Wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy,
Put my glasses on, Im out the door – I’m gonna run this city,
Before I leave, brush my teeth, fill my Camelbak,
Cause when I leave for this run, I’ll be sprinting back.
I put some moleskin on my toes, toes,
I laid out all my workout clothes,
Got my pepper spray and my cell phone,
My shuffle playing my favorite cds
Trying not to get too stiiiiiiicky.
Don’t stop.
That my friends, is how I woke myself up for the first half mile of the run early this morning! :biggrin: Sometimes I make weird rhymes to music to entertain myself.
All day yesterday I was missing my early morning run. I took a rest day yesterday and I was really missing those morning endorphins. It’s funny how quickly the body starts to crave endorphins at a certain time! I definitely felt more sluggish yesterday morning than when I got in a good workout before work. It’s a Catch-22 really; the body craves endorphins but you know you should rest your body. Sometimes taking a rest day is as difficult as convincing myself to workout on other days. It just depends on the day!
This morning I leaped out of bed and threw on my workout clothes. I put my workout clothes next to my bed so I could get ready quickly before ‘thinking too much’.
“I have to exercise in the morning before my brain figures out what I’m doing.” ~Marsha Doble
One of my favourite workout quotes!
For years, I used to workout first thing in the morning, literally within 15 minutes of getting up. I would be half asleep during the first 20 minutes of the workout, but then the endorphins would wake me up and it was all downhill from there.
I filled up my Camelbak and popped a couple medjool dates in my mouth for some energy.
We overslept until 6:45am so by the time I got out there it was 7am and HOT!!! It was already 25C when I left.
The run:
- Distance: 5.01 miles
- Time: 42:29 mins
- Avg pace: 8:28
Mile Splits:
- Mile 1: 8:50
- Mile 2: 8:25
- Mile 3: 8:35
- Mile 4: 8:21
- Mile 5: 8:11
It was a great run and I had sweat pouring out of me upon my return. I came home and had an icy shower and then sprinted to make breakfast. A Green Monster was on the menu today.
Post-Run Green Monster
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of purple kale
- 1.25 cups almond milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 scoop Amazing Grass Chocolate Amazing Meal Powder
- 1 large frozen banana
Yum!
On the side I had a trial of a new GF + Raw Glo Bar with some peanut butter on top.
Perfect post-run breakfast!
I will have to water these guys later…!
Today’s question: Do you do anything to entertain yourself during workouts? Anything odd/strange/funny or tricks of distraction?
Shipping out my orders now and then market prep begins today. I am officially half way through the work week…just gotta make it til Saturday night. Stay cool!
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{ 107 comments… read them below or add one }
Hahaha that made me giggle. I love Ke$ha music to work out to! This may not be that weird, but I used to rehearse my classes that I taught while on the elliptical. Sometimes I’d catch myself doing dance moves…lol.
I think I’m going to borrow that tune to sing to myself while running! I end up focusing on my music a lot while running. I’m always so surprised by the lyrics of some of my favorite songs!
It depends on what kind of a run I’m having. Some days all it takes is a few mantras and I’m good to go. Other days I put a favourite musical on my ipod – one that I’ve seen – and try to relive the experience. It takes my mind off of running.
Mmm that green monster looks unreal for a day like today!
I do funny breathing patterns to distract myself! Breathe in (step, step, step), breathe out (step, step, step). Steady as she goes!
I have also been known to air-drum. I am really, really cool.
hahah I dont think I have ever heard of anyone air drumming before!!!
It’s kind of like this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy52yueBX_s, but sweatier :D
that video was awesome! i don’t know whether it was the gorilla, or the phil collins, or the fact it was cadbury…or if there was something in the air tonight…hahaha.
i absolutely LOVE that quote! i often feel like that – by the time i’m actually awake, my workout is DONE! love morning workouts.
LOVE IT! Ha! I’m usually half asleep during the first half of my runs as well, I don’t know how I get through them some days!
