Posts tagged Training
Less Stress, More Flexible
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I’m sure it’s pretty obvious from my posts, tweets, and photos that I’m still running and practicing yoga. Am I training for anything special? Nope. I still get up at 4:30a everyday to get a workout in, but it’s because it’s a commitment to myself. I can hear the comments now. ”Wait, you’re running just to run?” Yep.
Ever since I started running in 2007 I’ve never felt that I had to have a race to train for in order to push me out the door on a daily basis to get my runs in. Staying true to my promise, I haven’t signed up for a race and have no plans to do so in the near future. That’s not to say that I’ll never sign up for a race ever again, it just means right now I’m just simply enjoying my runs just to run. I still wear my Garmin but rarely use it and only wear it since my ID is attached. And I have absolutely no idea when the last time I signed into Daily Mile to log a workout.
Want to know what I’ve found? I actually enjoy running more. Other than my obligation to myself I have nothing hanging over my head. If I miss a run or feel like mixing it up for the day, it’s not the end of the world. What’s even more crazy is that I’m probably working out more than I ever have since most days I generally have two workout sessions. Don’t freak out. In no way am I wearing myself into the ground. In the past my job called for me to be on my feet anywhere from 8-12 hours, often at a high intensity pace. Now that I have a desk job I feel so stagnant during the day, hence why I’m all for the two-a-days. (I hesitate to call yoga a “workout”. Oftentimes it is, but that’s not the point to my practice)
Either way, this is basically what my weekly workout schedule looks like….
Mondays – Morning yoga at home (30 min), lunchtime Total Body class at work (30 min)
Tuesdays -Morning run (usually a simple 3 miler), lunchtime yoga class at work (45 min)
Wednesdays - Morning yoga at home (30 min), lunchtime Zumba class at work (30 min)
Thursdays -Morning run (usually a simple 3 miler), lunchtime yoga class at work (45 min)
Fridays – Rest
Saturday/Sunday – Hike or Run each day
I’m nowhere near burnt out like I have been in the past and I just roll with it when an opportunity like practicing yoga poolside with some of fave Cholla Chicks happens.
I seriously lack the ability to find a happy medium in almost all aspects of my life. Most often you’ll find me going balls to wall in a certain direction. It should come as no surprise then that I’ve never been able to master cross-training. In no way am I saying I’ve mastered it (far from it) but for once I can actually say I’m getting better at it…when I’m not even trying! Now, if I could only implement some strength training in there….that’s a whole different post….
The most awesome thing about this isn’t necessarily where I am physically (although that’s not half bad either), but where I am mentally. I love that I’m back to digging my workouts, am actually enjoying them (say what?!), and for once am accepting and embracing the flexibility of my schedule. All because I don’t have to workout. I get to.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
The Shitty Part Of Running
15December 9, 2012
in Running
It’s Monday, let’s start out with a laugh. Ever since I wrote my Fiesta Bowl Half Recap, I’ve had several people say, “You gotta tell us about your poop story.” Alright, ya’ll know I keep it real and I have no issues talking about poop. So, let me share my stories. Yes, I not only have 1 story, but several.
As long as I can remember I’ve had issues with defecation. When it hits me, it hits me. So often I have little to no warning. It’s not like I have “issues” with my GI tract, it’s just how my body functions. Add in running…you never know what will happen.
Back in 2003 I was not a runner, although I would have these random moments when I’d try to go out and run. Every time I’d end up disheartened because it would go poorly. At the time I didn’t have the initiative to keep at it and I’d just give up. One night, after going out to eat for pizza I got the grand idea that I wanted to run. (Smart, right?) Not only did I want to run, but I was going to take Viking with me. We were living on a military base, in the heat of the summer, in New Orleans. Do you know how intimidating it is to workout on a military base? Hence, why I’d do my “runs” at night, in the dark. So Viking and I took off. About halfway through my jaunt it hit me. Bam! I was as far away from our house as I could be. What was I going to do?! The best thing I could do….pop a squat behind a fence, and so I did. Trying to defecate while trying to keep your dog quiet but also keep them distracted from what you’re doing isn’t the easiest of tasks. Having no toilet paper isn’t fun either. Needless to say I waddled home. Oh yeah…that fence? It was immediately next to the barracks. Who knows who got to see me drop my drawers that night.
