CONGRATS NYC MARATHON RUNNERS!

A huge congratulations to all the NYC Marathon runners who finished today.  Most of us know how much time and energy go into training for a marathon.  It is a huge commitment both physically and mentally.  To run 26.2 miles in accomplishment unlike any other.  As a runner and a music lover, I particularly liked this quote from Molly Pritz, today's first US woman to cross the finish line, when asked about whether she was worried if she'd be out there running on her own.

"I really don't care if I'm in a group or not. I've trained to run my own pace, and that's what I plan to do. I've got a bunch of secret songs I'll hum to myself to maintain my pace. I have a different one for each of my different paces. I just hum the chorus lines over and over."  


This statement reaffirms my feeling that music will always carry us when we need it.  And that is so cool.

Listen to this:
Lions in Cages - Wolf Gang  

It's Friday - Reader's Pick

From Aimee B.  Turn the volume up on this one.  Thanks for sharing!

Listen to this:
Do-Wah-Doo - Kate Nash  

I WANT TO, BUT...

This morning I ran into a friend as I was dropping off my girls at school.  She asked me if I was about to go running and told me how envious she was of me that I could muster up the energy to get out there.  I asked her what she meant.  She said, "I want to go running.  I tell myself all the time that I'm going to make it happen.  I buy the shorts and the shoes and I get it in my head that I'm ready.  But, then, I don't do it.  I just can't seem to get over the hump."  Admittedly, I'm not an expert on motivation and there are always days when I can barely get out there myself, but what I did tell her is that "the hump" doesn't have to be so big.  Why not make it a bit smaller and easier to get over?  Eliminate the "but" and just say "i want to".  Then make the goal something that is attainable.  3 miles instead of 5.  1 mile instead of 3.  A long walk instead of nothing.  And then try it again. And keep trying until you do it.  And, when you're ready, raise the hump.  "Ok", she said.  "No more 'buts'".  And then we high-fived.

Listen to this:
Maps - The Yeah Yeah Yeahs  

Slow Down and Be Grateful

In November, the gears tend to shift a bit.  Daylight savings hits and throws me for a loop as the days grow shorter so quickly.  Then, the holiday decorations come out in full force and immediately stress me out as I start to think about how much I need to get done in the next couple months.  This month, I'm going to make every effort to slow things down...easier said, than done.  I'd really like to take this month to just be grateful.  For my family, my friends, my neighbors, my legs, my iPod...the list goes on and on.  Yes, I know the cheese factor is high, here.  But I need to remind myself of all of these things as the chaos starts to swirl.  This afternoon I listened as the girls I coach huddled at the starting line for their league meet.  One of them said to her teammates, "we love to run, and we love this team, so we should just be happy." And then they were off, and they were all smiling.  I am so grateful for that moment.


Listen to this:
Steady As She Goes - The Raconteurs