I slept in this morning and missed my run but I’m cutting myself some slack because of the humidity and the 14k trail run I have on tap for Saturday(!).
I air guitar when I run…I tend to put a lot of classic rock on my shuffle and find myself air guitaring in the middle of runs. I can only imagine what people passing by me are thinking! Ha ha ha But it’s a FAR cry from the days where I used to stop running when people would pass by me because I was too embarrassed to be seen running in public so I’m fine with it!
I used to be really anxious about ppl seeing me too
Instead of listening to music (although I do sometimes), I enjoy listening to NPR when I workout – I love feeling educated, keeping up-to-date on current events and learning about other people’s perspectives. It’s a great distraction!
Can I get NPR on a shuffle?
I always have my iPod for entertainment, but I also decide wwhat to have for breakfast, dinner and lunch :P that can keep me entertained for ages!!
i plan my meals for the day as well! not to be obsessive or regemented but to give myself something to look forward to :)
i ALSO insert words into the song to pump myself up… Example:
Song says “everytime we touch, i feel magic!”
And i sing in my head ‘everytime we run, i feel magic!’ kind of strange but it really helps!
Love that!
Ha ha. Love the song. I usually work out any issue’s I’m having in my writing while working out. I’ll try to figure out how to start the article or where things are going to go. Or I’ll brainstorm stories. I have the best ideas after working out. Too bad I don’t do it in the morning—I could go to work with my creative juices flowing.
Since I’m a homeschooling mom my workouts are one of the only times I get to enjoy being alone. It also one of the times I feel the most creative. I’ll write stories or posts in my head. Sometimes I’ll try to put them on my voice recorder or if my workout journal is nearby I have pages designated for “non-workout notes”. Many times, I just zone out, listen to the music and enjoy being in the moment.
Goodness, your rap had me laughing out loud!! I love it.
Glad you enjoyed it!
oh my gosh, this will only showcase what a total nerd i am, but i do math in my head when i run. it’s distracting because i’m so bad at it! it’s usually just how many minutes and miles and stuff like that, but still…totally weird ;)
I do math too…I try to figure out mile splits and stuff. it is very distracting!
Oh Man! I LOVE that quote! It’s so true!!! I woke up 8 minutes ago and now I MUST be out the door before my brain also figures out what I’m doing. Have a great day!
I sing in my head, and sometimes out loud. On long runs for marathon training, I talk to myself, often out loud. I will never forget on a 22 miler this past winter I was running in downtown Boston saying, “good girl, Meghan, you can do this” after running up Beacon Hill. People totally heard me, but instead of being embarassed it kind of fueled me to keep going!
I give myself a mental pep talk when I’m starting to feel tired. The ‘ol “you can do it!” or “just a little bit further!”
I have a question for you. What do you use to calculate your run time (splits) and distance?
A Garmin 305…it was worth every penny and one of the best fitness tools I have ever purchased! Got it at Costco.
That’s so funny :) I was just telling my husband the other day that it’s good when I wake up early to run because it’s like getting a workout in before I even wake up. I definitely think music makes a difference, I always feel like I’m in a music video or something :p
Have a beautiful day!
xx
That’s such a fun song!! During my workouts, I listen to hip hop/rap music. It makes me feel badA lol ;)
Love each and every one of your posts!!!
One of distraction I use while running, particularly when there are a lot of people on the trail, is counting bicyclists without helmets. It serves no purpose, but keeping the tally going in my head “4-with, 6-without” keeps my mind busy and looking forward for the next daring cyclist.
Interesting about counting!
