Playlist Wednesday!

SO this week was the start of my Detroit International HM training! My body is definitely feeling it and my shins/ITBS are killing me on my left side but hopefully using my foam roller and The Stick will help my sore muscles.  I am working with my 5 mile base so hopefully that I have my endurance down, I can work on my speed.  Detroit is a long ways away so I know I have plenty of time!

Here is what I'm loving on my playlist this week! 

• Heartless- Kanye West
• I have been on an old school Kanye binge lately and I am LOVING his 808s & Heartbreak album from 2008! 3 songs from that album are on this week's playlist especially thanks to my Ursher pandora station for bringing those songs back into my life! This one is definitely one that I have to be in the mood to listen to when I run but once I'm in the groove, this is perfect.
• Amazing (feat. Young Jeezy)- Kanye West
• This is another great Kanye song but I have to be in the perfect running mood for me not to skip/shuffle this song!
• Love Lockdown- Kanye West
• Again, another Kanye favorite of mine! Definitely check this one out- it was probably my favorite on his 808s & Heartbreak album.  I definitely needed this one during my 5+mile run last night!
• Aint it Funny- JLo & Ja Rule
• Ahhhhhh I wish so bad Ja Rule didn't play with guns and paid his taxes so he could make pure gold music like this song with J.Lo again. I love this song- definitely from JLo's sassier time in life and sometimes, I think this song is like perfect for the stage of life I'm going through.  Early 2000s JLo really spoke to me and still to this day I have the majority of her first music album on my running playlist (these remixes too!).
• Hips Don't Lie feat. Wyclef Jean- Shakira
• This one definitely takes me back to college when my bff drunkenly serenaded me after one too many margaritas at our favorite Mexican restaurant! Seriously, we had fun in college. Haha ANYways- I love this song on my running playlist- I know all the words so it's not uncommon to hear me singing this during a particularly long run!

proof these playlists are doing their job-- stats from my very first training run last night for the Detroit International Half Marathon

What are you listening to this week??

Playlist Wednesday (a day late!)

OK so I am FINALLY getting back into running after almost a month of injury and infections and viruses.  Let's be honest, my body was not too happy with the way I treated it in April (90+ miles, 3 PR races, etc.).  I started back with short 30-45 minute treadmill runs so I can get my heart rate up and slowly build my endurance back up! I have some exciting races planned for this summer and fall and I want to be on the top of my game when those races arrive!

Without further ado, here is the return of Playlist Wednesday (a day late since my life this week is OOC) and the highlight of what I'm listening to this week:

• Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)- Daft Punk
• This song was found on a fluke when I was perusing the iTunes Top Singles list the other day! I love it and I'm always down for anything with Pharrell! It's a new addition to my running playlist so I still need to hear it a few more times to figure out my groove with the beat and running!
• No Church In the Wild (feat. Frank Ocean & The-Dream)- Jay-Z & Kanye West
• Sooo, I was delirious one night and totally downloaded The Great Gatsby soundtrack in the middle of the night a few weeks ago. This song is in a lot of the previews (and a commercial too I think?) but it's great if you like rap songs when you run! I love the beat to this and its like OTP Jay&Kanye are reunited once again!
• A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)- Fergie, Q-Tip, & GoonRock
• This too is from The Great Gatsby soundtrack I downloaded a few weeks ago in an insomniac rage. I love this song! It's so true, a little party  never killed anybody! Every time I hear this when I run, I just want to have a dance party and drink champagne!
• Feel This Moment (feat. Christina Aguilera)- Pitbull
• Now, let me just say for the record, I do not listen to Pitbull recreationally but I heard this song on the radio couple weeks ago and it's so freaking perfect for running! I love the upbeat parts of the song that it just makes me want to sprint during those parts! Maybe it'll be my speedwork song?? PS Christina sounds so AMAZING in this song!!
• 22- Taylor Swift
• I know I'll regret this later but it is so damn catchy! I love singing along with the chorus when I run haha! Sometimes, I do wish I could act like I'm 22 again!

What's your favorite running/workout song this week??

