Musings on Running

So running is what got me started on my fitness journey. My husband, my friend Amy and her hubby Troy were all runners and they were always after me to join them. I just didn't really want to. Didn't have that urge, you know? Then a year ago I realized I wasn't happy in my own skin. I'd put on a little weight and just wasn't happy. I knew that I needed to do something instead of ignoring it. So I put a date on it and just STARTED. I went and ran 2 weeks after sinus surgery. It's just the date I picked so I stuck with it. It wasn't easy. I didn't think it would be.

But running is what got my motivation up. I saw progress. I lost some weight, I felt better. And it was mostly due to running. (better diet, too of course). 

And it went on from there. Several races. Then a half marathon last November 2011. I was actually enjoying running all throughout the last year. I mixed in some other stuff. Physique 57 & Turbo Fire. Had even better results. Then that half marathon snuck up on me. The training was tough. On my body and my mind. I felt like everything was revolving around running. So the half came and went. And I was officially burned out. Not unusual, I knew. But still, today, January 28, 2 months after the half, I still didn't feel like running. Just didn't.

But I my hubby misses me running with him. And I miss being outdoors during my runs. So I went back and looked at the pictures from the half marathon. I had fun. So I went for a run today. 2 miles only. But it was nice to be out and at it again. Some of the pictures are below...

So there. I've laid it all out there. And I'm a big proponent of laying goals out there. So here's one. My goal is to get 2 runs in per week. 3 miles each. (ish). I have a 10k I've already signed up for that's in 6 weeks. So I'll have to get in some longer runs too, but I'll be happy with the average week at 2 days, 3 miles each. I won't be changing my schedule otherwise, though. I still have Chalean Extreme 5 days a week, 3 strength training and 2 cardio + yoga. Perfection. But I need those runs back.

Who will help hold me accountable?  Have you ever gotten burned out doing a particular workout?

~To Your Health~

Amy & Me - Richmond Half Marathon 2011

See? Super happy!

My hubby, Miguel, Me, Troy and Amy. The dream team. Sorta.

Top 10 workout songs for October

Alllll right, the list is in!


Hope you all saw September's list. If you missed it, check back a few posts earlier and have a peruse. Love that this site is searchable and it includes Beats Per Minute (BPM). PERFECT for your workouts, and especially for running!

Here's October's top 10 list, according to votes placed at RunHundred.com--the web's most popular workout music blog.

Rihanna & Calvin Harris - We Found Love - 128 BPM

Dev - In The Dark - 125 BPM

Afrojack & Eva Simons - Take Over Control - 128 BPM

LMFAO - Sexy And I Know It - 129 BPM

Chris Brown & Benny Benassi - Beautiful People - 129 BPM

Shortee & Faust - Friday Night Special - 133 BPM

Kelly Rowland & Lil Wayne - Motivation (Rebel Rock Remix) - 130 BPM

Britney Spears - I Wanna Go (Oliver Remix) - 129 BPM

Young The Giant - My Body - 130 BPM

David Guetta & Usher - Without You - 128 BPM

To find more workout songs-and hear next month's contenders— check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era-to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine. 



Hope you all find some new gems out there. Would love to hear your new favorites, comment below!







Database Contact: 
Chris Lawhorn 
Run Hundred 
Email: Admin@RunHundred.com 

Run faster!

So you're a runner. Or maybe you want to be. But you feel slow, or maybe you've had the same pace for the last 3 months. The thing is, if you keep running at your current pace - you will stay at that pace. In order to run faster - you have to, well, run faster. Sounds like I'm being a smart aleck, I know. But just go with me on this. Imagine you're trying to get better at something else; like speaking in public. The only way to get better at it is to practice it. So in that same vein, the only way to get faster is to practice being faster.

Here's a good way to train to be faster...

On one of your runs every week, start interval training for speed. So, for example, jog lightly for a few minutes to warm up, then run faster than your normal pace for about 1 minute. You should not be sprinting, keep it just shy of that. When your 1 minute of fast pace is over, jog at your normal pace for 2 minutes. Now, run that faster speed again for 1 minute and then your normal pace again for 2 minutes. You get the picture. Repeat this for your entire run if you can. If it's too difficult to do this for your entire run, at least try to get in 5 repeats of the pattern. Don't forget to cool down and stretch as usual. You are stretching after every run, aren't you?

Once these speed days are feeling better and better, you can start to increase your 'speed' interval. After a few weeks you can start running the fast pace for 2 minutes and recover for 1 minute and repeat. You're training your body, muscles, and the tiny little fast twitch muscles to accept that faster pace. Start working in 2 speed days a week and before you know it, your pace will just increase.

Working up to longer runs will also help your pace on shorter runs. For instance, when I started running 4-5 miles on the weekend, my weekday 2-3 milers got a bit faster. It's just that they become 'easier' so you're able to push harder.

It may also be helpful to run with someone with a faster pace than you (just not TOO much faster!) - you'll probably push yourself harder because you're running with them. Get out of your comfort zone, that's how you progress!

Anyone have any other tips for increasing your speed? We'd love to hear it, comment below! :)

~To your health~