Hello, world! I spent this past weekend at Fitbloggin' in Indy, and while it was a smaller and more low-key conference than in the past, I still had a great time! I saw a bunch of old friends, made new ones, and drank quite a bit of craft beer. ;-)
I'll have a full recap later in the week, but there was something that this weekend made me dig a little deep into, and I wanted to get those thoughts out there first. This may not sound coherent, but here goes anyway.
I was meditating in the hotel pool on Friday and came to the revelation that over the last three or four months, I've been struggling to just "be Tracy."
First off, work. I was pretty much one foot out the door over there. Basically, I was miserable. I wasn't being given enough to do, was feeling unchallenged and unappreciated, and was ready to leave. However, a new general manager came in almost two months ago. Things turned around almost as fast as you can say "Hokey Pokey." I'm in it for the long haul now. Well, as long as they want me anyway. As a result, I was trying so hard to be picture perfect to try to impress her along with the district manager who came in back in March. Turns out, they both like me, but I lost myself in the process. I forgot about the bubbly, adorable rockstar that I was known for being in favor of being "Little Miss Perfect." After a semi-nervous breakdown at work two weeks ago, I got snapped back, and I'm back to my old self. That's really all I need to be.
Second, I never have down time. Outside of work, I run three days a week (since the streak is long over) and spend most days in the gym too. The rest of the time is either spent with the family or sleeping. No wonder I constantly feel burned out. Not cool.
I've been reading a book called The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown. In one of the early chapters, she wrote that most of us struggle with being worthy right now. She also mentioned that when we struggle with our self-worthiness, we basically have to beg for it.
LIGHT BULB ON!
I am struggling with my own self-worthiness!
Part of it has been being overweight for as long as I was, and not feeling good about myself. Part of it has to do with work, as I want to keep moving forward with the company. Part of it is wanting to be everything ALL the time. Finally, part of it is just me being a perfectionist.
Time to let it all go. Don't sing it like Elsa. Frozen was so 2014. ;-)
The last presentation of Fitbloggin' was from Brooke Randolph, a therapist from the Indianapolis area. She spoke about emotionally healthy living, and a few points hit home for me big time, and decided I wanted to really focus on. These were also mentioned in the book, so I take it as a sign.
I need to stop thinking what others think of me and focus on myself. Time to own my story and rock it!
I can tell you right now that this will be a work in progress. Rome wasn't built in a day, so I can't undo years of self-neglect and negative thoughts in a day, either.
That being said, here's my plan:
1) Spend 15 minutes a day to myself. This can be reading, working on a hobby, or just quiet meditation. I don't think that this is being selfish. In fact, my friend Tamara wrote a post on self-care, and said that it's actually necessary. It reduces stress hormones and makes you a happier person to be with. =) She also said that like anything else, you have to MAKE time for self-care. I feel that these moments, while short, can be beneficial in the long run. Small choices add up too, right?
2) Write down one positive of the day. This won't be a social media post. It doesn't need to be. This is for ME, and as long as I can see it and own it, that's all that matters.
3) Stop trying to be EVERYTHING. I'm human. It is impossible for me to do it all. So I'm going to stop trying to. If my nephew wants to play or cuddle, and I have laundry to do, the laundry can wait. Okay, bad example, but you get the idea. Same goes for work. I don't need to be picture perfect to impress the boss. I just need to be the best version of ME in that moment, and I'll be fine.
4) Block out what everyone else thinks. Okay, maybe not everyone. There are people who I need to take their thoughts into consideration, but for the most part, I don't need the validation of others. Going back to what I said earlier, I need to own my story.
Whew! I know I wrote a lot, but I feel like this was all necessary. This was something that hit home this weekend, and I wanted to get it out there. I'm putting this plan into place already and I'm starting to feel better as a result. This will be a work in progress, but I know that I'm going in the right direction and can only get better from here.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Thursday, July 14, 2016
#AP2TheLights
What happens when you have crazy runner friends who do crazy things?
You get a little crazy and follow suit.
Okay, I may not be running two half marathons in two states in one day (Ala The We Run Social crew and Cali to Vegas), but I am doing something I have never done.
Two 5K's in one day. In the middle of August.
Oh yeah. Did I mention that they are both races I will be racing for the first time EVER?
Since you all know I never seem to tell the short version of anything, here's the very long version of how this happened.
I was toying with the idea of doing a race in the morning on April 30, since the NJ Marathon 5K got moved to 3:00 in the afternoon. Yeah, I never found a second race...
Around the same time, the George Sheehan Classic announced that they were merging with the Asbury Park 5K on August 13, resulting in only one race this year. Well, I didn't get revenge on Tower Hill after all. Oh well. At least I can say I did the last Red Bank run.
As many of you know, my birthday is August 7. My friend Carol's birthday is on August 15. So, I suggested that we do Asbury for our birthdays. She was totally on board. Well, there was one race at 8:30 in the morning and that was that.
Or so we thought.
Shortly after that, the Twin Lights Twilight Run in Highlands, which is usually at 6:30 on a Sunday night, announced that they would be moving that one to a Saturday this year. Guess the date on that.
Yup, August 13.
Being the crazy person that I am, I suggested to Carol that we do that one too. She was up for the challenge.
So this is going to be a crazy, but epic race day! I know that this will be the biggest race day of my life. 6.2 awesome miles starting along the ocean and ending at 250 feet above sea level.
Timing will be on our side for sure. Asbury Park starts at 8:30 in the morning, and even with some time to hang out at that after party, we will still get home with plenty of time to relax and reset for the Twin Lights Run at 6:30 that night.
I've already decided that neither race will be a PR race. It will be way too hot, plus I need to have enough left in the tank after AP to get through the Twin Lights. This is more for the multi-race challenge and to celebrate two birthdays!
I plan on having a good time and conquer something that I never have before! I'll be 31 on August 7, and plan on using this to prove that 31 will be my year. Plus, you know, running 3.1 to celebrate 31. ;-)
As for our "official" after party, that's probably going to be an on the fly thing. I want to go out and celebrate after, but nothing set yet. We'll see what happens.
Have you ever had a multi-race day?
You get a little crazy and follow suit.
Okay, I may not be running two half marathons in two states in one day (Ala The We Run Social crew and Cali to Vegas), but I am doing something I have never done.
Two 5K's in one day. In the middle of August.
Oh yeah. Did I mention that they are both races I will be racing for the first time EVER?
Boardwalk by day, lighthouses by night! 6.2 epic miles!