I am addicted to dates lately…especially dipped in almond/sunflower seed butter. Best anytime snack. Your rap is toooo cute :)
Hahaha, looks like you may have another future career on your hand! Baker/Blogger/Runner/Rapper – sounds like a good combo to me! ;)
Love your motivation! I play the “I can do anything for xx mins/hours” game. If I I’m on a long run, targeting 2 hrs or so, I make a mental list of the things I can do in 2 hours. Keeps my brain occupied and suddenly time has elapsed and I have only an hour left. And then I start thinking of all the things I can do in an hour. And so on ;)
Three years ago (partly at the behest of my beautiful mother) I weaned myself off my iPod and went naked (insert gasp here)! But it’s actually not been a bad ride so far. I live in a city so there’s plenty to keep me occupied visually (gotta love those early Sat/Sun AM runs and seeing people doing the ‘walk of shame’ from someone else’s apartment dressed in the previous evenings clothes :)) and I definitely pay more attention to my time. One of the downsides is making myself more approachable to people look for directions – must be something about a runner. Maybe we know where everything is? :)
That breakfast looks SO good!
Do you seriously run with pepper spray?
Yup its actually called ‘Dog spray’ in Canada since Pepper spray is illegal. I bought some after a scary run a while back.
Nothin’ like some revamped Ke$ha to start your day…you need an S in your name to turn into a dollar sign ;)
I make my to-do lists in my head, but if they get too long, I start getting antsy and feeling like I need to cut the workout short!
How about Oh $he Glow$ ?? heh
Totally laughed out loud ;)
And when you feature you hubby, you can figure out how to make the ‘c’ a cents sign!
Bahahahaha!!!!! Not going to lie I had to read that 3 times but I finally got it. Long day. Very funny!
Oh no! Not that song! Kesha makes me die a little inside :(
Music is huge when I’m running. I can’t make it through a run without it. I try to just zone out and listen to some great tunes on my ipod so I don’t concentrate on the running/sweating/negative thoughts of talking myself out of the run. :)
At my gym there is a huge window looking out into the parking lot, which happens to be right by a Taco Bell! When I’m on the treadmill I stare at the cars going through the drive through and it motivates me to work out longer and harder :]
Your flowers look beautiful. :)
I stopped running with music, but it does make it hard to distract myself. I try to plan out what I’m gonna pack for lunch or have for breakfast.
P.S. I’m so jealous of your mile times!! My last mile is usually my slowest and I don’t know how to fix this!
This was me all last summer…I couldnt fix it. I dont know what really changed this year except I told myself that I DECIDED to make my last mile the fastest and then once I commit to it, I feel really motivated to run hard at the end. I think starting off slower than you normally would is key too. goodluck!
Music is a big motivator for me during my runs so I love to have my ipod shuffle with me. Recently though, Ive been able to get lost with my thoughts and kind of make of stories in my head of my lifes future. It’s fun :)
Love the little song! Very cute and creative.
I try to zone out (which I can do easily on a treadmill without slowing down) and think about being someplace I really love (the beach) or I do some wedding planning in my head. Sometimes just a few minutes of zoning out helps me get over the rut and then I take off and focus on my run.
Haha, I love your version of the song! Definitely more catchy than the original. ;)
If I’m running with music then I’ll usually distract myself by pretending I’m on awesome adventures, partying it up in a club, or that I’m accomplishing some daring mission. My music just gets me all pumped up and my mind goes wild! When I’m jogging without music, I’ll just let my thoughts wander to more peaceful places.
I’m pretty sure that rap is the funniest thing I’ve heard all morning – and I’m pretty funny so that’s saying a lot :) – jk
I think I have a side stich from laughing.
haha this made me laugh! We are even now ;p
I LOVE your anthem!
I’m still so new to running that I’m only up to about a mile and a half so I don’t have to distract myself too much. About the last quarter mile I do have to start reminding myself that running is so mental! I feel like the little engine that could telling myself “You are strong” “You are capable” and I have to keep myself from making deals with myself (that sounds nutso!) but I always want to say “ok you can stop now, but you have to unload the dishwasher when you get home” or something like that. I never take the deal…but I always seem to offer them up!
Dry mouth is one of the hardest things for me about running – does your camel back weigh much or bounce around? I wear one snowboarding, but I’ve always thought running would be too bouncy?
