Category Archives: Run Club

Songs To Run To

Posted on by

2

I recently updated my running playlist because I found I had too many slow songs that I had to flip through to get to the high energy songs. Annoying if you’re trying to focus on making it through a workout. So I went through my phone and picked out the songs I most liked to run to or were really upbeat or that I just liked. What’s on my list?

song

Chris Brown “Beautiful People” – So Mr. Brown may be the poster child of domestic violence but this is probably my favorite running song. It has such a great beat that I can’t ignore it! It makes me pump out those strides longer!

Foster the People “Call it What You Want” – Anything by FTP from this album is a running favorite. Great beats, catchy tunes.

The Wanted “Chasing the Sun” – This Brit boy band has an okay album and I have actually downloaded a few of their tunes. I like this one because the chorus is really fast and is great to time your steps to.

Tegan and Sara “Closer” – This is a fairly new tune and I just love it. I’ve been a long time fan of T&S and their new album is pretty decent. This is one of their more faster paced songs though. Tidbit – a good love song on the album is “Love They Say”.

Young the Giant “Cough Syrup” – This is one of the songs I discovered when I was in California so it always immediately evokes images of palm trees and sun which make me happy and make me want to run.

The Wombats “Jump Into the Fog” – This is an obscure addition to a running playlist. It’s kinda creepy and somber and doesn’t have a terrific upbeat tune. It actually starts with a really slow pace first verse. But I like how it builds up and is kinda relaxing – it’s a good pacing song.

V.V. Brown “Shark in The Water” – This is a fun song! Catchy and playful upbeat tune – kinda beachy feel. What’s not to like?

DJ Tiesto (feat. Tegan and Sara) “Feel it in My Bones” – T&S makes a second appearance on the playlist. This is a great, fast tune with DJ Tiesto controlling the tempo. It has a marching-like quality, which I like, and some power-like lyrics. “Left hook, I didn’t see it coming…”

Robyn “With Every Heartbeat” – So she was popular a REALLY long time ago, but Robyn still has some good tunes that I hear from time to time. I like this song because it has a slower pace but quickens up through the song – really builds you up!

Radiohead “15 Step” – Not going to lie, I snapped this song up from the closing credits of Twilight. Not because I’m an enlightened Radiohead fan. I do like some of their music, but not enough to call myself a faithful fan. This song has a serene-like quality, very flowy and has a terrific back beat to keep you right on pace without blowing out your eardrums.

Phoenix “1901″ – One of the best songs to work out to. Great up beat tune from beginning to the end. Another song with a great beat to pace yourself with!

M83 “Midnight City” – I loooove this song. It reminds me of California and has a quirky, techy feel to it and a 80s-feel to the end.

Foster the People “Houdini” – FTP has the best music to run to. Futuristic and upbeat. I love their entire album and “Houdini” is one of the best tracks on it!

Florence + the Machine “Dog Days Are Over” – Um…is this not THE best song to run to? Gradually building up, super upbeat, and Flo’s amazing voice. I love it to pieces. Plus, I feel like they are clapping for me during the song – hello, encouragement!!

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros “Home” – A FUN song! I love the lyrics and it’s so playful. It reminds me of weddings because I think a lot of people use them in their wedding videos – so it’s a happy song to run to!

Calvin Harris (feat. Florence Welch) “Sweet Nothing” – A great DJ paired up with Florence’s AMAZING voice – can’t beat this. It’s a great super fast song! Seriously, it’s like being in a techno nightclub! Get your glow sticks out!

The Band Perry “Done” – I’m not a huge fan of country music, at all. I usually like a song here and there but I’ve liked the sibling trifecta of The Band Perry since they came out with “If I Die Young.” This is their newest tune and you may have seen it on advertisements of their new album during the NCAA tournament. It’s a fast song and full of break-up angst.

Atlas Genius “Trojans” – Another song that reminds me of California. Great pace and beat. Nothing too intense, but something to keep you bobbing your head to.

So, that’s my long list of my most recent running playlist. What’s on your playlist? What’s your favorite tune to work out to?