Since you all know I never seem to tell the short version of anything, here's the very long version of how this happened.
I was toying with the idea of doing a race in the morning on April 30, since the NJ Marathon 5K got moved to 3:00 in the afternoon. Yeah, I never found a second race...
Around the same time, the George Sheehan Classic announced that they were merging with the Asbury Park 5K on August 13, resulting in only one race this year. Well, I didn't get revenge on Tower Hill after all. Oh well. At least I can say I did the last Red Bank run.
As many of you know, my birthday is August 7. My friend Carol's birthday is on August 15. So, I suggested that we do Asbury for our birthdays. She was totally on board. Well, there was one race at 8:30 in the morning and that was that.
Or so we thought.
Shortly after that, the Twin Lights Twilight Run in Highlands, which is usually at 6:30 on a Sunday night, announced that they would be moving that one to a Saturday this year. Guess the date on that.
Yup, August 13.
Being the crazy person that I am, I suggested to Carol that we do that one too. She was up for the challenge.
So this is going to be a crazy, but epic race day! I know that this will be the biggest race day of my life. 6.2 awesome miles starting along the ocean and ending at 250 feet above sea level.
Timing will be on our side for sure. Asbury Park starts at 8:30 in the morning, and even with some time to hang out at that after party, we will still get home with plenty of time to relax and reset for the Twin Lights Run at 6:30 that night.
I've already decided that neither race will be a PR race. It will be way too hot, plus I need to have enough left in the tank after AP to get through the Twin Lights. This is more for the multi-race challenge and to celebrate two birthdays!
I plan on having a good time and conquer something that I never have before! I'll be 31 on August 7, and plan on using this to prove that 31 will be my year. Plus, you know, running 3.1 to celebrate 31. ;-)
As for our "official" after party, that's probably going to be an on the fly thing. I want to go out and celebrate after, but nothing set yet. We'll see what happens.
Have you ever had a multi-race day?
Friday, July 8, 2016
Recapping My 40 Day Run Streak
Hello, world! Hope everyone is doing well and staying cool on this hot July day! Well, it's hot and humid out here on the Jersey Shore. Such is expected though. That's what we get...haha.
I went for a run on May 29, but little did I know that it would be the start of a 40 day adventure. Otherwise known as a run streak.
If you follow me on Twitter and Instagram, you've probably seen all the posts about it.
I know, I swore I would never attempt one, after the longest I went was three days. It wasn't for me, my body needed the rest, and so on.
However, Runner's World was running one from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July. So, I decided to hop on the train and make mine a plus one, since I ran the day before Memorial Day.
There were days I questioned it, and if I could actually do it. On one, my boss talked a lot of sense into me, basically saying not to because I worked so hard for it. On that day, I had my fastest pace EVER!
Yeah, that really happened. Thanks to my boss for talking sense into me! See, I do listen sometimes! ;-)
The streak hit its peak back on June 25, where this mother freakin' superstar took on Union Beach and came within 14 seconds of a PR on a hot and humid day. I truly believe that all the running outside, no matter how short the run was, helped me condition better for the weather. I was happy with the outcome and know that it can only get better.
On Monday, the last day of the Runner's World streak, I decided I wasn't ready for it to end just yet. I took it a little further and decided to see what would follow.
Today was the day I decided that it was over. I ran a total of 40 days and 66.4 miles.
This week simply took a lot out of me with work, the weather, and getting back to a "normal" cross-training routine. Not to mention that I was feeling super sore and knew that my body was telling me "It's over."
Am I disappointed that it's over? A little. Who wouldn't be? I wanted to keep going, but know that in the long run (no pun intended), it would benefit me to go back to normal, and that includes rest days.
However, I am super proud of myself for making it as far as I did. For a girl who swore she would never run, much less streak, I did pretty awesome! I proved to myself that I am stronger than I think I am, and that I am capable of anything (well, just about).
Will I attempt to streak again? Well, I would like to say "No," but I learned to never say never. I just want to go back to a normal routine for now, and see what happens. If I attempt it again, great. If not, then so be it. At least now I know it's possible.
Have you attempted a run streak before? If so, how long did it last?
I went for a run on May 29, but little did I know that it would be the start of a 40 day adventure. Otherwise known as a run streak.
Holmdel Park was where it all began, although I had no idea at the time.
If you follow me on Twitter and Instagram, you've probably seen all the posts about it.
I know, I swore I would never attempt one, after the longest I went was three days. It wasn't for me, my body needed the rest, and so on.
However, Runner's World was running one from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July. So, I decided to hop on the train and make mine a plus one, since I ran the day before Memorial Day.
There were days I questioned it, and if I could actually do it. On one, my boss talked a lot of sense into me, basically saying not to because I worked so hard for it. On that day, I had my fastest pace EVER!
The streak hit its peak back on June 25, where this mother freakin' superstar took on Union Beach and came within 14 seconds of a PR on a hot and humid day. I truly believe that all the running outside, no matter how short the run was, helped me condition better for the weather. I was happy with the outcome and know that it can only get better.
On Monday, the last day of the Runner's World streak, I decided I wasn't ready for it to end just yet. I took it a little further and decided to see what would follow.
Today was the day I decided that it was over. I ran a total of 40 days and 66.4 miles.
This week simply took a lot out of me with work, the weather, and getting back to a "normal" cross-training routine. Not to mention that I was feeling super sore and knew that my body was telling me "It's over."
Am I disappointed that it's over? A little. Who wouldn't be? I wanted to keep going, but know that in the long run (no pun intended), it would benefit me to go back to normal, and that includes rest days.
However, I am super proud of myself for making it as far as I did. For a girl who swore she would never run, much less streak, I did pretty awesome! I proved to myself that I am stronger than I think I am, and that I am capable of anything (well, just about).
Will I attempt to streak again? Well, I would like to say "No," but I learned to never say never. I just want to go back to a normal routine for now, and see what happens. If I attempt it again, great. If not, then so be it. At least now I know it's possible.
Have you attempted a run streak before? If so, how long did it last?
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Union Beach 5K (Union Beach, NJ)
This is the fastest I am recapping a race for sure, but I know I won't have much time in the next few days to do so, so I'm doing it now!
Today was a prime example of not knowing what version of you or the course will show up on race day.
I was keeping an eye on the forecast all week, and was happy when I saw temps in the low 70's for this morning with sun. However, this morning also brought about 80% humidity. Great...