I have the small 1.5 litre and I think it is perfect. It doesnt bounce although I do occasionally hear the water swishing around. I would suggest it to ANYONE…I wear it even for 2 milers! I didnt realize how much water my body ‘needed’ until it was readily accessible.
To get rid of the swishing sound turn your camelbak upside down and suck the air bubble out through the hose. Once there’s no air in the camelbak it won’t slosh!
ill have to remember to try this….although it really doesnt bother me too much!
Your rhyme totally had me laughing – I love it! I always make up random songs, it’s a great way to pass time :D You’re so cute ;)
Wei-Wei
Hehe love your anthem! I totally know what you mean about missing the morning endorphins – if I miss my early morning workout (with the exception of my rest day), I actually feel even more tired later on during the day.
Do distract myself when I work out, I load up my ipod with new songs and create spin workouts in my head for my classes. The problem is remembering them later on when I have a pen and paper to write them down!
Haha that totally cracked me up – totally applicable to my AM run this morning too, and I think I played that song on my Shuffle at some point! I find I crave endorphins as well lately and find it hard to take a rest day, too. I’ve compromised by doing light exercise days instead to still get a boost.
Those flowers brighten my day! I love…….reading magazines on the elliptical for an easy workout but if I push up the intensity I’m usually in a class so it’s just me and the instructor!
Angela! You rock. Because of your post about missing your morning workouts, I made a point of getting out for a run this morning (Like you my pre-work workouts have become less and less frequent) and I feel AWESOME! Thanks so much!
I sometimes do times tables in my head, I also jump over every 5th square on the side walk. Oh, and I’ll play silly games like Thinking of a girls name for every letter of the alphabet, then a boys name, then a city etc, takes ages! :o)
whoho!! Good job!
I have no idea how people get out and start working out so fast! I need to EAT first thing in the morning. I need to feed my tummy and get some energy!
I love the rewording of the song. It could have been an awesome workout hit! Get Ke$ha on the phone! lol
I think of funny memories to keep myself entertained. Sometimes I’ll smile (or even laugh a bit) to myself. I’m sure my fellow worker-outers think I’m nuts!
LOL! That was too funny!
I posted last night about what I sometimes do while on the elliptical or treadmill: pop in an old Disney Sing Along Songs tape! :D I usually just mumble along or sing along in my head, but it makes time go by much quicker and makes the workout that much more fun. Actually, any classic Disney movie does the trick for me.
(Hey, my comment showed up! Guess it was just that one post, Angela!)
Those flower pics are gorgeous! Your smoothie is sooo green and so pretty! Love how you changed the lyrics around to motivate your run!
I’m actually having an amazing grass giveaway on my blog! http://roseyrebecca.com/2010/07/07/amazing-grass-giveaway/
Who knew you were a closet rapper!! I don’t really do anything to distract myself except listen to music – which occassionally involves me accidentally singing out loud!
OMG – That remake was EPIC! Thanks for the giggles. Sunday’s workout = Doble’s Quote! :-)
I have to constantly keep myself distracted when I run. As soon as I think “oh my gahhh I’m running and I’m in pain and miserable” and I stop immediately. I must keep myself busy! I can run for a long time as long as my mind is occupied. But as soon as I snap back to reality something sets in and I feel like I can’t run anymore. It is weird!!!
I do that with music (although my i-pod is in serious need of an update. I’m so sick of my music!), counting trees, choreographing dances in my head, counting my steps up to 10 over and over again, going over my to-do list in my head, just imagining different stories and scenarious…and whatever else I can do to take my mind off being out of breath, in pain, and not laying in front of the tv watching garbage reality shows.
I always think about winning the lottery when I am out running. It passes the time and makes me smile even if it is just a fantasy!
LOL I love making up crazy lyrics to songs in my head! I’m never quite clever enough with them to warrant sharing though! Ha! Just wanted to say I really enjoy your blog and you inspire me to keep moving! I love running and it’s great to read about someone who shares the passion!
your song made me die laughing. kesha is so good for running/dancing!
when i’m having a really tough run, i’ll put on super epic music and pretend i’m either in a music video, or going slo-mo in a running montage.
on the elliptical, i usually listen to upbeat poppy music, and i’ll sometimes pretend i’m at the bar dancing and having a good time with friends. but once i was listening to ‘sexy chick’ and i ended up actually dancing, hips and arms a’ swingin’. emmmmmbarrassing.
