Running Playlist Favorites

Are you on a fit in 2012 wagon?  I haven't set any specific fitness or running related goals for this year and am trying to just keep fitness and running part of my life (although I would love to run a race during this pregnancy if I can find one that fits timing wise). 

Music makes a big difference in those workouts where I am either a little less than motivated or am being particularly challenged... basically anytime I have to work out in a gym, on any cardio machine, or for those really long runs.  What is it about a gyms that make you want to head right back out the door?  The music they play and the background sound of all the cardio machines whirring is enough to make me cut any workout short just to get out of there.  So I rely heavily on my favorite running playlist that I crafted during marathon training to help me block all of that out and get into a zone.

These songs helped me keep moving during long training runs and now they are helping me keep going at my seriously slow preggo pace.  They are not the most current nor songs I might listen to at any other time other than working out.  Sometimes the words are ridiculous (honestly most of the time I don't listen to the words). 

But the beat works for running.  Some songs are perfect for when you need that extra push for a sprint session, others for when you need to cruise for distance.  Some give this happy upbeat feeling and others give an "I am going to kick ass" focus. 

• Holiday - Green Day
• Are You Gonna Be My Girl - Jet
• Burnout - Green Day
• Mr. Brightside - The Killers
• Forever - Chris Brown
• Skater boy - Avril Lavigne
• Everything to Everyone - Everclear
• I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
• Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
• Kick Some Ass - Stroke 9
• Happy Boys and Girls - Aqua
• Get The Party Started - Pink
• When I Grow Up - Garbage

Happy running!  Now go kick some ass.

In other news, if you haven't looked in the SOPA and PIPA bills that are in Congress definitely check them out. 

Gearing Up for Winter Running

One of the things I find very appealing about running is that it requires very little stuff.  Essentially just a good pair of shoes, a good supportive sports bra and a sidewalk.  Easy-peasy, no excuses, just go out the door and do it.

Outdoor running in the winter is a slightly different story.  Without good gear a run can turn from exhilarating to not-so-much fun in a matter of moments.  This winter I have been doing much longer runs outdoors and had to upgrade my workout wardrobe to include cold-weather running gear.  I was skeptical at first, heading out in my hodge-podge of random layers.  After a few runs turned damp and cold I gave in and placed an order for the real deal stuff.  It is so worth every penny. 

Sportswear Jackets by Nike
Gloves by Athleta

With the limited hours of daylight during this season I am also squeezing in some time on the treadmill for weekday runs.  While the scenery is lacking, the climate control is kind of nice.  And I can shed some layers so that is pretty nice too. I picked up some super cheap tanks from Forever21 that are working quite nicely for shorter runs.

Cropped Pants by Nike
Socks by Athleta

Healthy living things I am loving this week...

{At the Gym} Tempo runs 

{Cardio} The exhilaration from a nice long run on a cold, winter day.

{Eating} Frozen peaches simmered in a dash of sugar and vanilla for a light dessert

{Balance} Shoulder stands in Friday's yoga class

Recovering from 26.2 Miles

This past weekend I finished a goal I have had for eight years.  I ran the Chicago Marathon.  It was truly an amazing experience from pre-training planning to sitting in the park afterwards talking with my husband about beginning plans for the second one.

But I underestimated how mentally drained I would be after finishing the race.  The past month has been so jam packed between our first European vacation to our first marathon with worked peppered in there that I am wiped out!  I had plans for some most exciting posts this week but am going to take the week off from writing while I try to get my energy levels back up to normal.

I am sneaking in little moments here and there to work on sifting through our photos from France... so if you are interested feel free to take a peak of the set.

Weekend Snippet: 13.1 Miles

The big event for us this weekend was the Rock and Roll half marathon.  Followed closely by the Dog Day On the Green of course.

Training for and running our first half marathon was a great experience.  Both of us have the goal of living a healthy, active lifestyle and find it to be an important part of our relationship to do things like this together as partners.  We kept the 'start together finish together' plan in place during our training and through the race.  We actually finished with the same time... which incidentally was just under our goal of two hours at 1 hour 53 minutes 13 seconds.  This was the longest run of my life to date and it was quite the challenge.  I am so happy to have had Dan by my side giving me little cheers of "your doing great, honey" and keeping me motivated to not walk by just being there (and boy did I want to at mile 11). 

The other big event this weekend was the trip down to Soldier Field for the Dog Day on the Green.  I was ready to take a nap after the race but that beagle knows how to work me with her sad little eyes.  It was an interesting little festival for dogs... it was mostly just vendors selling things rather than active things for the dogs to do but they loved their first visit to Soldier Field and were all smiles.

Other than running and the dog day on the green, my main mission this weekend was to do a deep scrubbing of our apartment.  So was both a quiet weekend and busy one all at the same time.

Lace Up Those Running Shoes

The goal of losing weight and getting in better shape is apparently not enough to keep me motivated lately. So the fiance and I decided to run the Shamrock Shuffle so we have something to train for. We have ran it in years past and enjoyed it so we are looking forward to race day!

If you are in Chicago and want to run you might want to sign up soon as the race is near capacity...