I planned my outfit accordingly throughout the week, and hoped that this particular shirt would come in before today. Sure enough, it was waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday. Yay!
The shirt is from the Run with Perseverance Etsy shop. Check it out! Kathy has some awesome pieces on there! I may be buying more in the future! ;-)
I also took a shower last night and actually slept through the night. Hey, the shower helped with something. Haha. ;-)
I woke up at 6:30 this morning, and after a few minutes in bed, I woke up and was ready to rock and roll! I went through my usual pre-race routine, and was out my door and on the road by 7:45. Win!
It took me only about 15 minutes to get to the race area (parking was pretty much all off-site), and after parking my car, I went down to the finish area and stayed loose until it was go time.
I knew my Instagram follower Regina was racing this one too, and after seeing her flat runner last night, I spotted her right away. She spotted me almost immediately too, and it was like we knew each other forever, when it was really only about a month or so. =)
Eventually, it was time to line up at the start, and it was a bit crazy, as one of the running teams was finishing their warm-up (five minutes before the start--yes, really). Of course, there was no timing mat at the start (FAIL!), so everyone had the same start time, no matter where in the pack you were. Can we say "Ugh?"
I made an attempt to get a pre-race selfie, but the sun was not doing me any favors. So this is what you get.
There was very little fan fare involved at the start. Just some instructions, and at exactly 9:00, the horn sounded and we were off!
I made the mistake of getting caught in the middle, and found myself in the middle of crowds for the better part of the first mile. I just stuck to the intervals I trained with for the time, and hit the first mile in 10:38, despite slowing down to get a picture of the UB Hope Tree. I knew I wanted a picture of it, and it was worth it. I was on pace for the PR!
Then the humidity kicked my ass.
I had to slow down my intervals considerably, and ended up with an 11:21 second mile. Still on pace for a PR, and I was pushing, but the humidity was winning.
It was at that point I wish I ran with my Nathan handheld water bottle, as there were two water stops, but they were further than anticipated (1.5 and 2.5ish miles). I trained with it, so I should have ran with it, right? Oh well. Live and learn.
I kept trucking along, but still had to slow down, and wound up with an 11:46 third mile. Yes, I know I need to work progression runs into my training. However, I don't think any amount of training could have prepped me for the increasing humidity. Whatever.
I saw the finish line and made a sprint for it, in hopes that I could salvage a PR of a few seconds. I just sprinted, threw my arms up, and crossed the finish. However, the PR wasn't meant to be. The clock had me at 34:46, which was actually 10 seconds slower than when I last ran the race in 2014.
Moments after I crossed the finish, I stopped my Garmin. The Garmin actually had me at 34:39 for 3.12 miles. Still, I knew it wasn't my day, but I was proud of myself for finishing a tough and inconsistent race! I remember running last year in similar conditions and having a time of 4:30 slower! So, I guess all my training was good for something! ;-)
I found Regina after I finished, and she ROCKED it! 24:00, and second in her age group! Yay! =D
The timing company was posting results as fast as people were coming in, and soon enough I saw mine. 34:46, pace of 11:12. Missed the PR by 14 seconds. In a way, I was kicking myself for not REALLY pushing it, being as I was so close. At the same time, I knew that the humidity was a huge factor today, and had to be proud of myself for not wanting to quit!
Since I didn't get a full body pic before the race, I got one after. I love how the outfit came together! It was a huge hit with so many other people too! =D
As I said earlier, you never know what version of yourself or the course will show up on race day, and this year proved to be tough. I was not anticipating humidity to be as high as it was, and it kicked me in the butt. Still, I kept going, and finished strong! Not every race is a PR, and now that I think of it, not every race needs to be. Just getting out there and doing it is enough. The PR's are just a bonus. Five years ago, this was something I never would have even tried. Now, I'm out there and being the best version of ME every time! That is worth WAY more than any PR ever will be!
Today was a prime example of not knowing what version of you or the course will show up on race day.
I was keeping an eye on the forecast all week, and was happy when I saw temps in the low 70's for this morning with sun. However, this morning also brought about 80% humidity. Great...
I planned my outfit accordingly throughout the week, and hoped that this particular shirt would come in before today. Sure enough, it was waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday. Yay!
I also took a shower last night and actually slept through the night. Hey, the shower helped with something. Haha. ;-)
I woke up at 6:30 this morning, and after a few minutes in bed, I woke up and was ready to rock and roll! I went through my usual pre-race routine, and was out my door and on the road by 7:45. Win!
It took me only about 15 minutes to get to the race area (parking was pretty much all off-site), and after parking my car, I went down to the finish area and stayed loose until it was go time.
I knew my Instagram follower Regina was racing this one too, and after seeing her flat runner last night, I spotted her right away. She spotted me almost immediately too, and it was like we knew each other forever, when it was really only about a month or so. =)
Eventually, it was time to line up at the start, and it was a bit crazy, as one of the running teams was finishing their warm-up (five minutes before the start--yes, really). Of course, there was no timing mat at the start (FAIL!), so everyone had the same start time, no matter where in the pack you were. Can we say "Ugh?"
I made an attempt to get a pre-race selfie, but the sun was not doing me any favors. So this is what you get.
There was very little fan fare involved at the start. Just some instructions, and at exactly 9:00, the horn sounded and we were off!
I made the mistake of getting caught in the middle, and found myself in the middle of crowds for the better part of the first mile. I just stuck to the intervals I trained with for the time, and hit the first mile in 10:38, despite slowing down to get a picture of the UB Hope Tree. I knew I wanted a picture of it, and it was worth it. I was on pace for the PR!
Then the humidity kicked my ass.
I had to slow down my intervals considerably, and ended up with an 11:21 second mile. Still on pace for a PR, and I was pushing, but the humidity was winning.
It was at that point I wish I ran with my Nathan handheld water bottle, as there were two water stops, but they were further than anticipated (1.5 and 2.5ish miles). I trained with it, so I should have ran with it, right? Oh well. Live and learn.
I kept trucking along, but still had to slow down, and wound up with an 11:46 third mile. Yes, I know I need to work progression runs into my training. However, I don't think any amount of training could have prepped me for the increasing humidity. Whatever.
I saw the finish line and made a sprint for it, in hopes that I could salvage a PR of a few seconds. I just sprinted, threw my arms up, and crossed the finish. However, the PR wasn't meant to be. The clock had me at 34:46, which was actually 10 seconds slower than when I last ran the race in 2014.
