Motivation

Comrade or Creeper? 

Anybody that has experienced a road race knows how invigorating the environment can be.  The energy hums in the air with tones of anticipation, competition, and camaraderie.  Many are there to achieve their personal best, others simply want to finish, and some wish to just smoke another runner's ass (Did I say that out loud?) Whatever the reason others are there, one of my absolute favorite parts of the race atmosphere is the common thread of solidarity that I inevitably feel with my fellow runners.

People are so nice to each other: cheering each other on, providing words of encouragement, helping each other with race bibs and high-fiving all over the place.  Seriously.  Before race high fives, post race high fives, and the awesome, though ever exhausting, do-I-have-the-energy-to-get-my-arm-up midrace high-five. 

So is it wrong of me to want just a piece of that atmosphere on my everyday runs?  I think not.  Problem is, although most runners accept strangers smiling at them, chatting it up with them and high-fiving them at races I can never be sure that they want the same runner love on the road or trail.  So I often feel that I walk (um, run?) a fine line between comrade and creeper.


When passing another runner on the road I feel it's perfectly normal to give a little head nod, smile, or even a "how's it going?" Because runners understand each other, right? Problem is, I don't always stop at those choices.  When those endorphines get going, sometimes I can't help myself from crossing over into creepyville.  When this happens I may just wave over enthusiastically or smile too cheesily, but sometimes actually shout things like, "What a day for a run!" "You go ladies!  Woot!" or "Yeah! Gotta get out and enjoy this fresh air!"  Ick.  Completely cheeky and corny and nauseating.  It's like having happy runner's diarrhea of the mouth and I can't help myself!

Fortunately, I think I've learned to assess the mood of the other runner a bit.  We know those that "get" the running community--they are usually looking for that fellow comrade along the way and are easy to spot.  Here's my own guidelines for those that don't fall into that category:

• Runners that are breathing excessively heavy or have that pained, "Why did I ever think running was a good idea?" look imprinted on their face do no more than an encouraging head nod.
• If despite my very best "Hey look at me, we're in this together!" efforts to lock 'em in they do not return eye contact, it's best not to say anything.  
• Those that are sweating profusely or perhaps exhibiting an excruciating gait, it's probably best to just look straight ahead and pretend you are very focused on your own run.  Or maybe just look away, look away!

I find the running camaraderie to be very motivating.  I will try my best to respect that perfect strangers may not want to celebrate with me on a non-race run.  However, I believe that the more runners spread encouragement and solidarity the more people will feel that sense of community and benefit from it.  My intentions are good, creepy though they may be.

Image Citations:
Body (part 7) Aka The Rhythm of Romance. Digital image. The Gaia Health Blog. N.p., n.d. Web. 5    Apr. 2014.
Runner's High Five Friday. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014.

WiffleGif. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2014.

Playlists--What to Listen to? 

Some people get back to nature on their runs listening to the birds in the trees, the wind rushing by...I'm not one of them.  I need music for the endorphine kick and which music has that effect depends on the day and on the run. 

Here are two screenshots of my "running" playlist.   I unabashadly admit that I tend to dig cheesy, pop music to get and keep me going, particularly on shorter runs. 

But what I've learned is having an eclectic mix is best for longer runs.  Here you see pop but also classic rock, Zumba songs, contemporary rock, folk, and hell even Taylor Swift ( Don't judge. I don't know what it is about that "Mean" song but it makes me pick up the pace!)



I distinctly remember a 15 mile training run when I decided not to listen to any particular playlist, but my "purchased" music instead.  What I found was that songs that didn't even make the cut onto my running playlists motivated me the most!  On that particular day, anyway.  Elvis' "Little Less Conversation," The Doors, "L.A. Woman," Lonestar's "Mr. Mom" and Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" are not on any of my running playlists and yet I had a hard time containing myself to just running when these songs came through the headphones.  Any horrified passersby witnessed my air drums, neck shooting, and scarringly--heard my singing.  (I apologize in advance for any of you that may witness this in the future.)

So when you find your music getting stale, try listening to the tunes you might not consider "running" music.  You just might find yourself playing air guitar on your next jaunt ;)

My Running Favorites:

By category I am listing my top 5 songs, for now at least.  They are included because they get me moving, not because they are new.  Make your recommendations in the comments section!

Pop/Hiphop/Top 40	Rock/Alternative	Country/Folk	Zumba Songs	Oldies
Applause by Lady Ga-Ga Pompeii by Bastille Boom Boom Pow by Black Eyed Peas Good Vibrations by Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch 50 Ways to Say Good-bye by Train Roar by Katie Perry	Hey Oh by Red Hot Chili Peppers It's Not My Time by 3 Doors Down TNT by AC/DC American Girl by Tom Petty & Heartbreakers When We Stand Together by Nickelback	Closer to Fine by the Indigo Girls Mean by Taylor Swift Mr. Mom by Lonestar Front Porch Looking In by Lonestar Blown Away by Carrie Underwood	Danza Kuduro by Don Omar Pegate Mas by Dyland & Lenny Fuego by Pitbull Hey You Girl by Pitbull Turn All the Lights On by T-Pain (feat Ne-Yo)	Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On by Jerry Lee Little Less Conversation by Elvis Shake Your Body Down by Michael Jackson Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson She's So Cold by the Rolling Stones