A few years later, when D and I ran at 5am on a daily basis, I had the same misfortune. Just over halfway through a 3 mile run it hit me. Thankfully it was dark and bushes were available.
But you may be saying, “Yeah, so what. You pop a squat in random locations, in the dark. Big deal.” But I’ve saved the best for last. This is the story that I referenced in my blog post…
When I started training for triathlons my workouts became longer and I started to add “bricks” in. (bricks = bike/run, swim/bike workouts that are back to back) One morning I set out on my bike, completed my route, stopped home for a quick transition, and took off on my run. 3 miles into my run I had a rumble in my tummy and things started moving. I thought, “I’m almost home, no worries.” Alas, GI motility is a force to be reckoned with. It was coming and there was no stopping it. There I was, in broad daylight, with no bushes to hide behind. The emotions that poured through my brain ranged from scared, to grossed out, to finding the experience totally embarrassing yet absolutely hilarious. All I could do was shake my head.
As I sat there with drawers full o’ poo I debated the best course of action. I could walk home. Even with compression shorts on I thought it best not to do this because seeping action could take place and I’d have a HUGE mess. The other option? Bust out the cell phone and call D to come to my rescue….and that I did. ”D, I just shit my shorts, grab a towel, and head to this location ASAP.” Thank God for an understanding husband who has a strong stomach, can handle wicked smells, and could see the humor in the entire situation and share a laugh with me.
The problem is, when you have to defecate the more you try to go faster to get home, the faster the poo comes. However, you don’t want to walk because it takes longer to get home. It’s a catch 22 and a no win situation.
You can probably see from those stories alone why I make absolute sure I empty my bowels before all runs. I’ve been known to visit the toilet 5+ times before runs and even more prior to races. I gotta make sure it’s all cleared out or I could have another situation like above. Needless to say I never carry my phone during races but last week I did. Thankfully I didn’t need it. This time….
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
It’s Time For The Fiesta Bowl Half Marathon
8November 29, 2012
in Running
Pssst. Did you know my next half marathon was this weekend? Indeed, it is. Seems like just yesterday that I started training. But, then again, that’s what happens when you wait to officially start training until week 4 of a 12 week training plan.
How did training go? Meh. It went. Frankly, my running has felt “off” for awhile now and that didn’t change when I started training for this race. I know that I have the ability to finish a half marathon and quite honestly, I’m content with that, which leads me to the next question….
What are my goals and expectations of this race? I have none. Seriously, I don’t. If you follow me at all you know that’s not how I roll. Unlike 99.9% of runners, I do not run to PR. Remember, I don’t do speed work, I rarely run races, (even though I have a few on my bucket list. Hello, Disney!), and I still stand by my opinion that races don’t make an athlete. Although I’m the Queen of over-analyzing, it may surprise you when I say that my daily runs, AKA “training”, aren’t something I over-analyze. Any analyzing that takes place is, “What route should I take?” or “How far should I go.” Most often I just lace up and run.
What am I going to wear? I have a pretty good idea, but I’m not 100% yet. With the night temperatures getting down to the mid 40s and the day temperatures reaching up into the mid 70s or low 80s it does make for a challenge to choose the appropriate gear. I’ll definitely be wearing layers.
Even though I don’t have grandiose plans to PR I’m still excited to go out and once again share in the excitement of racing with my fellow runners, and have an excellent time. Not to mention, when you go into something without expectations, it’s bound to be a great time, right? Let’s hope so.
In honor of my half marathon, Road Runner Sports and I are collaborating to provide you with a coupon to pick up some new gear. Just enter the code at check out and you’re good to go!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
How Do You Deal With A Running Funk?
15October 16, 2012
in Running
After going back and forth on what races to run this winter in Arizona I think I have a game plan. Ya’ll already know I completed my first race and the Phoenix Color Me Rad 5K is next. Last week I registered for the Fiesta Half and I really want to run the Lost Dutchman and/or Phoenix Half Marathon (Have yet to sign up for either). My plan is to continue sprinkling in some of of the remaining XTerra Arizona Trail Race Series races and I haven’t ruled out registering for a late spring race possibly in California. By then my race funds will probably have dried up but I can always hope, right?