Moments after I crossed the finish, I stopped my Garmin. The Garmin actually had me at 34:39 for 3.12 miles. Still, I knew it wasn't my day, but I was proud of myself for finishing a tough and inconsistent race! I remember running last year in similar conditions and having a time of 4:30 slower! So, I guess all my training was good for something! ;-)
I found Regina after I finished, and she ROCKED it! 24:00, and second in her age group! Yay! =D
The timing company was posting results as fast as people were coming in, and soon enough I saw mine. 34:46, pace of 11:12. Missed the PR by 14 seconds. In a way, I was kicking myself for not REALLY pushing it, being as I was so close. At the same time, I knew that the humidity was a huge factor today, and had to be proud of myself for not wanting to quit!
Since I didn't get a full body pic before the race, I got one after. I love how the outfit came together! It was a huge hit with so many other people too! =D
As I said earlier, you never know what version of yourself or the course will show up on race day, and this year proved to be tough. I was not anticipating humidity to be as high as it was, and it kicked me in the butt. Still, I kept going, and finished strong! Not every race is a PR, and now that I think of it, not every race needs to be. Just getting out there and doing it is enough. The PR's are just a bonus. Five years ago, this was something I never would have even tried. Now, I'm out there and being the best version of ME every time! That is worth WAY more than any PR ever will be!
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Playlist Thursday: Motivational Songs
Hi, everyone! Long time, no blog, I know! Stupid thing called real life getting in the way. Meh.
Anyway, I decided to shake things up a bit and do another playlist!
I got the main idea for this from the awesome Pavey! Here's the format:
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year. Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever.
This week I decided to do some confidence boosting and motivating songs since I'm running a 5K on Saturday and have this set as THE goal race! So, here's what I came up with!
Artist: Journey
Side Note: How can a playlist like this NOT include this song? I LOVE Journey, and this song is just awesome! No matter what life brings, just don't stop believing! Once you stop believing, it's all over. On another note, this song was actually playing as I crossed the finish of my last 5K, where I ended up with a course PW, which was a letdown for sure. However, I know that if I stopped believing, I never would have tried to do it at all.
Quotable: "Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling."
Artist: Demi Lovato
Side Note: I love this song. Basically, it screams "Get out of my way. I own this." Recently, I have started to come into my own just about everywhere, and this song reflects how I'm feeling. I have never been that confident, and I realized "Why not. Own it and shine bright!"
Quotable: "It's time for me to take it, I'm the boss right now."
Artist: The Script
Side Note: This is another song that I feel describes my life pretty well. It's not as uptempo as the first two, but it's still motivating. In a nutshell, it's about not letting all the hardship of your past keep you down, but growing from it, and hence, being a superhero learning to fly. Aren't we all superheroes in some form or another, anyway? ;-) Maybe not, but we can all still rock it even if life kicks us down.
Quotable: "When you've been fighting for it all your life, been struggling to make things right, that's how a superhero learns to fly."
There you have it! Three songs that scream "Believe in yourself!" My confidence is at an all-time high, as I decided to be the rockstar everyone knows I am! Hope it all pays off on Saturday!
What are YOU listening to? What songs boost YOUR confidence?
Anyway, I decided to shake things up a bit and do another playlist!
I got the main idea for this from the awesome Pavey! Here's the format:
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year. Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever.
This week I decided to do some confidence boosting and motivating songs since I'm running a 5K on Saturday and have this set as THE goal race! So, here's what I came up with!
Something Old
Song: Don't Stop Believin'Artist: Journey
Side Note: How can a playlist like this NOT include this song? I LOVE Journey, and this song is just awesome! No matter what life brings, just don't stop believing! Once you stop believing, it's all over. On another note, this song was actually playing as I crossed the finish of my last 5K, where I ended up with a course PW, which was a letdown for sure. However, I know that if I stopped believing, I never would have tried to do it at all.
Quotable: "Don't stop believing, hold on to that feeling."
Something Current
Song: ConfidentArtist: Demi Lovato
Side Note: I love this song. Basically, it screams "Get out of my way. I own this." Recently, I have started to come into my own just about everywhere, and this song reflects how I'm feeling. I have never been that confident, and I realized "Why not. Own it and shine bright!"
Quotable: "It's time for me to take it, I'm the boss right now."
Something to Consider
Song: SuperheroesArtist: The Script
Side Note: This is another song that I feel describes my life pretty well. It's not as uptempo as the first two, but it's still motivating. In a nutshell, it's about not letting all the hardship of your past keep you down, but growing from it, and hence, being a superhero learning to fly. Aren't we all superheroes in some form or another, anyway? ;-) Maybe not, but we can all still rock it even if life kicks us down.
Quotable: "When you've been fighting for it all your life, been struggling to make things right, that's how a superhero learns to fly."
There you have it! Three songs that scream "Believe in yourself!" My confidence is at an all-time high, as I decided to be the rockstar everyone knows I am! Hope it all pays off on Saturday!
What are YOU listening to? What songs boost YOUR confidence?
Monday, May 30, 2016
Sunday Runday: Holmdel Park
It's hard to believe we're at Memorial Day already! Where is this year going?
This may seem like a random post, but yesterday was kind of a random run, so why not?
I had to take my sister to work yesterday since her car wasn't working. I had originally planned to go to the gym for a 30 minute spin and Power class. However, after I dropped her off, I really wasn't feeling the gym too much. I wanted to run, but not in my usual spot around town. All of my running gear (sneakers, Garmin, RoadID, and headphones) was already with me, so I decided to take a side trip to Holmdel Park, which I heard was beautiful and someplace I never went to. I looked up directions on my phone, and was off!
It took me about 15-20 minutes to get to the park, and I was able to get parking easily too, since it was about 9:00 in the morning when I got there. There were people, but not so many that I had to worry about crowding. Win!
I only had my large liter of water with me, which I didn't want to carry while I was running. Thankfully, I had an empty small one in my car and the park had fountains at their restrooms where people could fill their bottles. Awesome!
Once I filled up and went to the restroom, I checked out the map so I had an idea where I was going. This park is a popular spot for running, as many schools in the area have cross country meets here and several 5K's are held here too.
As for my running plan? I didn't have one! I just wanted to enjoy the run and the scenery. This was my first time running in a park, and really didn't want to set expectations too high.
I did exactly what I wanted to.
The terrain was extremely mixed, with anything from flat to hilly, and paved roads to trails and gravel. It was challenging at times, not just from the terrain, but the heat. It was fine when I got there, but started to feel hot after awhile. I just pulled back the pace and enjoyed the views.
