Musical Wednesdays

Hey y’all! I’ve just returned from another recovery run (this one a little longer, but still recovery because I didn’t push any speed). OMG it was even worse than the race – 80 degrees to start! I’m glad to be out of the taper (though I credit it for my strong finish in Chicago), I think it made me into a cranky and stressed out bitch…sorry for anyone that brief stage affected (or maybe it’s just the interesting place in my life right now…)! At least I’m back on the road 🙂

Love Chi.

Instead of one song this week you get an entire playlist! I had mostly new music for the race this past weekend and it really helped the fun-factor of the race. A lot of it is not your typical running or workout music but I LOVED this mix for the relaxed and fun run that Chicago was intended to be. Enjoy the tunes – I’ve included links to my very favorites!

Blow Me (One Last Kiss) – P!nk. I think that life’s too short for this, want back my ignorance and bliss, I think I’ve had enough of this. I listened to this song twice the first time it came on about halfway. Then I searched for it again at the start of the last mile and listened to it all the way across the finish line. Fist pumping and singing all the way…..

Carry On – Fun. If you’re lost and alone, or you’re sinking like a stone, carry on.

Daylight – Matt and Kim.

Eyes Wide Open – Gotye. We walk the plank with our eyes wide open.

Flowers in Your Hair – The Lumineers. Be in my eyes and be in my heart. It’s a short song and it starts off slowly but less than a minute in, the chorus starts and it picks up in a very happy way – just the pick me up you need around mile 5.

Ho Hey – The Lumineers.

Hold On – Alabama Shakes. I got so much to do, I ain’t got much time, So, must be someone up above saying “Come on girl! You got to get back up!!” “You got to hold on…” A little non-traditional but slow and steady. Plus the words just pull you along!

Keep Me in Mind – Zac Brown Band. Well the world can be real tough, find shelter in me, if there’s no one else to love keep me in mind. Just a happy, zippy song.

King and Lionheart – Of Monsters and Men. Howling ghosts they reappear, and mountains they are stacked with mounting fear. But you’re a king and I’m a lionheart. Excellent beat.

Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men.

Loving You Tonight – Andrew Allen.

Mountain Sound – Of Monsters and Men.

Never Go Back – Grace Potter & the Nocturnals. I’m pushin’ up on the ceiling, I’m beatin’ back all my demons, And I’m never lettin’ you back in again.

Save Me – Gotye. And I could not love, Cuz I could not love myself, Never good enough, no, That was all I’d tell myself. I got lost in this song for a stretch on Michigan Avenue – deep in thought on the lyrics.

Say You Like Me – We The Kings. She’s just waiting for that one to take her hand and shake her up…..I’m never goin’ down, I’m never givin’ up. This one was repeated a few times when it came on. Just so bouncey!

Shake it Out – Florence and the Machine. It’s always darkest before the dawn…It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back….Shake it out, shake it out. When this song came on and words “Shake it Out” played through my headphones, I literally shook my arms out. It was helpful in the run, and this song will be helpful in life.

Slow it Down – The Lumineers.

Springsteen – Eric Church. Funny how a melody sounds like a memory, like a soundtrack to a July Saturday night. Of course I had some country on the playlist. Do you know me at all yet?

Stubborn Love – The Lumineers. I can’t be told it can’t be done. It’s better to feel pain, than nothin’ at all. The opposite of love’s indifference….keep your head up, my love. This is my new favorite song.

Take a Walk – Passion Pit. I remind myself times could be much worse.

Too Close – Alex Clare. Got to be true to myself. And it feels like I am just too close to love you. So I’ll be on my own.

Whistle – Flo Rida.

Why am I the One – Fun. For once, for once, for once, I get the feeling that im right where I belong.
Why am I the one always packing all my stuff? Excellent tempo changes, plus it just relates to the transitional state of my life right now.

Windy City.

What are you listening to right now?

If you need me today, I’ll be watching out our front door for an early birthday present I ordered for myself!! Any guesses?!

Good mornin’ y’all. It’s Rock n Roll Chicago Taper time! That means I’m not out in the “stifling” (select word of the weather report this morning) heat logging the miles. I get to rest this week and let all the miles I’ve put in over the past two months take care of getting me ready for Sunday. The taper is crucial, allowing my muscles (and mind) to rest before the big task at hand this weekend. So no long runs, no speedy runs, no weights. This rest time lets all the hard work of the summer I’ve put into my muscles actually make them stronger. Yes, it has the potential to make me stir-crazy but I’ve learned to respect it. And almost to love it.

When I was in Memphis over the weekend, I took a Spin class at Inside Out Gym from the instructor who taught me to love spinning. For some reason, her playlist selections for five years have always spoken to me personally, either inspiring a fantastic and exhausting workout or just making something in life make a little bit more sense. Well she did it again on Sunday when she played Ho Hey by The Lumineers. It didn’t inspire any extra effort or bring sense to my life BUT it introduced me to a new group, with an off-the-beaten-path song. I like the beat and the banjo and their sound reminds me of Mumford and Sons.

Ho Hey. The Lumineers.