Tonight's run was mostly sponsored by the 80s

So tonight I began week 4 of my training regime - running for 5 minute intervals. The most amazing thing to me is how quickly I am improving. Week 1 of the regime was hard. Really hard. And I was only running for 60 seconds at a time. Tonight I ran for 5 minutes, walked for 2, ran for 5 etc, until I'd reached half an hour. And I managed it without too much trouble. Week 4 was easier than week 1! Who'd have thought it possible? Still a long way to go though and it's never more apparent than when obviously good runners sprint past me at about 5 times the speed I'm going at.



I feel properly tired tonight. But it also felt amazing doing that last 5 minute run. With 10 seconds to go my calf muscles were absolutely burning; I was panting like crazy and my hair was all stuck down with sweat. But I literally wanted to punch the air with both fists as I did those last few seconds, because I'd actually completed it, and I could have kept going for longer...I really could. I didn't punch the air though because I had a dog lead in one hand and an ipod in the other - which leads me to the subject of this post: music to run to.

There are some songs which are utterly brilliant to keep step with. The type of songs you can do your hoovering to and that stick a little extra spring in your step.
I've been adding to a playlist every week since I started and I'm at the stage now that I skip over certain tracks and run like mad to others.

Great running tracks that spur me on:
Don't Stop Believing - Journey AND the Glee version
You Are My World - The Communards
I Feel Love - Bronski Beat
She's A Maniac (Michael Sembello - from the film Flashdance)
Total Eclipse Of The Heart - Bonnie Tyler
Like A Prayer - Madonna

Rubbish running tunes that were good to begin with but I now skip over:
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me - Dusty Springfield (it's a cracking karaoke tune but is just not so good for keeping a steady pace too)
One Love - U2 (I've realised I pretty much hate Bono)
Without You - Nilson (More of a mascara thinner than a running tune)

All of my top tunes are from the 80s - even Like A Prayer. If anyone can recommend any other good tunes for me then please send them my way. They help me haul myself around the park just that little bit easier.