Piece of Cake

A couple days ago, I was staring down a tempo run and I could feel a little cloud of dread hanging over me.  These workouts are tough in general but tack on the heat and humidity and they are torture.  I do love running.  I do.  Anyway, rather than dwell on the difficulty of this run, I decided to try to embrace it.  Or, if I'm being honest, I tried to do anything I could to distract myself during the hard part.  During my warmup, I thought about breaking up the next four miles, which I was going to try to run around 6:45 pace, into single, more digestible segments.  A piece of a cake came to mind, so I rolled with that.  Four miles.  Four bites.  It's on.  Turns out, as I ran each mile I realized that the comparison was perfect.  You can't always stomach a whole piece of cake, but if it's really good, and you really want it, you're gonna take it down.  As I shuffled home, I reflected on my cake workout.  Here's how it played out:

BITE/MILE 1: The first bite was the BEST.  A total taste explosion.  In fact, I could not WAIT to eat the rest.  Yes, I might have been taking down too much too soon, but it didn't matter because it tasted so...damn...good.

BITE/MILE 2: The second bite was okay.  The cake still tasted pretty good, but the novelty of eating cake had worn off a bit.  I wasn't quite as eager for my next bite, but I was still enjoying the different flavors and textures.  That said, I was not sure I had two more bites in me.

BITE/MILE 3: The third bite was rough.  I was getting really full and even though I knew I only had ONE last bite to go, my mind was telling me to stop eating.  But then, I kept going because, well, it's cake.

BITE/MILE 4: The last bite was the hardest to digest.  Taste wasn't even a factor anymore.  I was just eating to eat.  But, I was not leaving anything on that plate.  I didn't care what it took at that point.  It was my party and I was gonna cry if I wanted to.

And, poof, just like that, my cake was done.  Er, um, my run was over.  And later, when I told my coach about it, I didn't even mention the fact that I'd thought I might not have finished it.  Because I did.  And the funny thing was, I didn't really even remember that third bite.  It was just really good cake. That was all that mattered.  Much like cake, or any dessert, really, a workout is only as good as the sum of its parts.  The cake part is good, but can be dry and maybe not worth finishing.  The frosting is heaven, but alone it will probably make you sick.  And once it's done, all you have left is a really good taste in your mouth and the desire for more.  Mmmmmm cake.

Listen to this:
Static Lines - Creases  

RACE REVIEW: STREETS OF GOLD 5K

On Sunday, I ran the Running on the Streets of Gold 5K in Somerville, MA with my Oiselle teammate, Jess C.  Jess recently moved to Winchester from NH and we've been hitting the local races together whenever possible.  I scooped her up around 7:00am so we could get there early enough to park, grab our bibs, warm up and do my hair.  Wait, what??  Yes, I am currently obsessed with the side french braid into the pony tail and I can't do it myself.  Jess, however, is a pro and was happy to style me up.  Simple pleasures, you know?  When we arrived at the race start we saw one port-o-potty on a truck, a couple of tables and nothing else.  Literally.  We wondered if we were in the wrong place, but after we confirmed the details on the web site we went ahead and parked.  This is the first time they have held this race, so we were guessing that might have been why the crowd was so thin.  That, and maybe that it's summer and people were either away or sleeping in rather than running a 5K in the heat and humidity on a Saturday morning.  Go figure.  We picked up our numbers, our race tees and some swag from City Sports along with our complimentary copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners.  Nothing like a little free inspiration.  We warmed up for about 15 minutes and when we got back there was finally a bit of a crowd forming around the tables.  That said, they were all lined up to register, so we were guessing that our race would not be starting right at 8:00.  No worries.  This gave us time to do my hair and have someone take our picture.

