Science Says

When I run, I listen to music.  It gets me fired up.  It helps me focus.  It helps me pick up the pace.  It helps me dig deeper.  And it keeps me going.  And going.  And going.  Music has carried me through many a hard workout, countless long runs, and all of my 8 marathons.  In running, it is my most loyal companion as it never, EVER, let's me down.  I understand that running (or doing any type of exercise) with music doesn't work for everyone.  If this is the case for you; fair enough.  I'm not suggesting you switch.  But, for those of you who aren't sure or have never tried it, I'm saying, why not rock it out next time you hit the road?  Research shows that music can elevate your mood in general.  This, alone, is reason enough for me to turn it up.  Research also shows that music can improve overall athletic performance when used during training.  Again, I'm sold.  Need more info?  Watch this 2 minute video by Science Says entitled, Can Music Improve Athletic Performance?  (sent to me by one of my LHS XC runners).  The guy talks and draws ridiculously fast.  I pulled out the key points and listed them down below so you can ponder them at your leisure.  Still not your thing?  Totally fine.  It is a personal choice and I respect that.  But, if you are needing some extra motivation these days, or want to try something new while you're sweating it out, I can not recommend it highly enough.  Thanks to good old science for helping me reinforce my point.  Rock and run on.

THE BREAKDOWN:

~ Music can act as both a cognitive and physical stimulant, especially when the music has a personal meaning to the individual.

~ For athletes who suffer from pre-competition anxiety, music can be used to enhance mood, self esteem and confidence.

~ During competition, music can narrow and athletes attention, diverting focus away from sensations of fatigue.

~ In studies of athletes using music, those who listen to pop songs during training or warm up had higher heart rates and increased muscle power compared to those who trained without music.

~ Because music can trigger emotion, it was documented to enhance mental imagery; a technique in which athletes picture themselves mastering a sport before competition.

~ Almost all findings found that listening to music PERIOD, regardless of composition or speed, enhanced performance compared to no music.

LISTEN TO THIS:
Fall in Love - Phantogram  

Share the Road: A Top 10 List

This past Monday, I was running in my neighborhood, and, unfortunately, having to share the road with drivers because the sidewalks were both icy and covered in snow.  As I crested a hill, a very nice, older couple slowed their car down and moved to the side so they could pass me.  I waved to thank them and they smiled and nodded back.  Two seconds later, Joe Schmo pulled up behind them and slammed on his horn to get them to pick it up.  When he saw why they had slowed, he rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in frustration.  For real.  What I didn't get to say (or yell), because the whole thing happened in a matter of seconds, was, "Dude, where the hell else am I supposed to go?"  The bottom line is, I don't like sharing the road with drivers any more than they do, but in the winter, I often don't have a choice.  I am 5' 3", on a good day.  I am somewhat petite.  I take up maybe a foot of the road (dance moves included).  I'm asking cars to slow down or move 2 hairs to the right for a mere second of their day.  And yet, to Joe, and many others, I am still "the annoying runner that I almost hit today while I was out driving".  It is what it is.

On Wednesday, it snowed over a foot here in the Boston area.  Beautiful.  Super fun for the kids.  But a runner's worst nightmare.  The lack of sidewalks, icy streets and ridiculously large mounds of snow that pile up post-blizzard make running virtually impossible.  And yet, we're still gonna do it.  Maybe not that day.  But, certainly a day or two after.  It's just what we do.  Today is Friday and I'm lacing up.  But, I'm headed out with a few different strategies for all the drivers that get mad and honk at me.  We'll see which one works best.  Be smart.  Be safe.  Be nice.  And keep running.

TOP 10 THINGS TO DO WHEN A CAR HONKS AT YOU WHILE YOU'RE RUNNING

1. Pick up the pace as though they are honking to see how fast you can go.
2. Shout "thank you" and nod as if their honk was to acknowledge that you are a badass (which you are).
3. Look behind you as though they are honking at someone or something else.
4. Move way over to the side of the road to give them more room than they could possibly need.
5. Shrug your shoulders and give them a confused look as though you have no idea why they are honking.
6. Stop completely and stare at them.
7. Madly point to the sidewalk that is covered with snow.
8. Pretend you don't see or hear anything at all.
9. Laugh.  Like, really hard.
10.  Smile and wave.