I had a very hard time deciding between the Tucson Half versus the Fiesta Half. Ultimately price and location are what sealed the deal for me. Unfortunately with me going back and forth for so long I didn’t even realize I should be training for prospective races I wanted to race. So instead of starting at Week 1, I had to jump in at Week 4 of my training plan. Whoops.
Now, I gotta share a “keeping it real” moment. As time goes on my runs in Arizona have not really gotten much easier. Let me clarify. My runs have NEVER been easy no matter what my location. What I mean is that lately things just haven’t been clicking. Have you ever gone through a running/workout funk? I’m not talking about when your heart’s not in it, but when everything seems to be working against you. That’s where I am. I have the zest for running and training, but I feel like my shoes are full on concrete, my gear is rubbing in all the wrong places, and I’m struggling to with each step to keep forward momentum. In other words I feel like I’m revisiting my not so pleasant days of training for Rev3CP. What’s the deal?! I’ve trained for these distances before. Have I gotten soft and blocked from my memory how hard training really was?
For the past year I’ve tried mixing things up to get the fun back in my run. As I sit down and think about it, am I lacking fun in my run? No. I have the enthusiasm and drive that I had when I initially started running. I don’t hold any goals or expectations over my head so I really have no worries. I’m beginning to wonder if it isn’t really a mental issue, but a physical problem(s) that I’m having. Improper fueling, inadequate hydration, or maybe the wrong gear. I have no clue.
I am in no way a world-class, superstar athlete, but when it feels like almost every training session for close to a year has whipped your butt, that’s a pretty major blow to your ego. Mind you, this past Sunday the skies cleared and the stars align for an almost perfect 8 mile run. There was really no rhyme of reason to my preparation and I was initially dreading it, thinking I’d do poorly, and then things just clicked. What?! No clue…at all. Here’s to more runs like that!
In the meantime, at least I have nice surroundings and a great view.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Buzz: My Crazy Idea – Venturing Into Trail Running
28September 23, 2012
Some of you may have seen my post on Twitter and Facebook stating that I’m thinking about trying something crazy. Well, I’ve followed through on my “something crazy.”
A couple weeks ago I posted a list of several races I’m interested in running. One of those included running one of races in the XTerra Trail Run Arizona Series. Quite honestly when I included it in my post I thought it was a long shot and said, “Maybe next year….”
As you know, one of the points of us moving to Arizona was to live lives full of fun and adventure. For several years I’ve wanted to try out trail running. Although I’ve run a trail race but it was in the flat lands of Ohio. Coming out to Arizona is totally different territory.
Thanks to the kind folks at Mizuno I was hooked up with some new Wave Ascend trail shoes about a month ago.
Unfortunately I’ve been unable to put them to use. That all changed this weekend….
After the chatter on the Cholla Chicks, a local running group, message board I had an itch I just had to scratch and signed up for my first ever 8K trail training run. Mind you, the longest distance I’ve ever run in Arizona is 5K.
As I drove to Estrella Mountain, yes mountain, at 5am Sunday morning I was giddy with excitement. Could I do this? Was I going to die? Not to mention I was excited to officially hook up with some of the Cholla Chicks. No matter what was going to happen I knew I would at least have the gorgeous moment of seeing the sun rise over the hills.
By 5:45a the parking lot was buzzing with about 20 runners and I found Sue, Michelle, Jennifer, and Abby of the Cholla Chicks. After my quick disclaimer of, “I’ve never done this. Feel free to leave me in the dust.” We were on our way. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could keep pace with them. Whew! The easy conversation took over and before we knew it we were at the 4 mile mark, the deciding point of going the short or long distance of the trail. Sue used her magical powers to convince us to go long. Just like that, my 8K trail run turned into 20K. I was game!
Just like the first half of the run, the conversation took over. It allowed me to get to know the girls and kept the time moving. After a few stumbles, a couple stops for photos, Jennifer and Michelle taking falls, and walk breaks, the parking lot came into view. We had made it. Did I just run/hike 12 miles?! That’s the longest I’ve run in a LONG time…not to mention, it was in mountainous/dessert terrain. Hot dang.
