My next half marathon, the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, is on May 1st.
Tonight’s run was my second to last long run in my training for this half.
Running can always find a way to kick you in the butt. Once you finally start to confident in your ability, a tough run will humble you once again.
Tonight’s run was a TOUGH run.
It was a run that made me ask myself: Why the hell do you run again?!
It was hot and I am not used to running in the heat. The majority of my training was in the water and when it did start getting warmer, I always made it a point to go early in the morning to get my long runs in.
It was humid. I felt like I was breathing in thick, hot air. My legs felt like lead and I just simply felt exhausted. With every step, I felt my head pounding.
At least I had some pretty scenery in my run.
The first time the run got hard I still had a good attitude.
It didn’t take long until I wanted to give up.
My lovely Twitter friends got me through it.
Those tweets were just what I wanted to keep going. I tried to pretend that this was my half marathon. If this were a race, would I give up? Nope, not a chance.
I put on my game face and went to work.
Besides the tweets, there would a few songs that kept me going.
I finished the 9 mile run, but it wasn’t pretty.
These trying and testing runs are the ones that make you better runners.
What songs do you use to push you through a tough run??
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Can’t say I’m a runner girl, but I applaud you for pushing through it!
Like any trying thing, it’s good to break it up and tackle it one bit at a time.
Well done =)
Shanna, like Banana recently posted..2 years ago today…
I listen to ‘just cant wait to be king’ from the Lion King. I wish that I was joking but I’m not. I have THE weirdest songs on my IPOD.
Good job and making it through the run- bet it feels amazing to accomplish that!
Can i just say i would love to see what’s on your ipod
Brittany recently posted..Totally Truthful Thursday
Great job on your run!!!
I like that Flo + the Machine song, and anything Black Eyed Peas or Modest Mouse get me going!
Holly @ The Runny Egg recently posted..Pizza Bread
Soooo proud of you, ma’am! And so excited that i’m one of those tweeties
I’ll need to email you my half-marathon playlist!!!
Brittany recently posted..Totally Truthful Thursday
It was so hot today! You’re a rockstar for finishing!
Kacy recently posted..I’m not a journalist
I already replied to you on Twitter but I ran outside tonight and only made it 2 miles before I quit. YOU ARE AWESOME!
Til I Collapse is my go-to song when runs are getting rough. Something about Eminem just pumps me up!
Diana recently posted..Two Beavers Are Better Than One
I don’t run cause I’m prone to shin splints, but I can’t do cardio without music. I listen to Glee songs, or Kesha, Lady Gaga, Nirvana, Weezer, The Offspring, Queen, Journey, Madonna, etc. and some of the stuff you show above.
valen recently posted..RECIPE!
It’s weird to read about it actually being hot somewhere… Wisconsin is supposed to get 6 inches of snow tomorrow. I’m a fan of Call on Me by Eric Perez. Any song that I can run 3/4 of a mile to before it ends is wonderful for me and my short running attention span.
Christy recently posted..If you’re a duck- I’m a duck
Awesome job on your run, Lisa!
For the month of May, I’m hosting a “100 Miles in May” Challenge where you can walk, jog, run – do whatever you need to to reach 100 miles in the 31 days. With your half Marathon starting on May 1st, I thought this might be something you’d be interested in.
Participants will be listed on the side bar of my blog, with a running tally of their mileage. All that you have to do is keep track of your mileage and email me your running tally every Wednesday and Saturday.
I’d love for you to join me on this Challenge and see how much ground we can all cover together! If you’re interested in participating, give me a shout and I’ll add you to the list
Amanda – Small Home Big Start recently posted..All Decorated for Easter
I’m so happy you pushed through and finished it! I noticed all that twitter love being sent your way – great motivation!
look at your guns! that florence and the machine song is one of my favorite workout songs ever! good for you for pushing through and finishing the run.
lisa i’m glad to hear you are running the okc 1/2. i am STILL debating this one. i just started a new job and there is a chance i might have to work that day…i will find out this week, i hope. the longest i’ve run at once is 8 miles but that is with a slow down to walking and/or stretching about 2 minutes between every mile. i have shoulder issues and my right hip has a tendency to lock up lately. i’ve been doing yoga and it’s helped somewhat. probably over time i will be able to fully eradicate the muscle tightening with regular yoga practice. but, even with that, i still may do it. i think i will perhaps regret not trying it for the rest of the summer.
way to go on completing your run today!
becky recently posted..Just Kate
Ohhh soo many. I could go on and on! You must check out the playlist
. If you like country, Rascal Flatts is always a good go-to: Unstoppable and Stand. If you like rap: Eminem – Lose Yourself, Not Afraid, I Need a Doctor; Nas – Hate me Now; Kanye West – ANYTHING ON HIS NEW CD. If you go classic rock: Aerosmith Cryin or Amazing.
