I am one of those runners who always runs faster on my own, though don’t get me wrong, I love running with friends because it makes the time pass faster, plus makes me accountable about not bailing on my runs.
When I run on my own, I generally average a 9 to 9:30 mile, which is pretty in line with the time I logged the first time I completed the dreaded “mile run” in 2nd grade gym class: 8 minutes and 59 seconds (yes I have a ridiculous long term memory, especially when it comes to numbers…though as I am approaching the big 3-0, we’ll see how long it lasts).
For some reason today, I woke up at 5am wide awake but it was simply too dark and chilly for me to run just yet but a couple hours later I set off on my way.
I ran the same route I always run (which is 5 miles) and while I had to walk the last 0.6 miles back because I had a horrible cramp in my right arch. Sidenote: does anybody know what causes or cures this???
But even despite this, I somehow cranked out 4.4 miles in 36 minutes-yes that makes for an 8:10 split… I have NO idea how I did this. Maybe I was inspired by my little sister running a 10 miler with an 8 minute average pace? More likely, it was the awesome music I was listening to.
Here is the music that gave me “Wonder Woman Splits”.
“Check On It” by Beyonce featuring Slim Thug (such a good song to begin a workout to)
“Electric Feel” by MGMT (somehow I can’t get sick of this song)
“I Like It” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Pitbull
“Boyfriend” by Ashlee Simpson (call me a teenybopper but I LOVE to run to this song)
“You and I Could Rule The World” by Leitbur
“Dry and Fresh” by E-603 (do yourself a favor and use this free download of both of his albums...almost as good as Girl Talk*)
“All The Right Moves” by One Republic
“God Is a DJ” by P!nk (one of my favorite running songs of all time)
“No Diggity” by Blackstreet (an oldie but goodie)
What are you loving to run to lately?
Posted by Laura Georgina on October 19, 2010 at 10:42 am
Love it! I’m still stuck on Nicki Minaj, and all those new Kanye West G.O.O.D. Friday downloads (Fader has them) are rocking my boat–maybe because I hate him with a passion yet I love his tunes….
RIGHT NOW I’m going to listen to the E-603 I downloaded last week!
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 19, 2010 at 10:54 am
Laura, if you like Girl Talk esque mashups, you will totally be into E-603…the other day I was just gonna run 3 miles and was listening solely to E-603 and ran 5 miles!
I would say my favorite tracks are: “The Right Kind” “Lights Out” “Dirtbag Baby”
Posted by Bridget@PavementandPlants on October 19, 2010 at 11:23 am
Cramps are often caused by dehydration and/or poor nutrition. The poor nutrition can be not enough potassium, not enough salt, or lack of electrolytes. I’d try a Gatorade type drink before or while you run!
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 19, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for these good tips Bridget. I haven’t gotten a pain like this since I wore Converse and they really messed with my feet. I know it isn’t a matter of the shoes this time though…going to have a Zym tablet now and ice it!!
Posted by Eunice @ Food4Fit on October 19, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I am also guilty of having an Ashlee Simpson song (or two) on my iPod. It’s all about what makes for a good run! Thanks for the new song suggestions.
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 19, 2010 at 5:36 pm
So glad to have another admitted old school Ashlee fan!
Posted by Angela @ A Healthy Fit on October 19, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I love “Electric Feel.” It never gets old!
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 19, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I am also a big fan of running to “Kids”. It’s a shame their new album just pales in comparison.
Posted by Aj from QueerVeganRunner on October 19, 2010 at 8:26 pm
This entire post is giving me race playlist jitters, I should be working on it while I’m reading blogs and I can’t! HELP!!!
Rock on with your bad self and those splits! I will share that 5 AM is in no way too dark or early to go running. What time do you think I’m hitting the pavement these days?
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 20, 2010 at 4:39 pm
You have some major cojones, but yeah I only hang out with BAMFs…it looked so dark to me at 5am!!
Posted by MelissaNibbles on October 20, 2010 at 12:50 am
Electric Feel is an awesome workout song. Anything by Passion Pit gets me going too.
Posted by Alicia at Poise in Parma on October 20, 2010 at 6:36 am
I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS LIST. I haven’t heard No Diggity in AGES. Going to have to track down that CD this evening! I’m working on new training playlists so this is going to be a great place to start! Thanks!
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 20, 2010 at 4:40 pm
I am obsessed with training music!!! So let me know if you want any more suggestions
Posted by Devon on October 20, 2010 at 8:28 am
“I Like It” is so ridiculously catchy. Drives me nuts.
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 20, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Isn’t it??? At first, I wanted to hate it out of principle because it samples “All Night Long” by Lionel Richie which is one of my favorite pump up songs (also good for running) but I just can’t get enough of it.
Posted by Steph on October 20, 2010 at 10:52 am
I hate to admit this but Eminem gets me through those long runs (he just gets me so worked up). Also, have been rockin to the new Linkin Park.
Posted by idreamofgreenie on October 20, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I really like Eminem’s new-ish track “I”m Not Afraid” for running.
Posted by Heather on October 21, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I totally have a weirdly good memory, and also remember my freshman year mile time! I was super proud because I was the first girl in my gym class to finish, and I was like, ‘Hmmm, I thought some of these cross country girls would beat me…’ I’ve since slowed down a little. I actually tend to run to slower stuff, with a steady beat like Alicia Keys whole last album! But for other cardio it’s alllll hip hop, haha.