It’s Playlist Thursday! And this week’s theme? Songs to cool down to. Often if I sit too long during cool down listening to these I’m tempted to just curl up where ever I am. Office fitness center, side of the road, my car.

Here’s how Playlist Thursday works. I’ve got three songs for you; one in each of the following categories.
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year.
Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever.

Something Old

Artist: Little Big Town
Title: Bring it on Home
Side Note: I just love the harmonies and that deep down slow twang
Quotable: “When your long day is over, and you can barely drag your feet, the weight of the world is on your shoulders. I know what you need, bring it on home to me”

Something Current (I cheated. It’s 18 months old. Sue me)

Artist: Brad Paisley
Title: This is Country Music
Side Note: I just love Brad Paisley. It starts out slow, has an excellent message, but then at the end you get this little pump up. It’s just enough to get up off the floor from cool down and get on with the rest of what is left of my day. (I picked the video below because it also shows why I love Brad Paisley and his music. Plus that man can play)
Quotable: “This is country music, and we do”. Especially the first time he sings this line and then the beat after.

Something to Consider

Artist: Richard and Linda Thompson
Title: Dimming of the Day
Side Note: This song is so fluid and so relaxing. And I know it from the soundtrack to the Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and is played during such a poignant moment. (This video is a little odd and I didn’t watch the whole thing. But it has the closest sound to the version that I listen to)
Quotable: “You pulled me like the moon pulled on the tide”

And there you have it. Now I want a nap.

A couple weeks ago, I had a little breakdown. It was nothing major but I was having myself quite the pity party and couldn’t keep it all together. And a very smart lady listened, gave me a hug, and told me to get a grip. A little harsh? Maybe. But she was right. I can’t say that I have the best grip on everything yet. But I’m working on it. And it’s improving. This same smart lady (Ok. It was my Mom. Moms always have the answers) pointed out that I had been much happier when I was eating well and running. And again, she was right. I’m working very hard at recommitting to all the healthy habits I had last fall. This means 5 things.
1) I can’t say yes every time a co-worker says “want to grab a drink?”, no matter how good of an idea it sounds like at 5pm. It rarely is. And when it is a good idea it’s because it isn’t 4 nights in a row. The challenge comes in because I like the people I work with. Were all getting beat up professionally and going out to blow off steam together sounds like a solid plan. But we sit around and most rehash everything going on. And it’s draining. Not in a these-people-are-ridiculous-and-why-am-I-here kind of way. It’s draining in a we-can’t-get-over-this-because-all-we-do-is-live-it-during-the-day-and-relive-it-at-night way. And that’s no bueno for my mental, emotional, or physical health. And it’s definitely unhealthy for my bank account. Already in the past week I’ve said no three times. And yes once. Two weeks ago it would have been yes all 4 times. Plus we do talk about other stuff and that is usually hilarious. So one night is a good compromise for my weeknight rest day.
2) I need to go to bed at the same, reasonable hour every night. I was going to bed anytime between 11:30 and 1:30. I need 7-8 hours of good sleep. If I get up at 7 it’s only the nights that I go to bed before 12 that have a remote chance of being enough. And even on those nights I’m not asleep by 12. I’m watching Netflix. Or checking twitter. Or tumblr. No more. Screens off at 10. I can read or write or hum to myself. But that’s it.
3) I need to stick to Weight Watchers. I just do.
4) This training plan owns my life. During the 24 week plan we’re allowed 6 blow off days. 6. And they can’t be used for Sunday’s long runs. And it icludes sick days. Traveling to cousin Christmas on a Sunday? Gotta find an hour to run. Supposed to be somewhere right after work on Tuesday? Waking up early for a run or have a RUNch. Got a case of the Mondays? Too bad. Get thy derriere to the gym, on the bike, and lifting weights.
5) Have some fun. Whether it’s running with friends. Finding a goofy winter hat to train in. Reading a hilarious runner blog. Inviting co-workers over for dinner. Something. Something that’s not sitting at a bar or restaurant griping. We’ve got it good. We have jobs, homes, friends, and our health. We need to laugh more. Laughing is the very best part of life. And I’m doing it enough.

Hearts and lifestyle changes