"In these bodies, we will live. In these bodies, we will die. Where you invest your love, you invest your life." Mumford & Sons

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Playlist...because every good workout needs a soundtrack

Jaclyn writes:

I put together such a fun mix of music, I had to share.  Maybe it's because I don't teach spinning anymore, so I don't get to dj everyone's workout.  You might find something great on the list...or you might think of something I should add...let me know.

Forget You--CeLo Green
Push it--Salt n Peppa (this always plays when I'm running a hill...always)
Do You Feel Me?--Anthony Hamilton
Meet Virginia--Train
The Cave--Mumford and Sons
What I Got--Michael Franti (this is an essential detail...The Tribute to Sublime cd all makes a great playlist)
Hey Hey Hey--Michael Franti
Apache (Jump on it)--Sugar Hill Gang (I haven't decided if this will take residence)
Laugh, Love, F@#k--The Coup
Slow Slow (Run Run)--Ayo
Anytime you need me--Michael Franti
Handlebars--Flobots
O Valencia--The Decemberists
Rock the Nation--Michael Franti
Hold on, I'm comin'--Sam & Dave
Little Lion Man--Mumford and Sons
B-O-B--Outkast
Awake my Soul--Mumford and Sons
Life is Real--Ayo
The Rhythm Method--Flobots
Alive--Beastie Boys
Touch it--Busta Rhymes
Feelin' Free--Michael Franti
My Favorite Mutiny--The Coup
Yes I Will--Michael Franti

Gearing up for the Greenland 25K and the end of the school year!  I really can't wait to spend my summer chillin' with Aspen and Duane!

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Platte River Half Marathon

Jaclyn writes:

The day before this race I started to think that all of these half marathons were getting to be a bit much.  I love racing.  It keeps me motivated.  But approaching this race, we were battling colds and juggling time between work, baby and sleep.  I was overtired, overworked and over-trained.  But, we still ran.  Though, I think if we hadn't been registered already, we would've bagged this one. 

The course for this half is really flat with a very slight uphill grade.  It's a point to point race with a nice after party.  It really helps to have someone driving to meet you at the finish.  The terrain is a concrete trail that runs along the Platte River through Denver.  It's a relatively pretty city run and a nice race to PR (though neither of us did).  The race organizers decided to add a second wave and double entries this year, which was a really bold move to make in a single year.  The wave idea was weak and confusing.  You weren't assigned a wave unless you registered as competing in your age group, in which case you were running the first wave.  The rest of us were able to run whenever we wanted.  This worked with having chip timers, but we ran in the first wave.  Otherwise, it doesn't seem like much of a race.  The race includes a relay.  I ran the relay the first year I ran this race, but it seemed like a waste of time (for a long distance runner).  When you're running the full half, the relay can be irritating, because you'll have people passing you at random moments causing you to doubt your own pacing. 

Overall, the race was fun.  I had no personal expectations after my Moab PR surprise.  I figured that was due to the elevation and slight downhill of the Moab race, but my time at the Platte River was comparable at 1:42:51.  My only goal throughout the race was to beat the girl that kept speeding up just to pass me and dropping directly in front of me while slowing her pace.  By directly in front, I mean an arms length.  She even did a "farmer blow" at one point.  I'm pretty sure my race bib caught some of her snot.  I, thankfully, lost her at around 8 miles. 

Regarding future races, I guess it's time to pick up my pace and get serious with training.