Intervals and New Music

Had a really good speed session today. I needed to get in 8x400 workout, but time only allowed for 6x400. I completed all 400 sets at 7.0mph or 8:32 mile with recovery at 6.0. I can't believe how good this pace felt. Very manageable. I told Greg it's got to be the biking and the addition of squats/lunges. Next week I'll be tackling 800s and I'm going to see if I can hold this same pace for longer intervals.

On a music note, I'm listening to the new album from Red Hot Chili Peppers. Love this group ad I'm really enjoying what I'm hearing so far!

It's One for the Money, Two for the Show

Three to get ready, now go cat go,
but don't step on my blue suede shoes...

My 33rd state will be Tennessee in August as Greg and I run the Elvis Rock and Roll Run - the only race that starts and finishes at Graceland. We'll do the totally cheesy stuff including visiting Graceland, singing Elvis songs or at least having them included in our playlist, eating good ole Memphis BBQ, and hopefully catch some outstanding blues music. I think this 5k race might be a PR, in the sweltering Memphis heat!

Long Run Accomplished

The training for the Anchorage half marathon is moving along...albeit slowly. Last week's lovely weeklong rotavirus visit caused me to lose some significant distance, including a crucial long run. But training is moving along. I knocked out a 10-miler today. I purposely took the run easy and maybe I went too easy as I have no tired muscles as of this writing. Waking up tomorrow may be a different version. Next week a 12-miler is on tap. I'll finish the half, it might just not be as pretty as I'd like. But hey, not all races can be sunshine and rainbows!

My favorite song line while running today: I have a girlfriend with bows in her hair. Is anything better than that, is it? Gotta love Talking Heads.

So what's your favorite line lately?

Musical Motivation

Since I generally "check" my magazines out of the library, it means I'm rarely reading the current issue. Yesterday, I knocked out the March 2011 issue of Fitness magazine. In their Live Healthy section, there was a neat article in which various Fitness editors responded to which song lyrics do they put on "mental repeat" to get them psyched for racing or working out. A few of the lyrics/songs were:

• "Ain't nothin going to break my stride. I got to keep on moving." (Break My Stride, Matthew Wilder)
• "Take it easy. take it easy. Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy." (Take It Easy, The Eagles)
• "What you waiting for. What you waiting for". (What You Waiting For, Gwen Stefani)

I think for me it's any song by the Red hot Chili Peppers. But if I had to choose one, it'd be Breaking the Girl by RHCP. To me, the song is infectious. The lyrics, the beat, Anthony Keidis' voice. I get lost in the song and find that "zone" that allows me to dig deep.

So what's your musical motivator? Do you have a go-to song that triggers that "go deep" feeling?