I don't know about you, but I love music. I listen to a vast array of genres, but some bands get me going infinitely more than others. I have my chill moments where some Jack Johnson, O.A.R., or Bright Eyes hit the spot but when it comes to working out, I need some seriously upbeat tunes to jam out to.
In our garage gym you will usually find the likes of Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Metallica, Rise Against or Chevelle vibrating the walls (sometimes even the neighbor's). Some may consider it "angry" music, but for me it just gets my blood pumping and pushes me through those last couple reps. A7X most definitely helps me push my limits.
When running, I just need a fast beat. Nothing in particular gets me going, as long as I can time my stride with the beat and it doesn't hold me back. Whether it's Maroon 5, any of the aforementioned rock/metal bands, 90's pop songs, 90's punk, or even some Presidents of the United States of America (yes, I most absolutely STILL listen to them) if it pushes me to keep going, I'll rock it in my headphones.
What are your favorite workout songs/bands??
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Running. Show all posts
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Ohmigod, shoes!
Not all shoes are created equal. I used to look for shoes with the most support and the latest and greatest gimmicky thing. That is, until the hub did a lot of research (as he does with everything) on shoes and running and found that "barefoot running" was the way to go. Now, I wouldn't actually go running barefoot, but the thought behind it makes so much sense. If you are interested in reading more about the study of barefoot running, here is an excellent read: Barefoot Running.
Ever since I decided to switch to a different style of running and a different style of shoe, my athletic life has changed completely! My first pair of "minimalist" shoes were my Nike Frees. They were so super comfortable from the first second I slipped my foot into them. It's like walking around barefoot! Well, more like walking around in socks. All you need on your feet while running is a protective barrier between you and nasty stuff on the ground (i.e. rocks, thorns, hot dirt/asphalt, etc.).
At first, my calves and the muscles in my feet/ankles were dead. They were so tight and so sore for about a week. Reason being, I wasn't used to running on my toes/midfoot. These muscles hadn't really been used in such a way. Once the hubby switched his stride up, his shin splints even went away! Heel striking while running is very hard on your joints. When you run on the balls of your feet, your muscles absorb much more of the impact than your joints do.
I loved my first pair of Nike Frees so much that I went and bought a second pair, of the exact same shoe, in all black so I could wear them to work! I choose them over all the other shoes in my closet because they are so comfortable.
Most recently I bought a pair of Merrell Run Pace Glove 2s. As much as I loved my Nikes, they just were not good on the trails. The tread is not conducive to hiking and going up and down slick rocks. My new Merrells on the other hand are A-MAZING! The tread on the toes allows me to go up and down slick rocks with minimal effort. They are my new favorite shoes. They are well worth the investment.
After wearing my new minimalist shoes I attempted to go back to my old tennis shoes. BAD idea! They hurt my feet just to wear around the house. I am forever a fan of minimalist shoes.
See you on the trails!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Share The Road, PLEASE!
I really meant to say "dammit" in place of "please" but I'm going to try and keep a Zen attitude during this post.
I am a runner. I may run slow and I may not run very far, but I feel I have earned this title. A lot of blood, sweat and tears (literally, all of them) have gone into the making of said runner status. But I'll be dammed if getting up at 4:00 a.m. (a few days, even earlier) just to run before work, doesn't earn me the runner's badge!
Since my husband and I have taken up running, we've experienced a few bottom feeders, if you will.
*Let me preface this by saying we usually run in our neighborhood. You know, 25 miles an hour/stop signs everywhere kind of thing.
Case in point:
One morning the hubby and I were out for our run. It was 5:00 am, still dark outside and barely any traffic. We came to an entrance to one of the subdivisions within our community. We are part way into the street and a car rolls up to the stop sign. He looked right at us, and then failed to STOP at the aforementioned stop sign. Hub was a little behind me and he ran behind the car, while I was already in front of it. This guy almost HIT me, with his car. I'd say in that war, car would probably win. Luckily, I barely scraped by, with my life intact. I know I run slow, but running me over would cause you a lot more problems than the two extra seconds you'll have to wait for me to pass. SHARE THE ROAD, PLEASE!
