My Playlist for the shemoves ATL 5k

I spent a lot of time perfecting the timing of my running playlist for my race this past Saturday.  I ran with music for the first time a few weeks ago and I was amazed at the difference it made in my pace.  My thought is that the music distracted me and gave me something to think about other than the (loud) sound of my breathing.  So, just for fun, here is my latest running playlist (in the order I listened to them).

-Uprising by Muse
-Dog Days are Over by Florence & the Machine
-Another One Bites the Dust by Queen
-When Love Takes Over by David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland
-All These Things That I've Done by The Killers
-Marry You by Bruno Mars (I hit 2 miles at the beginning of this song.)
-Little Lion Man by Mumford & Sons
-Shake it Out by Florence & the Machine
-Dance Again by Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull (This was the last song I listened to as I was nearing the finish.)

There you have it...the playlist that helped me kick race butt this past weekend. 

I'm going to start using jog.fm to find some new songs.  When you get to the page you type in your mile pace, and it gives you a list of songs that have the right number of BPM to help you run at the correct pace.  I discovered that I should be running to Womanizer.  Awesome.  :]  And I bought a new song to go in my running playlist that I heard Saturday morning: Wavin' Flag by K'naan.  I got the Coca-Cola Celebration version because it is super upbeat and fun (it was the song from the 2010 World Cup commercials). 

What is your favorite song to run/bike/walk/exercise to?

shemoves Atlanta 5k...new PR!

*disclaimer: This is a very long post all about running...no hurt feelings if you don't want to read it.*

Today I ran my second 5k and it was awesome.  Not awesome in the sense that I felt great, but awesome in the sense that I really pushed myself.  My first 5k was about a month ago, and my time for that race was 38:37 (which I was excited about because I met my goal of sub 40 minutes).  Going into today's race I didn't have high expectations--I was thinking about a 45 minute finish.  My goal for this race wasn't very high because I have run this course many, many times, and there is this monstrous hill at the end...yeah, let's run up a hill when I have absolutely no energy left. 

Anyways...race day.  My mom was nice enough to get to the race at 7:00AM with me and hold all of my stuff.  Around 7:30ish all of the ladies met in front of the courthouse to hear about the course and other little announcements.  I was feeling really good about the group I was racing with because it was all women and you could tell everyone was happy to be there.  We finally took off and the crowd spread out very quickly.  Of course, that made me feel like I was being super slow, but I just tried to pace myself and enjoy running downhill.  About 30 seconds into the race I felt the beginnings of a stitch in my side--an issue I dealt with majorly this week.  On Wednesday it was so bad that I had to stop running, but today I tried to push through and it worked.  No more stitch in my side, yay!  10:26 into the race we passed the 1 mile marker...an awesome first mile for me!

Going into mile 2 I was starting to feel pretty fatigued.  As a new runner, the feat of running one mile without stopping is huge, so the fact that I hadn't stopped to walk is pretty big.  In talking some with Mr. Biz, I've come to realize the power of positive thinking.  If my brain is in a bad place, thinking thoughts like, "Oh man, I'm in pain...I'm breathing so hard...can I walk yet?" then I'm likely to stop.  Instead, I made sure to (literally) think, "I am a runner.  I can do this."  After I hit the turn around (about 1.5 miles) and threw a cup of water at my face, that was my mantra: I'm a runner.  So far throughout the race I'd been pacing myself with a lady who was running a bit ahead of me; I decided that I'm like a running parasite, just thriving off of others' energy.  :]  We hit mile 2 at 21:15.

Now here's the thing: I have never run two miles together in my life.  Needless to say, after my first ever "no walking" two miles, I was beat.  I knew at this point that I had to start doing a run/walk pattern if I was going to be able to finish strong.  I wanted to not have to walk at all during the sprint to the finish.  So during my last mile I took about three little walking breaks.  I guess I was getting really in the zone, but it was awesome to think about how my body was feeling and then translate that into wise choices (i.e. walk a little bit of this flat area so I can run up the hill).  Towards the end there were more volunteers along the way, and their encouragement was awesome.  I had one turn left, a steep hill, and then the finish would be in sight.  I took one more walking break, switched to a "pump it up" song (today it was "Dance Again" by JLo feat. Pitbull), and then kicked that race in the tail.  I hit mile three at 34:02, and then finished the last tenth of a mile to finish with a sub 35 minute time.

Edit: I just read the official times and I clocked in at 34:49:8!

As I ran across the finish line I saw Mr. Biz waiting there for me...we have a couple crazy pictures that show me running towards the finish and pointing at the clock so that he would realize just how insane my race time was.

I was ecstatic (still am!) about my race.  A sweet little girl in a tutu handed me my medal...a pink gerbera daisy, but flowers weren't really on my mind.  All I was thinking about was a bottle of water and needing someplace to sit down.  Pushing myself so hard for the last little bit had me feeling really nauseated--I was dreading the thought of throwing up in front of all of those people.  Luckily, once I had some water to sip and a place to sit, the feeling passed pretty quickly.  I enjoyed seeing my parents and sisters who also came out to support me at my first local 5k.  It's encouraging to know that there are people cheering you on while you are kicking race butt.  :]

Post-race called for a smoothie from our absolute favorite place: Planet Smoothie.  Biz and I go there so much that they know our orders...I'm pretty sure I'm up to 30 visits since about March.  Oh yeah...it's that good.  After a smoothie, a little "My Fair Wedding" with my man David Tutera, and icing my shins during Tangled, I'm feeling pretty good.  I'm still so happy about my time.  During some parts of the race I was really hurting, but I am so proud that I didn't give up and managed a new PR.  I might not be a super fast runner, but I'm going out there and I'm doing it.  I'm working hard and sticking with it.  So I'm happy.  :]

Can't Touch This

I'm letting you guys know how cool I am by telling you that "Can't Touch This" is one of my running songs.  Oh yeah--this girl right here is the epitome of cool.  ;]  I've realized in my short time running that a kickin' running playlist is essential to a good run.

