriole

Toy Automatic

Can Rova / Last Goodbye (Jeff Buckley cover)

What Jail Is Like
Algiers
Going to Town (Slight Return)
Demon In Profile

It Kills

John the Baptist

Somethin’ Hot
I Wanna Be Your Lover (Prince cover)
Amphetamines & Coffee
Into the Floor

Encore:

Parked Outside
Summer’s Kiss

Faded (with intro: How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees cover)

Running a Marathon in the Rain - Tips for a Rainy Race Day

#RnRDC Marathon Forecast*

66** % Chance of Rain

*Update as of Wednesday, March 11

Forecast by The Running Weatherman

I've been checking the weather forecast for the Rock 'n' Roll DC Marathon for the past few weeks thanks (or no thanks) to Accuweather.com. Now, it's very likely that it's going to rain. In theory and in training, I'm not opposed to running in the rain. I have also raced in some freezing rain and drizzle. However, I never ran a marathon in rain. So, needless to say, I'm beginning to panic. When I'm not in panic mode, I've been scouring the internet for rainy day race tips.

Do you have any tips for racing in the rain?

Here are some rainy day race tips I found that I plan to use:

* Wear different pair of shoes before race

* Wear GORE-TEX running shoes during race

* Dress in tight, water-resistant, moisture wicking layers

* Wear gloves and brimmed hat during the race

* Use anti-friction cream to prevent chafing that can occur when running in wet clothing

* Seal iPhone inside a Ziploc bag inside water-resistant hip carrier

* Cut hole in bottom of garbage bag to wear prior to race and remove just before start

* Stay indoors or under covered space for as long as possible before race

* Stay with group if it's windy and avoid puddles whenever possible

* Change into dry clothes, socks and shoes as soon as possible after race

* Dry out shoes by stuffing with newspaper

If you are looking foor more rainy day race tips, visit these blogs & websites:

10 tips for running a marathon in the rain, cold and wind

runningoncrosswalks.com/2013/05/02/10-tips-for-running-a-marathon-in-the-rain-cold-and-wind/

What if the weather is really bad on marathon day?
coachjoeenglish.wordpress.com/2007/10/03/racing-what-if-the-weather-is-really-bad-on-marathon-day/

Marathoning in the Rain
camilleherron.com/2011/06/09/marathoning-in-the-rain/

Running a Marathon in Bad Weather (@Runners_Connect)
runnersconnect.net/running-training-articles/running-a-marathon-in-bad-weathe/

Rain Racing (@RunnersWorld)
runnersworld.com/races/rain-racing

Top 10 Tips for Running in the Rain (@50by25)
50by25.com/2013/07/tips-for-running-in-the-rain.html

Racing in the Rain: 7 Tips from Runners (@rUnladylike)
runladylike.com/2012/10/26/racing-in-the-rain-7-tips-from-runners-2/

Lessons from Running a Marathon in the Rain - Successes and Failures (@RunToMunch)
runtomunch.com/lessons-from-running-a-marathon-in-the-rain-successes-and-failures/

21 Tips for Running a Marathon Under the Rain (@thebullrunner)
thebullrunner.com/2013/02/21-tips-for-running-a-marathon-under-the-rain/

How to Run Your Best Race in the Rain (@SaltyRuns)
huffingtonpost.com/jason-saltmarsh/running-rain_b_5297060.html

Rain on Marathon Day - Tips and Tricks (@RunAndJumpBlog)
runandjumpblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/rain-on-marathon-day-tips-and-tricks/

Running in the Rain (@MarathonsAndMacarons)
marathonsandmacarons.com/2013/05/10/fitness-friday-running-in-the-rain/

Marathon Training in All Weather (@WorldRunningCom)
worldrunning.com/articles/marathon-training-in-all-weather/

Running in the Rain (@WomensHealthMag)
womenshealthmag.com/fitness/running-in-the-rain

8 Tips for Running in the Rain (@lafenske)
minneapolisrunning.com/8-tips-for-running-in-the-rain/

Prepping for Rainy Weather Conditions (@IRun4Wine)
irunforwine.net/2015/03/prepping-for-rainy-weather-conditions.html

Rain Tips (@NYRR)
nyrrc.org/nyrrc/mar01/training/raintip.html

Tips for Running in Rainy LA Marathon

westcoastmiles.com/2012/03/tips-for-running-in-rainy-la-marathon.html

Rainy Marathon Checklist - The Night Before
limetreelife.com/2012/12/01/rainy-marathon-checklist-the-night-before/

What to Wear - Running in the Rain
fleetfeetchicago.com/blog/wear-running-rain

Running in the Rain
runningcoach.com/tips/raintrain.html

** Normally, I love to see the number 66 since it's one of my favorite songs by The Afghan Whigs. So, while I mentally prepare myself for a rainy attempt to BQ, I will console myself by watching as many versions of this song as possible. ;-)

The Afghan Whigs at Ottobar: Malinda Ann Hill Meets Greg Dulli on Her 43rd Birthday

This happened. On my 43rd birthday. Greg Dulli smiled at me while I was talking to him!

I don't usually celebrate my birthday - or rather our birthday since I'm an identical twin.

And, I've never done anything special on New Year's Eve. 

Luckily, thanks to Melissa, Anne and the rest of The Congregation, I celebrated New Year's Eve in 2012 and my birthday tonight.

It has been an incredible journey (music, running, races and concerts) since Melissa, Anne and I first met at The Afghan Whigs reunion concert at The Bowery Ballroom on May 23, 2012.

I am grateful for social media for connecting me with Melissa and Anne as well as re-connecting me with The Congregation (FYI - The Congregation is a group of individuals who love The Afghan Whigs and all things related to Greg Dulli). Eons ago (otherwise know as the 90s), I was on The Congregation email listserv when I had AOL dial-up. Ouch! I am old. Today, The Congregation is on Facebook which makes it easier for us to connect with each other in spite of the evils of the platform.

While I have been known to live tweet or Instagram a concert or a race, tonight was not the time or place. I refrained from all iPhone use except for one photo with Melissa and Anne before the show and a photo with Greg after the show.

I was pleasantly surprised to see that most of the audience respected the band's request. Greg politely asked one guy not to use a flash and that was it from my perspective. Of course, I was fortunate to be directly in front of the stage so it was easy to be fully present in the moment.



During most of the shows I attended in 2012, I took at least a few photos or videos to share since amateur photography was encouraged. Tonight, I was grateful for the no photo policy so I had no temptation to take photos. I enjoyed being fully present at this show with no distractions from digital devices.

Similarly, I used to love to tweet and run. Tweeting while running was a way for me to connect with other runners. It served its purpose at the time but now I prefer to tweet before and after my run so I can focus on running in the moment and feeling the music while I run.

While I find the most meaning in music and running while I'm alone, I still race and go to concerts for the camaraderie. For me, concerts and races are all about the stories and the connections.

I do hope to write more about my moments and stories. But, it's easier for me to write in 140 characters or less.

In the meantime, please read this post by MamaDeak: Brooklyn, Boston, Baltimore - Maybe I Should be a Roadie. I am always inspired by Anne and her willingness to share her thoughts.

Thanks again to Greg Dulli, John Curley, Melissa, Anne and The Congregation for a night filled with music, joy, laughter, inspiration and gratitude.

The Afghan Whigs - New Year's Eve 2012 at Bogart's

New Year's Eve 2012

The Afghan Whigs at Bogart's

Cincinnati, OH

Thank you, The Afghan Whigs!

My iPhone video of Marcy Mays singing My Curse

My concert photos are posted on Instagram

Melissa, Malinda & Anne