Home of the Playlist

Yesterday I wrote about how I am going to attempt to run a marathon. If you missed it you should stop here and go read that. I started a training schedule put together by a guy named Hal Higdon. First three days are all three mile runs. Today was day two.

Day two went much better then day one. I ran the entire first mile(high five myself). That may not seem like a big deal but for me that's huge. I started the second mile walking. That quickly turned into running. I picked up my speed. I picked it up again. I was completely zoned in like those people you see on Nike commercials. I continued strong into the third mile. That didn't last long. I walked for about a minute before I started running again. I noticed I only had about a quarter mile to go. I cranked up the speed and next thing I know I'm done. Three miles ran in 29:47, not great but very good for me. I was very satisfied and I felt great. I walked around for a few trying to catch my breath. Much like yesterday I felt much better then I expected I would.

That's all about the running. Today I'm going to talk about a different part of my training. The music. I have compiled a playlist of 50 songs that I listen to while I run. The song choices were based on tempo. I needed songs that are up-tempo and have a good beat that I can run along to. After all, with great training comes great playlist. Here are those 50 songs in no specific order.

"We Used to Wait" by Arcade Fire
"The Fire Inside" by Bob Seger
"Float On" by Modest Mouse
"No Sleep Till Brooklyn" by Beastie Boys
"Trick of the Light" by The Who
"I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys
"Walcott" by Vampire Weekend
"Limelight" by Rush
"Ice Melts" by Matt & Kim
"I Want You to Want Me" by Cheap Trick
"God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Johnny Cash
"The Leaving Song Pt. 2" by A.F.I.
"Block After Block" by Matt & Kim
"Run This Town" by Jay-Z feat. Rihanna & Kanye West
"My Body" by Young the Giant
"In The Air Tonight" by Phil Collins
"Electric Feel" by MGMT
"Wake Up" by Arcade Fire
"Olympia, Wa" by Rancid
"Bro Hymm Tribute" by Pennywise
"Rum is for Drinking, Not for Burning" by Senses Fail
"Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins
"The General Specific" by Band of Horses
"Ma-Ma-Ma- Belle" by E.L.O.
"The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco
"Cousins" by Vampire Weekend
"Time to Pretend" by MGMT
"Up Around The Bend" by C.C.R.
"Jump Around" by House of Pain
"Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who
"Send Me On My Way" by Rusted Root
"Sirius" by The Alan Parsons Project
"Fall Back Down" by Rancid
"Cameras" by Matt & Kim
"Fire It Up" by Modest Mouse
"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" by B.T.O.
"Howlin' For You" by The Black Keys
"You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates
"Tripping Billies" by Dave Matthews Band
"Sweet Disposition" by Temper Trap
"Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
"Miami" by Foals
"The Boys of Summer" by The Ataris
"Ready To Start" by Arcade Fire
"Journey to the End of South Beach" by Rancid
"Ants Marching" by Dave Matthews Band
"Baba O'Riley" by The Who
"All That's Left" by Thrice
"1901" by Phoenix


That's my playlist. If you are also participating in this marathon I would suggest you listen to some, if not all, of those songs while you run. To me running isn't the same without some music to run along to and get you pumped up. If you have songs that you like to listen to while you run I would love to know what they are. Just simply type them in the comments box and click the button to post them.

That's all for me today. I leave you with my favorite song to run to. Have a great day and good luck to anyone else who have accepted this challenge. Goodbye.


My Favorite Song to Run to:

"Wake Up" by Arcade Fire

Home of the Marathon

This might be the dumbest thing I've ever done. But perhaps it is the smartest thing I could do. What is this thing? I am going to run a marathon. Take a second to stop laughing. Now, let me explain why I am going to run a marathon.

Two nights ago I get an e-mail from my Uncle Dennis. To give you a quick background of Uncle Dennis, he has ran a marathon in all 50 states. He is a marathon runner and has been for a very long time. I always thought it was crazy that someone would not only volunteer but actually pay money to run 26.2 miles. That was until I get an e-mail challenging everyone on the Jennings side of the family to run a marathon. My first thought while reading this was something along the lines of, "there is no way in hell I'm going to run a marathon!" That was until I read the rules, which are:

1.  All of Grandpa Gene's/Grandma Lola's grandkids are eligible as well as their significant others (limited to spouses or engaged).  

2.  The participant can run in the Quad City Marathon on Sept 25 or as needed if can't be at QC marathon  - ANY other 2011 official marathon.  

3.  If you "beat" the crazy old uncle's QC Marathon time, you win(earn) $1000.  If you just finish the marathon before cutoff, you win $500.

4.  For males, beating means having a better clock time and/or being within a minute (in case my incredible kick leaves you behind in homestretch).

5.  For females, beating means being within 30 minutes of crazy old uncle's clock time (this is based on Boston Marathon Qualifying Standards which allows a 30 minute difference to females).

6.  I will also reimburse for registration.

 

After 24 hours six people had already accepted the challenge. One of them accepting it even though she has never ran more then two miles at one time. Me being the type who loves a challenge just couldn't refuse. My uncle posted a website that has a training schedule. First day was a three mile run. That was today.

 

I woke up early this morning, ate a couple granola bars and was ready to go. The first mile was very rough, but I managed to run most of it. The second mile was terrible. I thought I was going to die. I walked half the mile and ran the other half. For the third mile I decided I was going to alternate walking and running every tenth of a mile. I started the mile running. Before I knew it I had completed half the mile. I decided to walk for a minute. That minute went by very quick because before I knew it I was running again. Then the next thing I know I had gone over three miles. It was time to stop. I walked around panting while trying to find my legs. To my surprise I actually felt much better after the three miles then I thought I would. This meant the challenge was a go.

 

Why did I accept the challenge? The thousand dollar reward plays a huge part seeing as how my bank account has never seen anything close to that amount of money. Really though, I am doing it for myself. My health has been getting worse and worse the last couple of years. I need to do something to get back in shape. Even if I don't complete the marathon or even compete in the marathon, this training is exactly what I need to get in shape. It's a perfect excuse to start eating healthier and to quit smoking. Two things I have been trying to do since I started this blog.

 

Everyday from now until the day of the marathon I will be giving short updates on how my training is going. Writing it here is the only way I know to keep myself focused on the big prize. I wish myself the best of luck because after all, it's a marathon not a sprint. Goodbye.

 

 

What I'm Listening To:

 

"Cousins" by Vampire Weekend