Making the Treadmill a Little Less Ho-Hum

My race bibs & such face me for added inspiration

I've always had music videos or movies playing on our computer while I run on the treadmill but that was with them on mute while I had my iPhone playing on my earbuds since I run after my daughter goes to bed and blasting anything is not an option. That all changed with the purchase of our iPad. Now I scan MTV.com and watch random music videos to keep me occupied during an otherwise boring run. I wish I knew of a site that allowed you to make music video playlists (without purchasing them), and it's honestly not something I've looked into but this works for me, for now.

Tonight's entertainment included:

B.o.B. feat. Lil Wayne "Strange Clouds" - I feel I have to clarify that I have never used narcotics in my life and I don't find their use amusing. I do however, like the beat of this song. I actually didn't watch the video since I was just beginning to warm up and I was focusing on my posture but I'm pretty sure it runs along the same lines of any other rap video.

Katy Perry "The One That Got Away" - *girl crush alert* my goodness do I find her gorgeous in this music video?! Also, I thought the video was stunning and I love the Johnny Cash playing at the end. Perfect.

Beyonce "Countdown" - this song wouldn't normally set my running vibe in motion but the video is super cute and unique, it's very fast-paced and kitschy. 

Katy Perry feat. Kanye West "E.T." - an oldie and I don't care for the video as much as I do the song [for running].

Paramore "Misery Business" - another girl crush: Hayley Williams. The girl is so pretty to look at and her energy is magnetic. My husband teases me about how I went to their concert back in '08 and still claim it as one of the best I've been to. Oh yeah, and I definitely thrash my head around at the hook, even while I run.

I got hung up on Paramore and watched a few of their unplugged videos as a cool down. Hayley has one of my favorite voices, right up there with Adele.

I'm so anxious for winter solstice to come and pass so there is more opportunity for me to run outdoors but I am very thankful to have the option of my treadmill in the meantime. 

Running Playlist Link Up

Hi there! I know it's been a while since I've posted and I want those who follow this blog to know I appreciate you hanging around. I have some changes that are in the works and once I figure out the logistics of it all I will be revealing a whole new look, name, and I'll be featuring more of my personal life.

Enough on that for now...

I've been meaning to link up with Brandy of mannlymama on a couple of passions we both share: running & music, but thoughts of changing my blog kept me lagging and I also took a running hiatus due to an injury. I finally set an appointment with myself to get back on the pavement while I was dragging ass through work today and I "let" myself download some songs I had been tagging through Shazam (app for iPhone, if you don't have it, GET IT - it will change your life). Running is the best medicine for me and my playlist really kicked my run into high gear. I usually run closer, if not over 11min/mi when I'm getting back into my groove after time off but tonight my average pace was 10:09, with my first mile being sub 10's. So without further ado, the jams that kept me pumping:

Linkin Park - "Waiting for the End," "When They Come for Me," & "Wretches and Kings"

The first song reminds me of things that make me angry and I'm pretty sure I look like I'm running to beat someone up while I listen to it but it gets my adrenaline pumping so hard. The latter two songs have crazy beats that are fun and make me feel badass, and again, I probably look a little nuts.

AWOLNATION - "Sail" {New Download}

This is a song my husband and I both reached to crank up in the car last night, it's just recently got play on the radio and I've only heard it a couple times but it's addicting and unique.

Dev - "In the Dark" & "Bass Down Low (feat. The Cataracts)" {New Downloads}

I typically want a running song to evoke either anger, badass, or sexy feelings. Dev's songs are blatantly sexy and for that, I thank her. Oh, I'm also thankful that she doesn't just say "it's The Cataracts" for the hell of it in her song "In the Dark," I was very confused by that for the longest time.

Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem - "Forever" {New Download}

I'm pretty sure I'm late on discovering this song because I've heard bits and pieces for a while now but I finally heard the whole thing on my way to work last week and HAD TO HAVE IT!

New Boyz - "Better With the Lights Off (feat. Chris Brown)"

This is a guilty pleasure song for me, I really wanted to hate it but the cheesy 80's beat has me hooked for life (maybe not, LIFE, life). The song is about telling a girl she "looks better with the lights off" which is just rude, but I do believe they spend the rest of the song explaining why that's a good thing and she's "actually more poppin.'"

I hope ya'll  enjoy and please link your favorite running playlist as well!