My Favorite Running Songs of 2013

Nothing goes better with a great run than some motivational music. Here are my favorite running/workout songs of 2013...

• "Can't Hold Us Down" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring: Ray Dalton
• "Suit & Tie" - Justin Timberlake Featuring: Jay Z
• "Radioactive" - Imagine Dragons
• "I love it" - Icona Pop Featuring: Charli XCX
• "Get Lucky" - Daft Punk Featuring: Pharrell Williams
• "Treasure" - Bruno Mars
• "Safe & Sound" - Capital Cities
• "Roar" - Katy Perry
• "Wake Me UP" - Avicii
• "Counting Stars" - One Republic
• "Brave" - Sara Bareilles
• "On Top of the World" - Imagine Dragons
• "Burn" - Ellie Goulding
• "Alive" - Krewella
• "Lose Yourself to Dance" - Daft Punk Featuring: Pharrell Williams
• "Take Back the Night" - Justin Timberlake
• "Clarity" - Zedd Featuring: Foxes
• "Sweater Weather" - The Neighbourhood
• "The Monster" - Eminem Featuring: Rihanna
• "Demons" - Imagine Dragons
• "Love Somebody" - Maroon 5
• "Berzerk" - Eminem
• "White Walls" - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring: Schoolboy Q and Hollis
• "Stay the Night" Zedd Featuring: Hayley Willams
• "I Wish" - Cher Lloyd Featuring: T.I
• "American Girl" - Bonnie McKee
• "Summertime Sadness" Remix - Lana Del Rey Vs. Cedric Gervais
• "Still Into You" - Paramore

These songs were also top charters in 2013 but our not officially on my favorite list, but you may want to add them to your playlist:

• "Heart Attach" - Demi Lovato
• "Harlem Shake" - Baauer
• "Applause" - Lady Gaga
• "Timber" - Pitbull Featuring Ke$ha
• "Holy Grail" - Jay Z Featuring: Justin Timberlake
• "The Fox" - Ylvis
• "Blurred Line" - Robin Thicke Featuring: T.I. and Pharrell
• "We Can't Stop" - Miley Cyrus
• "Best Song Ever" - One Direction
• "Come and Get it" - Selena Gomez
• "Feel this Moment" - Pitbull Featuring: Christina Aguilera
• "I Knew You Were Trouble" - Taylor Swift
• "Scream & Shout" - Will.I.Am Featuring: Britney Spears
• "Heart Attack" - Enrique lglesias
• "Do Want You Want" - Lady Gaga Featuring: R. Kelly
• "Here's to Never Growing Up" - Avril Lavigne
• "TKO" - Justin Timberlake F
• "Give it 2 You" - Robin Thicke Featuring: Kendrick Lamar
• "Work B!tch" - Britney Spears
• "Sail" - Awolnation
• "Gorilla" - Bruno Mars
• "Slow Down" - Selena Gomez

Let me know what your favorite songs are; if I don't include your favorites, please list them in the comments below.

My Running Christmas List

The holidays are just around the corner and it is the perfect time to begin your holiday shopping. Here are the items on my list for this year.

Gifts Under $30

• 13.1 Half Marathon Race Decal - $4.00
  

Add a bit of race flare to your car with this colorful decal and it is available at Etsy through AnchorAvenueDesigns: 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/155407227

• Smartpace Band - 3 for $7.50
  

Keep yourself on pace for an upcoming half or full marathon. Learn to pace yourself with a Smartpace band, it will help you create a mile-by mile plan for race day. Available at: http://www.races2remember.com/PaceBands.php

• A subscription to Stride Box - $15.00
  

Stride box is a monthly subscription box service that deliveries an assortment of running accessories, gear and nutritional products directly to your door each month. The subscription service is $15.00 per month and will continue until you suspend or cancel your service. You can sign up or get more information at:http://stridebox.com/

• Road ID Bracelet - $17.99 and up
  
  
  

The Road ID bracelets are worn by some top athletes, but this great ID is also perfect for kids. With its stylish and comfortable silicone band, you will be tempted to make a lifestyle statement and wear it 24/7. Like all our ID products, they are laser engraved with your emergency contact information and is available in both Original and Interactive versions. There are ten different colors to choose from. Available at: http://www.roadid.com 

• KT Tape - $19.99
  

KT TAPE is applied along muscles, ligaments, and tendons (soft tissue) to provide a lightweight, external support that helps you remain active while recovering from injuries. KT Tape creates neuromuscular feedback (called proprioception) that inhibits (relaxes) or facilitates stronger firing of muscles and tendons. This feedback creates support elements without the bulk and restriction commonly associated with wraps and heavy bracing. KT Tape gives you confidence to perform your best. Available at: http://www.kttape.com/ and other major retailers.

