Running-only playlist
Hi friends! How is your Sunday going? I’m so stoked to spend it relaxing. Absolutely nothing on the schedule, and it’s our first full day with the three of us home since our return from Italy. My body is also grateful for a down day after yesterday’s running and teaching extravaganza.
Before work, I met with the running group for our 8-mile training run. Initially, I felt pretty sluggish, but ended up picking things up and finishing a little faster than my ideal race pace. If I wouldn’t have had plans to meet everyone for the run, I would have skipped it knowing that my teaching schedule had changed to an intense day. I’d have a long run looming over my head (and super sore body) this morning, and it’s already DONE 🙂 I’m so thankful that running with the group has given me some critical motivation for my half marathon training. I have a group of people with a similar pace, so we can run together, I’m getting pushed with the track workouts, and they check in and hold me accountable. Getting through the last bit of hot weather is the only tough part left, and once fall and winter are here I’ll be able to really enjoy the racing season.
Another huge source of motivation is running blogs. There are so many fast, inspiring running bloggers out there, and one of my all-time faves is Hungry Runner Girl. About the same time I joined my running group, she posted a running-only playlist. I thought this idea was brilliant because I used to use the same songs for everything: the classes I teach + my own personal strength and cardio sessions. I would burn out on songs SO quickly, and during my run, I’d even get a little annoyed when one of my frequently-played jams would come on. No longer! Now, I have a running-only playlist, and when I hear these songs, it’s a special treat 🙂
Here’s what’s on there right now:
Each week, as we add in more mileage, I’ll add in a couple more songs to the beginning of the playlist. When Katy Perry comes on, I know I’m almost there 😉
Here’s what the rest of the week looks like: (tentatively, as my teaching schedule changes each day depending on sick calls and coverage)
Sunday: OFF
Monday: Easy run
Tuesday: Strength + Teach Zumba (Sasha and I are teaching a class here in Tucson– email me if you’d like the details)
Wednesday: Teach Zumba + track workout
Thursday: Teach DJ dance, Zumba
Friday: OFF
Saturday: Long run + teach Zumba + teach Barre
Some of the things I’ve been enjoying during my long runs and in between classes:
-Clif Gel
(the mocha flavor is the best!)
-Clif Shot Bloks
(Margarita flavor!)
-Vega gels
(awesome for back-to-back classes)
As far as this week’s meal plan goes, I’m going to do the usual prep work, but have NO idea what to do for dinners. If you’re making anything amazing this week, I’d love some dinner inspiration… especially since my brain is still swimming in fresh bread with oil and balsamic, pasta, seafood and Napoli pizza.
What’s on your fitness schedule? I love to hear what you’re up to. Any fun new classes on the plan? Check out this month’s workout calendar for some ideas to switch things up!
Have a happy Sunday.
See ya later with some pics from the day <3
xoxo
Gina
This post is part of my partnership with Women’s Running Series, a compensated campaign through Fitfluential. I’ll be running the Women’s Running Series half marathon in November– you can check out the details here! Feel free to tweet along with us (#beamazing) and the code “FITAZGINA” is good for $10 off your registration until November 3.
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I totally need to switch up my playlists for different workouts! I always listen to the same stuff and it gets pretty dull prettty quick 😉 This week I’m planning on continuing to go to my favorite cardio class/bootcamp and lots and lots of yoga!
Love Roar by KP. Every time it comes on while I’m running, it gives me that extra boost I need.
If you need a really easy and awesome healthy dinner recipe (it’s totally vegan and allergy free too) you must try my vegan stuffed portobello mushrooms ( http://strengthandsunshine.wordpress.com/2013/08/28/vegan-stuffed-portobello-mushrooms-and-a-sweet-crunchy-treat/ ) ! I am thinking of making them again this week (I have made them the last three weeks and still can’t get enough!)
Wow, you really deserve your rest day today – enjoy it!! It’s a huge confidence booster when you can finish the run FASTER than your race pace – way to go!
love the playlist= can’t wait to try it out!
Love the playlist. Any chance you are going to make it available on Spotify?
Sure, I can do that later today! If you follow me, you’ll get it, right?
Yes! It’s saves so much time when someone creates a list and it’s an extra special treat when there are new songs during my run. Thanks!
yikes, sorry i forgot to do that sunday! doing it right now 🙂
here’s the link: http://open.spotify.com/user/1234757119/playlist/2c97SOtu3jhZNE7b0UmP9K
How do you “follow” someone on Spotify?
you can search for friends! my username is fitnessista
Awesome play list girl…I downloaded a few of these to keep my running mix fresh. Please keep sharing these!
I roasted up a ton of vegetables! And did chicken legs with zaatar spice. I discovered that roasted red peppers, zucchini, and snap peas is like the perfect combination of “it’s done and nothings crunchy” type of veggie roast!
Great job on the run!! You deserve to take some rest time! I have another week of running ahead but haven’t planned it out quite yet – trying to learn to slow down and take it one day at a time!
Great playlist & great idea to have one for running only — a little extra motivation 🙂
I’ve been in a huge dinner rut, but finally had some inspiration, so, tonight is lemon-rosemary roasted chicken and roster beets. Leftover chicken going into fajitas for dinner tomorrow.
