I've Gotta Feeling...I'M BACK

My cast was removed on Tuesday. I was cleared to run as long as I wore the brace for protection. What's next? RUN! But when? Saturday! No matter what, I would run on Saturday. Then, I got sick and worried that Saturday wouldn't happen. I fixed up my ipod running playlist anyways the night before to get ready for Saturday (hating the new sucky itunes 11.0). And then the day came. I was feeling fine. I put on my running clothes, hooked up my ipod, laced up my running shoes (oh you feel so good), and headed out the door.

I decided against wearing my running watch. I just wanted to run.

I walked for a bit to get warmed up since it's been awhile. As soon as I got on to the main street, I picked up the pace for a nice slow run. A smile immediately formed on my face. I couldn't believe I was running again. It felt so good. I gotta feeling...I'M BACK!

It was hard, but I persevered through it. Okay, it wasn't as tough as what the marathoners are dealing with today...cold, wind, and rain, but it still was tough after a long road back AGAIN.

My plan was to run to the stop light, but the song was still going. I didn't want to walk at all. So, I kept running to the third stop light before I stopped for a walk. Wow! After five weeks of no running or any exercise, I was pretty happy that I ran that much without stopping. Whether you are in to using music or not as a running tool, music does pump me up. I hate running without it unless I'm running with a partner so I can talk to that person. Of course, I run with only one ear phone not on the ear facing the street and I keep the music low. You have to practice safety when listening to music when running.

A couple of months ago, I found a website called runhundred.com. About once or twice a week, I get an email with a list of music that the site has compiled for your running playlist. You can vote on whether or not this is a good running or exercising song. I have downloaded songs based on their list; songs that I would have never thought to add. Well, they came out with Run Hundred 1 and 2 CDs. It's on itunes right now; I maybe didn't like two or three songs. These are songs that I have never heard of before. For instance, I loved when this song, Cool in a Cool Way, came on my ipod. Who doesn't love lyrics like I have fantasies about dark socks?

If you are looking for some inspiration, check out the website or go listen to the CDs on itunes.

During the run, I had to watch out for puddles and mud (not to be confused with the band, Puddle of Mud), but overall it was a good run. I have no idea how long it took me to run the estimated 1.5 mile loop around my apartment. I didn't have my watch nor did I check the time when I left or came back. I just jumped straight in to the shower, which felt so good, too.

So, I sit here on my couch sore from yesterday's run and watching the Chevron Marathon today. Congrats to everyone that ran in it! I'm so proud of you, especially since the weather was so awful.