Was it a challenge? Yes. Am I sore? Yes. Did I succeed? Yes. Did I love it. YES! This trail running stuff rocks.
But my crazy idea doesn’t end there. Today’s run was a training run for the first XTerra Race in their series….the one on my running wishlist. Guess it’s not such a long shot anymore, eh? With that being said, I’ve decided to sign up for my first official big girl trail race. In 2 weeks I’ll once again be out running Estrella Mountain. Given that I’ll be running alone I’ve chosen to go with the 8K distance and am saving the 20K for another time.
I’ve been keeping this a bit of a secret since luck hasn’t been on my side when it’s comes to signing up and actually running races lately, but I’m pretty darn stoked about this. Fingers crossed I stay healthy between now and then.
A huge thank to the rockin’ Cholla Chicks! Thanks for encouraging me to push my limits and do what I came out to Arizona to do…be adventurous. I look forward to many more runs and races with you!!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
How @Rev3Tri #Rev3CP Training Rocked Me To The Core
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You may have noticed in last week’s post that there was no mention of triathlons in the list of possible races. Why? Well, there are a couple reasons.
Upon moving here I’ve found that triathlons seem few and far between. There are VERY few lakes available for open water swimming and the races I have found call for the swim portion to be done in a pool. That’s not necessarily bad but it would definitely be a different take.
I also haven’t gotten in the pool or seriously swam since early July. With our closest lake about 30-40 minutes away and lack of sufficient funds to join our local YMCA it doesn’t look like I’ll be back in the water regularly anytime soon.
(This is where the blog post makes me a little uncomfortable. I’m stepping outside of my comfort zone a bit and sharing something I’ve held secret for a few months…..but it needs to be said.)
Although those are some pretty big setbacks I know I could really pursue and persevere if I wanted to. To be honest at this very moment I don’t want to. Why, you ask? My whole experience of registering for my first Half Rev3, starting training, and then sacrificing it for our move has rocked me to the core a bit….in several ways.
Quite frankly I had no idea what I got myself into when I signed up. You see, I only have sprint triathlon experience. I knew signing up would be a HUGE undertaking, but I didn’t realize how huge it would be. From the first moments I was humbled in each training session. As you know I don’t claim to be a super athlete but I can usually hold my own. I totally underestimated the bike and have repeatedly said that I thought it would be the easiest leg and has since proven to be my hardest sport. Adding in the use of my first triathlon bike made it that much more challenging. Not only was I attempting distance on a bike but also learning the ins and outs of riding in aero position, all while attempting to clip in and out of the pedals….not too successfully.
True, I did have some successes here and there. All of which I am grateful for. No matter how small, all of our life experiences make us who we are, so I am not belittling them in any way. Training is supposed to be hard and challenging….that’s one of the reasons I do what I do. But honestly, I felt like each training session was a HUGE hurdle and I never really walked away feeling accomplished or “on top of the world” excited. Most often I felt beat down, disheartened, and wondered what I got myself into. Although I got more confident in my biking I still never seemed to break that invisible barrier or acquired any speed (kind of sounds like my running too….)
When the opportunity for us to move to Arizona came about you may understand a bit better how it was easier for me to walk away from my Rev3CP registration. In no way did I see our move as an easy out or running away from a challenge. Lord knows there was much more that went into our decision than this race. But after beating my head (and body) against a wall for months it’s safe to say I had my fill.
With that being said, passing on registration hasn’t been easy to swallow. I acquired my Rev3 visor after volunteering last year. I wore it with pride during my workouts but couldn’t help but feel like a fraud since I didn’t earn that visor. The only thing that kept me wearing it was the drive it gave me when I would put it on and knowing that I would soon earn my place among those that have gone before me. Unfortunately that’s now not the case. With the actual race this weekend I’m sure I’ll have my share of emotions coursing through my brain. (By the way I’ll be sending positive energy and thoughts to all those racing!)
As I’ve stated previously, Rev3 is a class act group of people. They are amazing in many ways and I would absolutely love to be part of their team someday (gotta get better at the sport and work on my race resume though). I have no plans on giving up on the sport of triathlon or my dream of running a Rev3 race. I do know that I’ve enjoyed mixing up my training since arriving in Arizona and that I have many more dreams to fulfill in my lifetime.
