Um, Actually, Today is Friday

No, I wasn't getting ahead of myself.  I was just totally off a day.  I was most likely wishing it was Friday as I sat there with my girls who were at home on a day off from school.  So, "Reader's Pick" was yesterday, thank you Laurie, and today, we'll simply celebrate the fact that it's Friday.  This one will put a smile on anyone's face.  Have a fantastic day.

Listen to This:
Here Comes Your Man - The Pixies   

It's Friday - Reader's Pick

From Laurie D's playlist.  Rock on.

Listen to this:
So Lonely - The Police   
Give Me Everything - Pitbull (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer)   

"I'm Definitely Not 20 Anymore"

...said Shannon as we came out of our yoga class today.  My sentiments exactly.  I have finally realized that, although I can successfully pull off a 5K at age 36, the recovery takes quite a bit longer than it used to.  I have run several different races of various distances over the past few months.  Unlike in college, when I could compete in a race, get 5 hours of sleep that night and happily run 15 miles the next day, it now takes a solid 3-4 days for my muscles to bounce back and my fatigue to die off.  All I have to say is this; at least I'm still out there with the young and spritely and enjoying it while I can.  And to those who are feeling their age lately, so what if it takes longer to recover?  We still get bragging rites!

Listen to This:
Song Away: Hockey   

Something Different

Too often, I get stuck running on the same 3 or 4 running routes, simply because I don't have the time or patience to figure out something new.  Even with music, the same loop can't start to feel a bit stale.  Today, a friend and I set off on a totally different run and the new scenery alone, was worth the extra effort.  The unknown; from the turns, to the hills, to the people we saw, made time fly and the run feel more like an adventure and less of a "to do".  If you so desire, change it up.  You might be pleasantly surprised.

Listen to this:
If You Wanna - The Vaccines  

A Day Off

As a runner, I try to stick to a somewhat regular schedule.  Monday is usually a long run for me.  Since I ran a 5K yesterday, I was thinking I would just cross train today instead of run.  I woke up this morning and got dressed to workout.  I drank my coffee, dropped my kids off at school, stretched a bit, and then...I called a friend to see if she wanted to get a cup of coffee.  Some days I just don't have it in me and rather than push it, I try to listen to what my mind and body are telling me.  Today, they were saying, "your legs are really tired and you need to chill out and enjoy that cup of coffee".  So I ran with that.

Listen to this:
The Drive - Robbie Rivera   

The 5K

We all know it.  3.1 miles.  Short and painfully sweet.  It tends to be the race that almost anyone can tackle, runner or not.  It's a solid push that doesn't take too much training.  For many, it's a "first race".  For the distance runner, it's a brutal sprint.  For the non-runner, well, it can be done.  These races draw young kids, moms or dads with strollers, friends who run together,  those who are out to support a good cause and so many more.  It's hard not to feel good about tackling the 5K.   If you haven't already, give it a shot.

Listen to This:
Maniac - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah    

It's Friday - You Pick

I love it when I get words of wisdom from my 6 year old.  On our way to school we hear this song that she claims is amazing and states, "you could definitely run to this one."  I listened for a bit and then replied, "I don't know, it starts off kind of slow, I'm not sure it would get me going."  To which she replied, "It might not work for you, mom, but it could work for someone else."  Who am I to judge what works for one person but not for another.  That one particular song with a slow groove but a great beat might slow me down, but might push someone else to do another mile.  So, from now on, Friday's song will come from the readers.  Please send in your favorites and, if you're up for it, let me share them with everyone else.  Thanks, Rosie!

Listen to this:
Rosie - The Kooks    

Sweet Chaos

Today was picture day at school.  To my dismay, my girls changed outfits several times and wanted specific shoes that required my going up into the attic and digging through boxes.  That was awesome.  I was responsible for taking multiple children to school and I was running late.  I had a meeting right after drop-off and a dentist appointment before pick-up and I was determined to get a run in between these 2 activities.   So often I have these days where I feel completely out of control.  I find I just have to embrace the chaos (and laugh at myself).  It was very appropriate to hear this song this morning as I was attempting to get my ducks in a row.  I'm never going to have it all together, and for those of you who do, more power to you.  For the rest of us who try to juggle it all, this one is for you.

Listen to this:

The Walls are Coming Down - Fanfarlo  

A Second Cup

I always have one cup of coffee before I run.  Today I really could have used two.  Alas, this is not an option for me as my routine only allows for that single cup.  Habit, I guess.  I started my run off with the song below.  What a buzz!  There is so much going on in this one I had to listen to it a few times to wrap my head around it.  Let this one get you over the hump!  Enjoy.