Injury Sminjury (is that even a word??)

Well, there is no Playlist Wednesday this week since I haven't run since my half marathon 10 days ago (ugh has it really been that long???)! During my race, I developed a nasty blister around mile 11 and then the week after my race, I had the smart idea to wear heels to work even though my feet were killing me! The blister popped and I didn't take care of the open "wound."  Well, now, thanks to my vanity and wanting to be tall/wear my favorite high heels to work, I now have a stupid infected foot!

After much persuading by my parents, I made a trip to Danville Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning I had an appointment with my usual doctor to see if he could figure out what was going on…which was an infection to be treated with antibiotics (bactrim 2x/day-ugh eating 2 big meals a day is my worst nightmare) and keep my foot elevated to reduce some of the swelling. Well, that won't be quite so possible while I'm at work but at  least if I suck it up a few more days it will heal better so I can get back to running and my 30DS!

Here's my gross infected foot if you're interested in what will happen if you DON'T take care of your feet after a big race:

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to run or put much pressure on my foot because of the ridiculous amount of pain and itching (apparently, I was told, this is the infection moving into my foot and eventually my lower leg) I can barely exercise.  I have been keeping up with the 30DS but only doing the Strength and Abs circuit since doing jumping jacks is kinda painful right now.  I do feel overall stronger and I am obsessed with doing crunches.  I can tell my arms and shoulders are getting stronger because I moved from the 3lb weights to 5lb within the first week and hopefully I'll be using my 8lb weights at least halfway through level 2!

I also purchased Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 DVD so that is my next workout once I finish this round of 30DS. I am pretty excited about trying something new and hopefully it'll bring some welcome changes! I can't wait to start it and review each level on here once I get to those workouts!I 

Hopefully, Playlist Wednesday will return next week and my foot is all infection free! In the meantime, why don't you laugh at this picture from getting my first paycheck as a working Attorney (I don't think I could have been more eager to open this envelope hah):

Hope everyone is having a great week! Look out for some interesting posts later this week/end about my running must haves!!

How do you keep from going crazy during an injury? What was the worst fitness related injury you've had??

 

 

Playlist Wednesday- 10K Edition!

Better late than never right? I've had a few emotionally draining days and on top of all of that, my allergies have been so bad I can hardly breathe/keep my eyes open! I swear, pollen is the worst… ANYways, onto the playlist for today!

Because of my 10K PR this past weekend, I'm expanding today's playlist to my top 10 songs from my 10K playlist! A lot of these songs got me through the 10K when I was so hot and I felt like I couldn't breathe because of all of the pollen in Danville. This list clearly has no theme and really is just a hodgepodge of some great songs for running!