I wish I could fit in some exercise in the morning. It’d be great to get a run in before work! Unfortunately, I already have to wake up at 5am to get to work on time, so I’d have to get up at 4am or so, which isn’t happening. It’s hard enough to get up at 5! :)
I typically just listen to music or watch the TV, but if I think about it, and if I’m doing something less upper-body involved, I might read a magazine.
new favorite song! when will you be releasing your album ??? lol! that new glow bar looks terrific! please tell the flavor :) im dieing to know!!!
Haha love your running anthem. =P Music is key for me during any workout. For morning runs I love to get my dog excited early on so that even if I’m not motivated enough to go she won’t stop bothering me until we do. She also helps keep me going at a faster pace. She can easily do 8 miles with just one or two water breaks and still want to run more. Sometimes I’m so focused on her I forget I’m running. Gotta love that! lol
Wow, great run! It’s hard for me to take rest days sometimes, too.
I have been caught singing out loud and dancing. When I am on a twenty mile run sometimes the only thing to do is dance!
On a long run, I pretend that I am at the tail end of my marathon and I’m neck-n-neck for first place with Kara Goucher. I always win.
I read your anthem to my husband this morning, but I was laughing so hard I could hardly read it, I LOVE your posts, they are so motivating and make me realize I’m not the only crazy person when it comes to motivating myself to get going!!
Love the lyrics! I think I’ll try that when I am up running at 4:30 am and can’t quite seem to get motivated! Check out my brand new health & beauty blog http://www.runningwithmascara.com! Definitely going to keep reading this blog!
I read your blog and love it. I’ll be visiting it quite often as well because we have something in common, Running!!!
That is a great question! I actually love to skip, jump, run sideways and backwards, and run crazy like a kid would do! Kind of like the Friends episode where Rachel was imbarrassed to run with Feebee! lol Yep that’s me and I don’t care how crazy I look because I have so much energy and that is what my body craves and ultimately it burns a heck of a lot more calories and body fat than just simply running!
I should have someone tape me and put it on Youtube! Ahhhh the joys of running! :)
I love your song… so cute and fun! I sometimes try to lose myself in a deep thought… and that is usually a good way to make the time pass. If I’m having a tough session on the treadmill, I picture myself running the last mile (or half mile) of a race. I speed up, concentrate, and present that I’m actually running a race. All of a sudden, I focus on finishing strong, rather than just slogging through the last few minutes of my run. Sounds silly, but it works!
Hey Angela! You are soooo inspirational!!
On 7miler last weekend, i just repeated to myself “you are stronger than you think you are!”
And it totally worked! i ran a lot stronger than normal and finished without feeling weak.
Thanks so much!
Hey angela! My name is Ashley and you eats are so good! I’ve tried so many of your recipes and I can’t complain about one! Keep up your healthy balance of excersise and delicious food and I read your blog everyday! You inspire me so much to try new fantastic foods <3 check me out at chewingoncherries.wordpress.com
Ahhhh love your version of that song!
Great post. I’ve been waking up at 5:20 to run before the kids wake up and my husband goes to work. I always feel slightly melancholy leaving the house at that time but when I come back I feel AWESOME. I do have to go to bed a bit earlier to compensate but it’s totally worth it.
I also struggle with rest days too; they make me feel sluggish and cranky all day but I find that the day after a rest day I always have a fantastic workout and can go longer and faster. I guess they really are necessary.
Funny song! I’ve been using the Biggest Loser Wii game, which is entertainment all by itself. It kicks my butt, and gets me to do exercises I never would otherwise.