As for this hill part of the park, I think I ran almost as much as I walked! Not too shabby for this girl who usually runs on flat roads!
After a few loops, I made it back to my car and decided to call it a day. I had no plan, but impressed myself with what I did!
Nothing too fast, but not bad for a hot run with mixed terrain!
I enjoyed this so much yesterday that I think I might sneak in a few more trips to this park throughout the season! However, I think trail shoes are a must for this area. I was feeling it when I hit the dirt and gravel. Road running shoes will work, but I think I could benefit from something with a little more traction.
Takeaway from yesterday: It's not always about making good time, but having a good time. You bet I did!
Have you ever decided to change your workout spur of the moment? How did it work for you?
This may seem like a random post, but yesterday was kind of a random run, so why not?
I had to take my sister to work yesterday since her car wasn't working. I had originally planned to go to the gym for a 30 minute spin and Power class. However, after I dropped her off, I really wasn't feeling the gym too much. I wanted to run, but not in my usual spot around town. All of my running gear (sneakers, Garmin, RoadID, and headphones) was already with me, so I decided to take a side trip to Holmdel Park, which I heard was beautiful and someplace I never went to. I looked up directions on my phone, and was off!
It took me about 15-20 minutes to get to the park, and I was able to get parking easily too, since it was about 9:00 in the morning when I got there. There were people, but not so many that I had to worry about crowding. Win!
I only had my large liter of water with me, which I didn't want to carry while I was running. Thankfully, I had an empty small one in my car and the park had fountains at their restrooms where people could fill their bottles. Awesome!
I've seen these fountains at the hospital, and wish more places would install them! Makes refilling bottles so easy!
Once I filled up and went to the restroom, I checked out the map so I had an idea where I was going. This park is a popular spot for running, as many schools in the area have cross country meets here and several 5K's are held here too.
Not the best quality pic, but whatever. It'll do. ;-)
As for my running plan? I didn't have one! I just wanted to enjoy the run and the scenery. This was my first time running in a park, and really didn't want to set expectations too high.
I did exactly what I wanted to.
The terrain was extremely mixed, with anything from flat to hilly, and paved roads to trails and gravel. It was challenging at times, not just from the terrain, but the heat. It was fine when I got there, but started to feel hot after awhile. I just pulled back the pace and enjoyed the views.
As for this hill part of the park, I think I ran almost as much as I walked! Not too shabby for this girl who usually runs on flat roads!
After a few loops, I made it back to my car and decided to call it a day. I had no plan, but impressed myself with what I did!
Nothing too fast, but not bad for a hot run with mixed terrain!
I enjoyed this so much yesterday that I think I might sneak in a few more trips to this park throughout the season! However, I think trail shoes are a must for this area. I was feeling it when I hit the dirt and gravel. Road running shoes will work, but I think I could benefit from something with a little more traction.
Takeaway from yesterday: It's not always about making good time, but having a good time. You bet I did!
Have you ever decided to change your workout spur of the moment? How did it work for you?
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Spring Into Summer 5K (Middletown, NJ)
I learned two things from Saturday's race:
1) Not every race can be a PR (course or overall).
2) 2016 is looking to be the year of "Progress, not perfection."
This has become a race that I look forward to every year. I mean, with an awesome atmosphere, a pretty flat course, and a reasonable cost, it can't be beat! So, you bet I was excited for my fifth straight Spring Into Summer!
Therefore, I won't be going into too many specs on this race itself. I've done it enough, so you get the idea of it by now. ;-)
I went with yellow as my main race color for the NJM 5K, and was feeling the same vibe for this one. I also wanted to rep the We Run Social crew, so you know what shirt I was going with!
In addition to the shirt, I got a We Run Social Momentum wrap, thanks to a collaboration with Pavey! I ordered it on Sunday, and hoped it would get to me by Friday. Sure enough, it was waiting for me on Friday afternoon when I got home from work!
You know I wore this on Saturday too! ;-)
First off, I can't say how awesome it was to go back to a morning race. I was able to get up, eat, check my socials, and go!
I got to the race site and kind of just mingled until it was time to line up. I got there too early, so time seemed to drag more than in the past. Oh well.
Once we lined up, I got a selfie that was not the best and too late for me to post to Insta, but I actually used it to link up to this post. Here you go.
I'm sure the guy behind me knew I was crazy. Guess some people don't run social. Haha.
Next thing I knew, the horn sounded, and we were off!
I had a plan like usual: Run when I felt comfortable, walk as needed, but it was really "PR or bust." My current 5K PR is 34:33, which was at the Rook Run, and I didn't even know it at the time. I knew that it would be possible on this course, and wanted it so bad.
Well, I went out too fast (AGAIN!) and hit the one mile at 11:05. Realistically, I should have known better, and once again, didn't learn my lesson. Can we say, "Pea brain?"
Anyway, I knew my second mile would be slower, and it was, at 11:33. At that point, I could either really push it and have a mile below 11:00, and still PR or accept that this would not be a PR day, and try to enjoy the last mile, and at least negative split the second and third miles.
Well, I knew it wasn't my day, but I still didn't negative split the last two miles. I came in at 12:04. I knew the PR was gone, but I could still at least finish faster than I did three weeks ago.
I gave it all I had, and ended the last 0.10 or so at exactly 1:00. I flew across the finish, and I finished another race!
Shortly after I crossed, I stopped my Garmin, and had a time of 35:43 for 3.13 miles. I had just gotten a course personal worst. I was super disappointed with that for sure. I had said all week that the goal was "PR or bust" Well, I busted alright.
I hung out for a bit to see the later finishers come in, and to see official times. It turns out that my official time was 35:34 (11:28 pace). I was just over a minute slower than my PR, but 36 seconds faster than my race three weeks earlier. Still not in the brightest of spirits, but I felt a little better.
Since I didn't get a full body shot before the race, I got one before I left. Not the most flattering pic, but here you go. Also included are the Garmin shot and my Momentum bracelets of the day.
Overall, I learned that not every race is a PR, and you don't know what version of you or the course will show up on race day. It was not a perfect day weather wise, as has been the norm for the last few weeks. Aside from feeling like I busted, I had an awesome experience again, my outfit was a hit (must have been all the yellow...lol), and I know that this is not my last time on this course. I know that faster races are coming too, this year and in years to come. You can bet I will be back on this course in 2017!
1) Not every race can be a PR (course or overall).