• Pursuit of Happiness (Extended Steve Aoki Remix) (feat. MGMT & Ratatat)- Kid Cudi
• found this on the Pavement Runner's Thursday playlist post a few weeks back and I was instantly hooked.  It is a remix of Kid Cudi's song that came out a few years ago.  I loved the original version and never realized that this remixed existed until last week. Granted, there is some bad language but what rap song doesn't? Love the message of this song too, especially when I do my long runs!
• I Need Your Love (feat. Ellie Goulding)- Calvin Harris
• I just watched the video of this song (seriously, click the link- aren't  Ellie & Calvin the cutest thing ever together?? I want them to be dating in real life) and it's pretty much amazing.  I fell in love with/became obsessed with Calvin Harris the past month or so with his newest cd and I may or may not have downloaded his entire cd from iTunes in an insomnia, delirious state the other night...
• Chris Cox Megamix- Britney Spears
• Amazing. This remix was originally on Britney's greatest hits: my prerogative cd back in 2004.  I love love love remixes and this is the perfect mix of all of my favorite Britney songs.  I love how they even made Britney's song Everytime upbeat and a perfect inclusion to the entire remix.
• Run Away- Real McCoy
• I've always had a thing for 90s music and this song has been in my iTunes for probably close to 10 years but I just recently added it to my playlist for my hill runs last week and for the 10K on the weekend too.  It's so cheesy and perfect for running if you take the literal meaning of the lyrics.  So catchy and I seriously sing this one out loud when I run. 
• Labels of Love- Fergie
• OK, so don't get me wrong, I am NO fan of the Black Eyed Peas (the group or the vegetable) and I generally can't stand Fergie (ugh she's married to Leo from All My Children!!!) but I heard this song from the Sex and the City movie soundtrack back in 2008 and it's so fun.  
• Glamorous (Feat. Ludacris)- Fergie
• Again, no fan of Fergie but I love anything with Luda and the lyrics to this hot mess of a song are so catchy.  It helped me to learn how to spell glamorous too.
• I'm Real (feat. Ja Rule)- Jennifer Lopez
• I love Ja Rule.  I often wonder whatever happened to him but I saw that he's in jail for not paying taxes so that sucks. It's like dude, pay your taxes so you can make more glorious songs like this and J Lo won't have to collaborate with Pitbull anymore.  This song has a great beat, the lyrics are fun to sing (J Lo's part).
• Waiting for Tonight- Jennifer Lopez
• This gem from 1999 was I think Jennifer Lopez' first single after she did the Selena movie and it was totally my jam fall of 8th grade.  I remember dancing to this during my 8th grade homecoming dance and loving it! haha I sing it so loud when I drive so I figured it was time to add it to the running playlist and what a great move that was!!
• Remix (I Like The)- New Kids on the Block
• mmmmmm Donnie Wahlberg. ummm ok yeah about the song.. it's so freaking catchy! I love how upbeat the song is for the ENTIRE song.  So many songs these days are upbeat but have a slower part but this song keeps the tempo the entire 3+ minutes and 
• Feel So Close- Calvin Harris
• This is a recent addition to my running playlist but was the first Calvin Harris song I ever downloaded (I think) and it's been the perfect pick me up in the middle of my runs when my shins start hurting and I just want to crawl into a ball and cry. Seriously, download Calvin Harris' cd 18 Months.

 

What are your favorite workout/running songs this week? What are your thoughts on Calvin Harris?

Playlist Wednesday- 04/10 Edition!

So here is this week's playlist- rap edition! I go through phases when I run where I can't stand to listen to some of my favorite songs/genres and this week is one of them.  I heard all of these songs on my Usher/90s R&B Pandora stations this week which inspired me to add them to my running playlist! 

• Lose Yourself- Eminem
• This is from Eminem's movie "8 Mile. " I love hearing this song getting in a grove with the beat while I run.  You can say what you want about Eminem (and we all know there is plenty to say) but one this that can't be contested is that he is a talented musician.  I really enjoy his music for running purely for the beat and sometimes the lyrics as well (for example, "Not Afraid" but that is for another post).
• You Got Me (live)- The Roots
• This one is kind of a hit or miss.  I have to be in the right mood in my run for this song but when I am, it's perfect.  The original recorded version of this song has Eryka Badu (who I love) and she did an amazing job but I love when Jill Scott sings in the live versions with the Roots.  I've become a huge fan of The Roots from watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon all the time and I knew they were from Philadelphia but I had no idea they were good friends with Jill Scott and that she actually helped write this one.  Even if you don't like this song for running, it's a great song regardless! I know I love it!
• Drop the World (feat. Eminem)- Lil Wayne
• Warning-- this one has some bad language but hey, what other rap songs don't?? The beat of this song is perfect once I get into a run and get in a good groove with my intervals.  I think one of the reasons I like this song so much for when I run is because 
• Welcome to Atlanta-Jermaine Dupri; Ludacris
• Again, this is another great song once I get in the groove of my intervals.  I originally had this song on my playlist for my first half marathon back in 2011 and it was just what I needed to pick myself up after a tough first 10 miles. The music is great and the lyrics are so ridiculous I cant lie, sometimes I break out in laughter while running when this song comes on my playlist!
• Get No Better (feat. Moshanda)- Cassidy
• Here's an oldie but goodie haha! This is from wayyyy back (2004) but it's pretty upbeat, great for running and has some catchy lyrics.