I have been a runner for about six weeks now, which doesn't seem like long, but it's amazing how much you progress in such a short time period.  The first time I went out on a group run I only did two miles and that was with about a one minute run/walk pattern.  The past two times I've been I have run at least the whole first mile, and then completed two more miles in a run/walk pattern.  Guys, the first time I ran a whole mile without stopping I was astounded (and seriously winded).  I haven't run a whole mile since I was a freshman in high school (I'll do the math...that was about nine years ago).  Wahoo!

Now I feel like I can do anything.  Don't get me wrong: I still can't run more than a mile and a half without stopping, but I am getting out there and doing it.  I've realized that it doesn't matter how slow you are as long as you're trying.  I saw these quotes on Pinterest a while back and they really gave me a bit of a boost:

via Get Motivated

via There Are Two Sides

Now since I got your attention by telling you about one of my cool running songs, here are some more that have been in the running playlist for a couple weeks (my playlist is affectionately titled "Run Abby, Run!"):

•  Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen (it's darn catchy)
• Dance Again by Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull (this is my "dance while you run" song)
• Uprising by Muse (this is my favorite one to start with)
• Baby by Justin Bieber (judge me if you will)
• Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine (no matter how many times I hear this song it still gets me pumped up...this is a "sing while you run" song)
• Another One Bites the Dust by Queen (a great song if I ever pass anyone, haha)
• Get'ch Head In the Game from HSM (gotta love the HSM soundtrack)
• Mmmbop by Hanson (old school, yo')
• Thunderstruck by AC/DC (running and headbanging at the same time is not a good idea)
• All These Things That I've Done by the Killers (I love a good anthem song)
• Give a Little by Hanson (I still love Hanson, and this song is AWESOME)
• Marry You by Bruno Mars (I like to listen to this song when I feel like I can't run anymore...it's so happy!)
• Come on Eileen by DMR (gotta have some disco-y music)
• Baba O'Reilly by The Who (makes me think of crime...darn you CSI)
• Unbelieveable by EMF (can't deny that this is a great song)
• When Love Takes Over by David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland (I could have a playlist of only David Guetta)
• Bust a Move by the Glee Cast (Mr. Shue is so not cool enough for this song)
• I'm Gonna Be by The Proclaimers (reminds me that I could go 500 miles--ha!)
• I'm Still Standing by Elton John (70's pop is awesome and there is no one like Sir Elton John)
• and, of course, Can't Touch This by M.C. Hammer (it reminds me that I'm goin' so fast that NO ONE can touch me...or at least that I wish I was going that fast)

So there you go...my potentially embarrassing running mix.  It makes me wonder what other people are listening to when they run.  What songs do you like to run/walk/weight-lift/exercise to?



P.S.- Does anyone else think that it would be awesome to have a super power that allowed you to hear other peoples' music while they were running?  I wonder how many tough guys listen to pop songs or old school BSB or something.  It's just interesting to see what gets people pumped up!

Eating and Breathing Wedding

Seems like blogging and I are not getting along too well these days.  Whenever I sit down at my computer I find a million other things to do other than write a blog post.  I feel like I've been eating and breathing wedding planning.  My goal for this summer is to finish as much planning as possible so I can focus on school this fall.  Hence, I can't do anything but think about our wedding. 

Don't get me wrong...I am epically (is that a word?) excited about marrying Mr. Biz.  But, planning is not my strong point, so it has been a lot of work to keep up with things.  Luckily two of my bridesmaids live with me and my mom is the point person on a few things (like the catering).  Anybody have some great planning tips that they'd like to share?

This is a bit off topic, but I want to share about my big obsession with the Wedding and Events category on Pinterest.  Guys, I spend SO MUCH time on there.  Here are a few of my favorite ideas that I've found, and a link to my wedding board.

I love this idea of a little card to ask people to share their pictures.
via Intimate Weddings

 

What's better than a grits bar for a southern bride?
via Southern Weddings

This is the coolest guest book I've ever seen.  Definitely ordering this.
via Guestbook Store

I think this is a unique way to showcase pictures at the reception.
via Wedding Bee

These four ideas are a mere drop in the bucket of all of the wedding ideas I've pinned.  If you'd like to see more, you can check out my Something Blue board.  I'm off to get crazy with more pinning!  :]  Happy Monday!

An Epic May

Hi everyone!  It's been a long time, huh?  Seems like May is tied with December for the busiest month of the year...this past month has been full of celebrating for my family.  Birthdays, family members to be (read to the end to hear about that one), graduations, and the end of the school year.  My summer break officially started on Friday afternoon and so far it has been great!  I have a lot to do this summer, but first let's check out what's been going on. 

What time is it?  Summertime! 

No judgement.  I will not deny that HSM is awesome.  And that song gets me seriously pumped up.  You should listen to it while you read to get the full effect.

Anyways, I have lots and lots to do today, so I won't linger too long in bloggy world.  Here is what I was up to during the month of May, as seen by my phone.

Cupcakes with my newly graduated sister.

Getting creative with my dinner: fiesta black beans, salsa, a whole avocado, and black bean/garlic chips.  DELISH.

My race number from my first ever 5k!  Wahoo!

Action shot of Mr. Biz and myself running said 5k...I don't know why I look happy.  I'm pretty sure at this point I felt like I was going to melt into the pavement.  I guess I was delirious.

Oh yeah.  And I got engaged to the most wonderful man in the whole world.  No biggie.  ;]

So yeah...May was a pretty awesome.  :]