For now I think it’s best I take time to allow the dust to settle, reassess my abilities, and scale back to more attainable short term goals. Once I get that all in line I will need to realize that just like with running, if I want to run a half Rev3 I’m going to have to work my ass off harder than most normal people do.
Until then….
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Power Song Packed Playlist
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Some days I run with music, some days I don’t. Here’s what I’m currently listening to when I do!
Adam Lambert – Down The Rabbit Hole
Adam Lambert – If I had You
Adam Lambert – Music Again
Adam Lambert – Pick U Up
Adam Lambert – Fever
Adam Lambert – For Your Entertainment
Adam Lambert – Strut
Adele – Cold Shoulder
Adelita Way- Invincible
Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion
Akon – Beautiful
Akon – Right Now
Alan Parsons Project – Sirius
Alicia Keys Feat. Beyonce – Put It In A Love Song
Angels & Airwaves – The Adventure Final
Angra – Spread The Fire (Progressive Metal – Real fast)
Aqua – Barbie Girl
Avril Lavigne – Girlfriend
Backstreet Boys – Everybody
Band Of Skulls – Dull Gold Heart
Bangles – Hazy Shade Of Winter (remix)
Bay City Rollers – Saturday Night
Bell Biv Devoe – Poison
Beyonce – Radio
Beyonce – Single Ladies
Beyonce – Run The World
Billy Idol – Rebel Yell
Billy Joel –Angry Young Man
Billy Joel – Pressure
Billy Joel – Tell Her About It
Billy Joel –You’re Only Human
Billy Joel –We Didn’t Start The Fire
Black Eyed Peas – Boom Boom Pow
Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta A Feeling
Black Eyed Peas – Don’t Phunk With My Heart
Black Eyed Peas –Pump It
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club– Salvation
Blind Melon – No Rain
Blondie – Dreaming
B.O.B. – Airplanes
Bond Girls – Anything from them – classical strings rocking out
Brandston – Nobody Dances Anymore
Britney Spears – Circus
Britney Spears – I’m A Slave For You
Britney Spears – Will The World Ends
Britney Spears –Toxic
Britney Spears – Womanizer
Bruno Mars – Just The Way You Are
Bryan Adams – Here I Am
Cake – The Distance
Carly Comando – Everyday
Carly Rae Jepson – Call Me Maybe
Cascada – Evacuate The Dance Floor
Cascada – Everytime We Touch
Cee Lo Green – F**k You
Charlie Daniels – Devil Went Down To Georgia
Christina Aguilera – Ain’t No Other Man
Contender Theme
Colbie Caillat – Something Special
Crystal Method – Several different songs (techno)
CSS – Music Is My Boyfriend
Cyndi Lauper – Goonies Theme
Cyndi Lauper – She Bop
Daddy Yankee – Gasolina
Daniel Bedingfield – Gotta Get Through This (techno)
Danny Elfman – Anything from this composer – Planet Of The Apes Theme
Dave Matthews Band – Two Step
Dave Matthews Band – Crash Into Me
Dave Matthews Band – Drive In Drive Out
David Guetta Feat Usher – Without You
Dead Or Alive – You Spin Me Round
Depeche Mode – Personal Jesus
Diddy – Coming Home
DJ Sammy – Heaven
Dr. Dre Feat Eminem – I Need A Doctor
Dream Theater – (Progressive Metal) – Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Dream Theater – I Walk Beside You
Dream Theater – Never Enough
Dream Theater – Panic Attach
Dream Theater – Prophets Of War
Duffy – Mercy
Eiffel 65 – I’m Blue
ELO – Don’t Bring Me Down
ELO – Mr. Blue Sky
Elvis – A Little Less Conversation
Eminem – ‘Til I Collapse
Eminem – Lose Yourself
Ennio Morricone – (Upbeat) L’ Estasi Dell’oro [From the Good, the Bad and the Ugly]
Enrique Iglesias – Tonight
Enrique Iglesias – I Like It
E.S. Posthumus – Unstoppable
Europe – Final Countdown
Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams
Eve – Tambourine
Fabolous – Breathe
Family Foce 5 – Kountry Gentleman
