The End Is The Beginning (Is The End), or Halfway There

As of Saturday (August 2), I am halfway done with training. Saturday was the end of Week 12. I have been a runner for essentially three months. This was inherently true this weekend, as I brought my running gear with me to Portland for a friend's bachelorette weekend. Early Saturday morning, before heading out to the beach for bachelorette antics, I headed out on the Springwater Trail in Portland (it runs right along the Willamette) and put in around 7.5 miles. It was a great run and realizing that I had taken time out of a weekend of unhealthy activities to run made me realize that I had in fact become a runner.*

Of course, becoming a runner is a full-time kind of job. Once you're a runner, you're always going to have to practice--much like being a lawyer or a doctor. I'm still a ways off from where I would like to be in terms of pace and endurance, etc., but I am certain that I will finish this race on October 19 and that I will continue to run road races as long as my body will let me. I never thought that I would say something like that.

*While I had a blast at the bachelorette party, it was fairly clear that the salty, fried, cheesy food and countless alcoholic beverages that I consumed were not the norm for me, nor would they be anytime in the near future if I want to still be a runner.

A Great Playlist (Run 23)

The road racing world has been shaken up a bit by the issue of wearing headphones while running. Some races have outright banned the use of headphones while running. The reasoning behind the ban varies, but includes safety. Sure, safety while running solo can be affected by how loud your music is (you can't hear cars as well on city streets, you may not hear the roar of a cougar barrelling down on you, etc.), but in a huge race--such as the Boston Marathon, I doubt wearing headphones raises as much of a safety concern--roads are shut down to traffic, it's highly unlikely there will be a wild animal on the lose, everyone's an experienced runner (as you have to qualify for Boston). I've heard that the issue is more one of insuring a race v. actual safety concerns. Several organizations are re-visiting the issue.

I cannot imagine running for any considerable distance without music--and given that every road race of any notable size has music playing from speakers or actual bands along the course--I am not alone. Why shouldn't I be able to choose what I listen to while running? Of course, I always have music playing--at work, at home, on car rides, etc.

I am always searching for the right running music. While I love R.E.M., for example, it doesn't make for good running motivation (except maybe the "Monster" album). On the other hand, "Appetite for Destruction" has quite a few run-worthy tracks. This is what yesterday's playlist included:

(1) "Put You On Game," Lupe Fiasco. Lupe is one of my favorite hip-hoppers of all-time. While many of his more creative tracks are a bit too slow for running, this song is a great warm-up track.

(2) "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)," My Chemical Romance. MCR's theatrical sound translates well into running. Considering many people think going out and running for 13.1 miles (or even 1 mile) is crazy, this song is perfect.

(3) "Don't Stop The Music," Rihanna. Sure, this song is nothing special or original, but it's a good, dancey track that keeps you moving.

(4) "Feedback," Janet Jackson. I'm not a huge fan of Janet, but the beat of this track really powers you through the middle portion of a run.

(5) "You Give Me Something," Jamiroquai. Jay Kay of Jamiroquai sounds like a young Stevie Wonder, and 95% of their songs are great dance tracks with a pulsing, steady beat. Perfect for any cardio workout.

(6) "I Can," Nas. This song about working hard for your dreams helps with the motivation during the last portions of your run when you want to quit.

(7) "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," Michael Jackson. Old school MJ is classic.

(8) "Steve McQueen," Sheryl Crow. Clearly, my musical tastes are everywhere. Crow's track is a great way to end a workout.