Be sure to check out my review of the Polar FT7, Personal Heart Rate Monitor/Watch. This gadget has been my favorite so far……..and lets me know exactly how hard I’m working. No matter where I am. Love it.
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Woo-wee, I’ve gone and done it. I signed up for a race. (In case you didn’t catch this, check out my running tips for beginners or slow/clunky runners like me. All came from my marathon runner friend.)
I have run a few 5k’s and 10k’s in the past few years but have totally lost the training for them. So why am I nervous? ;) Haha……I guess it just comes with getting back into it.
The only way I keep running and keep trying to improve my distance, is if I have a race to work towards. I don’t just enjoy running for the thrill of running. That’s like saying that I clean toilets because it’s enjoyable. Nope, I clean them because I enjoy a good clean sanitary toilet. That’s it. As for running, I run for my health and to prove to myself that I can do it. And the longer I run, the more surprised I am at myself. I don’t ever wake up and think, “Ahhh, I can’t wait to slip into my jogging shoes today.” (I leave that kinda crazy talk to the serious runners.) In fact, I have to force myself out the door. And it isn’t until I have conquered the 1st mile or so, that the rush kicks in and keeps me going. But I do have to admit, that the endorphins produced after a run are priceless. I wish I could bottle that stuff up and sell it.
Anyway, back to the race. It’s a little lovey-dovey Valentine’s race. And I’m going to run it. It’s 4 miles total and is for all ages.
Here’s proof that I’m registered:
Nope, I can’t back out now.
I hope the weather is kind. We have had lots of snow lately……but the race is this weekend and weather.com says this:
Yeah, a little chilly but at least there’s no snow. But 36 degrees means I’ll be all snuggled up in a hat, jacket, and gloves.
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I was reading my online trainer’s advice this last week (thanks for all the tips Alysa!!) and she talked about staying motivated. I couldn’t agree more with her “Pump Up the Jams” suggestion. Music keeps you going. And makes you feel a bit more care-free as you pound the pavement.
Do you want to know my number one running buddy? My music.
Here’s what’s been on repeat on my RUNNING playlist lately:
I know. Kind of a random list. I always skip around and listen to these and then in a few weeks, it may be something completely different. But these current songs keep me going for some reason. But there are 2 songs that I have to listen to every time I start running.
Last time I was really into running (about 2 years ago), I had different songs that I was really into. But these 2 current songs were ones that I listened to when I started running again about 5 or 6 weeks ago. And I had this tremendous surge of energy and motivation to make some changes. It was as if my whole body decided right then and there to welcome running back into my life. A serious surge starting at my toes and bursting up and out the top of my head. And these 2 songs were playing when this happened. So, any time these songs come on, I immediately have a renewal of energy……and my motivation continues. Funny, right? Because the songs are so random.
The first is:
(And let the truth be told that I actually can’t really stand this song and don’t have any written goal or determination to become a billionaire. But that beat gets me hopping right along.)
The second is:
(And this one, wow, it cracks me up to write this title too. Because, some of the artists make my skin crawl.)
Music is powerful. And because of the circumstances, these 2 songs will forever remind me of running. And my renewal to jump back into it. And no joke, if I get tired while running, I replay these songs and I always have a few more minutes left in me. Ahhh, music. You can surprisingly make me a lover of something that I, well, normally wouldn’t love.
How about you? Have you signed up for any races to keep you motivated?
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Read all ‘Inpiration to Fitness’ related posts here. There’s tons of inspiring articles from trainers and other bloggers who are trucking right along with me.
Hi, I’m Ashley—the DIY-enthusiast behind this crazy blog!