Ultimate Loser: Shoe Review

Posted on by

0

I think I’ve mentioned a few times that I tried running a couch to 10K program a few years back and dropped 16 lbs in 6 weeks. Yep…it was awesome. Although I’ve always hated running, I’ve found that it’s the only exercise that really shows me results … and I’m not going to lie, I do usually feel better afterwards. Like I climbed a mountain or something. I begged for some Nike Free shoes last year to replace my usual and boring running shoes. When I run I switch up my shoes – and I’m not really good at replacing them because I think they feel better if they’re worn in.

A few months ago, JP and I spotted gray and neon green shoes on clearance at a local sports equipment store. She nabbed a pair that she liked which were Nike+ shoes where you can link up to your iPod and mine were the newer version of the Nike Free shoe – which has a slimmer build.

shoes

Fun story about these shoes – when I first purchased them I accidently snipped the laces on the right shoe, so now I have to tie them in a tiny bow on the right had side of the upper tongue – or get new laces. But it works.  The first 2-3 times I wore them, they hurt. I have thicker hands and feet (ie. “meaty paws)  compliments of my father, so the narrower version of these shoes squeezed my toes and sometimes made my feet numb after wearing them for a workout. Not good, if you’re running. But after the first few times with them on, I’ve found that they have stretched a bit to make room for my toes and now aren’t too tight.

They are much thinner than my original pair, but I think they look great on my feet, and aren’t too bad when I run on a treadmill. I haven’t (and don’t) ventured outside to run in them yet and am not sure if they’d be a great fit for the hard pavement, but I know there are lots of runners that enjoy the slimmer shoe to give them more flexibility when they run – it can also make your feet stronger and give them a good work out too.

Personally, I think I enjoy my older, slightly thicker soled version of the Nike Free shoe. It provides a more cushioning run and is easier on my feet.

Do you have a favorite running shoe? Do you prefer indoor or outdoor runs?

Another injury …

Posted on by

0

‘ello friends! I’m here to update you on yet another injury I have had the luck of having. My weekends are usually full of sports. I have flag football on Saturdays (I’m a defensive genius at outside linebacker haha!) and softball on Sundays. This past weekend I felt the calf muscle on my left leg start to tighten but tried to play through it because we were short players and we had a doubleheader. Well, that bit me in the butt because in the second game I went to run and felt a strong POP in my upper calf muscle. Not only could I not put that much pressure on it but I definitely couldn’t walk and the first thing that came to mind was “OHMYGOD diditearmymeniscusandnowneedsurgery”. Crappy feeling.

So I took myself out of the game because I was hobbling. Luckily, there’s a doctor on my team. Granted she’s an OB/GYN but that’s besides the point. The doctor asked what kind of pain I had and where it hurt and suggested that it might be a torn tendon or ligament in my calf muscle. GREAT. How will I ever continue my career as the best flag football linebacker out there? It could be season-ending. And let’s not even review how this prevents me from being awesome in Run Club.

So, this injury could sideline me anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months which is super great. I just need to R.I.C.E. it and take care of it so I can be back sooner than later. After three days its starting to feel somewhat better, but I did read in my ultra scientific method of Googling, that it is now going to be prone to more types of strains in this area. Yay! But hopefully, I’ll bounce back soon and start pulling some flags after the Memorial Day holiday!

Project 25: Run Club Week 2

Posted on by

0

I finished Run Club week two and am definitely hurting from it. Monday’s run was only 1 mile and I finished it with no problem by doing run/walk intervals. Wednesday’s run was extended to 2 miles (same loop twice) and I took my time in run/walk intervals. I started last because I have a weird thing where I don’t like to be chased, and was slow as a turtle. I eventually caught up to everyone else on the last loop and passed three other people (that decided to run the entire 1st mile) and I finished in 28:06 … my fastest 2 miles yet!

I was definitely struggling at the end but was validated that I actually didn’t finish last. It was a great feeling. That night, however, I started suffering from terrible back spasms that sent shooting pain through my lower back. I had work and a softball game the next day and thought that sleep over night would help but I couldn’t sit in the car to drive to work (so I had to call in sick) and I couldn’t make my softball game (because obviously I can’t move). I hate feeling like I let people down and because I can’t make softball tonight, that means the team (which is co-ed) must play with 1 less guy. No bueno.  I always feel guilty missing work or sports because I don’t like to let other’s down and I don’t like to have a bad reputation, so although I’m in some terrible pain, I’m more worried about letting work and my softball team down. :(

What’s the worst running injury you’ve had? What do you do to recover?