• Original Buff Headband - $20.00
  
  This is one of the most versatile and effective article of technical clothing you will ever own. This headgear keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It is made from seamless 100% microfiber, the breathable fabric wicks away moisture and dries quickly too. Available at: 
  http://buffusa.com/sports/

• The Stick Travel Roller Massager - $27.99
  

The Stick can be used before, during and after a workouts to get rid of knots and soreness in your muscles. The price start at $27.99 for the travel size and $42.99 for the original and can be found at http://www.roadrunnersports.com/, 
 http://www.rei.com/ or your local running store.

• Yurbuds -$29.99 and up
  

Designed specifically to fit smaller ears, the FlexSoft™ and TwistLock™ technologies guarantee they will never hurt or fall out. These sweat & water-resistant yurbuds allow for ambient noise awareness and deliver consistent, premium sound. Available in six colors, yurbuds Inspire for Women are the perfect training partner for any female athlete. ~ I personally owns these and love them, but it is time for a new pair. I have never had an issue with them falling out of my ears and they fit great and are super comfortable. Available at: http://yurbuds.com and major retailer.



What is on your holiday list? Please leave your comment below.

November is National Running Safety Month

Tips to keep you safe while out for a run on the road...

• Run against traffic, try to remain visible at all times and observe approaching vehicles.
• Don't wear headphones, loud music makes it hard for you to hear your surroundings.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Look both ways before crossing traffic, try to do so in a cross walk and be aware of the traffic laws.
• Alter or vary your running route.
• Run with a partner and/or dog.
• Let someone know where you are going and what direction you are heading.
• Wear reflective material when running at dusk or dawn.
• Trust you intuition about an area or person, it's better to be safe than sorry.
• Avoid unpopulated areas, deserted streets and unlighted areas.
• Carry a noise maker, whistle, etc...
• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. 
• Contact the police IMMEDIATELY

When traveling out of town on business or vacation, contact a local running store and ask if there are any local running clubs having meet ups, in the area or the best place to go for a run.

Do you have an additional safety tips, please leave them in the comments below.


Have fun and stay safe.

12 Week Half Marathon Training Plan

I am gearing up for my second half marathon and about to sign up for the Scenic City Half Marathon, taking place on February 22, 2014. I am taking the month of November to work on my speed and will begin the 12 week training program on December on 1st. For my last half marathon, I used the Nike Women's Half Marathon training program. I combined running along with strength training, if you use this program you will need to download the Nike Training Club app - http://www.nike.com/us/en_us/c/womens-training/apps/nike-training-club - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nike-training-club/id301521403

Here is the training program I used:

Good luck!

Faith in Human(ity) Movement

Many of you my not know about Human Movement LLC, they are an event management specialist company that put on races such as: The Zombie Run, 5K Foam Fest, Dirty Girl, Ugly Sweater Run, 5K Dance Party, The Color Run and many more fun events. 

Recently a race know as "Run For Your Lives Zombie 5K" filled for bankruptcy on Wednesday October the 30th, cancelling all up coming events indefinitely and left stranded runners in Arizona and Florida for this past weekend. Participants were sent an e-mail explaining the unfortunate news and were told to contact their banks for a refund. (http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/10/31/Run-For-Your-Lives-cancels-all-upcoming-races/UPI-51941383252477/)

Jeff Suffolk, the founder and president of Human Movement LLC, decided to step in and do the honorable thing and buy the rights to the run from Reed Street Productions. In a 45-minute exclusive interview with ORM (Obstacle Race Media), Jeff explained that his company is tired of seeing races go under, and the community get screwed in the process. He told us “even if only 400 people show up and we can produce a good event for them, we've done our job and kept 400 people doing these types of events in the future”. (http://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/back-dead/)

I am in full support on Human Movement LLC and will be participating in the Ugly Sweater Run in Atlanta on December 14 and continue to participate in any of their upcoming events, that will be available in my area.

http://www.humanmovement.me/
https://www.facebook.com/HumanMovement

Race Info:
http://thezombierun.com/
http://5kfoamfest.com/
http://godirtygirl.com
http://theuglysweaterrun.com/
https://www.livingsocial.com/events/5kdanceparty
http://thecolorrun.com/
http://theturkeytrot.com/ ~ Ann Arbor, MI