2) 2016 is looking to be the year of "Progress, not perfection."
This has become a race that I look forward to every year. I mean, with an awesome atmosphere, a pretty flat course, and a reasonable cost, it can't be beat! So, you bet I was excited for my fifth straight Spring Into Summer!
Therefore, I won't be going into too many specs on this race itself. I've done it enough, so you get the idea of it by now. ;-)
I went with yellow as my main race color for the NJM 5K, and was feeling the same vibe for this one. I also wanted to rep the We Run Social crew, so you know what shirt I was going with!
In addition to the shirt, I got a We Run Social Momentum wrap, thanks to a collaboration with Pavey! I ordered it on Sunday, and hoped it would get to me by Friday. Sure enough, it was waiting for me on Friday afternoon when I got home from work!
You know I wore this on Saturday too! ;-)
First off, I can't say how awesome it was to go back to a morning race. I was able to get up, eat, check my socials, and go!
I got to the race site and kind of just mingled until it was time to line up. I got there too early, so time seemed to drag more than in the past. Oh well.
Once we lined up, I got a selfie that was not the best and too late for me to post to Insta, but I actually used it to link up to this post. Here you go.
I'm sure the guy behind me knew I was crazy. Guess some people don't run social. Haha.
Next thing I knew, the horn sounded, and we were off!
I had a plan like usual: Run when I felt comfortable, walk as needed, but it was really "PR or bust." My current 5K PR is 34:33, which was at the Rook Run, and I didn't even know it at the time. I knew that it would be possible on this course, and wanted it so bad.
Well, I went out too fast (AGAIN!) and hit the one mile at 11:05. Realistically, I should have known better, and once again, didn't learn my lesson. Can we say, "Pea brain?"
Anyway, I knew my second mile would be slower, and it was, at 11:33. At that point, I could either really push it and have a mile below 11:00, and still PR or accept that this would not be a PR day, and try to enjoy the last mile, and at least negative split the second and third miles.
Well, I knew it wasn't my day, but I still didn't negative split the last two miles. I came in at 12:04. I knew the PR was gone, but I could still at least finish faster than I did three weeks ago.
I gave it all I had, and ended the last 0.10 or so at exactly 1:00. I flew across the finish, and I finished another race!
Shortly after I crossed, I stopped my Garmin, and had a time of 35:43 for 3.13 miles. I had just gotten a course personal worst. I was super disappointed with that for sure. I had said all week that the goal was "PR or bust" Well, I busted alright.
I hung out for a bit to see the later finishers come in, and to see official times. It turns out that my official time was 35:34 (11:28 pace). I was just over a minute slower than my PR, but 36 seconds faster than my race three weeks earlier. Still not in the brightest of spirits, but I felt a little better.
Since I didn't get a full body shot before the race, I got one before I left. Not the most flattering pic, but here you go. Also included are the Garmin shot and my Momentum bracelets of the day.
Overall, I learned that not every race is a PR, and you don't know what version of you or the course will show up on race day. It was not a perfect day weather wise, as has been the norm for the last few weeks. Aside from feeling like I busted, I had an awesome experience again, my outfit was a hit (must have been all the yellow...lol), and I know that this is not my last time on this course. I know that faster races are coming too, this year and in years to come. You can bet I will be back on this course in 2017!
Sunday, May 1, 2016
NJM 5K (Long Branch, NJ)
Confession: I am not a fan of afternoon races. I was thisclose to backing out of this one when they announced the time switch from 8:30 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon.
However, I decided to suck it up and run anyway since I figured there's a first time for everything.
Yesterday seemed to DRAG until it was time for me to get dressed and head to the race site in the afternoon. I decided on a yellow theme for my outfit, since I found neon yellow sleeves at the marathon expo on Friday. I knew I wanted to be in a tank, since once I got going I wouldn't want long sleeves (temperature was around 60).
I got to the race site around 2, in time to see the end of the kids' races, which was the best part. All the kids with their medals were so cute! Can't wait until I get to do that kind of stuff with my nephew! I'll have a little running buddy soon enough!
Anyway, even when I was down there, time seemed to DRAG until it was time to line up for the race. They had sort of a corral system in place, but it was self-seeding. I lined up with the 10:01-12:00 group, since that's what I run anyway. I wasn't going for a PR, since this was the first race of the year, but I figured about 35:00 would be a good finish. However, I knew that if I finished at a pace below 12:00/mile, then it was a good race.
The sun and wind were not doing my selfie game any favors, so this start line shot is about as good as you're going to get. ;-)
One thing that this race taught me (for about the millionth time) is NOT to go out too fast. I did that, and hit a half mile in just over five minutes. I had to reel it in a bit, and ended up with 11:20 for my first mile. Perfect. I was well within my goal pace and having a good time.
I was running when I felt comfortable, walking when I needed, but did not stop moving once. I told myself that this was for real and every second counted. This was not a goal race, but I knew that I wanted to still have a solid outing. Oh, and enjoy the ocean views. Isn't that the point of a race along the ocean? ;-)
Another thing about this course I was not a fan of was the out-and-back part. Runners coming at you one way or another and that messes with my head a bit. I hit the water station right at 1.5 and picked the pace back up. Still, I was positive splitting, and hit the second mile at 11:36. Still within my goal pace, but made me realize that I went out too fast. Again.
Most races I am mentally spent by the time I hit the third mile, but I just kept telling myself "Keep moving forward." I ended up with a 12:14 third mile, but still felt solid. At this point, I took out my headphones and just soaked it in. I wanted to end on a positive note, and I did just that.
I pulled back a bit to save it for the end, and had a 1:04 for the final tenth mile! I crossed the finish and race #15 was in the books!
I didn't stop my Garmin right away, so that had me at 36:13 for 3.13 miles (I started pretty much the moment I crossed the start mat), with a pace of 11:35. I hit my goal pace, so I was more than happy with that!
After I stopped my watch, I got my medal and a water, then stuck around to watch the later runners come in. I believe that the last finishers should have as much support as the earlier ones, so I cheered them in too!
Before I left, I looked up my official results. I had a time of 36:10, with a pace of 11:39. I was still happy with that, since I had a solid race and accomplished my goal.
Once I got back to my car, I got a better picture with my medal and the bracelets I chose to wear yesterday.