One beautiful, sunny afternoon I went out for a run around our neighborhood. The main road that runs through it is a giant, two mile loop. There are sidewalks on the inside and outside of the loop. I was running the outer loop. I'm running in the middle of the sidewalk and ahead, I see a lady on a bicycle riding towards me. I move over to one side, as to make room for both of us to pass (there is plenty of room for this). The lady on the bike stays smack-dab in the middle of the sidewalk. As we approach each other, I'm thinking, Surely she will move over. Right? She's going to move over. She already saw me move to one side. Now it's her turn. We get right up to each other and the lady DOESN'T MOVE! I literally had to jump out of the way, into the rocks, at the last minute to avoid a collision. Bike lady didn't even blink an eye. Immediately after the incident she says aloud, "You're on the wrong side of the road!" and rides on by. WHAT?!?! Seriously?? SHARE THE ROAD, PLEASE!
I know, I know, ultimately it's my responsibility. And I am very cautious while I'm out and very aware of my surroundings. There is only so much I have control over, however. I know there are bad seeds out there, and I'm not judging everyone based off of them. Most of the people I pass are very pleasant and even say, "Hello"! It becomes a problem though, when it goes beyond rude people and becomes a possibly dangerous situation. It's a gorgeous time in Arizona right now and there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy it.
**End Rant**
Now get out there and enjoy this gorgeous weather!
I am a runner. I may run slow and I may not run very far, but I feel I have earned this title. A lot of blood, sweat and tears (literally, all of them) have gone into the making of said runner status. But I'll be dammed if getting up at 4:00 a.m. (a few days, even earlier) just to run before work, doesn't earn me the runner's badge!
Since my husband and I have taken up running, we've experienced a few bottom feeders, if you will.
*Let me preface this by saying we usually run in our neighborhood. You know, 25 miles an hour/stop signs everywhere kind of thing.
Case in point:
One morning the hubby and I were out for our run. It was 5:00 am, still dark outside and barely any traffic. We came to an entrance to one of the subdivisions within our community. We are part way into the street and a car rolls up to the stop sign. He looked right at us, and then failed to STOP at the aforementioned stop sign. Hub was a little behind me and he ran behind the car, while I was already in front of it. This guy almost HIT me, with his car. I'd say in that war, car would probably win. Luckily, I barely scraped by, with my life intact. I know I run slow, but running me over would cause you a lot more problems than the two extra seconds you'll have to wait for me to pass. SHARE THE ROAD, PLEASE!
One beautiful, sunny afternoon I went out for a run around our neighborhood. The main road that runs through it is a giant, two mile loop. There are sidewalks on the inside and outside of the loop. I was running the outer loop. I'm running in the middle of the sidewalk and ahead, I see a lady on a bicycle riding towards me. I move over to one side, as to make room for both of us to pass (there is plenty of room for this). The lady on the bike stays smack-dab in the middle of the sidewalk. As we approach each other, I'm thinking, Surely she will move over. Right? She's going to move over. She already saw me move to one side. Now it's her turn. We get right up to each other and the lady DOESN'T MOVE! I literally had to jump out of the way, into the rocks, at the last minute to avoid a collision. Bike lady didn't even blink an eye. Immediately after the incident she says aloud, "You're on the wrong side of the road!" and rides on by. WHAT?!?! Seriously?? SHARE THE ROAD, PLEASE!
I know, I know, ultimately it's my responsibility. And I am very cautious while I'm out and very aware of my surroundings. There is only so much I have control over, however. I know there are bad seeds out there, and I'm not judging everyone based off of them. Most of the people I pass are very pleasant and even say, "Hello"! It becomes a problem though, when it goes beyond rude people and becomes a possibly dangerous situation. It's a gorgeous time in Arizona right now and there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy it.
**End Rant**
Now get out there and enjoy this gorgeous weather!
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