Oceans - Hillsong United

Matthew 14:28-29aNew International Version (NIV)

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

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Sanctus Real - Promises

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Quick Running Tip Tuesday - Multiple Playlists (2.28.12)

I'm really, really hoping to get off the DL (disabled list) this week.  For the past 14 days (counting today), I've been at a "run stop" while I'm waiting for this QT (quadriceps tendonitis) to clear up.  Right now, I have received the "go-ahead" from a doctor/runner friend, who has been helping me rehab my quad with some cross training a couple of mornings a week, to attempt a couple of short runs this week.  I'm hopeful...

One of the things that I have found helpful in running is music.  When I was in high school, I tried running a few times, mostly as conditioning for football or other sports.  I never really liked it... sadly.  I think part of it was the absence of music.  When I was in high school, portable, personal CD players were the cool item to own.  Unfortunately, many of them weren't good for running (you know the whole "CD skipping" thing isn't cool when you're trying to listen to something).  Thankfully Steve Jobs and others introduced us to the iPod.  I have an iPod shuffle that goes with me on every run. 

Since many of my runs are long and I run 4 or 5 days a week... I'm ALWAYS looking for fresh music.  The picture above is an actual screen shot image from my iTunes library.  I have created running playlists of music for almost every day of the week.  Each of those playlists contains different songs.  Only a couple of songs have crossed over into multiple playlists.  Additionally, "mega run" is a playlist containing all the songs from the various days for really long (20+ mile) runs and "rockin playlist" is something that I keep for those times when I really need a driving song to get me going. 

Why do this?
Because it keeps the music fresh.  I don't hear the same songs day after day after day.  Some of the songs in these playlists have been in my playlist since I started running 2 1/2 years ago.  But only having them up for a listen once or twice a week keeps them fresh. 

Additionally, I'm always looking for fresh tunes... and adding them to whichever day's playlist is the shortest (since I usually listen to my music on shuffle, songs at the end of the playlist have an equal opportunity). 

It's just a simple tip that keeps me going... because while I'm running, music keeps me going. 

What keeps you going?  Additionally... what songs keep you going (if you listen to music)?  Feel free to add comments below.

Keep running friends!
JC


Disclaimer (if you're into that sort of thing): Jim is not a professional runner nor is this blog endorsed by any company.  These thoughts are merely the thoughts and experiences on one runner.  What works and what doesn't work from a practical level.  Jim hasn't set any records, but he's run a few races (Marathon: 4h 22m / Half-Marathon: 2h 3m / 5k: 22m 57s) and he's been around the block!

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SWITCHFOOT - DARK HORSES

Sweet new video from Switchfoot off their sweet new album Dark Horses!

Watch it HERE!

Jim



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The Newsboy is back!!! Peter Furler - Reach (music video)

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Free Music... Derek Webb - Stockhold Syndrome

I love music!!!

Especially free music!!!!

So I was excited when I saw and heard that I could download the new album from Derek Webb - Stockholm Syndrome (HERE). That's awesome. At first, I thought I was just getting a track. Then after it took 5 minutes to download and I opened it, I realized that it was the whole album!

Sweet.

To get it, you've got to hook them up with some information. You've gotta give them your email address (where you'll get a code in a few minutes) and then either tweet about it or post it on your facebook page. But in my opinion, that's a small price to pay for a free album.

Check it out (HERE)!!!

Jim

TobyMac's new album "Tonight"!!!

It's been a while since I've been this excited about a new album...

But TobyMac's new album "Tonight" is awesome!!! (Pick up your copy of the deluxe edition HERE.)

I have always enjoyed Toby's music... but these tracks are so diverse in style. It's certainly his best work!!!

Good job Toby (not like you needed my encouragement...)!!! Keep turning out the awesome music!!

Jim

Coldplay - Strawberry Swing video in chalk...

This Coldplay video is pretty sweet... and creative...

Jim

Check it out HERE.

What I'm listening to...

I picked up a couple of brand new albums yesterday... Today, I'm listening to them and enjoying them. Here's what I'm listening to:

• Downhere: Ending Is Beginning (click HERE to download)
• Lincoln Brewster: Today Is The Day (click HERE to download)
• Rush of Fools: Wonder of the World (click HERE to download)
• Nevertheless: In the Making (click HERE to download)

It's early yet... but so far I'm really liking what I'm hearing from Nevertheless and Downhere (Downhere was at FVCC in May).

Jim

FREE Phil Wickham

I like FREE.

Especially when it comes to music.

I saw on a friend's blog that you could pick up a FREE Phil Wickham album... "Singalong"... just by signing up for his newsletter. Again, I like FREE. So I downloaded it. It's pretty cool.

If you would like to get it on your iPod... Check it out HERE.

Jim

MercyMe - 'Hymned Again' Pre-Sale

I love it when for whatever reason Blogger/YouTube/Al Gore (Internet's self-proclaimed inventor) won't allow me to post videos from YouTube to my blog. It's very frustrating.

But, any how... until someone gets their act together or the stopgap is removed... Check out THIS VIDEO from MercyMe.

Sorry for the inconvenience of not being able to embed them here for whatever reason.

Jim

Ever had one of those times...

... when you were ready to get some work done... but every song that came on the iPod/radio/etc was too good to turn down so that you could start working??? I had one this morning...

-The Wallflowers... "One Headlight"
-Switchfood... "Awakening"
-Five for Fighting... "100 Years"
-Day of Fire... "Run"

Wonder what's next??

Jim

Shawn McDonald - Roots!!!

Last night I happened to be browsing the iTunes store on my phone and noticed that Shawn McDonald has a new album out called "Roots." (Click here to visit iTunes and have a sample listen.)

I got hooked on Shawn McDonald back when he released "Live from Seattle." So when I saw that, I had to grab it. I love to be able to download music directly over the Internet (through iTunes... legally of course) with the touch of a couple of keys. That's so great.

This morning while I've been catching up on my blog (HERE and HERE), I've been giving it a listen. So far, what I've heard I like! Check it out for yourself.

DC Talk download!!!

I have always been a huge fan of dctalk. I was even in the mosh pit when they visited Bristol on the Jesus Freak Tour. Oh, what a night that was!!!

I would love for them to put out a fresh album. I have loved the solo stuff, but it would be great to have some collaboration stuff. I have loved Tait's efforts... I've seen him a couple of times in concert and can't wait for a new album. I have loved Toby's stuff... it's great. But I haven't really gotten into KMax's stuff. It just really hasn't wet my whistle.

But his latest album, is called "The Blood." It's still early to know for sure if I'll pick up the whole album. But thanks to a tip from Corry Mann, there is a dctalk song on the new album... It's called "The Cross." I just downloaded it... well worth the buck... and its just making me want a dctalk album more.

Jim