What do you mean there is a site that gives you playlists to match your pace?

How did I not know about the awesomeness that is jog.fm?

Seriously?

Seriously?

SERIOUSLY!

I'm going to pretend for a minute that I am cool enough to be running 8:45 min miles -- hey now, even slow mules like me can have a good day. I pop up with a list like this:

Ergo, when I am having a massive brain fart and cannot think of songs to upload to my shuffle, instead of pleading on twitter for input I can go here.

I'll still probably plead on twitter for suggestions because I have found some awesome, really angry music from you guys, and this site seems to be a little bit more upbeat. I mean come on, "Paint it Black" -- I love painting, that sounds awesome!

"Not ready to make nice" bet those Dixie Chicks are making kindness instead.

But seriously though, how come I'm always the last to know about awesome stuff like this?

The Final Countdown

A little less than 48 hours from the Fox Cities Half Marathon. It is slightly bittersweet because my goal was to run the full marathon this year, but an injury is an injury. Have to treat it with some respect and be thankful everything is healed up.

Nonetheless, the gauntlet has been drawn, and I am ready to get out there. Short training run tonight with my new apprentice and then some weights, and tomorrow off. Excited to check out the expo when I pick up my bib.

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ''I'm possible''"

~Audrey Hepburn

Half Marathon Power Mix additions

I once mentioned to an acquaintance, "Don't judge me by my iPod music," and that still hangs true. Normally I am an indie girl who dabbles in a few more popular artists. But lets face it, most indie artists are not known for their upbeat running music.

Therefore, I have given myself the free pass to listen to teenie-bopper, techno, and a whole host of music that would normally make me totally uncool. By acknowledging that they are only there for the beat, this automatically makes them acceptable. If anyone questions this, I give the standard answer, "It is imperative to keeping my cadence consistent."

That sounds plausible. And then I follow up with the clincher, "If you would like to come out on an eight mile run with me, I will show you how effective it is. I was planning on throwing some hills in for fun."

This comment usually receives the common response, "No, no! I believe you!"

So now the final countdown music is blaring on my internal radio. T-minus one week until the Fox Cities Half Marathon. Final preparation is underway and I am taking it upon myself to make sure everything is set up so I have the perfect race.

Of course that includes trying out some new tunes on my iPod.

Normally I would have done this a couple of weeks ago. Just like a new pair of sneakers, new songs take a bit to wear in. Knowing the lyrics is imperative to a good race. Because I will sing them out loud. Loudly. Just in case other runners forgot their mp3 players, I have their backs.

Life ::: Beckah Shae

To Travels and Trunks ::: Hey Marseilles

Rio ::: Hey Marseilles

Silver Lining ::: Rilo Kiley

Bulletproof ::: by La Roux

Wake Up ::: by Arcade Fire

According to You ::: Orianthi

What's it Gonna Be ::: Orianthi

Shake it ::: Metro Station

Lose Yourself ::: Eminem

When You Were Young ::: The Killers

Whine Up ::: Kat Deluna

powermix :: you gotta be

"you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger"

Des'ree knew what she was singing about. If this pulls up on my ipod -- yeah, I'm gonna sing to it. Days like today I need that kind of motivation. It was a rest day, only 30 minutes of cross-training. I pumped up my bike tires and took it for a 6.5 mile spin around town. Only stopped once to say "hi" to some friends taking their kids out for a walk.

The hard part for me is that on these light days, I do not walk into the house sweaty and gritty. My muscles are not entirely fatigued after a harsh workout. Sometimes I dread those intense sessions, but most times I crave them.

6.5 miles is not that far to bike. Sure I kept the tempo up for the half hour it took to complete, but it was not the cruel workout that leaves you feeling satisfied with its completion.

It is the kind of workout where "you gotta be wiser" and remember that my muscles need that day for recovery. At the end of the day where I am sitting back after doing some laundry, eating some left over chili--Homer Simpson drool moment--and getting ready to head to bed in anticipation for an early wake up, I need to remind myself to feel good about what I did today.

One step closer to being ready for the September half marathon. One step closer to my personal goal.

P.S. Diary, I need a better bike seat. The one I have kind of hurts my bum.

powermix :: Down in Mississippi

From my iPod powermix. Girl has to have some tunes to run to. My all time favorite song to play is "We Run" by Sugarland. But they do not have an official video for this one, so I will go to a close second today, "Down in Mississippi"