Running Soundtrack

When running is the topic "what do you listen to" always becomes a discussion.  For a lot of people I've spoken to, they want to continually add to their music choices out of fear of getting bored with what they have on their playlist.  I find they are open to anything that gives them an extra boost.  That's a great way to move into new bands and even new genres of music.

Every time I load up music, I get really excited to hear it for the first time on the course.  Here are my Top 10 enduring songs that always get me going.  Full disclosure, I could just listen to Dream Theater for my whole run, so picking as few as possible was made very difficult.  

#10.  Juke Joint Jezebel - KMFDM

From the Mortal Kombat movie soundtrack, this one is a no-brainer.  In all truth, the entire soundtrack is easy to utilize while exercising, but this one has a great rhythm.  

#9. Awake and Alive - Skillet

A great one to get you moving.  Inspirational lyrics and some intense vocals.  

I'm awake, I'm alive

Now I know what I believe inside
Now it's my time
I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life

(Here, right now)
Right here, right now
Stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I'm awake, and I'm alive

 

#8.  Did My Time - Korn

Power.  It's Korn.  Thunder and more thunder.  The lyrics to this one just get me.  Very much about struggle, but when you throw the vocals in, you feel like you're beating the struggle.

I am the one who chose my path
I am the one who couldn't last
I feel the life pulled from me
I feel the anger changing me

#7.  Darkened Mind - Circus Maximus

The virtuosity of the musicianship is enough, but the chorus brings it all together for running.  Great tempo for moving those feet forward, and the way the track builds just makes you feel like there is something great ahead of you.

Can you forget all of the promises, is the truth to hard to take
Now I know there must be time to forgive, we will be one again

#6.  Clifhanger 2 - Shadow Gallery

Long song with a great storyline about getting saved from desperation.  Finishes with a dual guitar attack called The Crusher.  Killer tune for setting pace.

In the blink of an eye systems deploy
And we are off, baby, off on the run
Bullets raining on down
Wind driven snow here we go

#5.  Marathon - Rush

Hard to argue the theme.  Makes you feel like a method actor

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light
That gets in your eyes
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

#4.  Pull Me Under - Dream Theater

And now begins the deluge of Dream Theater.  I could fill out the top 10 with all DT tracks, but not everyone is into the band like I am.  This one again, builds brilliantly and keeps the show going the entire track.

This world is spinning around me
This world is spinning without me
All life is future to past
Every breath leads me one less to my last

#3.  Outcry - Dream Theater

A song about not being beaten.  Themed around the recent revolution is Egypt, this one is not only inspiring, but the instrumental is CA-RAAAAAAAZY!

By the way, this is a fan video made of still pictures of the revolution.  Chills up the spine every time.

The streets are bathed in blood
Time to step down and time to walk away
You'll never rule me now
Though you may stand upon my grave

#2.  Bridges in the Sky - Dream Theater

Another track of redemption.  The chorus always makes me move an extra step faster.  So inspirational.

Sun come shine my way
Make healing waters bury all my pain
Wind carry me home
The fabric of reality is tearing apart
The piece of me that died
Will return 
To live again

#1.  Last Ride of the Day - Nightwish

Oooooooh Man.  I ONLY listen to this while running.  Can't handle it otherwise.  Inspires me to appreciate every single day of life right here in this moment.  When I run a race, this one is quick-played to the finish line and I feel no pain.

Once upon a night we'll wake to the carnival of life
The beauty of this ride ahead
Such an incredible high
It's hard to light a candle
Easy to curse the dark instead
This moment the dawn of humanity
Last ride of the day

There it is.  Lots of guitars and drums, not a ton of techno; but that's just me.  Of course, this is going to be a living list as more music is made, but for now if I had a 10 track soundtrack to get me my miles, they would be here in this order.  Cheers.

Dauphin Island, 10 Miles, and 200 on the Month

To hit my 200 miles in the quest of 2,015 in 2015, I wanted to hit the mark in a different spot.  I figured at the beach in the middle of winter was far too appropriate.

Dauphin Island is the barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.  A very small island at 166 square miles and a population of just under 1,500 it is hard to believe that this place plays a huge role in determining the climate of the entire southern part of the state.