Flogging Molly – Devil’s Dance Floor
Florence + The Machine – Breath Of Life
Florence + The Machine – Cosmic Love
Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
Florence + The Machine – Drumming Song
Florence + The Machine – Heavy In Your Arms
Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out
Flo Rida – Good Feeling
Flo Rida – Low
Flo Rida – Right Round
Forever Thursday – How Can It Be
Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks
Fun – We Are Young
Gap Band – You Dropped A Bomb On Me
Garry Schyman – Praan
Gary Go – Wonderful
Gavin DeGraw – Not Over You
Gloria Estefan – Reach
Gloria Estefan –Turn The Beat Around
Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
Gnarls Barkley – Smiley Faces
Gwen Stefani – Hollback Girl
Hanson – Give A Little
Hanson – In The City
Hanson – Thinkin’ Bout Something’
Hellogoodbye – Hear In Your Arms
Imagine Dragons – On Top Of The World
Jack Johnson – Staple It Together
Jack Johnson – You And Your Heart
Jay Sean – Down
Jay-Z -Brush Your Shoulders (dirt off your shoulders)
Jimmy Eat World – Pain
Jennifer Lopez – Let’s Get Loud
Jerry Goldsmith – Rudy Theme or Tryouts Theme
Jesse McCartney – How Do You Sleep Remix
Johnny Cash – God’s Gonna Cut You Down
Kanye West – Stronger
Karl Jenkins – Palladio 1 Allegretto (DeBeers Diamond Commercial)
Kate Nash – Merry Happy
Kate Nash –Mouthwash
Kate Nash –Pumpkin Soup
Kate Nash –Skeleton Song
Katy Perry – E.T.
Katy Perry – Hot N’ Cold
Katy Perry – I Kissed A Girl
Katy Perry –Peacock
Keb Mo – Am I Wrong
Kelly Clarkson – Stronger
Kevin Rudolph – Let It Rock
Kenny Loggins – Footloose
Keri Hilson – Pretty Girl Rock
Kings Of Leon – Use Somebody
Lady Gaga – Bad Romance
Lady Gaga – Born This Way
Lady Gaga – Hair
Lady Gaga – Judas
Lady Gaga – Poker Face
Lady Gaga – Paparazzi
Lady Gaga – Scheibe
Lady Gaga – Telephone
La Roux – Bulletproof
La Roux – Tiger Lily
Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
Lil Mama – Lip Gloss
Lindsay Lohan – Rumors
Lionel Ritchie – Dancing On The Ceiling
Ludacris – How Low
Ludovico Einaudi – Fly
Macy Gray – Beauty In The World
Marc Anthony – I’ve Got You
Marvin Gaye – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Marvin Gaye – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Metallica – Enter Sandman
Metallica – Don’t Tread On Me
Metallica – For Whom The Bell Tolls
Metro Station – Shake It
Michael Jackson – Black Or White
Michael Jackson – Ease On Down The Road
Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal
Michael Jackson – Thriller
Michael Jackson/Janet Jackson – Scream
Michael Sembello – Maniac (80’s)
Miley Cyrus – See You Again
Miley Cyrus – Start All Over
Missy Elliot – Shake Your Pom Pom
Moby – Honey
Moby – Porcelain
Muse – Apocalypse Please
Muse –Time Is Running Out
Muse – Song For Absolution
Muse – Hysteria
Muse – Butterflies & Hurricanes
Muse – Starlight
Muse – Map Of The Problematique
Muse – Exo-Politics
Mysto And Pizzi – Somebody’s Watching Me
Nelly – Heart of A Champion
Nicki Minaj – Starships
NKOTBSB – Don’t Turn Out The Lights
Nuttin But Stringz – Thunder
Orgy – Blue Moon
Our Lady Peace – Starseed
Outkast – Hey Ya
Paolo Nutini – New Shoes
Paolo Nutini – Pencil Full Of Lead
Pink – Funhouse
Pink – You and Your Hand
Pinter Sisters – Jump
Pointer Sisters – Neutron Dnace
Pussy Cat Dolls – Jai Ho
Prince – Let’s Go Crazy
Proclaimers – 500 Miles
Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now
Queen – I Want To Break Free
Queens Of The Stone Age – No One Knows
Radiohead – 15 Steps
Rascal Flatts- Stand
Regina Spektor – Fidelity
Rembrandts – I’ll Be There For You
Rihanna – Only Girl
Rihanna – S&M
Rihanna – SOS
Rihanna – Please Don’t Stop The Music
