This post is dedicated to all runners who ever have had a bad run. Some will tell you to get over a bad run by taking an extra rest day, getting a massage, or running harder/faster/longer the next time. But I am going to tell you how one of my favorite childhood poems helps me get over a bad run.
This post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.
What’s a girl to do when new running shoes arrive on her doorstep a few days before a race? First, she reminds herself that you should not try anything new on race day and remembers when she learned that lesson the hard way a few years ago. Then, she thinks of all the bad things that could happen with the wrong running shoes–ITB problems, knee pain, shin splints. Then, she decides to wear the shoes just to walk around in, “to see how they feel.”
When, race day comes, she’s just not feeling it. She eyes her shiny new shoes and wonders if she could draw on the positive energy Mizuno builds into every shoe to boost her motivation. She is fascinated by the Japanese concept of Hado—the intrinsic vibrational life force energy that promotes powerful transformations–and Mizuno’s goal of harnessing the transformative possibilities of every run. Continue reading
I almost always run with music, unless I’m running with a friend. If I notice that my iPod Nano is dead as I’m heading out for a run, I will grab my iPhone instead. If I notice that my iPod Nano is dead when I’ve gone too far to turn back, I will be disappointed. I know that listening to music while I run outside breaks a safety rule, but I love running with music–and I keep the volume low enough so I can hear ambient noise. So, what are my favorite running songs?
You might think that a person who loves to run with music as much as I do would have the latest songs on her iPod, but I haven’t made a new playlist list since January! It just takes so much time to put together a new playlist! (To make it easier for you, I’ve provided Amazon Affiliate links directly to M3 downloads of my favorite running songs–just click on the images.) Instead of choosing current songs, I tend to use songs that have a motivating message or that will make me laugh during a long run.
All About That Bass — Meghan Trainor. OK, this is a current song–but it’s got a certain silliness that gives it staying power as a fun running song.
Happy — Pharrel Williams. I really should be sick of this song by now, but there is something about it that makes me …. happy!
Johnny Got A Boom Boom — Imelda May. I first heard this song on an NPR show (who knew public radio could be so cool!?). It’s got a wild “story” and is really upbeat.
Bang Bang — Ariane Grande. This is another fun, fast song.
Stronger — Kelly Clarkson. When I am making a playlist for a specific race, I like to put this song where I think I’ll encounter a big hill.
Ice Ice Baby — Vanilla Ice. I like to put this song near the end of my playlist to psych myself up for an ice bath. 🙂
Raise Your Glass — Pink. I like to put this song near the very end of my playlist, as encouragement to finish strong and “raise my glass” to a great run.
[Tweet “Great Running Tunes For Your Next Playlist”]
How often do you make a new playlist?
One reason I like to do races is to experience the positive energy of pushing myself with thousands of others who are doing the same. (Did you see my Army Ten Miler recap? I’m still enjoying those endorphins!) I love it when we all are lined up waiting to start, re-tying our laces one last time, making sure our Garmins have a signal, squeezing in one more stretch, and smiling at everyone else who finally has made it through their training programs to race day.
This year was my seventh time running the Army Ten Miler, and the 30th anniversary of the race. Since I started the day without much of a plan and ended up with an unexpected PR, I will remember this Army Ten Miler recap as Lucky Number Seven.
This year also was the 30th year for the GW Parkway Classic—
I guess 1985 was a good year for running!
With all my recent racing, I’ve got my pre-race preparations down to a simple routine. I fix homemade spaghetti and turkey meatballs for dinner. Continue reading
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