Overall, I enjoyed this race. Running through Pier Village and along the ocean is one of my favorite things, and I got both, plus a medal in one race. The only thing that I would like is for them to move this race back to the morning, as it seems to be a better time for a race. Still, I will be back next year! I already paid for it, so I better be back! ;-)
However, I decided to suck it up and run anyway since I figured there's a first time for everything.
Yesterday seemed to DRAG until it was time for me to get dressed and head to the race site in the afternoon. I decided on a yellow theme for my outfit, since I found neon yellow sleeves at the marathon expo on Friday. I knew I wanted to be in a tank, since once I got going I wouldn't want long sleeves (temperature was around 60).
I got to the race site around 2, in time to see the end of the kids' races, which was the best part. All the kids with their medals were so cute! Can't wait until I get to do that kind of stuff with my nephew! I'll have a little running buddy soon enough!
Anyway, even when I was down there, time seemed to DRAG until it was time to line up for the race. They had sort of a corral system in place, but it was self-seeding. I lined up with the 10:01-12:00 group, since that's what I run anyway. I wasn't going for a PR, since this was the first race of the year, but I figured about 35:00 would be a good finish. However, I knew that if I finished at a pace below 12:00/mile, then it was a good race.
The sun and wind were not doing my selfie game any favors, so this start line shot is about as good as you're going to get. ;-)
One thing that this race taught me (for about the millionth time) is NOT to go out too fast. I did that, and hit a half mile in just over five minutes. I had to reel it in a bit, and ended up with 11:20 for my first mile. Perfect. I was well within my goal pace and having a good time.
I was running when I felt comfortable, walking when I needed, but did not stop moving once. I told myself that this was for real and every second counted. This was not a goal race, but I knew that I wanted to still have a solid outing. Oh, and enjoy the ocean views. Isn't that the point of a race along the ocean? ;-)
Another thing about this course I was not a fan of was the out-and-back part. Runners coming at you one way or another and that messes with my head a bit. I hit the water station right at 1.5 and picked the pace back up. Still, I was positive splitting, and hit the second mile at 11:36. Still within my goal pace, but made me realize that I went out too fast. Again.
Most races I am mentally spent by the time I hit the third mile, but I just kept telling myself "Keep moving forward." I ended up with a 12:14 third mile, but still felt solid. At this point, I took out my headphones and just soaked it in. I wanted to end on a positive note, and I did just that.
I pulled back a bit to save it for the end, and had a 1:04 for the final tenth mile! I crossed the finish and race #15 was in the books!
I didn't stop my Garmin right away, so that had me at 36:13 for 3.13 miles (I started pretty much the moment I crossed the start mat), with a pace of 11:35. I hit my goal pace, so I was more than happy with that!
After I stopped my watch, I got my medal and a water, then stuck around to watch the later runners come in. I believe that the last finishers should have as much support as the earlier ones, so I cheered them in too!
Before I left, I looked up my official results. I had a time of 36:10, with a pace of 11:39. I was still happy with that, since I had a solid race and accomplished my goal.
Once I got back to my car, I got a better picture with my medal and the bracelets I chose to wear yesterday.
Overall, I enjoyed this race. Running through Pier Village and along the ocean is one of my favorite things, and I got both, plus a medal in one race. The only thing that I would like is for them to move this race back to the morning, as it seems to be a better time for a race. Still, I will be back next year! I already paid for it, so I better be back! ;-)
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Post Workout Snacks: All About the Protein!
First off, for those of you coming from my girl Carlee's blog, thanks for stopping by! Carlee rocks my socks and I was thrilled to guest post for her!
Second, I wanted to join a conversation started by Nuts.com about post-workout snacks. I decided that since it wouldn't cost me anything, and would possibly get me more exposure for my blog, to go for it. Plus, this gives me a shot to write about something I never did before! So, here it goes!
We all know that it's important to fuel right before a workout, and even during, if you have a long run or spend a few hours in the gym (like I've been known to do on Saturday mornings). But what about AFTER the work is done? Ice cream? Buffalo wings? NO WAY! Those are simply not the nutrition after a sweat sesh our bodies need. After a workout, you want something with protein and some carbs to refuel. There are lots of tasty and healthy options to refuel and help you feel better!
Chocolate Milk
This is a fav of mine! Who doesn't like chocolate milk? With an average of 23 grams of carbs and eight grams of protein per eight ounce serving, this is an awesome option to refuel after a workout! I especially like single-serve containers because it takes the guesswork out of it for you. I try to drink organic, but must confess that sometimes, nothing is like Wawa's. Be a kid again. Drink some chocolate milk. =)
Yogurt
No, I am not referring to self-serve fro-yo with all the toppings. I'm talking a cup of yogurt with maybe a little bit of fruit added. My favorites are Stonyfield's varieties (both regular and Greek). I try to eat Greek more often since it tends to be higher in protein than regular, at 12-15 grams for six ounces, but the regular still comes in pretty good at eight grams.
Peanut Butter
Confession: I love peanut butter. I usually eat it with breakfast in the morning. I go for the real stuff as I am not a huge fan of powdered peanut butter, unless I'm cooking with it as it's easier to handle in recipes. I would rather eat "real" food than powder. However, there are a few tricks to working peanut butter into a successful snack. The first is to limit your serving. It is protein rich at eight grams for two tablespoons, but most have anywhere from 14-18 grams of fat. Second is to look for something as all-natural as possible. It doesn't necessarily have to be organic, but something with as few ingredients as possible. My personal favorite is Crazy Richard's as it's all-natural and has peanuts as the ONLY ingredient.
Snack Bars
I try not to eat these too often, as there's something that cancels out something else. Quest Bars are not a fav of mine, since they have sucralose (which I try to stay away from), plus taste blah. I love KIND and Luna Bars, but since the first is high in fat (thanks to the nuts) and the second is sometimes high in sugar. Still, if you need something fast, and a treat, they are pretty good, with about 10 grams of protein a bar!
Nuts
I love grabbing a handful of almonds or pecans as a quick munchie. Like peanut butter, less is more. They do tend to be high in fat, but for a bite on the go, they are good too.
There you go! Some awesome snack options to help you refuel after a workout and ready for the next one sooner! If you're looking for something new to try or that can be delivered directly to your house, Nuts.com has options for just about every dietary need! Check out both the healthy and high protein options for some awesome choices! Enjoy!
What is YOUR favorite post-workout snack?
Second, I wanted to join a conversation started by Nuts.com about post-workout snacks. I decided that since it wouldn't cost me anything, and would possibly get me more exposure for my blog, to go for it. Plus, this gives me a shot to write about something I never did before! So, here it goes!
