I find it hard to believe that I used to never workout with music. Now, I’m obsessed! Awhile ago, I transferred a bunch of music to our iPhone for me to use during my workouts. For the longest time I just let the songs play on shuffle. That got annoying really fast. How is it that with over 150 songs it seems the same 20 get played over and over again? I ended up always having to mess with my iPhone mid-run to get something new.

So, I took matters into my own hands. I went through and organized my music into a bunch of mini-playlists by genre. Things like “Upbeat Girly” (Katy-Perry-esque), “Old Rock” (Aerosmith-esque), “Glee” (it gets its own category), “Lady Gaga” (she does too), “Teeny Bopper” (Taylor-Swift-esque), “Christian” (Relient-K-esque), and more.

Then I added another playlist entitled “Mini Workout”. Before every workout, I clear out the songs from this playlist and then go through and add 1 or 2 songs to it from all my genre playlists. This helps me pick what I’m in the mood to listen to each workout and rotate out my music so I don’t get bored. Plus, I get a nice little mix of things every workout. My recent playlist featured the following songs I am currently obsessed with:

Katy Perry’s Firework

Seriously – obsessed with this one right now. It pumps me up!!!

David Crowder Band’s Like A Lion

I love inspirational songs like this to keep me going strong.

Aerosmith’s What It Takes

This is my favorite Aerosmith song for some reason. I heart Steven Tyler!

Kelly Clarkson’s Don’t Let Me Stop You

Can you tell I like girly music?

Glee’s version of Gives You Hell

I’m a total Gleek. I own it.

P!nk’s F***ing Perfect

Once again..can you tell I like girly music?

Question of the Evening – What songs are you currently obsessed with? How do you manage your workout playlists?

I continue to fall in love with running! Last night, I completed my next Couch to 5K workout and finished 2.57 miles in about 28 minutes.

I even oopsied and did one running interval over twice as long because I couldn’t see the time on my screen and was just in a groove. Amazing how time flies on a run when you’re into a song and into a groove!

I have also been loving the weather recently!

It’s been like that all this week and the forecast shows weather similar to this for the foreseeable future. I’m in love! Can it last pretty please?

The weather has certainly warranted getting outside as often as possible. I have enjoyed daily walks with the kiddos – Makenzie in her stroller and Baby B in his little carrier pouch with a blanket. 

Walking along and playing “I Spy” with Makenzie and glancing down to baby B’s cute face always puts me in such a good mood. Wouldn’t it make you smile?

For one of our walks we went up to the local Greenway path and it actually got me craving a Couch to 5K session outdoors. I think once I get to longer run intervals, and if the weather stays this nice, I may just do that. I know I want to get used to running outdoors some before that 5K race I’m working towards in April.

Although there is certainly a lot about running I will have to learn. Fortunately, I have you all to turn to for suggestions! So, today I will start with one of the simple ones – gear!

What is your favorite gear for running outdoors? Here are some things I have picked up from you all so far as useful and I could see myself using if I continue falling in love with running and do decide to continue:

Garmin 205

Peter actually found a deal for one for about $100 and I think he wants to get it. He is all about finding deals for electronic trinkets. I definitely think I would use this to help with pacing myself! I don’t know if it would be necessary but I wouldn’t mind having that extra tool that’s for sure.

Arm Band or Pouch?

Running = music. I have learned quickly how much that helps. I use an iPhone for my music and have no clue how I would keep up with it. Holding it on outdoor runs seems…annoying. So which is more comfortable to running? The arm bands? Or I’ve heard of little pouches where you can also store a key, fuel, ID, money, or phone. Another question – what’s good to even take on runs?! [Please note: The iPhone is not my phone. We’re cheap and I have an old school phone with no data plan. The iPhone is a disconnected one Peter took from a friend to fiddle around with and that I can use for music. I’m not even kidding.]

Camelbak

If I DO get into running and end up doing any longer distances, I have a feeling I will want one of these babies. Yet again, the thought of carrying water sounds…annoying. Added bonus? We could use it when we hike!

Running Fuel

Gus, Shot Blocks, SportsBeans, Gatorade, dried fruit, and even candy. So. Many. Options. I’ve got a long way to go before I need to worry about that though.

These are obviously all things I would not need to worry about until more solidly into running – although, let’s face it, that love affair has already begun. I mainly want to stay on top of the game with my running (ha! pun intended!) mental lists. Plus, its fun! I already get excited thinking about my next Couch to 5K session, trying outdoor runs, and learning more about it all.

So, you tell me…what gear do you find helpful? And if not a runner, any gear you must have for your workouts like a HR monitor? I must have my spin shoes when taking spin classes!