Play List – 121 Days Left

I do not have anything super motivational this morning, or at least an attempt at super motivational. Today I am writing this for purely selfish reasons! This weekend marks 4 months until my first marathon race. I realize that thousands of people complete marathons every year, so this is nothing special. However, it does mark for me a key measurable result that I set for myself on a future vision session I had almost a year ago. So I am really preparing, making sure I run at my best level on that day. I have many other race events leading up to the marathon and I have found this crucible strangely enjoyable. This brings me to play lists.

Part of my training has been to slow increase my pace per mile on a long run. The main path to this has been losing weight. Seems like every 20 lbs, I shed a minute of my mile pace. I guess carrying around less weight is a lot easier! I have broken my marathon pacing into 6 mile increments. Figuring 4 – 6 mile increments leads to 24 miles with 2.2 left at the end. To aid in my pacing training, I am in the process of compiling play lists on my phone to coincide my timing right at each 6 mile mark. An inspiration this morning gave me this idea. Here is my plan:

1st 6 Miles – My Personal Play List
2nd 6 Miles – A Play List Recommendation from my friend Ben who co-founded 365 Commitment
3rd 6 Miles – A Play List Recommendation from my wife/kids
4th 6 Miles – A Play List Compiled from Recommendation from Readers of the 365 Blogs and my Work Colleagues
Last 2.2 Miles – A few select songs to celebrate putting a dagger into the heart of my old self.

The play lists are songs that that are the most powerful, uplifting, motivating songs that those people can think of. What is the 1 song that wakes you up and gets you going? What is the song that can wake you up on a long boring drive? What is the song that will pick up your spirit no matter how hard it is right now? What song is full of energy, excitement and passion for life?

I am asking you for a recommendation! I am going to dedicate the last 6 mile segment to this list from people that actually read these blogs/emails. What song do you insist must be on my marathon play list? Email me, or reply to this post.

P.S. This was a subtle way to emphasize one of the powerful tools that help me keep on track with my daily commitments – music!

Guy Reams
365 Alumni
121 Days Left to 1st Marathon