Sarastotle is the resident runner of the Players of Prince Arthur, but I am slowly being drawn into the world of running. Turns out, I’m awful at it. No wonder I get winded when I try to climb up the stairs to third floor of the Arts Building (I swear each of those steps are a couple millimetres too high); I have no lung capacity, no stamina! How do I even manage to lug the weight of my body around? This is all going to change this summer. I have a running plan and I’m sticking with it (I had a running plan last summer and I did not stick to it, but shush about that), and I’m even dragging my brother into it too. Three times a week, we’ll be shuffling around the high school track in our hometown. Maybe we’ll even throw some push-ups and sit-ups in at the end of each run. I kinda want some six-pack abs!
Even though I’m not particularly good at it, I find running to be one of the most fun solo sports activities to do in a city. It can be cheap–all you really need are a pair of decent running shoes, and an old T-shirt. Remember to stretch and do a five-minute brisk warm-up walk!
Highlights of running:
5. Sunshine!
4. Fresh air!
3. Nodding ‘sup to other runners in solidarity.
2. Acceptable situation in which to wear tights as pants! Shazam! Look at dem legs!
1. Play-list making!
Speaking of playlists, I made a new playlist to start the running season (defined as: whenever it gets warm enough to brave the air in just my McGill sweatshirt). I listen to a mix of total garbage (as well as Garbage, good band), stuff my parents play on the radio, and the free iTunes Song(s) of the Week(s), and it shows in my running playlists. Throughout the winter, I listened to the same sappy Beyoncé song at least a hundred times in a playlist of about five songs that were equally well-played. It’s not like I have a diminutive iTunes library; I stocked that thing well with my parent’s CD collection. I just really, really love sappy Beyoncé numbers and/or any song that has rhythmic clapping and gospel choirs. If I ever become a recording artist, that’s what all my songs are going to be like.
Playlist 1: SPRING RUNNING TUNES
Length: about 50 minutes
(no particular order)
1. Countdown – Beyoncé
Let’s get this little number out of the way, to start.
2. Annie You Save Me – Graffiti6
Whatever radio station the grocery store in my hometown plays, they LOVE this song. It’s always playing when I go grocery shopping.
3. Girl on Fire (Inferno Version) – Alicia Keys (feat. Nicki Minaj)
This is about as much rap as I can handle.
4. Lonely Boy – The Black Keys
Are the Black Keys hip? I’m kind of out of the loop. I like this one because I can head-bang to it if there are no other runners gawking at me.
5. Bulletproof – La Roux
I danced in a field in first year to this song when the promised Beatles tribute band didn’t show up.
6. The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
EMBARRASSING, I KNOW. HEY, AT LEAST IT’S NOT T-SWIFT (she’s for when we’re hand-washing dishes).
7. We Are Young – Fun. (feat. Janelle Monáe)
My mom likes this song too. She tells me about these guys and Bruno Mars now, all the time since the Grammys.
8. Half Light II (No Celebration) – Arcade Fire
Super-long screechy violin build-up is great for trying to run up hills (like if you’re trying to climb up Mount Royal).
9. Your Man – Down With Webster
I like this song solely for a single lyric about halfway through: “Got a crush like an empty soda can.” BRILLIANT.
10. Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) – Kelly Clarkson
I got a free gift card for iTunes when I was about 13 for buying a pair of jeans, and I spent it immediately on a Kelly Clarkson song. I had the whole music library of the world to choose from, and I chose a Kelly Clarkson song. I knew then I had no taste. My Kelly Clarkson collection continues to grow.
11. Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men
Good pace for slow jogging.
13. Cerahtonia – Fibes, Oh Fibes!
I have a friend who is on exchange in Sweden this year, and she is on a radio show through her university there. They play great music and have great discussions! You can hear podcasts of the episodes here: <https://www.facebook.com/InternationalRadioExposeYourselftoSwedishCulture>. Anyway, this was played during one of the radio shows, and it’s my favourite random-dance-party-must-dance-now song. Very upbeat, great for running.
Happy running!
Players of Prince Arthur 