Motivation: The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.
If you've been reading the blog for a while, you know I'm not a New Year's resolutions kinda gal. So this isn't a post about that, but rather about continuing on as I've begun. Last year, I lost my buddy/training partner/motivational force, Bhen. I've not ever been one of those folks who grooves on exercising and in fact, HATE IT. Give me a good book and my knitting and a comfy chair, and I'll park myself for hours (days?). Riding was a really good way to keep me out of the chair and moving, but without Bhen I realized by about August of 2012 that I wasn't going to be able to crowbar myself out of the chair if I didn't do something other than sit in it. So I took up running.
Now, I'll come clean and say I'm not very good and not very fast and I still HATE IT, but I go make myself get on the treadmill and run 3 miles every other day. And pretty much the only thing that motivates me to do this is listening to music while I run. I tried reading, but it makes me kind of seasick to be bouncing up and down and trying to read, so music it is. I have a "workout" playlist on my iPhone and I plug that into the speakers on the treadmill, crank that up and go along.
So since the knitting/fiber content has been pretty sparse in these parts, here's a little sample of some of the tunes that keep me running. Do you have any favorites that get you going?
A new-to-me artist, Daughtry. I actually had no clue he was an American Idol contestant - I don't watch the show - and he didn't win it apparently, but I like almost every song on his "Leave this Town" album. Several of these, including this one, are my pace songs to get me kicked off and started.
And an oldie, but a goodie. Because really... the classics are always appropriate. I save this one for my final sprint for the last quarter mile.
And finally, from the "eclectic" definition, a fun little girl-power tune:
All for now......
I love my using my playlists and I'm going to add some of yours to them. These get me going:
David Guetta's Sexy Chick
P!nk's Raise Your Glass
Laura Bell Bundy's Giddy On Up
Here's a few classics:
Van Halen's The Seventh Seal
Aerosmith's Sweet Emotion
I love the classics because it's like a little reward for getting to the end of the workout!
Posted by: Angela | January 08, 2013 at 10:26 AM
And here I envisioned you were running outside in your cold and sometimes icy weather. I was wondering how you did that. Duh - it all makes sense to me now. Before I brought the horses home I would walk (at a brisk pace) on the treadmill, but I never really got the hang of running on it. Like you, I hate running.
As nice as it is to not have to go out in the cold and chip ice and feed horses, they really do force us to get off our butts. Not that I'm worried about you doing that - I know you have the motivation.
Posted by: Toby | January 08, 2013 at 11:57 AM
I've not tried it yet, but I've heard that Zombies! Run! is very motivating....
https://www.zombiesrungame.com/
Posted by: StephCat | January 08, 2013 at 01:24 PM
Great songs. I also use Zombies! Run and love it. It is a really nice story and goes with you where ever you happen to be (plus your music plays over it).
Posted by: Christina | January 08, 2013 at 02:12 PM
Oy. Running. Good for you, but I just can't make myself run. Walking, maybe...
Posted by: Cheryl S. | January 08, 2013 at 04:43 PM
Oy. I also hate running and have also recently started. I AM running outside in the icy cold, but at least I have yak-trax now...
I've heard very good things about Zombies! Run. But knowing my (over)active imagination I'm not gonna even try it. I'm pretty sure the nightmares and the potential fear of going outdoors would not be the kind of motivation I need.
Posted by: BeckyinVT | January 09, 2013 at 11:07 AM