This morning I arrived more tired than usual to this:
An empty gym as its usual goers are most likely still on vacation. At least I get my pick of dreadmills.
Despite my envy and grogginess, I hopped on and prepared to pound out seven easy miles. I trotted along as usual, flipping between the pre-selected channels and wishing that I could choose my own. Boredom was looming. But then, around mile five, it hit me. You know, that something special that we running junkies seek for with every step we take. It makes every missed moment of sleep worth it. It makes every mile mean that much more. You know…runner’s high. This time, I can attribute this moment of glory to an unusual suspect: Florence & The Machine.
Yes, you’ve heard them before and one song specifically: Dog Days Are Over. Still not sure? Here’s a hint: it was on every frickin’ commercial for Eat, Pray, Love. Ahhhhh, yes, now you remember? Good.
Well this little bad boy was added to the running playlist a couple of months ago and I highly recommend you do as well. Sure, it’s different. It doesn’t have the club-pounding-Ke$ha-LadyLookAtMe-beats, but what it does have is even better. The song starts out slowly and beautifully, leaving one to wonder how it would ever become a decent running jam. But as the song builds, it burst into the chorus with a type of striking energy that can only propel one forward. Add in the lyrics, “So you better run, run fast for your mother, run fast for your father, run for your children, for your sisters and your brothers…” and I can’t imagine how you wouldn’t want to be sprinting this one in!
So back to my story…there I was, mile five, thinking about the day ahead of me when Florence & The Machine comes on. Trust me, I realize the uber-cheesiness of this statement, but as it played it was almost as if a complete sense of fulfillment overwhelmed me. A ridiculous smile spread across my face and up, up, up went the speed of the treadmill. The runner’s high was there and it had me on the verge of tears (happy ones of course). At that exact moment you reflect on life and how lucky you are to have the ability to run. It reminded me of how thankful I am to be a runner, what I can accomplish with it and the pure happiness it gives me to get out there run, every single day.
Happy running!
—————–
Day 2: 7.1 miles, fast finish, dreadmill
Love this story. Oh, and that song, wonderful for running. It always picks me up!
I found your blog through the eyed runner’s blog & I LOVE this post!! It’s amazing how a good song like that can all of the sudden make the crappiest run ever end amazingly. I’m going to have to add Dog Days to my running playlist. I love it, but haven’t ever ran to it!
I love that song! Definitely a happy one 🙂 Way to get some miles in on the treadmill!
Great post! I’ve found that the times that the runners high feeling comes on usually happens when you are in great shape and feel invincible during training. And having a great song to listen to can only heighten the feeling, haha Florence and the Machine is a great band!
I love that song!! And thanks – you just reminded me I need to sync my iPod after a few recent purchases. 😉
thanks for the motivation… going to hop on treadmill NOW! xoxo
Yes! I have been meaning to download the song, thanks for reminding me 🙂 Another similar, slow build, inspiring song is “Lovers in Japan” by Coldplay. I know it sounds weird, but it’s great!!
PS great Dreadmill run!! 5 is usually my max, except when I did a long run there once and I kept hoping from T-Mill to T-Mill in the gym, people thought I was nuts 🙂
You have some real mental strength to face a row of those! lol
I love your writing style 🙂 Great blog here!