This week was another week where tempo runs and I continued our love/hate relationship. Oh, they are so great for marathon training but BOY can be they be hard. ESPECIALLY on tired legs!
I headed out Thursday morning with a nervous stomach just like I do every Thursday, however I always know that once the run is over I feel SO much better. Thursday’s run also makes me feel like I’ve made it through the hardest part of training that week so I knew I just needed to go and get it done.
There was nothing easy about this run from the very beginning. This run required a lot of mental toughness to get done, but I stuck it out and completed it! Sometimes that is all you can really ask for.
If nothing else this run taught me how to dig deep and make it happen even when it gets hard. Now I officially feel like I can relax a bit and focus on recovery until my longish run on Saturday.
I know I’ve talked a couple times this week about running without music. Several of my runs this week have been completely unplugged from music and I’ve loved it. However, during runs like the tempo one above I need a little music push. Here are a few songs that I’ve really been loving for my tough runs.
1. “Dust” by Eli Young Band
I guess I have been on a country kick lately but this song is pretty awesome for recovery segments of workouts. It also helps me to relax when I’m focusing on a tempo run.
2. “I Cry” by Flo Rida
There is just something about his voice that always gets me pumped up. When he raps it is really great to help you pick up your speed. I seriously wish I was talented in something like that. How does anyone rap that fast?
3. “Something Bad” by Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood
I really didn’t want to like this song at first. I remember even telling Wes how much I didn’t like it, however it began to grow on me and before I knew it I found myself listening to it during my speed repeats.
4. “Raised on It” by Sam Hunt
I just love this song because it’s happy and upbeat. It is a perfect summer running song.
5. “Do or Die” by 30 Seconds to Mars
I love almost every single song by 30 Seconds to Mars. This is a very powerful music video, but also a great song to run to. I feel as though I can almost get lost in this song. This is one band I would LOVE to see in concert one day.
There you have it! Five songs I am loving right now.
Make sure to check back tomorrow for a giveaway! You don’t want to miss out!
What is your favorite song right now?
What do you do when you are trying to push through a tough workout?
I haven’t been listening to music while I run but sometimes when i am running i have songs stuck in my head anyway! I try to just think about the mile that I’m in and not about how much more I have left to do. I also remind myself of my goals and how much better I will feel when the workout is over!
When a workout is really tough I try to shut off my brain, zone out and focus on breathing only. I do this in shorter races too to get through them and push. No music for me lately, just my own wacky thoughts!
Great work on your tempo run! You seem to be hitting it pretty regularly each week. Well done!
I had 6 mile tempo on my plan at the same pace as you. I didn’t fare as well. It was 101 last night at 7:00pm (humid too). I really needed to do this workout in_the_morning, before work, because the weather guy told me it was going to be hot – I chose extra sleep instead. I averaged 8:30 pace. During my run, I talked myself into using 8:30 as my MP for the rest of the training plan until my marathon on Nov 9th. The legs just aren’t recovering fast enough to maintain the high mileage and the faster pacing. I re-read the section on tempo runs this week, and they even say that this run is telling of correct pacing… yup, it’s telling me I picked a too fast of pace this go round.
– Run with joy > <
I love that Eli Young Band song and Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood. Nice to know I’m not the only one that runs to country music while running!
I’m totally hip hop…so Tinashe “2 on”… you ever talk to yourself? boy when I need to push through, I scold myself…like talk to myself. Not only in my head…i talk out loud =).
I love all these songs!