Rihanna –We Found Love
Robin Thicke – When I Get You Alone
Rocky Horror Picture Show – Time Warp
Rocky Soundtrack – Final Fight
Rocky Soundtrack – Workout Theme
Rusted Root – Ecstasy
Rusted Root – Send Me On My Way
Salt N’ Pepper – Push It
Savage Ft. Soulja Boy – Let Me See Your Hips Swing
Savage Garden – I Want You
Scatman John – Scatman
Scissor Sisters – I Don’t Feel Like Dancing
Spinners – Rubberband Man
Shrek 2 Soundtrack – I Need A Hero
Simon And Garfunkel – Cecilia
Slumdog Millionaire – O…Saya
Spice Girls – Spice Up Your Life
Spider Bait – Black Betty
Spinners – Rubberband Man
Stratovarius – Black Diamond (Fast)
Stratovarius – Freedom (Fast)
Styx – Mr. Roboto
Sugarhill Gang – Apache
Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger
Swing Kids – Swing, Swing, Swing
Taio Cruz – Dynamite
The Wanted – Glad You Came
Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
Timbaland – Way I Are
Timbaland ft. Justin Timberlake – Carry Out U2 – I Will Follow
Ting Tings – Shut Up And Let Me Go
Ting Tings – That’s Not My Name
Tommy Tutone – 867-5309 (Jenny)
Tony Basil – Hey Mickey
Train – Drive By
U2 w/ Greenday – The Saints Are Coming
Usher – Caught Up
Usher – DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love
Usher – OMG
Van Halen – Right Now
Veronicas – Popular
Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men
White Rabbits – Percussion Gun
Wicked – Defy Gravity
The Wiz Soundtrack – A Brand New Day
Youngbloodz – Imma Shine
What’s on your playlist? What’s your power song?
Be Grateful and Keep Smiling =)
Buzz: Races Don’t Make An Athlete
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Something that crossed my mind this weekend is the fact that if you look at my “race resume” I really don’t have all that many official races in my 5 years of running. Why? There are multiple reasons.
Racing is expensive. With 5Ks that run $25 along with half marathons and triathlons that range between $50-100 (if not more), those race registrations can add up fast.
Oftentimes my schedule isn’t conducive to racing. Several years ago I stepped away from a stressful job and into a less stressful but lower paying job. In order to make up my income deficit I picked up several side jobs. These side jobs didn’t interfere with workouts but often did interfere with race dates/times. This year I had hoped to have a “big” race year but was ultimately sidelined by injury and then with our huge uprooting to Arizona I gave up my Half Rev3 (for now).
If money and time weren’t an issue I’d love to race more often, and hope to do so in the future. Races are fun, they give you something to focus on and drive you to train. Not to mention the exhilarating feeling you have as you cross the finish line is unexplainable. With that being said, races aren’t the most important thing for me and chances are my Race Bucket List doesn’t include many of the races found on others’ bucket lists. (What?! No Boston?!)
What’s most important for me is that I get out and swim, bike, and/or run as often as I can. Just like any athlete, bad days come along with the good, but I try to embrace every experience as it presents itself because I am truly blessed to be able to have the ability to do such sports.
I have no doubt in my mind that I’ve grown into who I am today because of those blood, sweat, tears, and triumphs on those training workouts. All done without a cheering squad, finish line, or a post race medal.
I am by no means the fastest athlete you’ll find nor do I race every weekend but I don’t think anyone can doubt my determination and drive or what my sports of choice have done for my life. Races don’t make an athlete. You become one on your own.