Listen to this:
Young Hearts - Strange Talk

MUSIC REVIEW: LORD HURON

"She lit a fire but now she's in my every thought."

~ Lord Huron

Kirsten, me & Mary Ellen 
(Cara-you were with us in spirit)

I am incredibly lucky to have a handful of ladies here in Winchester who like to go see live music as much as I do.  They are almost always up for heading out to a show; regardless of whether or not they are familiar with the band.  That is some serious trust and dedication on their part.  Last night I dragged two of them to see Lord Huron at the Royale in Boston.  The Royale is a cozy little venue nestled in an alleyway in the theatre district; ideal for those of us who are short (like myself) and those who don't like to fight a huge crowd (like all three of us).  The show started at 9:00pm and had an opening act, so Lord Huron didn't take the stage until about 10:00; which is basically my bed time.  No joke.  So, I had to buck up and tap into the energy reserves to the best of my ability.  As soon as they took the stage, though, I was instantly transfixed and my efforts to focus were no longer an issue.  Ah, the power of good music.

Lead singer, Ben Schneider

Lord Huron is an indie-folk band based in Los Angeles and led by Ben Schneider.  This was my second time getting to see them live, but last night they were the headliner, so I got the full dose; this one both heavy and sweet.  There is no band that tells a better story than Lord Huron.  From the first note, or I should say, from the first chirp of crickets in the night sky, they rope you into their dreamlike sequence and hold you there from start to finish.  Schneider's voice swings high and low, and is both calm and eery at the same time.  He uses two different microphones to accentuate the sound and depth of each pitch.  It's insanely beautiful.  The band pieces each song together just so.  They steadily lead their listeners to a place that only exists because they are singing about it and I found myself wanting to go there, if only for that one night.  But, that's the thing.  They do let you go there with them.  It's a rhythmic journey of sorts; filled with passion, doubt, ghosts and lullabies.  And you are part of that story.  There are bands that play for you.  And there are bands that play with you.  Lord Huron does both.  They are unique in that way and in so many others; giving me good reason to continue to see them as long as they continue to play.  Last night was a gift and, as I often am after seeing live music, I will be forever grateful.

Listen to these:
She Lit a Fire  

Time To Run  

Love, Birthdays & New Music

It's February.  Still cold as hell.  But, short, sweet and filled with love.  Thank you, Hallmark.  Most of us get a nice, long week-end thanks to the Presidents.  My own kids get a week long break from school.  Yay.  And all of us are one small, but significant step closer to spring.  Have you noticed it's no longer dark at 4:30pm?  I have.  Can you feel me smiling?  I am.  Punxsutawney Phil be damned!  But, seriously, February is a big one.  Looking ahead, on February 12, I will embark on the last year of my thirties.  Bring it.  Two weeks later, on February 28, my daughter will be turning 7. (sniff)  This is the highest, and in Grace's mind the only, priority of the month in our household.  Let the countdown begin.  Finally, and no one really cares about this but me, my mileage will begin to steadily creep up as I am now less than 3 months away from the Boston marathon.  Holy moly.  So, hello February.  Let's ride.

My February "To-do" List:

1. Plan my 6 (turning 7) year old's birthday party. (note how this one is first on the list)

2. Go see Lord Huron at the Royale in Boston with my music wing-ladies.

3. Ski my brains out with my family during February break.

4. Turn 39.  

5. Give my husband a funny dog card on Valentine's day. (12 years in counting)  

6. Give my children those disgusting candy hearts to eat and hand out to their friends on Valentine's day. (seriously, who thought of this?)

7. Go watch the LHS ladies crush it in their Divisional meet for indoor track.

8. Get my long runs up to 17 miles by the end of the month.  Gulp.

9. Laugh, sing, and cut a rug as much as possible.

10. Listen to, enjoy and share the RWM music of the month.

Happy February, everyone.  Spread the love.

FEBRUARY MUSIC OF THE MONTH

SONG:

Tourists - Bright Moments

ALBUM: 

Chiaroscuro - I Break Horses