Wow, I bet you’re popped from yesterday. Rest days are awesome though. I just changed my w/o schedule to now include two complete rest days per week, on purpose, and let me tell ya they feel awesome! Not only is my performance better when I workout, but I’m no longer feeling so burnt out! Lovely when you listen to your body and not necessarily the brain. 🙂
Dinner ideas? Last night was spaghetti squash, roasted veggies and baked cod, got mine from TJ’s frozen (i added to raw and baked with onions, cherry tomatoes and splash of white wine) so good!
Sweet potatoes drizzled with coconut butter and roasted veg or salad plus burgers or grilled meat. Scallops have been a treat lately. Good with a glass of wine. Also been making quick pizzas, using brown rice tortilla shells as the crust. We also had a crab, corn, and chilled avocado salad this week. Incredible!
I love HRG! Totally inspired by the amount she runs and her strength in general. It’s pouring down rain in Portland (1st rain in months!) so we’re keeping it cozy this week and doing homemade chili (with sweet potatoes of course).
I have a running only playlist too! I keep all the newest songs on there so its a treat, helps me so much to look forward to hearing them 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing, I really needed this! Now I am even more ready for my run tomorrow! 😉
Smiles,
Maia/http://www.fitskinnyandhealthy.wordpress.com
Congrats on doing the 8-mile run nice and early in your day!
I feel you on the dinner dilemma. Here’s a recent go-to for me:
ingredients: fresh spinach leaves, chicken/turkey breast, cherry tomatoes, white onion (or shallots), fresh garlic, fresh parsley OR basil, feta cheese. optional: quinoa. not optional: wine.
Prep: bring out a wine glass and pour yourself a few ounces. Next, saute some chicken breasts with oil, s&p until fully cooked, then set aside and cover/keep warm.
Same pan: saute onion and diced tomatoes (I use fresh cherry ones this time of year because they are so good and sweet) in evoo with some s&p. Add some garlic. Saute for about 10 minutes for ingredients to heat up but not turn to mush.
Assemble on plate: fresh spinach, cooked chicken breasts (cut up into strips), onion/tomato mix, then add crumbled feta (goat cheese might be a bit too “mild” here since there’s minimal spices), and sprinkle fresh parsley or basil on top. Refill wine glass.
Quick, super simple, not a lot going on – but the flavors of summer are all there and it tastes very fresh. You can be totally lazy and not cook the tomato/onions but it really does bring out their milder flavors.
I prefer to throw a “layer” of quinoa over the spinach as well, but that’s totally optional – you could do sweet potato on the side too. buon appetit!
Love the playlist! Always looking for new beets.
I baked a huge kabocha squah this weekend and will have it in defferent variations this week for dinner. I especially love it seasoned with cinnamon, ginger, coconut oil and curry powder!
when i was training for my last half marathon, i got SO burnt out on my playlist. it’s a good idea to switch things up often so you don’t get in a music funk 🙂 (and i agree – i LOVE janae’s running blog. she’s such an inspiration!)
enjoy your day of rest with the fam! xo
The dinner I am most looking forward to this week is a Thai inspired coconut and basil chicken. I make it in my thermomix wannabee, but without one, basic gist of the recipe is to sautée some onion, lemongrass and ginger, add a can of coconut milk, plus soy and fish sauce to taste and simmer that for awhile. Add two chicken breasts (diced) and cook for about another 5 minutes. Add veggies – I used snow peas, asparagus and capsicum, keep simmering for a couple of minutes, then add basil so it wilts. You could add chilli but I don’t like it 🙂
This is on my menu this week: Pretty excited to try it!!!
http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/fiesta-chicken-cilantro-lime-rice-fajita-bowl-with-avocado-chipotle-crema/
I am just putting together my running playlist for a 5k I am running this weekend with a team of friends. I’ll check out some of these songs to see if I can’t find some that I like.
Love this idea! Tried it today for my long run and it made my run 100000000 times better!
ah! i’ve been frantically trying to update my playlist lately.. nothing worse than thinking “UGH NOT THIS SONG AGAIN” and trying to change the song while moving, haha. check out ‘anything’ by hedley. definitely a pump up jam 🙂
Lady Gaga’s ‘Applause’ is my fave on the running playlist right now! For dinner this week, we have planned lettuce wrapped grilled chicken tacos (a weekly staple), spaghetti squash w/ turkey meatballs, and homemade tomato-basil soup w/ grilled cheese. Kid friendly and delicious!
Thanks for sharing! I needed some new motivational songs!
The farthest I’ve ever run is a 10k. You deserve a nice rest day!
As for dinner, we like to brown some chicken, throw in some garlic, onion, vinegar, and soy sauce, simmer until sauce is reduced and thickened, and chicken is cooked through, add pepper to taste, serve with brown rice or quinoa.
For super-easy, chicken in the crockpot with BBQ sauce (our fave is Stubbs), served with sweet potatoes and corn/avocado/tomato salad.
I love your playlist! A lot of those songs are some of my favs to workout too as well. I actually wish that more really great workout songs would come out. I feel like it takes forever for a new song that I love to come out and then I get sick of my other songs. Oh well! Such is life!
‘Can’t Hold Us’ always gets my tempo up, love this playlist!
me too! that’s why it’s towards the end- when i need it 🙂
Counting Stars is the BEST song to run to! It always gets me through the tough points! 🙂
xx
youngmildandfree.wordpress.com
I could live on Crispy Sweet Potato Burgers. You can make a batch and have meals for days! Find the recipe at http://www.hungrygatorgal.com/2013/07/crispy-sweet-potato-burgers.html.
Love these songs! Thank you!