Tag Archives: music

Greetings from Cleveland!  I woke up this morning at my dad’s house in Cleveland.  I decided I would go ahead and attempt this run even though I was out of my “normal” running environment.

Dad has a treadmill, so after waking and hydrating a bit, I went to the basement to complete today’s program.  After a few minutes on his treadmill, I wasn’t feeling it, so decided to move my run outside.  It was about 50* after all, so it was a nice morning for it.

The program today was:
Warm up
Run 8 minutes
Walk 5 minutes
Run 8 minutes
Cool down

Dad lives in a nice, quiet neighborhood, though it’s not very big.  I had to stay in the neighborhood though, because the road he lives off of is a tad busy and I didn’t really want to risk getting run over this weekend.

The entire neighborhood is probably about 3/4 of a mile.  I think I ended up doing about 3 laps, so about 2 1/4 miles in 30 minutes.  I completed the first 8 minute run and was tired and out of breath.  My heart rate was around 185, so I knew my pace was a little fast (I have trouble pacing outside), but all in all I was feeling OK.

I walked the 5 minutes and then started to run the 8 minutes.  That’s when the mind games started.  I told myself, just get to 4 minutes and then you can stop if you want…it’s good you came out on your mini vacation at all.  After a bit of this, I remembered a blog post I read the other day (unfortunately I searched and searched, but couldn’t find it again) talking about all the negative talk you tell yourself when running.  That’s when I decided to shut up and do it.  Just complete the run.  Yes, I was tired.  Yes, I was out of breath.  Yes, my heart rate was getting uncomfortably high.  But I thought of the feeling I would have when I was done.  And I love that feeling so I just ran.

The verdict?  Sometimes you just have to shut up and do it and you’ll thank yourself later.  I know (now) from experience.

Today’s Playlist (Let me know what you think of the playlist idea):
Heros-Shinedown
Harder to Breathe-Maroon 5
Brick by Boring Brick-Paramore
Luckie St.-Cartel
Right Now (Na Na Na)-Akon
I’d Do Anything-Simple Plan
Don’t Lie-Black Eyed Peas

What do you tell yourself to push yourself forward when all you want to do is quit?

I was not going to run today.  No way.  No how.  Couldn’t pay me to run today.  I woke up with my back in knots (I’m thinking from Zumba last night for some reason).  I was sore, I had a headache, and I was just plain feeling lazy.

Then I read a comment a reader had posted on a previous blog post.  He said he was interested to see how my running would progress.  For some reason, this comment lit a fire under my ass.  I’m not sure why or how, but I immediately got up from the couch, changed into my running clothes, and headed out the door to the gym.

In my previous post, I decided I was going to stick to running on the treadmill because it was easier for me and, since I’m just teaching myself to run, I figure going the easier route is OK for now.  Once I feel a little stronger, I will venture outside, but for now my home is on the treadmill.

I got to the gym feeling with a mixture of confidence and trepidation.  I knew I could do this.  I’d done it before.  This was not my first time at the rodeo.  BUT after the last run I had, I was nervous this run would result the same way.

I am delighted to say today’s run was FABULOUS!  Yes, I was tired towards the end of the 5 minute runs.  Yes, my side and knees hurt a little.  But, YES, I finished the run and I finished STRONG!  I could probably have kept going, but I didn’t have any more time.  I have to be at work in an hour and I haven’t showered yet.  Whoops!

My point of this post is to thank those of you who give me that little push when I need it.  You have no idea the effect your words and comments can have.  In fact, a similar situation happened a few months back where my friend, Heather, gave me a little nudge to get me out the door.  Just know that every comment I receive is greatly appreciated and it can make a world of different between choosing the couch or the treadmill.  Thanks, guys!

Something New!
I’ve decided to start posting my playlists for my runs in case there are more people like me out there who get motivated by great music.  If you have more suggestions for me, please share!  Thanks!

“Breakout”-Foo Fighters
“Faint”-Linkin Park
“Breaking the Habit”-Linkin Park
“Sonny”-New Found Glory
“That’s What You Get”-Paramore
“Miracle”-Paramore
“Fences”-Paramore
“Everybody”-Ingrid Michaelson (Cooldown)

**I have a “Running” playlist that is supposed to shuffle, but for some reason when I hit the shuffle button, my iPod ignores me, thus resulting in me listening to the same artists over and over.  :)

Oh, lordy.  I’m starting to get to that “What the hell are you thinking?” point in my c25k training.  I did this last time too.  I question myself all the time as to whether or not I’m “built” to run. It just seems like it is harder for me than many other people.

Now, I know I shouldn’t compare myself to all the other food bloggers out there that run every day and complete half and full marathons, but shouldn’t running get easier with time, not harder?

Yes, I am going a longer distance now than I was say, three weeks ago, but I also feel like I should be “learning” more about how to run.

I have decided to go back to walking outside and running inside.  If running on the treadmill is easier for me, then that’s what I should do.  Maybe once I am able to fully complete my goal distance (3.1 miles or a 5k) on the treadmill, I can revisit running outside.

Maybe I’m coming at this from the wrong direction.  Maybe not.  But for now I think this is going to be my plan of action.

What exercise limitations do you face?  Have you overcome them?  How did you do it?