This is who I really am.

This week's Music Monday is "Life Must Go On" by Alter Bridge. The thing I love about Alter Bridge is that their songs have a lot of emotion to them. Myles Kennedy writes in the same way that Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace that really hits every part of me. There are songs about dealing with loss, addiction, determination and depression. Some songs are heavier than others. Some are deeper than others. This song is very deep and yet not really heavy musically. I think Myles is just an amazing songwriter and has a voice that can reflect all of the emotions that are in his lyrics. I picked this song for a friend that I haven't been in touch with lately. This person is going through a rough time right now. Someone that always seemed so strong living a nightmare and struggling to handle everything. I'm sure this person is strong enough to endure. In fact I know it. But sometimes even the strong need to reminded that they can get through anything.

This week's Music Monday is "Bleed It Out" by Linkin Park. While I'm not a big Linkin Park fan, I really love this song. It's one of my favorite songs on my workout and running playlists. When this song comes on during a workout or a run I get a little extra adrenaline going. For me it's about going really hard and putting everything you've got into what your doing. It's not particularly fast or heavy but the clapping and the chanting chorus of "I bleed it out, digging deeper just to throw it away" give it a ton of energy. This is really great for my speed workouts. That's when I tend to go "harder". That's when I put the most work in. If you know me as a runner you know I'm hell bent on getting faster every day. Right now I'm working really hard in the gym with workouts from my trainer/pal Kate, so if you see me at the gym clapping and chanting to myself you know what song I'm listening to - "G...

This week's Music Monday is a triple feature. Perfect song for my problem..... What should happen. (Minus the violence of course).... What will likely happen. (It always does)...... So, the dilemma is that there is an issue. Probably just a simple miscommunication. Do I stand up and fight because I know I am not wrong? Or do I give up just like I always have? Giving up has always made everything better. But when is it time to say "enough is enough"?

This week's Music Monday is "Coeur d'Alene" by Alter Bridge. This song is about a lake near where the lead singer Myles Kennedy lives. It's a place where he goes to get away from everything and find peace. Listening to it makes me think about the place I go to "get away". That place for me is a long run. A long run for me is ten miles or more. There is something therapeutic about a long run. I can work out a lot of problems when I am out there. I know I am gonna be by myself for at least an hour and a half. I can do a lot of thinking.....or I can think about nothing. I can always tell when I need a long run. I get really frustrated easily, very irritable. I know my mind needs it even more than my body. Right now I have a something that is really bothering me. Something that I am dealing with internally that I haven't told anyone about. Right now I need a long run. I know that when I get one in I will hopefully get some clarity on the issu...

For all of my runner friends and friends that workout a lot I have some advice for you: HYDRATE! HYDRATE! HYDRATE! I have friends, and a wife, that don't drink enough water. You people are crazy! I try to carry a bottle of water with me everywhere. You need to drink water most of the day. I start drinking water as soon as I get up. If you are a runner you should try wearing a hydration belt. There are several different kinds. This is the one I wear:   I actually found it for $20 at T.J. Maxx. That is half the price they are usually. The price is worth it to get a good one even if you don't find it on sale.   With it still being hot outside you have to make sure you are hydrated BEFORE you go out and run. Take care of yourselves. And stay thirsty my friends.      

This week's Music Monday is my playlist from my most recent race, the Celebrate Munford 5K. This is something that I've wanted to do for a while. I mention in these posts from time to time about songs being on a playlist. I thought I would write about my playlist for my most recent 5K. I am starting this post a few days before the race. I am giving the details of why and how I chose these songs. After the race I will go back and finish the post with how the songs affected me. When I make a playlist for a race like this I try to do a few things: have a song to warm up with, songs that push me to run harder, and a song for how I feel once I have finished the race. The songs build up from "slower" to "insane". Here goes: 1. "Where Are You" - Our Lady Peace I chose this song to warm up with. Most times I'll go with a song that has a lot of "swagger". Something that kinda conveys a sense of confidence. Usually a rap song like the W...

This Week's Music Monday is "My Own Summer" by the Deftones. This is where it all started. This is the first Deftones song I ever heard back in 1997. This is my all-time favorite song. This song is why the Deftones are my favorite band. My dog's name is Chino after the lead singer Chino Moreno. This song is my ringtone. If I could somehow make it happen this song would play anytime I walk into a room kinda like a WWE entrance theme. The first time I heard this song I knew right away that this is my kind of music, this is my kind of band. You can't find a hard rock band out there right now that doesn't give props to the Deftones for being a band they were influenced by. At the time Linkin Park was becoming a big deal they were playing on a tour with Metallica, Limp Bizkit and the Deftones. For some stupid reason the Deftones played before Linkin Park. And sure enough Linkin Park gave props to the Deftones and covered this song. The one time I saw ...