My journey back into running continues. After nearly a decade of keeping it to walking, I’ve decided to pick up the pace and run again. This has not been without its struggles, including an intense bout of plantar fasciitis and multiple trips to the chiropractor to get my legs and feet dry needled to relieve pain. I’m happy to report, I’m persevering.
Recently I realized a major component missing from my new running routine—an epic playlist! I feel like anyone who runs casually knows the value of a carefully curated playlist. I should pause here for two points. 1. Intense runners who do marathons and shit and are the poster children for the sport, don’t need no stinking playlist. They just get it done! Not to say they might not listen to music, it’s just not critical. This bitch NEEDS it. 2. When I say that I run, it really resembles more of a pained-looking trot. This body was not built for speed.
It was on a trip with my husband that I began to compile my playlist to pass the time in the car. I squealed in delight a few times from my choices before Brett finally asked me what the hell I was doing. The conversation went something like this:
B: What are you up to?
Me: Making a new running playlist.
B: Really? What songs do you have on there?
Me: The new live version of Whiskey River by Chris Stapleton, Stacked Actors by the Foo Fighters, Hash Pipe by Weezer, Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes…
At this point he interrupted me.
B: Are you fucking crazy?
Me: What are you talking about? Those are great songs. This playlist rocks hard!
B: Exactly! You’re going to kill yourself! You aren’t in your 30s anymore. Seven Nation Army will be the death of you. (Insert me giving him the stink eye here.)
Needless to say, I was greatly offended by this evaluation of my choices. What was I supposed to be running to at age 49? The Carpenters? Fuck him. I continued on and created a stellar playlist. This was going to take my running to the next level!
It all started out fairly well. It’s winter and I don’t do cold weather, so I was running on the treadmill. I will not run outside until the temperature reaches at least 50 degrees. With treadmill running, the speed is obviously regulated. So, when Dave Grohl started yelling, I was enthusiastic, but did not go crazy.
Well, here in Kentucky we’ve started to see a few spring-like days, so I’ve taken it to the streets. It’s been a little dicey. I’m not going to lie. I’ve noticed I start out fairly under control, but at one point this week when my girl Tina decided to take it nice and rough in Proud Mary, I thought I might be having a heart attack.
I’ve been married for nearly 29 years. We all know the last thing someone who has been in a relationship that long wants to do is acknowledge their spouse might be correct. In fact, I refuse to admit defeat.
I’ve kept the rocking tunes on my new playlist, but I have gone back in and strategically placed some slower numbers as to not put myself in the hospital. I’m not happy about this turn of events. I’m also not ready to die. The truth of the matter is, I’m nearly 50, have nothing to prove and I’m not trying to win any races. I basically just run so I can drink wine.
You can follow me on social @kyspiritsgal and check out my pervious blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com. Cheers!
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
