That title just about says it all. But instead of just hammering out a list of songs, I’ve added how they make me feeeeeeel as I’m running down the street, all invincible ‘n’ shit.
1) Katy Perry’s Firework pulls me along the pavement, and I totally imagine fireworks flying outta my boobs and propelling me forward, which totally goes against the laws of physics, but WHATEVER. No sports bra could hold the love I have for a good run. Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon. Katy makes me feel so good about myself. I no longer feel like a plastic bag, drifting in the wind, cuz Baby, I’m a FIREWORK.
2) Pink’s Perfect is another song telling me how amazing I am. Perfect, even. I have this one on my running playlist 7 times so I hear it often. I’m kidding. I only have it on there once. Truth time: I think about my friends – how they are all beautiful and perfect to me. I know that sounds super corny, but I really have some wonderful people in my life and it’s a good thing they are all so fucking perfect. *wink*
3) Waka Waka by Shakira is one that makes me feel so stupidly worldly in my Small Town, Ontario, Canada. It’s a song we dance to in Zumba class and the dance is all bird arms and twirling and even though it looks like our whole class is in a tampon commercial, I really, really enjoy this song. Whatadork.
4) Work It Out by Lil Jon and Pitbull: I feel a little silly admitting this. But when this song comes on, I’m all HOUSEWIFE GANGSTA, running through the streets of Detroit, dodging bullets ‘n’ shit. Oh and I’m totally skinny in this daydream. Also, Lil Jon and Pitbull are chasing me cuz I’m so hot. WOW, I know. I have a wild imagination.
5) Go Girl by Pitbull is much the same as the last one, but this time, I’m like a running stripper, with huge knockers and a booty to kill. Pitbull is totally in my ear, telling me to work it and GO GIRL. So I GO. It’s a wonder I ever come home from these runs. They’re like a p0rn movie.
6) It is SO hard not to sing along to Only Girl (In the World) by Rihanna. All I can say about that is the only reason I don’t, is because I’m out of breath from running. But you should hear me in the car! Supastar!
7) The Club Can’t Even Handle Me Right Now by Flo Rida – this one has a great beat, and I totally brain-sing things like “This Town Can’t Even Handle Me Right Now,” “My Shoes Can’t Even Handle Me Right Now,” and “The Dog I Just Ran Past Can’t Even Handle Me Right Now, (but maybe he has rabies so I’m gonna run faaaaaaster…” I blame Stef for my love of this song. Stef can’t even handle me right now. I make her stop and stare as I zone out.
Pink is amazing, always. Raise Your Glass is one of my favorite songs by her and this one makes me all tough and strong and okay to be nerdy. It IS okay to be nerdy, yanno. Talk Nerdy to Me. *wink*
9) Hell by Tegan and Sara: you wanna pound some serious pavement at a high speed, without having to inject heroin? Play this. LOVE.
10)Bottoms Up by Trey Songz feat. Nicki Minaj – Nicki Minaj isn’t always as edgy as she tries to be, but this song makes me haul ass. It’s a good way to get through the last 1-2 kilometers when you just wanna put your foot-bottoms up, chow down on some cherry cheesecake and fall into a food coma. Plus Nicki Minaj’s gnarly deep voice in a couple of spots, makes me laugh. She’s pretty kick-ass in this song.
Sooo, now that you know I’m a weird-ass runner, what’s on your playlist? And why?
Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight.
I’ve been a working mom, a stay-at -home Mom, a work-at-home Mom, and now? I’m a student Mom, with a little over 2 years left before I’m a nurse.
I know busy.
Even when I was a stay-at-home Mom, I was involved in Parent Council, went for daily walks, and then started my web design business. I thrive on busy. When I have downtime, I knit, read, start home projects, or get outside and dig up dirt just to do something! I need to be busy!
Nowadays, mornings are hectic. When I first started school last September, it took some time to find my groove. I’ve learned to take a bit of time at night to make lunches, set out clothes, throw in a load of laundry, and set the dishwasher to run while we are sleeping.
The kids and I eat breakfast together most days. I set out my travel mug and get the kettle ready, so I just have to hit the button to boil it while we’re eating, then head out the door with my already packed lunch. The kids are set up much the same way – lunches into pre-packed backpacks, and off they go.
My kids are a little older, so they are quite self sufficient – the oldest sets his alarm and has a shower without any prompting. The little guy gets dressed and his teeth & hair done with my help.
After school, they each have a few chores they have to do, and it’s a rule in our house that the chores come first, before anything. They help a lot by getting their chores done. The kids and I do our homework together, at the dinner table, after dinner. It’s nice to start the day together and also have a family dinner.
On the weekends, I meal plan so the weeknights are easy peasy. I plan meals that are uncomplicated, hit all the food groups (most of the time), and it’s almost always something the kids will eat.
As for preserving my own sanity, I often joke that I run so I won’t yell at my kids. (That’s partly true – I AM more calm when I’m running regularly.) I also run so I can eat what I want to eat, for the most part. In short, I run to keep sane. My schedule right now is such that I can run 2-3 times a week before school and the weeknights that I didn’t run in the morning, I either hit a class at the gym, or take the day off. I try to also schedule a long run or workout on the weekends. In the summer, I play ball hockey, baseball, and ride my bike a lot.
I’m a better mom when I take care of myself.
I carry a water bottle everywhere so my water intake is not compromised with this go-go-go schedule, I try very hard to go to bed at a decent hour and I eat properly. I sing in the car all the way home from school – that is my alone time, my decompression. Corny, I know!
All these things manage to give me the ability to stay calm, handle anything that comes my way, and I find it really helps my memory for studying, as well.
I even chose an elective that allows me 3 hours a week to play with clay: ceramics. I love it! I go into the studio for extra time when I can, just to throw pots and chill out.
Life isn’t always perfect. There are nights that I’m so wiped, I grab a pizza and throw together a salad. I’m getting better at not trying to be Supermom – at allowing myself a break. I have a lot on my plate, and I don’t need that plate to break, yanno?
I’m learning that it makes no sense to beat myself up over the little things in life.
All in all – it’s a really, truly, wonderful life; and I’m very lucky to have great kids, and this opportunity to follow my dreams and become a nurse! I just have to stay organized, and continue to take care of myself the best I can.
Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.
Pink is amazing, always. Raise Your Glass is one of my favorite songs by her and this one makes me all tough and strong and okay to be nerdy. It IS okay to be nerdy, yanno. Talk Nerdy to Me. *wink*