Bird twins w/ braids

As we strolled over to the race start, we noticed the line for the port-o-pottys was really long and given the size of this race we guessed that the race director would likely be waiting for everyone so we found a shady spot, stretched, and people watched.  Unbeknownst to us, this race seemed to have a super hero theme.  There were several people dressed up, both kids and grown ups, in costumes ranging from the "go-to" crime fighters (ie. Batman & Superman)

A young Batman and his Mom

to the lesser known but still incredibly important heroes like these guys:

Kragle, Emmet & UniKitty from the Lego movie

(Superman flew in for the shot, too)

For a brief moment Jess and I wished we'd gotten the memo so we could have thrown something together, but got over it pretty quickly when we thought about how hot they were.  I should also note that there was a guy lined up in front of us with bean bags which he was clearly about to juggle throughout the race.  I'm always in awe of people who choose to add this type of element to an already challenging event.  The race ended up starting at 8:25, just in time for the sun to poke through the clouds and the temp to rise about 5 degrees.  Not ideal.  Races are tough to manage, particularly if it's a first, so we threw the organizers a bone.  We were, however, totally soaked through before the start of the race.  Good times.  We high fived and then we were off.  One hill up, two hills up (brutal), one nice long hill down, one switchback (that was weird) and then we finished.  Neither Jess nor I had a killer race.  I'm pretty sure the juggler beat both of us.  The weather took us down as we kind of knew it would even though we'd secretly hoped it wouldn't.  Oh well, as Jess said afterwards, you can't PR them all.  Ain't that the truth.  After we caught our breath and cooled down, we switched our focus to the second most important part of our morning.... our well earned iced mochas.  

Ohhhhh yeah.

Racing is hard.  Racing in the summer time is harder.  Racing with a friend makes it easier and a hell of a lot more fun.  Racing with a new friend who shares your love for running and coffee makes it totally awesome.

Listen to this:

The Wyld - Odyssey  

FRIDAY 5

"Every once in a while, I think I get that feeling that real runners talk about - where your body's wisdom takes over and it's just taking you along for a ride."

~ Karen Harris

Today's Friday 5 is brought to you by mom, rock star, teacher extraordinaire, Karen Harris.  Her whisp-like figure floats through our school's hallways as she picks up and drops off her son.  But on stage, she puts it down like nobody's business.  She runs, in her own, way, and music is her soul mate.  Thanks for sharing, Karen.  Rock on and happy Friday.

In her own words:
I don't run much.  I have bad knees from mountain bike craziness in my 20s and 30s.  In fact, the appropriate verb for what I do would be jogging, or loping.  Sometimes I jog and lope.  And on those rare occasions when this happens, these are some songs that distract me from the fact that I am really not cut out for jogging.  These songs, along with many others, carry me away in all the great ways that music can.  And every once in a while, I think I get that feeling that real runners talk about - where your body's wisdom takes over and it's just taking you along for a ride.  These songs aren't new, but they're some of my faves, ever.

I am a musician, and these songs inspire me musically - maybe in the same way that super duper runners inspire real runners, like all of you.

Robert Pollard - Big Dipper  

Part Past, Part Fiction - The Chills  

Buttermilk - Eugenius  

Christopher Street - Felt  

Don't Give It Up Now - Lyres  

GEAR REVIEW: BUDSLEEVES

Once in while a piece of gear comes along that I get really excited about.  Budsleeves happens to be one of them.  For this review, I'm going to mix it up a bit.  Rather than list out all of the product information, I've decided to break it down for you using a photo series.  Got to keep things interesting, right?  Here we go:

1. This ☝is how my headphones usually look when I take them out of my bag in preparation for a run.

2. This ☝is how I feel when I attempt to untangle them.  Translation: annoyed, frustrated, & impatient.

3. This ☝is a Budsleeve.  How does it work, you ask?  Just shimmy your headphone chord through the sleeve and VOILÀ!  No more tangles.  Ever.

4. This ☝ is how I look and feel when I've pulled my headphones out of the bag with their Budsleeves on.  Booyah.

And if all of this doesn't make you want to try them, I don't know what will.  These babies come in for just under $11.  But, the folks over at Budsleeves really want you to give them a shot.  And I do, too.  Because they are awesome.  So, for the next week, if you purchase them through RWM they will give a 50% discount (around $5).  Just use the code RUNNINGWITHMUSIC at checkout and you're in.  Go get 'em.  And rock out, tangle free!

