Music and Gear For the Long Run

No frozen hams today. Today's long run was so much better than my last one. I learned from my mistakes and layered up today. An extra layer of skin underoos and extra pants over my tights. MUCH better. Much warmer. Although I think I look like a complete nerd in all my gear (hydration belt, little pack for a gel, big hat, there's a picture below) I had everything I needed for a fantastic nine miler.

Music is an essential part of my running regimen. Every once in a while I will go sans tunes because I think it's right to be one with where you are. There is something almost sacred about your feet hitting the earth while you hear the birds talk, see the leaves blow, smell the cows and notice the melting snow.

But today was a music run. Just for fun, here is a rundown of who kept me company during my one hour, forty one minute jog fest. Eclectic is the word of the day.

Sounds So Good - Ashton Shepherd
Coldplay - various, always from Viva la Vida!
Battle Hymn of the Republic - MoTab (you better believe it)
Rihanna - stood under her umbrella, ella, ella, ella
Forever - Chris Brown (WHY do I love this song so much?)
Alicia Keys - she's my girl
Shinedown - Second Chance
Eddie Vedder - Hard Sun
Nickleback - Chris and I share an ipod. Normally, not my thing. (I mean BLAH!) But for some reason on a run, they get me going.
Kings of Leon - DEFINITELY my thing. Love em.
Sting - All This Time Album
Popular from Wicked (...ler...lar!)
Justin Timberlake - at about mile 5 we BOTH brought sexy back.
Mos Def - Quiet Dog
Mana, Shakira and Locos por Jauna - My heart is 1/16 Latina. It's got to be fed.
Metallica - my running guilty pleasure band. Where is that crown King Nothing?
The Way I Are - Timbaland (Another favorite I don't know why I like so much.)
Counting Crows - 1995 called, they want their playlist back
Alien Ant Farm - Seriously, Annie, are you ok?

There is a sample of my playlist of songs whilst prancing through my back country valley looking like this:

(I had Chris snap this picture when I got back. What a nerd! Me, not Chris.)

9 miles. 1:41:39. 11:17 min/mile.

What is on your running playlist? What songs get you going mid run?

Addiction

Hi. My name is Kara and I'm addicted to running.

It's the only conclusion I could come to after rehashing my Saturday long run to my husband.

Him: How was your run?
Me: Miserable.

I then went on for minutes and minutes about how during the entire 7.5 miles, I never warmed up. How it suddenly started snowing, like, HARD at about mile 4. Have you ever seen an animal in the middle of a snow storm out in the middle of a field and thought, Oh, poor cow. I was the cow.

My rear end took days to finally get warm. I felt like I was hauling around two frozen hams.

Later that day, I had a text conversation with a friend and continued to rant to her how terrible it was. (She was the first to hear my cow analogy.) It was then I realized, yes, it is conclusive, I really must be addicted to this crazy activity. Or else, why? Why in the world?

I was actually giddy Friday night when I went to set my alarm because I needed to wake up and get running before the babies woke up. (Side note: I heart Saturdays. Daddy is so good at getting our munchkins breakfast and such on the weekends. Such a welcome break. LOVE it.) I was looking forward to plodding along at 5 miles per hour in 35 degree weather on the one day that I could actually sleep in if I really wanted to.

Before: excited.
During: miserable.
After: complained about it.

But will I do it again? Abso-friggin-lutely.

Because although I was a freezing cow, that familiar endorphin rush kicked in (during my complaint session) and my body and mind felt whole and good for a long time.

Because there are lots and lots of reasons why I run. Four of them happen to be the cute faces I left behind that morning. I'm such a better mom and wife when I get my running fix.

I could've slept in or steeped a herbal tea cup or two. (This was a thought I had around mile 5.) But I got up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning, in February, in the back of the Wasatch and ran.

I think I might need help. (Or just an extra layer or two.)

Last Saturday

Six point two miles: awesome

Snowy weather: awesome

Beautiful mountain landscape: awesome

Getting splashed with sludge from rude driver: not awesome

Lovely device that tells me my stats: awesome

Lack of traction from snowy roads in some places: not awesome

Endorphin high lasting ALL day: always awesome

Dad hanging back with kidlets so I don't have to rush: sweet

On a scale of not awesome to sweetness on a Saturday: Absolutely Outstanding.