It's all about the music!

I did it. I ran for 25 minutes today! It took five attempts, but today I did it.

The other times something was wrong. Wrong music, wrong audiobook (audiobook in general was a stupid idea. But I thought giving me something to listen to would make it easier), wrong weather (stupid heat), wrong breathing (stitch), wrong something.

But today it was so good! I had my own playlist with upbeat songs and it went really well! I didn't think "Oh god, that's loooong!" or "okay, stop now?" once during the first 15 minutes. The next 5 were a bit more difficult, and by the time MapMyRun announced the 20min mark I had "Only 5 minutes! That shouldn't be too hard" in my head. And I did it!

The music played a good part, but having two restdays probably helped too.

I'm really proud right now. I will do three 25min runs next week, and then start with week 8. I hope, I can keep the 25 minutes up. But now that I know what kind of music I need, it should be a lot easier.

I need to sing along in my head. Luckily I'm not able to sing out loud (or even hum), but a runner passed me who was singing out loud. Made me smile. Way to show you enjoy your run!

[RhonaL]

Well done! You must feel great. It's fun making up running playlists - the great thing is you can let your inner bad taste loose and no one knows!

[Hidden in reply to RhonaL]

I do feel great. I have to tweak the list a bit (a very slow song got in and all of the sudden I had to endure 4 minutes of slowness during the last minutes - not good), but now I know what works and what doesn't. I wasn't sure if running without Laura was a good idea, but as she doesn't talk a lot during the 25 minutes anyway I gave it a go and relied on the voice feedback (every 5 minutes) from MapMyRun. It worked very well and I'll do that for the next few runs too.

But I won't forget that it were Laura's encouraging words that brought me to this point.

[Jusforfun Graduate]

Well done! I know all about all those wrongs! But for me too I've redound my mojo! Right now just breathing is enough but soon I would love to be able to sing out loud, I'm sure if I did though I'd be pelted with projectiles by everyone I passed, possibly not such a good idea for me either!

[Hidden in reply to Jusforfun]

As long as it's fun to you you should sing as loud as you want to. You are running, so they wouldn't be hearing you for that long anyway.

I'll sing in my head for now, but maybe on my Graduation day I'll start singing out loud.

[Jusforfun Graduate]

Physically able right now is the problem!!!

[Gazter Graduate]

I tried the audiobook as well. It didnt work for me either..... I found that all my body's muscles screaming to me to stop outshouted what the story was trying to say.

My running list is made up of largely of good upbeat eighties songs, eye of the tiger, walk like an egyptian, Queen 'dont stop me now' - that's a good one,

"I'm a shooting star leaping through the skies

Like a tiger defying the laws of gravity

I'm a racing car passing by like Lady Godiva

I'm gonna go go go

There's no stopping me"

"I'm burning through the skies Yeah!

Two hundred degrees

That's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit

I'm trav'ling at the speed of light

I wanna make a supersonic man of you"

[Hidden in reply to Gazter]

Queen seems like a good idea! Will add them to the list too now.

[Hidden]

music is very important to me too. I enjoy compiling a running playlist for my MP3 player, have run a few 5k races and music definitely does it for me - especially for that little bit before the end of the race where the legs, body and mind need extra encouragement. I use rock music because of the very definite beat - my son introduced me to Tool and Rammstein and I have found three great songs by Metallica - fantastic for running. I am hoping to do my first 10K in September and compiling the running playlist is a very enjoyable part of my preparation.

[AmandaW Graduate]

I need decent music too, and its amazing what a difference the right beat makes! I've found that Mr Boombastic by Shaggy is perfect for when running at 9.5kph lmao - its just the right beat to drive you on I can also recommend LMFAO - I'm sexy and I know it - but if you're on a treadmill don't join in on the wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle yeh - or you fall off - another good reason for running outside I like music with a good, strong beat that's uplifting and fun to listen to - most of the running albums have a lot of techno and dance stuff that does nothing for me personally, I prefer to run along with cheesy stuff - You spin me round - is another good one - and anything Shakira!

[happierswimming Graduate]

I run to classical played to a beat. Classical Cardio 2 is my favourite but such music divides people into those who hate to hear classical adulterated in such a way and those who, like me, love to run to it!

[Hidden in reply to happierswimming]

I just listened to a few Classical Cardio 2 songs on itunes. Haha, that sounds like fun! I like classical music in general and this gives it a new twist. Maybe I get some of these and mix them in with my normal playlist.

[pitzpalu Graduate]

I`ve just made a playlist with T Rex songs.

I love to Boogie, Jeepster, Ride a white Swan and a couple more.

Great running music.

Sorry Laura.