The headaches are gone, which is nice. The motivation and desire to stay focused are strong, which is even nicer. But my physical strength and endurance is lacking. Woefully lacking. Last week, I ran easily through the first 10 minutes of my runs, struggled for the next five minutes, and then wrestled with my legs to keep them moving while I sucked air for the last 10. I know my strength and endurance will improve as I continue to run, but I thought I’d give my stamina a boost by adding a little strength training to this routine. Since I’m only running 3 days a week, I thought I’d do some kind of cross-training, strength-training activity on the days I don’t run.
There’s no smooth transition to this next paragraph. In fact, there’s no smooth transition from that last sentence to what I want to talk about next. So, I’m just going to say this: I love the new Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa CD: Don’t Explain. I’ve become a huge Beth Hart fan these last two years. Her soulfully rich, edgy voice sings to me. I’m equally enamored by Joe Bonamassa. I watched a concert of his on the Palladia channel one night and was blown away by his playing. Needless to say, I was over the moon when I heard they put out a CD. I haven’t been back to this stratosphere since listening to it. I’d highly recommend this CD to any blues fan out there. One of my favorite songs on this CD is “I’d Rather Go Blind,” an old Etta James song. Hart brings something more gripping and compelling to this song than James’ did, if that’s even possible. Although Hart and Bonamassa’s version is one of my favorites on the CD, it’s not on my running playlist on my iPod. It’s too slow and bluesy. When I run I need something a little more upbeat. So, I have “Chocolate Jesus” instead.
This, too, is a great song. And who hasn’t skipped mass on Sunday to go to the candy store? I know I have. I used to go to Super America (Kenosha’s version of 7-11) and buy a Boston Cream donut. I’d then ride my bike down to Lake Michigan, sit on the rocks, and eat my donut. That lake and those donuts and the rocks were my very own chapel where I could satisfy my soul.
Here are my stats for the week:
Ran 25 mins (M, W)
Ran 2 miles (Sa)
