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Monday, March 10, 2008
Which Song gets you Over the Hump?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You’re on the final five miles of your long distance run and several hills lie ahead.
Which tunes carry you home? A little Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire?
With five miles left on my 15 mile run, this weekend, I called on da Lord with gospel tunes to help me over 12 more steep hills.
Yolanda Adams’ slow-paced song “The Battle is the Lord’s” pulled me up the most grueling hill.
And later Martha Munizzi’s hip song “Till the Walls Fall” spirited me on the final mile.
If I’m just cruising along, I enjoy R&B/Pop singer Robin Thicke’s tune “Everything I Can’t Have” or Joss Stone’s “Girl They Won’t Believe It.” Both songs have soulful beats that energize.
Send your favorite running tunes to me here.. We’ll share them with our readers. And please keep the helpful comments coming on the worst hills in metro Atlanta. We’re going to use them in a special package on “heartbreak hills.”
THIS WEEK’S LONG RUN
Yesterday’s 15-mile trek was tough compared to last week’s long run on the Silver Comet trail. I ran my normal route but it seems I’ll never get used to those hills. One part of the run includes a four-mile stretch on Huntcliff Trace in Sandy Springs. The road has at least 20 hills, counting both directions.
I told myself that I should be worn out.
While I struggled up one hill, a woman walked to the end of her driveway and encouragingly said, “Good for you” as I passed.
The run was also notable for another reason. I ran on the correct side of the road.
But get this, there was someone else running on the wrong side of the street. A man, who appeared to be an experienced runner, pushed an infant in a carriage.
A few seconds after I saw him again, about 20 minutes later, he crossed over to the correct side of the street.
For me, running on the right side of the road is going to take some getting used to. But it was nice to be able to run a little more in the street (until cars approach and I move to the edge of the road).
Several drivers waved.
Still I could see one driver jerk his steering wheel, because he didn’t see me until a few moments before he passed. And another driver seemed to toy with me by swerving towards and then away from me.
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING
To allow my legs to recover I’ll run five miles on the treadmill Tuesday and include upper body weight training. Wednesday and Thursday will be 5 to 6-mile runs outside and lower body weight training. Saturday is an 18-mile run.
MORE: State of the Art Marathon Training. USA Fit/Team Spirit Active Trainer. Peachtree Road Race. Road Rules. ING Georgia Marathon.
