(Almost) Perfect Playlist!

Lets talk about music. Most runners enjoy having music playing as they run, at an acceptable and safe volume of course. Sometimes getting the right mix of songs together can be tricky. Today I felt like going to a throwback, the 90's that is, well in this case 2000. For my car ride to work I chose to listen to Nsync's "No Strings Attached" album. Yea, those were good days.

When I got home, I went straight upstairs and got changed for my run. No stopping, except maybe to pee. I got outside, strapped on my shoes and set up my running app and Pandora radio. I decided to stick with my teenage year music. I set up a Nsync radio and off I went....or so I thought...

As I began walking down the driveway, while looking at my phone instead of where I was going, I stepped on a stupid pinecone and down to the ground I went! I didn't even want to look at it. If I looked it at, I am not squeamish or anything, but I would have somehow convinced myself to go inside and clean it and then I would not have gone back out to run. So I sucked it up, brushed myself off and went on. Once I actually began running I felt fantastic! I think I ran longer than I normally do before taking a walk break! I was so proud of myself! But of course the trade off is being more tired later.

Let me get back to my post title, so my playlist, well since it is Pandora the songs are random, but set according the station I set. It was awesome! All the right stuff, it had Nsync, Backstreet Boys, TLC, Britney Spears...and what would have topped it off would be NKOTB, but it didn't come up. There were a couple slower songs I could have done without, but in general, it was fantastic! I will have to remember those for when I need to create an actual playlist for a race or something!

Along the way I passes a bunch of walkers, I gave them a smile and even a Hello.

I am still discovering different areas of town to run in. This route I have run part of before, the other half I noticed great sidewalks on when I drove down that road. It does offer great sidewalk access, side roads and it goes past two schools that have a track  that if open I could access I am sure just to add some distance if needed.

 I finished, thought I had a great running outfit on today, which I thought deserved a photo. I went inside and prepared one of my new favorite snacks, not just for after runs but with my lunch as well. A good crisp and sweet apple with Peanut Butter and a chocolate hazelnut spread (nutella or any off brand!) YUM!!

 

Do you have a favorite post-run snack?

Do you even have a snack or just water/Gatorade?

What is your favorite song to run to?

Do you use Pandora, if yes, favorite station to play?

 

-Stephanie

Accessorizing!

When it comes to running...or when you become a runner, you end up with a collection of race shirts, running clothes/capris/tights, and many accessories!

You may not need all these accessories at once, but for the long run or race day, you may. In my last post I talked about my new interval timer. As much as I hate having to wear two things on my arm at once, I did not need my fuel belt on me.

As you can see.....I drew my belt in, just to show all the accessories I would need if it had been a long run. My cousin made a funny comment on a photo from my last race about the amount of things I had on my belt, or the "lack of" items, and I should add a hat or something! very funny..

Usually when I have my belt, my music (cell phone) which also serves as my gps/run app would go in the zipper pouch. I also purchased a pouch that slides onto the belt so I can put my camera in it, it takes much better pics than my phone, so I like to have to have it for race day, unless it is a 5k.

 

Another new "accessory" is my patella band for my knee.

I could probably wear one on each knee, but I bought one just so I could try it out. I don't like how un-flattering it is, kind of pushing everything up, but that's what it is suppose to do to the knee, push up to keep things from rubbing the wrong way internally. After suffering from "spasms" for the first 6 miles of my last 1/2 Marathon, my chiropractor suggested getting a Patella support Strap.

 

So I don't know if I will wear this or both ( I will pick up another) every time I run, but today I felt like I could have worn two. When I took my walking breaks my right knee felt a little funny, so it might have been good to have some support.

 

Speaking of todays run...I am getting really bored with the routes I have close to me. But knowing that I have to run, I did it anyways. I changed my intervals to 2:1 which I complied with majority of the time. I did sometimes slip to 130:130, but I would switch back and forth. I did still feel winded half way through, and was hoping to do 4 miles again today and probably could have pushed myself. But I decided not to, and to push myself to 4 tomorrow. I know I wasn't properly hydrated today, and I haven't been eating the greatest lately either.

 

I know I said I would definitely sign up for the Rock N Roll 1/2 for the end of September, but I am going to use this week to decide. I want to make sure I can do it. I know I can do it, but I want to make sure I am capable of doing it, feeling good and be able to finish strong. So I will use this week to run whenever and as much as I can in hopes that I can build my endurance a little more so I can be able to get long runs in before the 1/2. So here I am crossing my fingers.

 

 -Stephanie