Listen to this:

All - Blackbird Blackbird  

RECIPROCATED COACHING

“To be a runner is to learn continual life lessons. To be a coach is not just to teach these lessons but also to feel them in the core of your marrow."

~ Martin Dugard

Felix (behind MASCO shirt) w/ his LHS teammates

EMASS D1 Championships @ Wrentham 2012

Felix, one of our former LHS runners, is currently training for his first marathon which he'll tackle next month.  In my personal opinion, an August marathon sounds like hell, but he's young and spritely, so the heat and humidity don't seem to phase him.  Ever.  In high school he was crazy fast.  Though he no longer runs competitively in college, he is still crazy fast.  Early on in the summer, I suggested we try and get a run in as I, too, am training for a marathon.  "Yeah, for sure," he said.  Then, he let me know that he'd been doing most of his long runs at a 6:45 pace.  You can go ahead and laugh here.  I did.  So, we grabbed a cup of coffee and talked strategy instead.  He let me know his goals; listed here in order of priority....first, he'd like to beat his brother (hopefully his brother doesn't read this), second, he would like to qualify for Boston for which he needs a 3:05, and third, he'd like to run a sub 3:00.  All of them are both lofty and attainable.  We agreed to check in throughout the summer and maybe grab another coffee as I sure as hell wouldn't be running with him any time soon.  Sunday morning he texted me to let me know that he'd crushed (my word, not his) his 24 miler; easily completing the run at a comfortable 6:19 pace.  Just...really?  I am always motivated, inspired, and in awe of young runners.  Their drive, dedication and general enthusiasm towards both running and racing is almost tangible.  Just being near these young chickens makes me want to run more and be better.  And this is a great thing.  But, hearing how smooth and "fun" this training has been for him has also highlighted how much tougher and, well, not always fun, my own training has become as I've gotten older.  I'm not feeling sorry for myself.  I'm just being honest.  On Sunday,  I got a little dose of my own coaching medicine, so to speak.  Here's how our conversation rolled out:

FC: Hey Coach.  Check out my activity on Strava (clicked on the link to get the details of the previously discussed long run)
Me: Holy SHITE.  You smoked it.  I hate you.  No, I don't.  Just jealous.  You're going to crush this marathon.
FC: I felt really great.  Perfect conditions.  It was awesome.
Me: Fantastic!!  I got 16 in today.  50 miles total this week.  Not bad for an old person.
FC: That's great.  And you're not old.
Me: Thank you.  But, I still wish I was faster.
FC: Which is good.  Everything starts with a goal.  You've got the discipline!
Me: True. True.  Thanks Coach.
FC: Reciprocated coaching.  The best way.

I love being a coach.  And I am more than happy to take coaching advice from my fellow runners.  Particulary reciprocated advice.  Knock 'em dead, Felix.

Listen to this:
Left Hand Free - Alt-J  

FRIDAY FIVE

Run for your life, my love

Run and you don't give up

It's all that you are

All that you want

I will be close behind

~ The Fray, "Run For Your Life"

Michelle & her husband running the Goruck Light

Rockaway Beach, NY

As I knew she would, my good friend Nicole Devine, will be providing you with today's Friday 5.  Though I've never met her in person, I feel as though I've known her for years.  Like myself, Nicole is a wife, a mom, a runner, and an avid music fan.  Beyond that, she's just a really cool cat.  Thanks for stepping up, Nicole.  And happy Friday everyone.  Rock on.

In her own words:

This friday five is special to me because most of these songs were included on the playlist I used to train for a recent event I completed called the Goruck Light.  It's a military inspired endurance challenge event that can only be completed as a team.  This was my first event in almost 7 years, and I was fortunate enough to be able to complete this with my husband and 45 other teammates; inspired along the 5 1/2 hour path by our cadre.  It was a fantastic day, and these songs, some newer than others, led the way during my months of training.