The smaller picture under the map of Mobile is the GPS of my run on the beach.  5  miles out west, 5 miles back.  After the first two miles, the beach becomes uninhabited with jetties on one side and sand on the other.  As you can tell, there is a ton more beach to go and as it can only be reached on foot, I'm sure that even in the summertime it is a desolate area to get a run in and hang on the beach.

There are a ton of shells on the sand, but it is perfectly compact to run on where the high tide sits and if you hit the beach at low tide, I can't imagine a better place in the area to run, both for comfort and for beauty.

The weather on this run was cold as all get out. The wind was insane and made it even worse.  I had on some long pants, long shirts, a buff, gloves, the whole nine.  Still wasn't enough and my nose was running as much as I was.

Either way, crossing 200 miles is a big deal.  I was hoping to hit 20 by the end of the month.  To hit it with a few days to spare is very encouraging.  Every day is a day closer.

I definitely recommend adding Dauphin Island to any running list, no matter where you are in the Mobile area.  At least once a month I'll be out here to log in a long run.

Bellingrath Gardens 5k

I will cross over the 200 mile mark this weekend and I have the pleasure of adding 2 more Mobile area running locales to the list. The first is the legendary Bellingrath Gardens and Home and Dauphin Island, the barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.

We joined a 5k to run at Bellingrath, put on by The Man About Town to benefit the Women's Business Center.  The run takes place near the entrance of the gardens and moves down the road leading to the gardens.  The land is flat and the run is pretty nice.  All trees and nature out here.  The level of fitness is varied.  There were some very serious runners scattered here along with a lot of folks just out to enjoy a nice run.  There were also tons of kids running, which was pretty cool.

In addition to the fun running activities involved, on a personal note, I got to pet a pig named Kevin Bacon.  Never done that before, so another check off the lost.

Outside if the run itself, entering into the event allowed free entrance into the gardens afterward, which alone made the event worth the cost.  Bellingrath Gardens is one beautiful place, and this is the winter when the flowers are not in bloom.  I can't wait to make it back when the flowers start doing their thing.

The race went as most do. You start, you finish.  I did my 5k in 27:53, whcih put me somewhere in the middle of the pack.  Just under 9 minute miles, so I'm still a hike from my 8 minute miles of this time last year, but I'll get there to be sure.

Check out the pictures we took at the gardens below.  Very nice place.

Herndon Park

Today takes me to a new park located in a fairly central location in Mobile, Herndon Park (also known as Sage Park).

Not too far off I-65 and intersecting with Dauphin Street, this is a park that is pretty easy to get to from wherever you are in town.  Although it is a bit sparse, the layout is nice for running and I don't imagine the park is ever crowded.  The park itself looks like they put as few designs and extras in it as they could in order to fit as much play space as possible.  Containing baseball, softball, soccer, and football fields, the paved track is moreso for people-moving than running.  Despite this fact it is still a nice track to run around, again because it is so empty.  

The outer circle of the track at Herndon Park is nearly 3/4 mile, so for long distance running, you find yourself trouncing the same ground over and over again.  I find this a comfort though, because at 3/4 mile I know I can push myself to do "just one more lap" much easier than a course that is continuous or just much larger.

Safety didn't seem to be an issue here, although I may hesitate to run around the park at night as the perimeter of the park goes out near several areas of woods and broken down fences.  In the daytime, it looks perfectly safe.  I also would not recommend any mid-afternoon summertime running at Herndon Park as there is very little shade if any at all.  In the Mobile sun, you may find yourself crawling to the water fountain.

There are a few pavilions in the central portion of the park and there are bathrooms for both ladies and men.  There are also refreshment stands that are presumably open during league play at the park.  Despite its sparse nature, I'll definately be back to this park and enjoy its paths again.

Another great benefit of the park is that it is across the street from Foosackley's.  If you're feeling especially good about your distance and can handle some fried chicken, that'a not a bad spot to pick some up.

My run at Herndon Park was pretty simple.  10.3 miles down on a cool and beautiful Mobile day.  This takes me to just under 140 miles for the year, so I am creating a good pace.  Will most ikely take my first day off this year tomorrow to let the legs rest.  Been in some pretty decent pain for a while, so I'll probably shut it down for a day.