We all know that it's important to fuel right before a workout, and even during, if you have a long run or spend a few hours in the gym (like I've been known to do on Saturday mornings). But what about AFTER the work is done? Ice cream? Buffalo wings? NO WAY! Those are simply not the nutrition after a sweat sesh our bodies need. After a workout, you want something with protein and some carbs to refuel. There are lots of tasty and healthy options to refuel and help you feel better!
Chocolate Milk
This is a fav of mine! Who doesn't like chocolate milk? With an average of 23 grams of carbs and eight grams of protein per eight ounce serving, this is an awesome option to refuel after a workout! I especially like single-serve containers because it takes the guesswork out of it for you. I try to drink organic, but must confess that sometimes, nothing is like Wawa's. Be a kid again. Drink some chocolate milk. =)
No, I am not referring to self-serve fro-yo with all the toppings. I'm talking a cup of yogurt with maybe a little bit of fruit added. My favorites are Stonyfield's varieties (both regular and Greek). I try to eat Greek more often since it tends to be higher in protein than regular, at 12-15 grams for six ounces, but the regular still comes in pretty good at eight grams.
Peanut Butter
Confession: I love peanut butter. I usually eat it with breakfast in the morning. I go for the real stuff as I am not a huge fan of powdered peanut butter, unless I'm cooking with it as it's easier to handle in recipes. I would rather eat "real" food than powder. However, there are a few tricks to working peanut butter into a successful snack. The first is to limit your serving. It is protein rich at eight grams for two tablespoons, but most have anywhere from 14-18 grams of fat. Second is to look for something as all-natural as possible. It doesn't necessarily have to be organic, but something with as few ingredients as possible. My personal favorite is Crazy Richard's as it's all-natural and has peanuts as the ONLY ingredient.
Snack Bars
I try not to eat these too often, as there's something that cancels out something else. Quest Bars are not a fav of mine, since they have sucralose (which I try to stay away from), plus taste blah. I love KIND and Luna Bars, but since the first is high in fat (thanks to the nuts) and the second is sometimes high in sugar. Still, if you need something fast, and a treat, they are pretty good, with about 10 grams of protein a bar!
Nuts
I love grabbing a handful of almonds or pecans as a quick munchie. Like peanut butter, less is more. They do tend to be high in fat, but for a bite on the go, they are good too.
There you go! Some awesome snack options to help you refuel after a workout and ready for the next one sooner! If you're looking for something new to try or that can be delivered directly to your house, Nuts.com has options for just about every dietary need! Check out both the healthy and high protein options for some awesome choices! Enjoy!
What is YOUR favorite post-workout snack?
Thursday, March 24, 2016
Playlist Thursday: Just Some of My Favs
Happy Thursday, everyone! I can't believe that March is almost over! Sunday is Easter and next weekend is the Final Four! How's everyone's brackets holding up? My men's and women's are both DEAD! However, my women's national champion (Connecticut, obviously) is still alive and kicking!
Anyway, I decided to post a playlist for the first time in ages! I have fun doing these, and since I haven't done one lately, why not put one up now?
Anyway, a huge thank you to Pavey for originating Playlist Thursday in the first place!
For those unfamilar to Playlist Thursday (either through Pavey or myself), here's the format:
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year.
Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever.
Here's what I came up with:
Artist: Counting Crows
Side Note: Typical 90's music. I actually never heard it until a few years ago, and it became one of my favs from that decade. The song is possibly about two struggling musicians wanting to be big stars, which I think that everyone wants in whatver they do, whether in performing arts, running, or whatever else, but may have second thoughts about that. Just an awesome song no matter what.
Quotable: "We all want to be big, big stars. Yeah, but we got different reasons for that."
Artist: Shakira
Side Note: This was the theme song from the Disney movie "Zootopia." The movie as a whole delivered the message of "Anyone can be anything." This song did an awesome job of tying in with the message of the movie. Basically, how can you know if you can do something if you don't try? You may fail, but at least you tried, and that's half the battle right there.
Quotable: "I want to try everything. I want to try even though I could fail."
Artist: Switchfoot
Side Note: This song has five recorded versions. The one we all know is the rock version on the album The Beautiful Letdown. There is also a quieter version without the driven instrumentation, and was featured on the album Learning to Breathe. The other three are the Japanese version, which is longer, a heavier rock version, and a live one. This is another fav song of mine, because it's about not settling for what you are, striving for something more.
Quotable: "The tension is here, the tension is here, between who you are and who you should be."
There you have it! I went with a mixed bag this week, since I wasn't feeling a particular theme. I just wanted to share a few of my favorite songs with you all!
What's on YOUR playlist?
Anyway, I decided to post a playlist for the first time in ages! I have fun doing these, and since I haven't done one lately, why not put one up now?
Anyway, a huge thank you to Pavey for originating Playlist Thursday in the first place!
For those unfamilar to Playlist Thursday (either through Pavey or myself), here's the format:
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year.
Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever.
Here's what I came up with:
Something Old
Song: Mr. JonesArtist: Counting Crows
Side Note: Typical 90's music. I actually never heard it until a few years ago, and it became one of my favs from that decade. The song is possibly about two struggling musicians wanting to be big stars, which I think that everyone wants in whatver they do, whether in performing arts, running, or whatever else, but may have second thoughts about that. Just an awesome song no matter what.
Quotable: "We all want to be big, big stars. Yeah, but we got different reasons for that."
Something Current
Song: Try EverythingArtist: Shakira
Side Note: This was the theme song from the Disney movie "Zootopia." The movie as a whole delivered the message of "Anyone can be anything." This song did an awesome job of tying in with the message of the movie. Basically, how can you know if you can do something if you don't try? You may fail, but at least you tried, and that's half the battle right there.
Quotable: "I want to try everything. I want to try even though I could fail."
Something to Consider
Song: Dare You To MoveArtist: Switchfoot
Side Note: This song has five recorded versions. The one we all know is the rock version on the album The Beautiful Letdown. There is also a quieter version without the driven instrumentation, and was featured on the album Learning to Breathe. The other three are the Japanese version, which is longer, a heavier rock version, and a live one. This is another fav song of mine, because it's about not settling for what you are, striving for something more.
Quotable: "The tension is here, the tension is here, between who you are and who you should be."
There you have it! I went with a mixed bag this week, since I wasn't feeling a particular theme. I just wanted to share a few of my favorite songs with you all!
What's on YOUR playlist?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)