Delta Spirit - Idaho  

Last of the Light Brigade - Stimulator  

Ben Pearce - What I Might Do  

Lilly Wood and the Prick - Prayer in C  

Bleachers - Shadow  

BACON, MOVIES & SWIMMING

Today's post is brought to you by my girls, Rosie (age 9) and Grace (age 7).  Enjoy.

This morning when we woke up it was pouring rain.  Our parents were bummed because we're on vacation and they hate being stuck inside.  We were psyched because when it rains we get to go to the movies.  First, we had breakfast at a diner.  We had pancakes.  Mom and Dad had eggs.  All of us had bacon.  Fun fact, bacon is Grace's favorite food.  But, we all really like it.  Then, we went to see How to Train Your Dragon 2.  The movie was awesome.  You should see it.  Mom cried.  Dad might have cried a little, too.  When we got out of the movie theatre, it was sunny out.  YES!!!!  We hurried home so we could throw on our suits and swim.  And the rest is history.  Summer rocks.

Listen to these: 

A/B Machines - Sleigh Bells (Rosie's pick)  

Rude - Magic (Grace's pick)  

RWR: MEET JARRETT of THE REBEL LIGHT

Back in 2012, I posted a brief review of The Rebel Light's then new single, Goodbye Serenade.  About a year later, band member Alan Steil got back in touch to give me a heads up about their new song Jukebox Dream; a breezy, retro gem that I picked for the August 2013 song of the month.  When I created the RWR series, these guys were one of the first bands to come to mind as a group I'd like to feature.  I had a sneaking suspicion that at least one of them was into running in some way, shape or form.  I reached out to Alan who got back to me in a flash letting me know that their guitarist, Jarrett, was an avid runner and would be fired up to be profiled.  I knew it!  I should mention here that though he no longer runs, Alan did run track back in high school and could clock a sub-5 minute mile his freshman year.  Not too shabby.  Jarrett wasn't sure he would fit the bill for RWR because while he does run, he doesn't find time to race.  I told him not to sweat it.  My intention for this series is to chat with those who are inspired by both music and running in any way and, thus, he was a perfect fit.  In his own words Jarrett told me;  "I am certainly not a competitive runner though one of these days I may actually get in gear and take on a race.  I'm more into running to escape and get some solitude!"  Amen to that.  Without further ado, meet Jarrett, a runner who rocks.

RWR: JARRETT STEIL

Name: Jarrett Steil
Where you're from: Montauk, New York
Where you reside now: Los Angeles
Occupation: Musician
Blog/website: http://therebellight.com/

RUNNING & MUSIC:
What do you love most about running? 
I love being out on my own, preferably in the mountains or woods getting some quiet time. I get to listen to music and have an hour or two of solitude!

What do you love most about music? 
I love how music can completely alter how you are feeling. Bring you up or down, make you happy or sad, calm or excited. It has the ability to move you and motivate you or just make you relax. In the right moment it is Euphoric.....there is nothing (for me) that can do the same.

THE BEATLES: ABBEY ROAD

JARRETT'S FAVORITES:
Band (current, all time or both): So tough. I don't really have favorites but I suppose one I return to a lot is Pink Floyd.
Album (current, all time or both): Same here but probably Abbey Road (The Beatles). Its amazing what you can do even when you can't stand being in the same room :)
Race venue: TBD
Music venue: LA-Troubador & NY- Irving Plaza
Race distance: Don't race but 10k for a good run!
Show you've seen live? I prefer seeing bands in small venues but for over all showmanship and an amazing career - U2's Vertigo Tour at the Izod Center....2005. Unbelievable.
Ice cream flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip

THIS OR THAT?
Sweet or salty: A little of both.
Live or recorded: Recorded.
Coffee or tea: Coffee, black please!
Summer or winter? Summer...I love snow but I like to travel to it!





Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? I usually get to see most of the bands I'd like to but if I could really choose...I'd like to see U2 in a smaller venue. Couple thousand maybe -  that would be amazing! Unlikely but amazing!

Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? Pink Floyd

Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? Arctic Monkeys

THE REBEL LIGHT

Top 5 Songs for running, dancing or both?
1. Anthony Gonzalez (M83) - Waking Up from the Oblivion soundtrack  
2. Kavinsky - Night Call  
3. St. Vincent - Prince Johnny  
4. Phantogram - Celebrating Nothing  
5. The Knife - Heartbeats  

Last 5 Songs you listened to today?
1. Villagers - Home  
2. Fanfarlo - Tunguska  
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr - If You Didn't See Me [Then You Weren't On The Dancefloor]  
4. Cherub - Doses & Mimosas  
5. Delta Spirit - Yamaha  

Listen to these:

FRIDAY FIVE

"There's something good waitin' down this road

I'm pickin' up whatever's mine."

~Tom Petty, 'Runnin' Down A Dream'

Last week I launched the Friday 5 series.  Originally, I was planning to post 5 new songs that I had discovered each week.  But, as I thought about it more, I decided to change things up a bit.  First, I'm thinking the Friday 5 will be a summer series.  I do have a plethora of playlists to pull from, but I don't want to put it all out there too soon and then run out of stuff to share come November.  And, if I'm being totally honest, life is busy and, for me, even busier in the fall.  Realistically, I can't keep posting a playlist every week of the year.  So, summer it is.  Second, though I will focus primarily on the new stuff that I am digging up, I will also throw in some other concepts once in a while such as genres... think 80s, 90s, Pop, or Classic Rock and themes.... think 'Fast & Furious' or 'Slow & Steady'.  This way I don't get stuck in the musical mud, if you will.  And, finally, I'd love to have you, the readers, chime in with your own Friday 5.  Music is what it is because we share it with those who love it as much as we do.  If you'd like to guest host, I will gladly turn over the reigns and give you the floor.  I might even send you a small RWM treat as a token of my appreciation.  Share and share alike, right?  Like this blog, the Friday 5 series will continue to be a work in progress.   As always, thanks for tuning in.  Have a stellar week-end and rock on.

Hey Geronimo - Carbon Affair  

Free the Animal - Sia  

Beard - Burning Hotels  

Snaggletooth - Vance Joy  

Catform - Rogue Wave  

ROSIE UNPLUGGED

"The right time is any time that one is still so lucky as to have."

~ Henry James

Liz & Rosie on their way to camp.

(the glasses are for fashion purposes only)

On Monday morning, I dropped my 9 year old off at sleep away camp for a week.  This is actually the first of two camps that she will attend this summer, lucky duck.  She gets to go to this one with her cousin Liz, who's 10, and is more like her best friend than a family member.  It's a pretty typical program with all the standard activities ie. soccer, tennis, swimming.  And for them, it's five days of total awesomeness.  Last year, I felt nervous, excited, sad, and all the other emotions that moms tend to deal with when they are setting their daughter free for the first time. What if she had a tick in her hair?  What if she forgot to take her allergy meds?  What if she, gulp, got home sick?  But on pick-up day, when I saw her sitting with her peers, singing with her group, goofing off with her cousin and smiling at me from ear to ear, I realized that she had been able to make it all work and to figure it out on her own.  She might have had really dirty fingernails and have worn the same outfit all five days in a row, but she was all in one piece.  And she'd had a ball, which is truly all that matters.  Fast forward a year.  As I helped her get ready to head off again, this time as a seasoned camper, I had none of my feelings of hesitation that I'd dealt with last summer.  She was a year older, she knew the deal, and she could not WAIT to get there.  It was all good.  For both of us.  Okay, I might have still been a little sad, but I kept it to myself.  Sniff sniff.  On Monday morning, as she threw all her last minute odds and ends into her backpack, she ran downstairs and asked me where her iPod was.  "It doesn't matter," I said.  "I don't want you taking it."  She stopped in her tracks and gave me look along with a "BUT, MOM!"  She then proceeded to tell me that all her friends brought them and that sometimes they had a chance to listen to music during free time.  I still said no.  And then I said something along the lines of, "You're going to CAMP, Rosie.  You'll be living in a cabin in the wilderness with your friends.  You're going to run around and play during the day and catch fireflies at night.  There is a time and place for headphones and electronics and this is not it."  Thankfully, she dropped it and continued to get ready to go.  She might have been a wee bit annoyed, but I didn't care.  It may not look cool to be the only one in her group without an iPod (which I highly doubt is the case), but I am 100% sure her experience will be so much better without it.  As a runner, who listens and often depends on music when I'm on the road, I clearly understand and appreciate the value of it.  But, as a mom, I also recognize the value of unplugging and just being a part of the scene during other times in our life.  As a kid, I want her to recognize the importance of this, too.  Maybe not now, but eventually.  Rock on, Rosie, and dance to the beat of your own laughter!