Listen to this:
Meantime - Givers   

Oh, The Hills!

They're brutal.  Whether long with a slight incline, or short and steep, they tend to fight back and usually win.  This is extremely annoying because really, all they are doing is just sitting there, which makes the battle so unfairly one-sided.  But, some of us keep fighting them despite this.  If you're not lucky enough to run with a friend who helps push you to the top, skip to your most loud and energetic songs with a super fast tempo as your climbing.  When you get to the top, take a minute to pause, look down and recognize how bad a** you are.  For that, it's worth it.

For all of you who don't voluntarily torture yourselves with running hills, this post is for your personal hills, whatever those might be.

Listen to this:
Stadium Love - Metric   

Cold Feet

This morning I woke up and put my feet on our cold, wooden floor.  Quite a change from last week.  I had to smile as I walked downstairs and got ready to head out.  This is perfect running weather.  Many runners tend to embrace the fall season, myself included.  The heat and humidity of summer are gone, but it's still warm enough to get outside without having to bundle up.  I tend to feel a bit faster in the fall, too, which is always nice.  After being slowed down by the hot temps of the summer, the crisp, fall air often tricks me into picking up my pace and maybe adding on an extra mile.  Gotta love that.  Get out there while it lasts.

Listen to this:
Whirring - The Joy Formidable    

It's Friday

Enough said.

Listen to this:
That Great Love Sound - The Raveonettes    

Something for Everyone

Yesterday I got a note from a friend of mine who joined this blog.  He claimed that a blog for him might be more accurately tagged, "Should run. Love music. Music for old guys with bad backs who too rarely run but need to have music when they do."    So, just to clarify, this blog is absolutely for you, and for the rest of you out there who listen and/or run for any reason.

Listen to this:

Time to Pretend - MGMT   

Short & Sweet

Runners, music lovers, friends of runners and music lovers, meet ROBYN.  Her album, Body Talk, is incendiary.  Run, don't walk, to your nearest music listening device.

Listen to this:
Stars 4-Ever - Robyn, from "Body Talk"    

Live Music

Every once in a while I need some inspiration for both music and running.  There's no better place to find this than at a live performance by one of the bands that you love.  If it's possible, seek out a show by a band in your running playlist that you are particularly fond of.  I tend to prefer a smaller venue where I can get up close to the stage and dance around with others who are much younger than me but don't seem to notice.  I guarantee you will hit the road the next day with a skip in your step, undoubtedly listening to some, if not all of the songs you heard the night before.  Thank you, Fruit Bats.

Listen to this: 
FRUIT BATS
Wacs (for your run)
You're Too Weird (because it's just so good)

No Music?

As an athlete, I often have humbling experiences and today was one of them...I decided to tempt fate at a sprint triathlon.  As a runner, mixing the swimming and biking into a race proved quite challenging.  Clearly it's not possible to listen to music for all events.  For someone like myself who thrives on the tempo of music, this can be a slight bummer.  What I realized today is that it is still possible to rock it out.  I chose those couple of songs that tend to get me to the next level and grooved in my head as I took in the scenery, the people and the thrill of it all.  Basically, what it comes down to is that the music we love is always available with or without headphones.

Listen to this: (give it time, it's a slow build to awesomeness)
Where Do I Begin - The Chemical Brothers
*this one is dedicated to KH who totally blew me away today by her strength. 

The Warm Up

The sun is shining and the temperature is perfect.  You're heading out.  If you don't have this one, buy it and put it on your list.  The upbeat tempo will put a smile on your face and involuntarily get your legs moving.  There is a little ebb and flow in the song's rhythm which is perfect for your initial warm-up.  It will take you to your next song and you'll be ready to take-off.  Enjoy!

Listen to this:
Kick Drum Heart - Avett Brothers  

The Dreaded Treadmill

Today is the 3rd day of rain this week.  I typically try to brave the elements, but today it's coming down in buckets and I just can't pull it off.  So, reluctantly, I head to the gym.  My suggestion for those of you who struggle with the treadmill, as I do, it to pull the most upbeat, crazy, songs on the list and put them in their own playlist.  Get on the "moving dance floor" (as I like to call it), turn up the volume, and zone out.  The minutes tend to fly by when you are rocking out.  I often go go a bit overboard and throw some hand and head movements in to my favorite songs.  I do get stares, and I'm fine with that.  But, today, when I hopped off, the woman next to me, who had been giving me a strange look as I ran, asked, "what were you listening to?", to which I simply replied, "just really good music.  That's all it takes."  She smiled, nodded and walked away.  I think she got it.