 

Hope you enjoyed this week's rap-inspired playlist! 

Do you like to run/workout to rap music? What other genres of music get you going for a good run or workout?

 

 

Playlist Wednesday- 04/03 Edition!

 OK, so here are my favorites for this week, and they are very much 80s & 90s! 

• Heaven is a Place On Earth- Belinda Carlisle
• OK so this is technically 80s but this, a gem for running! You may not feel like heaven is a place on earth during a long run but it's pretty amazing and so upbeat I love having this playing for my long runs!
• Be My Lover- La Bouche
• This is a perfect song for the beginning of a run/workout.  It's consistently upbeat and so catchy that I find myself singing along while I run haha!
• Another Night- Real McCoy
• Again, another one of my favorites! This has been on my driving playlists since I was in college and on my running playlists since I started to run in 2009. The cheesy, stereotypical 90s lyrics are the best.
• Barbie Girl- Aqua
• What can I really say to do this song justice?? I love the fake barbie-ken interactions and whenever I hear this song I automatically picture like a barbie doll and a ken doll singing! A great way to get your mind off how many miles you've run so far!
• Tell It To My Heart- Taylor Dayne
• LOVE LOVE LOVE. 

 

Do you love the 80s and 90s as much as I do? What are some of your favorite 80s and 90s songs?? 

Month in Review: March 2013

Here are my stats for March! Having a monthly recap of my workouts is a great way to keep track of my overall progress and for me to stay accountable!
I am a creature of habit so all of my activities are either running or walking. Generally, I walk my dog anywhere from 1-1.4 miles a day and I like to run 3-4 times a week.  The last week of March was particularly rough for me with all of my muscle spasms (and back spasms that decided to enter my life again last night) but I did get a last run last night on the 31st!
Here you go:






I'm really proud of myself for sticking with running and training for all of my April races, especially after the Princess HM in February. See, I have a habit of taking a week or two off after a half marathon but not this time! My last big race was May 2012 so I wanted to do things differently this time.

The last week of February was solely dedicated to 3 recovery runs from my Galloway Plan from the Princess.  I did the experienced runner to finish plan and luckily it included the recovery runs so I felt like I had to complete them in order to fully finish the training plan. I'm big on finishing thing that you start so there was no way I wouldn't not finish the plan.

The first full week of March was great- I felt strong and was riding on a high from the Princess.  I actually started my training plan for the Divas HM this week  for the next 8 weeks (4 more left!!).  My plan goes 5 miles on T/Th and then on the weekends I alternate a long run and a 5 mi run.  For the long runs, I started off with a strong 8 miles (11:33mm pace).

In the second week, I had 2 great 5+ mile runs and a 5K race. This was the week I had the horrendous incident with my iPod nano.  You see, my older brother is pretty great and supportive of my running endeavors (as is the rest of my family since I'm the only one who runs/is active) and he got me this great watch holder when I got the iPod nano 6th Gen back in 2010:



































WELL--I began having iPod problems (the volume randomly going down and wouldn't stay up, randomly turning off- all during runs) and after much research, I found out that it was sweat/moisture getting inside the iPod.  I couldn't get the iPod out of the watch until a nice lady working at Target helped me out (after I promised she wouldn't be liable if anything happened to the iPod).  Well, on my second run that week (and first run in a YEAR without the watch holder), I had the iPod clipped on my shirt and it got caught and fell off, onto the ground.  Not only was it really scratched but the screen was completely cracked.  I was so upset since I had the Shamrock 5K that weekend so I was extra careful when I ran the 5K.  The highlight of March occured this week because I PR-ed my 5K time!

The third week was OK- with all the frustration about my iPod, I only had 2 runs.  I told my brother about what happened to my iPod and I was trying to figure out what to do at this point since Apple re-designed the nano again last fall and wouldn't fit in my watch.  My brother VERY GENEROUSLY found a brand new version of my exact orange, 8GB, 6th Gen iPod Nano.  He bought it for me!!! It finally came within the week and it took me a while to set it up and get my playlists back on there as well.  I couldn't quite figure out how to get it back in the watch but when I ran this week I had it in the pocket in my compression capri pants so there would be no chance of it getting caught AND i slipped the headphone wire inside my dri-fit shirt so that helped as well!!  I had a big deal long run this week-- TEN MILES! My first double digit run since my half marathon and I felt great (11:24mm pace).