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Use It Or Lose It
21
I can’t believe that as of tomorrow we will have lived in Arizona for 1 week. Whoa. We still have some things to get taken care of…like finding jobs. I’ve had several interviews for positions in my “normal” career field but I’m still looking for that perfect opportunity to officially jump into the world of social media. Any takers?? D has started auditioning with local bands as he plans to continue his career as a professional musician here in Phoenix. I believe we will have some excellent opportunities in the near future, we just need to be patient and go with the flow.
We’ve gotten a ton o’ stuff accomplished within our short time of being here. Rental insurance, change of addresses, car emissions tests, new licenses, license plates, insurance transferred.
I’d love to have even more things done but as D said, we’re gotten more things done in a week than most people get done in a month. Come to think of it who decides to move across the country, puts their plan into action, and actually finds themselves moved within 30 days’ time? Oh yeah, us!
So far I think we’d both say that we are happy with our move and are thrilled with our location. Although we did a lot of Google searching we basically went sight unseen when it came to our rental home/location. We have been pleasantly surprised that even though we are decently close to the city we still have a clean, quiet neighborhood, and spacious home. The close proximity to many grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants is a huge plus and have found the distance to be quite comparable to what we’re used to.
The other day we took a quick 15 minute trip down to Goodyear Ballpark to check out where the Cleveland Indians play.
Then a short jaunt took us to where the Arizona Cardinals play and then the Phoenix Coyotes Arena.
On Tuesday we even made it to our first Diamondbacks game.
It’s awesome to once again be so close to venues.
We’ve also ventured over to White Tank Mountain Regional Park. Although we didn’t go hiking we look forward to doing so in the near future and have found that we’ll have several more parks to check out in the area. (Hello trail running!)
Speaking of running, after taking a week off of running due to our move I started pounding pavement Monday. As expected, it’s been a humbling experience. I know that taking any time off longer than a few days has a bad influence on my running. Yes, even after running steadily for 5 years that’s how fast I lose it. After my first day of running I found myself laying on our cool tile floor trying to calm some nasty nausea. Yargh! It’s been forever since that’s happened. Even at 6am the heat is no joke here in Arizona. In no way am I complaining. I’m thoroughly enjoying the heat, it’s just going to take some time to adjust. I always run with my Nathan handheld and found that after just 3 miles I had almost downed the entire bottle. I have no fears, it will come. After just 2 days of running I’m already seeing myself rebound.
As seen on my run. Yeah, totally normal to look over and see mountains.
I’ve also started eyeing races. It’s excellent to not only have races to choose from but that are also close. What’s even better? I’ll be able to race through the winter. Very cool. Now, what race(s) should I choose??
I know I haven’t posted any videos on YouTube lately, but they’ll be back soon!
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
Moving To AZ, There Will Be No Rev3, For Me
30
If you read my posts regularly you know that I’ve been planning and looking forward to running my first Half Revolution3 Triathlon this year. You may be wondering how I’m going to pull it off with our big adventure ahead.
I’m not going to pull it off. There will be no Half Revolution3 for me….this time around. I will admit, it pains me to type that.
After taking a few years off of running races due to my health this was supposed to be a decent race year for me. Or at least that’s what I had hoped. My first race of the year was supposed to be the Toledo Glass City Half Marathon. After several months of training I ended up with my first DNS due to an ankle issue.
As I eyed other races for summer I found myself having issues deciding on what would fit best into my Half Rev3 training schedule. I never did decide on a race schedule (maybe I somehow knew I wouldn’t be racing??) Instead, I set my eyes to my Rev3 training. I signed up for Rev3 Coaching, dealt with my freak out, and logged a decent amount of hours swimming, running, and biking.
I know to some it may seem like I’m throwing it all away and I’m sure some may even question my goal setting, planning, and execution. In my mind all of my hard work and time wasn’t all for naught. I believe no matter how big or small, every experience in our lives builds character and makes us stronger.
Running a Half Rev3 is a challenge I’d like to conquer, but it’s not my dream. Heading out west for adventure is my dream. I will definitely run a Revolution3 race in the future…and it will be sooner than later. For now I’m going to live my dream, continue training, running races/triathlons, and hope to pick up some more fun sports.
What helpful hints do you have for me as I head out AZ? Where should I run/train? What are your fave races? What other outdoor sports do I need to try??
Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)
