The Long Run

Spikes Q&A: If I Wasn't a Runner I Would Be...

Recently I had a chance to speak with Steve Landells of Spikes Magazine about my passion for film and what I would be doing if I hadn't become a professional runner. Check it out (link is below). http://www.spikesmag.com/features/shannonrowburyonthebigscreen.aspx

Fillmore Jazz Festival

Before I headed off to London, I had a chance to spend my 4th of July weekend hanging out at the Fillmore Jazz Festival in San Francisco. There is nothing I like more than Fairs & Farmers' Markets. Through them public spaces come alive with people sharing thoughts and discovering things they never even knew their local space could offer. On Fillmore St., I was lucky to enjoy a beautifully sunny day in the city listening to some great music with a few of my good friends. 

   

B-52s with the Rents

Hanging out with the Rents at Wente Vineyard in Livermore watching the B-52s. Lots of fun!

Techy updates: Apple iPhone OS 3.0

For those of you who have the iPhone, make sure you connect to iTunes to get the most recent update.

The iPhone OS 3.0 update finally addresses all the things I have been wishing they would fix...landscape keyboard; copy, cut & paste; photo text messaging. Plus there are some fun new features like voice memos. My mom seems to particulary like this one, as seen by the fact that I now have 6 voice memos in my inbox. Apparently she was out adventuring with my Uncle Joe and they decided to give me an interpretive audio/visual tour of the Rockville Hills Trail.

For more information about the check the Apple Website iPhone OS 3.0 Software Update Page.

Facebook Username

Apparently personalized Facebook URLs at all the rage these days. I just got mine:
http://www.facebook.com/ShannonRowbury

Go get yours: http://www.facebook.com/username/

My Runner's World Music Playlist

Hey everybody. Runner's World asked me to put together a music playlist featuring my favorite song. To see what I chose & why I chose it, check out the article: Rowbury Rocks Across the Ages

Let me know what you think, and as I mentioned before, I always love recommendations.

Things I Love: Flight of the Conchords

On Monday night, I had a chance to see the Flight of the Conchords Concert at the Berkeley Community Theater in what was the final stop of their tour. Despite some major problems with a fire alarm beforehand, the show started only 20 minutes late, for which the tour manager kindly apologized...a far cry from your typical concert where tardy starts are the norm.

The show opened up with a comedy routine by Arj Barker, who plays the pawn shop owner in the series and who also hails from the Bay Area (Marin County to be specific). He was a pleasant surprise and quite entertaining, delivering many jokes that had me laughing quite loudly. From the looks of it, he's planning to be at Cobb's Comedy Club in SF in early July. He seems like a really cool guy, so if you're around I would recommend attending.

The guys from Flight of the Conchords (Jemaine & Bret) were hilarious. Their ability to improvise and play off each other and the audience was impressive. When I first heard about the tour, I wasn't sure how well their act would translate to a live performance. When I left, I kept thinking that their show was one of the best concerts I had ever been to. Although the ridiculousness of their lyrics makes it more of a comedy skit than a concert, I was impressed by how much I also liked the melodies of their pieces.

I was going to try to list what song I liked best, but they were all pretty hilarious. My favorites from the TV series are "Too Many Mother 'uckers" & "Foo de Fa Fa," both of which the played. I would have to say that their performance of "Sugar Lumps" definitely stole the show though, as they left their chairs to display their dance moves and ended up grooving with an audience member's camera phone. 

Hanging out in Colorado Springs

When we're not working out, Leo, Ryan and I try to find "big time TKs" (time killers).

Saturday we watched the new Star Trek movie. The audience was filled with young boys and older men, but we did see the Michigan swim team leaving after the show, so I guess there were a few other Olympians in the audience. The movie was of fun. The plot reminded me a lot of Star Wars, which I watched a million times as a kid. Since it's pretty obvious that everything is going to turn out for the best, so it was a great happy-go-lucky film to watch.

Sunday we took a drive out to Seven Falls where we found inspiration at Inspiration Point and admired the beauty of the Rocky Mountain Range. Leo and I keep talking about how we want to go on an adventure, so our mini-hike (1 mile) was a nice mid-season substitute. Ryan really wants to go fly-fishing...instead he got to stare at some trout. Afterward we took a drive to Manitou Springs, which is a cute little town on the road leading to Pike's Peak. Cook said we had to try the Bison burgers at "this great place out there," so we did some research, found the Keg Lounge, and were not disappointed.

Here are some pictures from our adventures. I have posted more in the photo album.

 

Fun Running Video

My friend Frank sent me this video. I like the night scene near the end the best, but the whole thing is cool. Many runner nuances that I found entertaining. I felt like I was watching myself before a race at the beginning.

http://vimeo.com/4238176

Movies

Sarah requested that I post some movies, so I thought I would list a few recent films I have seen as well as some of my all time favorites.

Most Recently Watched (all very good):
Helvetica
When We Were Kings
War Dance

Favorite Directors & Films:
The Coen Brothers: O Brother Where Art Thou?
Sofia Coppola: Lost in Translation
Wes Anderson: The Royal Tenenbaums
Martin Scorsese: The Last Waltz
Woody Allen: Annie Hall