Listen to this:
Ages Places - Wildlife Control  

Race Review: Murdick's Run the Chop

On Friday, July 4th, despite the fact that Tropical Storm Arthur was on its way, I headed over to Tisbury, MA so I could tackle the Murdick's Run the Chop Challenge.  When I woke up at 6:30 that morning, the air was so thick that I couldn't see out of my window.  Just to be sure that my mind wasn't playing tricks on me, I checked the forecast and crossed my fingers that it wasn't as bad as it looked.  No dice.  The temp was already up to 72 degrees and the humidity was....wait for it....97%.  The dread set in.  But, as you'd imagine, the weather wasn't going to hold me back from a race.  In fact, hundreds of us decided that we'd still like to test our strength, plow through the heat and gasp for that remaining 3% of air for 5 miles.  We runners are a rare breed, aren't we?  Last year, I won this race.  Not by much, but still.  This year, I came in second to a very cute and spritely 18 year old who made all five miles look ridiculously easy as I followed behind her in pain.  Ahhhh youth.  This was one of the most challenging races I've taken on in quite some time.  I've run marathons that were more pleasant.  Let me break it down for you.  My first two miles were decent.  I held steady at about a 6:40 pace and the heat was somewhat bearable.  Then at mile three, the wheels completely fell off.  I slowed down to a 7:30 pace while I climbed...er...um....shuffled my way up a slight, but steady hill.  The funny thing is, I had absolutely no idea that I had dropped my pace so much.  All I could think about was iced coffee.  I must have just started to space out as trudged along.  It happens.  I was able to get back on track for my last 2 miles and rolled in around 34:20, good for 2nd place among the ladies and 20th overall.

Proudly displaying my prize, which was

 a medal and a gift cert for a pound of Murdick's fudge.

(Is it ironic to win candy at a road race? Just a bit.)

In all the 5 years I've done this race, this was my slowest time on the books.  The heat and humidity took me down.  But, we all suffered together, so it's not like I had it any worse than the rest of my fellow runners.  I do this particular race every year for many reasons: it's for a great cause with all proceeds going to the MV Boys and Girls Club, it's easy for me to get to, it gets me out of the house on an otherwise typically lazy summer day, and it's a beautiful course in a part of town that I rarely visit.  And while many things that I love about this event are the same each year, there happened to be a lot of firsts this time around, too:

~ it was the first time I’ve seen my friend Rachel, who I went to Colgate with, since I got married 13 yrs ago.  Such a treat.
~ it was the first time in all of my 39 years that I’ve run a race in only a sports bra.  It was just that hot.  Everyone was doing it.  And no one cared.
~ it was the first time I've known that the weather was going to take me down BEFORE the race even started and I ran it anyway.  (okay, this may have happened in the past, but, clearly, I've I blocked it out).
~ it was the first time I’ve smelled bacon cooking mid-race and really, REALLY, considered stopping.
~ it was the first time I’ve both seen AND high fived my husband during a race.  That was cool.
~ it was the first time the EMTs handed out cold towels at the finish line.  Bless them.
~ it was the first time I’ve eaten 3 popsicles within 2 minutes of finishing a race.  Ice cold sugar coated bliss.
~ it was the first time I’ve taken water at all 3 stops in a short race, but didn't drink any and poured it over my head instead.
~ it was the first time my music has run out mid-race.  That sucked.
~ it was the first time in a while that I didn’t bring my sunnies because it was overcast when I left home.  Of course the sun was in full swing by race start.  Lesson learned.