Awesome job on the morning run! I am always signing along to tunes when I head out for runs…..hehe quite embarassing really ;)
I listen to the Dirty Nasty song “My Dick” (it’s offensive and hilarious, youtube it!) on pretty much constant repeat while running. Although lately I’ve been running with the husband and he likes to chat.
I used to jog to music all the time but then my runner friend told me a scary story that a utility van pulled up right next to her and opened the door …she didn’t even hear them and took off running! I then decided i would stop using my ipod while running …and find that i really enjoy having quiet time with my thoughts :) Oh! And I wanted to tell you that I baked your coconut cherry banana bread, and it turned out pretty much amazing. We scarfed it down..so moist too! Look for it on my blog soon if you get a chance!
I love the Keisha remix! I’m such a dork that I’m often doing math in my head during my runs, math that has to do with running. Like, when I need to finish by to average a certain time per mile, etc.
I like listening to podcasts while I work out. Learning distracts me. I have absolutely no ability to zone.
I saw your post the other day when you said you hate chard. Have you ever tried putting it in a green monster? I’ve done that before and it works out well, just in case you get some more in your CSA. :)
I find myself singing…. out loud. Without even realizing it, I’ll see people glancing at me and realize that I’m singing along with whatever song I’m listening to. If I had a great voice… that would be one thing… however, I don’t. Ohhh well… whatever keeps me going!
Loved the Remix! I teach a hip hop class and that is my classes absolute favorite song to dance too! Whenever I am running, I think about a goal or something that is exciting coming up in my life and pretend like I am running to it. I got married about a month ago so all leading up to the big day I would pretend I was running right to my wedding! It would always make me smile!
I love your running song! I listen to music when I run, so that helps. I also try to focus on steady breathing, but sometime I wind up doing something lame…like counting as I run.
i love how you changed the lyrics to the song, its perfect! MUCH better than the original!
i sing to myself (usually in my head, so people don’t think i’m totally bonkers) but i change lyrics too, or just sing something else to the same tune. i do it all the time ha
Amazing song!
i just wanted to say i love you little song variation!!
AHHH
I love your remix of the song more than the original :)
I love reading your blog, every day it helps give me the perseverance to stay motivated and do fitness for fun and to stay fit, not to stay skinny
Gaaaaah! I love it! I hate Ke$ha but I LOVE your adaptation! I had a friend during high school field hockey who would run with me (we were both goalies, so we were both in our gear) and she would do funny arms throughout the entire run, mostly different swimming arms, but there were a few funky chickens if I remember correctly. Just found your blog and I’m loving it! I just linked your evolutionary psychology posts in an e-mail to my mom and aunties.
Rock on,
Caitlin
Your peanut butter looks so tasty. I’m always interested in trying new brands. What brand do you buy?
I often think about what I’m going to wear when I’m running, especially if I have an event that is going to require that I dress up. It makes things easier when I actually have to pack or get ready for the event and somehow really distracts me when I’m running up hills. Running with friends is always fun too because the conversation distracts me, and before I know, we’re done!
YES . . . totally love your transformed anthem!
This might show how much of a nerd I am, but when I run, I often listen to musicals and its like watching a movie in my head. Turn on rent from the beginning and I’m so absorbed in the story the time flys by! Also, Les Mis is awesome during some of the inspirational songs!
Found this blog and love it!
Love your anthem, too funny, way to rap girlfriend! I had always been a loner when it came to running and trained myself in all the races I ever ran, from 5k, 10k, 15k, half marathon to marathon, so listening to music was always my anthem and made me feel at ease so I could zone out. Once I dealved into the triathlonworld, most races don’t allow music, so I had to train without so I didn’t get spoiled with it. Well, now that I am back to training for marathon, I train once a week with a group and it’s kind of cool not to have music because the run goes by so quickly, especially those long ones coming up 10-24 milers….eeek! I run alone during the week and since I run at 5am in the dark, I’ve veered away from music for safety reasons and I also run with pepper spray. I miss it though and am thinking I may get back to it, just keep it low enough that I hear around me.
Endorphins rule!!!!