Hope this helps
Way to get through that run. I find it impressive that you can tweet while running. That is no easy task! You’ll do AWESOME in your half marathon
Jamie (Sometimes Healthy Girl) recently posted..Turn that Monday Frown Upside Down – Cake Pops For Breakfast
I use the Janelle Monae song that has the chorus “faster and faster she runs…” It’s very inspiring!
My friend Cari, on the other hand, just puts “Eye of the Tiger” on repeat and pretends she’s Rocky.
Whatever works, right?
Jackie Smith recently posted..Quick dinner
I can’t even imagine running that far!!! You are awesome. I always like to do cardio to Michael Jackson
I am not a huge runner, however I would love to be! But, I do go for short runs outside, not a fannn of the treadmill too much!
Kimberley recently posted..Fresh Produce Heaven
I use some Britney Spears songs to power me through a tough workout. Not sure what it is about her music but it always gets me through it!
Karen recently posted..Motivation Monday
I LOVE that Eminem song to start my runs. Perfect. I had a really crappy 8-miler 2 weeks ago b/c of the heat and humidity. When you’re not used to it yet, it just sucks the life out of you. Good for you for keepin’ on keepin’ on girl.
Heather (Where’s the Beach) recently posted..Running- Errands- Miles- and then Nowhere
Awesome job girlie! Way to push through! Love the feeling of accomplishment after powering through an intense workout/run!
I love anything with a good beat…I haven’t updated my iTunes library in forever so I usually just use the Pandora app on my iPhone and set it to a hip hop or dance station. I just need something with a fast paced rhythm!
Heather @ kissmybroccoli recently posted..Monday Marketing
YES!! I knew you had it in you!!! And I’m glad my tweet helped just a littttle bit
Jess recently posted..On being able to
Good job on doing it!! I love Til I Collapse to get my second wind. It makes me feel strong and like I can push through a tough run.
Lately, I’m also a little obsessed with Selena Gomez for finding motivation and just putting me in a good mood when I run (Summer’s Not Hot, Intuition, Round and Round, all super fun).
Also, any epic movie trailer songs are amazing for getting that second wind. They remind me that what I’m doing is nothing compared with some crazy scenes from movies.
Way to push through it. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!!
I have a few go-to songs
*Asher Roth-Nothing You Can’t Do
*Three Days Grace-Pain
*Kid Cudi-Erase Me
Good job!
Karla recently posted..Peacin’ Out for the weekend
Bee Gees disco music makes me smile when I run and it has a good beat. A little before you time but good still!
Monica recently posted..Back in the saddle
Im fairly new to running but Ive run a 10k so I consider myself a runner. In fact the first time I decided to start running outside I considered myself a runner. Why not! But those tough, feel like a ton of bricks runs can be so deflating. I start questioning everything, am I dehydrated, sleeping enough, eating properly, or just totally out of shape already. But ive learned to not let it get me down because the body goes through stages and those are just to make you tougher mentally!
Love this post! … and your game face!
I think the songs you posted are some of my favs… and til the world ends by brit brit!
Ohhhh… and Kanye West, power
Becca recently posted..Grocery Shopping With a Crazy Lady
I’m more of an Atreyu, Avenged Sevenfold and Rob Zombie kind of girl. Maybe with a bit of Eminem and Pitbull thrown in. Anything with a good beat and that can get me amped up. Nice job on the run!!
It’s awful, but I tend to favor dirty dirty rap. A few favs lately:
Shawty Got Moves (Get Cool)
Drop It Low (Ester Dean & Chris Brown)
E.T. (Katy Perry w/Kanye)
You Be Killin’ Em & Young’n (Fabolous)
Power (Kanye)
Yeah, I’m ghetto like that.
Melissa recently posted..Excellent Enthusiasm
That’s the second suggestion for Power! Guess I need to DL it!
congrats on keeping such a positive attitude during your run today. i hate running in the heat too, and i know how easy it is to give up. that’s awesome that you pushed through!
sarah (sarah learns) recently posted..home sweet home
good job finishing!
I love rihanna’s breaking dishes song is one that gets my legs moving!
Wow, great job pushing through!! You will rock the half, I am sure of it
jobo recently posted..Raging against perspective