It was a crazy hard race, in mad challenging weather conditions and it was still a boatload of fun.  Well, everything but mile three.  The best part of the whole event for me happened while I was savoring my second popsicle.  I looked over at the finish line and watched as a 12ish year old boy was cheering for his buddy, also 12ish, as he ran came across.  As he stumbled through the chute, his friend, who clearly was beyond thrilled for him, said, "See man!!! I KNEW you could do it."  His buddy was too tired to talk but he smiled and they high-fived.  It was such a cool and genuine scene.  Oh, and this was pretty darn cute, too.

Big brother slowed down to finish the kids fun run, 

hand in hand, with his little sister.

Racing is so tough.  But these kinds of things, among so many others like it, will always keep me going back for more.  I'd guess it's the same for a lot runners out there.  We're a crazy bunch, but we support each other and we have a lot of fun.

Listen to this:
Beware the Dog - The Griswolds  

FRIDAY FIVE

"Dancing and running shake up the chemistry of happiness."

~ Mason Cooley

There is so much good music out there right now I don't know what to do with myself.  My head is spinning.  I'm like a kid in a candy store.  Thank you, dear Spotify.  As long as the music continues to flow, I will continue to ride the wave.  (this could be a problem).  Moving forward, I'll be posting my top 5 picks of the week, aka the FRIDAY FIVE, for your listening, dancing, and running pleasure.  Personally, I recommend listening while dancing and running.  The amazing mood it puts you in far outweighs the potential feelings of awkwardness.  Kick off your holiday weekend with these five new tracks.  Listen.  Then listen again.  If you dig em, share em.  And, if your so inclined, let me know what you think.  In the meantime, I'll continue to surf.  Happy Friday.  Happy 4th.  Happy Everything.  Rock on.

BE GOOD (RAC Remix) - Tokyo Police Club  

JUNGLE - X Ambassadors  

MADORA - Beverly  

LIONHEARTED (feat. Urban Cone) - Porter Robinson  

ALL ABOUT THAT BASE - Meghan Trainor  

NEW MONTH, MORE OF THE SAME

Rosie and her cousin, Max, surfing down at South Beach

Katama, MA

For some reason, I have an almost child-like appreciation for summer this year.  June was amazing.  As July rolls in, I can only hope for more of the same.  Maybe it's because my girls are at such an insanely fun age (7 and 9) and I am having a ball with them on a daily basis.  Maybe it's because these are the last few months of my 30s and I'm milking them for all they're worth. (tic tock)  Maybe it's because I'm still scarred from the horrendous winter we just got through and so these warm and sunny days are that much more delicious.  Maybe it's all of these things.  It doesn't matter.  I'm loving it.  And I'm hoping the magic will continue to hold through July and the rest of the summer.  My list of 'to-do's for this month is short, sweet and wonderfully simple.  Just like the season itself.  Happy July everyone.  God Bless America...and summer.

Grace's summer feet

(may they look like this every day)

JULY TO-DOs
~ Play more soccer, SPUD, kickball, freeze tag and capture the flag with my kids, nieces and nephews.
~ Eat more ice cream.
~ Run more miles without a watch.
~ Take more naps.
~ Listen to more music.
~ Read more books.
~ Drive less.
~ Walk, skip, jump, bike, swim, hike, kayak more.
~ Be barefoot as much as possible.
~ Celebrate the birth of our nation.
~ Spend as much time as possible with my kids....did I mention the ice cream?

JULY MUSIC OF THE MONTH
SONG:
Play It Right - Sylvan Esso  


ALBUM:
So Long, See You Tomorrow - Bombay Bicycle Club



Song Sampler
1. Overdone  
2. It's Alright Now  
3. Carry Me  
4. Home By Now