Finally, the fourth week was pretty much a bust after being sidelined with muscle strain/spasms.  Everyone told me to rest my body and that I was pushing myself too hard (how else will I improve unless I push myself out of my comfort though??) so I rested.  6 whole days. Honestly, it was the worst because I felt heavy and bloated (did I mention I drink 100+oz of water/day?) and had no activity other than very short walks with Rusty in the mornings and evenings. In the meantime, I finally got the new iPod updated and into the watch and it looks great!



































I took a chance and wanted to finish March strong so I did a 6 mile run on the 31st (last night) and I felt so great afterwards (especially about that 11:05 mm pace)! Well, that was short-lived because while I was washing my hair later that night, my back started spasming and the pain was unbearable.  All night I couldn't sleep or get comfortable but the 3 ibuprofen helped some.  I'm feeling better but still pretty stiff.  I'm looking into getting a foam roller and using that for stretching (I don't stretch before/after my runs- a big no-no!).  Hopefully this will help all the pain!

Ultimately, it was a great month for me running and really just maintaining my activity level.  It's so easy to get lethargic after a big race but I'm glad I didn't fall into that trap this time around! It's always helpful to have upcoming races to stay in shape for and I think that also motivated me to maintain my running.  Here are my upcoming races for April:

• April 6- Gate City 8K in Greensboro, NC (my first 8K ever, a guaranteed PR!)
• April 13- Bridge to Bridge 10K in Danville, VA (hoping to PR here so I can use it for placement in future half marathons in the fall/winter)
• April 28- Divas Half Marathon in N. Myrtle Beach, SC (this will be my 5th {&hopefully a PR}, but the first for my BFF- can't wait to run at the beach with my BFF!)
   

 How do you keep yourself motivated after a big race? If you're not into running, how do you stay motivated to stay on track of your health and fitness goals? What do you have in store for April??

Playlist (kind of) Wednesday!

Here's this week's playlist I am loving.. even though I can't run this week.  This list includes great driving songs too, since I'll be doing a lot of that this week!

• Motown Philly- Boyz II Men
• I can't tell you how much this song always gets me going.  Whether I am running, or even driving back and forth from Greensboro and Danville like this week. And, it never fails to remind me of this gem from one of my all-time favorite childhood shows.
   
• U Don't Have to Call- Usher
• I recently heard this on my Usher pandora station. I am a huge Usher fan but I hadn't listened to a lot of his early 2000s albums in forever so this was a pleasant surprise.  I love the upbeat tempo of this song without being too fast/slow for when I run.
   
• TikTok- Ke$ha
• This song always reminds me of dance parties from summer/fall 2010 haha! I love the nonsensical lyrics and singing them while I run or drive. Ke$ha is crazy but her music is great for running!
   
• American Boy (feat. Kanye West)- Estelle
• Many people forget about this song from 2008 but I like to think of it from a time before Kanye West became annoying and extremely full of himself. I remember listening to this senior year of college and I've had it on most all of my playlists since I started running fall of my 2L year of law school. I even remember how excited I was when it won the Grammy all those years ago! Love it!!
   
• Everything is Everything- Lauryn Hill
• Love the message of this song (Everything is everything, What is meant to be will be. After winder, must come spring, Change, it comes eventually"). I listened to this song a lot after my last bar exam attempt (which I passed!!!) last August and it helps me keep perspective in life if that makes sense.  I love this song for running/working out especially because it reminds me the pain in my legs, the mental exhaustion, etc in the long run doesn't matter and no matter what I can get through that run/workout! Also, check out the video, pretty amazing!!!

Hope you liked this week's song selections! Did any of your favorites make the list? What would your Playlist Wednesday look like this week??