12/16/10--Lose Yourself in the Music

Today's run: 4.1 miles
Week to date: 10.15 miles
Month to date: 33.43 miles

It's another "warm" day in the Copper Country.

25? 25! I'll tell you what, that actually does feel a bit on the warm side, especially considering it was below zero when I woke up yesterday.
4 miles today. I wanted to do a tempo run today, but I wound up failing on that. First of all, the shoulders were so slushy, footing was tricky. Then, my knees decided today would be a fun day to start hurting. :( I tried to keep a steady-ish pace, but I know I wound up finishing MUCH slower than I started.

So, I have never been one to run with an iPod or any kind of music playing device. I've always been wary of it, really. My reasons have been everything from wanting to be as aware of my surroundings as possible, to thinking "Gosh, can't you just disconnect for a little while?"
Well, lately, I've had a hard time going without it! It started last week during my stint in Marquette. I needed the music because I find the treadmill to be mind-numbingly boring, so I used it. As I went, I noticed how much it was helping me. I was using the playlist I made to get myself fired up before my half this fall--

Yes, this may be simultaneously the most nerdy and random playlist ever, but it works for me!

And, yes, you read that right: I have both the NMU fight song and the NMU Drumline Full Cadence on there. It takes me back to my band geek days and gets me so fired up! (To those who have never been in marching band, a drum cadence is a series of drumming patterns used to keep a beat for the rest of the band while they march.) And, come on, how can this not get you fired up? It works for me, anyway!

(Never mind the smug satisfaction I get from hearing this play here in "enemy territory";) )

Out of all that, I've found that "Lose Yourself" is really the song that does the best job of getting me moving and keeping me motivated. There are some lines in there that I just love:

~ "Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity To seize everything you ever wanted-One moment Would you capture it or just let it slip?"

~ "You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, You own it, you better never let it go, You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, This opportunity comes once in a lifetime yo"

~"So here I go is my shot. Feet fail me not cause maybe the only opportunity that I got"

It just helps remind me that every day I get to run is a new opportunity, every race I get to run is my only opportunity for THAT race, and not to let those moments slip away. I love it.

Is there a song that fires you up or keeps you going?


OK, time to clean up. Tonight is a bit of a celebration--today is my boyfriend's last day of undergrad, and he is officially a college graduate! (He'll be walking in May--it was easier to coordinate travel for his family). I'm so happy for and proud of him, he has worked so hard. :)
Have a great day, all!