Listen to this:
Titanium (feat. Sia) - David Guetta  

Love music. Love to run. Love to run with music.

Lately, I have been moved by music and how it makes me feel when I'm running and I want to share the experience.  I believe that running with music can drive one to be a better, stronger runner, both physically and mentally.  I have been known to dance, sing and nod my head wildly while on the road.  I am no longer embarrassed by this.  I have created some playlists that push me to a new level and I'm convinced that for those of you who are looking for the same high, these will get you there.  I've broken these down into two different groups, primarily because people tend to sway heavily toward a favorite genre (you'll notice where I tend to fall).  But, please note, when I run, they are all mixed in there together because Madonna can get me going and then Arcade Fire can make me feel really fast.  So here it goes...

ALTERNATIVE:                                                   

15 Step -  Radiohead

A/B Machines -  Sleigh Bells

Annie You Save Me -  Graffiti6

A-Punk -  Vampire Weekend

Bounce Baby -  Galactic & DJ Z-Trip

Burn It Down -  Awolnation

City With No Children -  Arcade Fire

Cousins -  Vampire Weekend

Crash Years -  The New Pornographers

Crown On the Ground -  Sleigh Bells

Don't You Worry -  Jim Noir

Evacuate -  The Boxer Rebellion

Flathead -  Fratellis

Giant  - Vampire Weekend

Guilty Filthy Soul -  Awolnation

Half Light II (No Celebration) -  Arcade Fire

Harold T. Wilkins, or How to Wait for a Very Long Time -  Fanfarlo

Heads Will Roll -  Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Help I'm Alive -  Metric

Here It Goes Again -  OK Go

Houdini -  Foster the People

It's love -  Chris Knox

Jump On My Shoulders -  Awolnation

Kill Your Heroes -  Awolnation

Let Your Love Grow Tall -  Passion Pit

Let's Win! -  Alexander

Lisztomania -  Phoenix

Midnight Coward -  Stars

Month of May - Arcade Fire

Mr. Hurricane - Beast

Never Look Back - Graffiti6

Not Your Fault - Awolnation

One Way Road -  John Butler Trio

People - Awolnation

Percussion Gun - White Rabbits

Rome - Phoenix

Run - Vampire Weekend

Say Hey (I Love You) [feat. Cherine Anderson] -Michael Franti & Spearhead

Song Away - Hockey

Spaceman - The Killers

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

Tell 'Em - Sleigh Bells

This Too Shall Pass - OK Go

Too Fake - Hockey

Up Up Up - Givers

Use It - The New Pornographers

Wake Up - Awolnation

We Used to Be Friends - The Dandy Warhols

Weighty Ghost - Wintersleep

White Sky - Vampire Weekend

You Will Leave a Mark - A Silent Film

Young Blood - The Naked and Famous

You're So Cool - Hans Zimmer

POP/DANCE/OTHER                                             

Gangster Tripping - Fatboy Slim

Take Everything - Greg Laswell

All the Right Moves -  OneRepublic

Baptized By Fire -  Spinnerette

Searching for the Ghost -  Heartless Bastards

The Great Defector - Bell X1

DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (feat. Pitbull)  - Usher

Yeah! (feat. Lil' Jon & Ludacris) - Usher

Till the World Ends - Britney Spears

Take Me Back  - Taio Cruz

Somebody to Love (Remix) - Justin Bieber

Ridin' Solo - Jason Derülo

Raise Your Glass - P!nk

Lucious Life - Patrick Watson

Just Dance - Lady GaGa & Colby O'Donis

I Wanna Go - Britney Spears

I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas

Higher - Taio Cruz

Falling In Love - Taio Cruz

Dynamite - Taio Cruz

Drifters - Patrick Watson

Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz & Ludacris

4 Minutes (feat. Justin Timberlake & Timbaland) - Madonna

Right Round - Flo Rida

Club Can't Handle Me (feat. David Guetta) [From "Step Up 3D"] -  Flo Rida

Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win (feat. Santigold) - Beastie Boys & Santigold

Sunshine (Justin Le Mar Remix) - Vision Factory & Maxine

5 Evacuate the Dancefloor (Radio Edit) - Cascada

Blinded - Hannah

Come...(Into My Dream) - Foggy

Everytime We Touch (Radio Mix) - CASCADA

Get Myself Together - Robyn

Hang With Me  - Robyn

Heaven  - DJ Sammy

Hippychick -  Soho

Miracle -  Cascada

Now You're Gone (feat. DJ Mental Theo's Bazzheads) - Basshunter

Ready for Love - Cascada

Sunrise (Original Mix) - Ashiva

Will I? - Ian Van Dahl