Songs and Surprises

As I near the end of this pregnancy and the beginning of who knows what in the wild world of motherhood, I am forced to slow down.  I allow it too, knowing that it is best for my body as it gets ready to have this baby girl.  I still try to get my hour of exercise a day, but it is usually walking and swimming these days.  I've let running go and been at peace with it (mostly) because when it is uncomfortable the desire is not there.  I mean, I remember flying across the pavement unhindered by a protruding belly or an extra 20 pounds and I miss that, but since it is not the reality of today, I am okay with it. 

Mostly...

Until I download some new songs and they make me want to move my feet to the beat and get my boogey on.  Yesterday I decided I was definitely in need of some new tunes.  As my tiredness increases and motivation wanes, new tunes are sometimes what get me out the door and help me keep a good walking pace as well.  I love losing myself in a good song!

The first time I got to listen to them was on the treadmill at the YMCA.  I was planning to meet two friends to swim, but I hadn't walked that morning due to the rain.  It rained pretty steady most of the day, so I decided I'd hop on the treadmill before I swam.  The Y is great because the treadmills face these huge windows and while all I'm looking at is trees and grass, that is a better view than my bedroom door, especially on a rainy day.

After walking for about 8 minutes, I was yearning to run.  I wanted to see how it felt, I wanted to push it just a little, I longed for it.  I worried for a few minutes what others might think of a pregnant woman running on the treadmill (whether they'd think it was unsafe or just plain funny), but then I thought, "who cares" and slowly increased the speed of the belt.  I left it at 13 minutes for a bit and then 12:30 and then 12:00, eventually going down to 11:45 for a bit.

It felt GREAT!  I only ran for about 1.5-2 miles of the 3.5 I did on the treadmill, but it was so invigorating to run, to sweat a little more, to let the song in my ears spur on my feet.  It may be silly, and maybe God isn't interested in these little joys we humans find...but I always think of these late pregnancy runs, however brief and slow they may be, as gifts from him.  Little surprises reminding me to keep my chin up and hang in there. 

I made sure to look out onto the freshly washed landscape in front of me and send up a thank you for my little running surprise on the treadmill that day.  I was shortly joined by Shannon and Jane, and getting to talk to Shannon finished out the run/walk nicely.  It had been a GREAT workout and it was followed up with 10 refreshing laps in the pool.  I usually do 20, but after a more intense workout (and the proximity to lunch time) I cut the swim short and just used it to loosen everything up.

My 5 new songs are below in case you too need some new music to get you going on a hot summer morning!

1. Some Nights by Fun.  This is probably my favorite of my new five.  I love this guy's voice and I think if I sang this song, I'd sing it just like he does in this video.


2. Me Without You by Toby Mac.


3. Let's Go by Calvin Harris (featuring Ne-Yo).  "It's not about what you've done, its about what you're doing."  Rings so true for the runner!


4. Don't Wake Me Up by Chris Brown.  The talking makes me laugh at the beginning, but I really like the song/music.  Talking in music always cheeses me out a bit.


5. Wipe Your Eyes by Maroon 5.  I love his voice too and most every song they've made so far...