If you need a boost of motivation….

I've fallen into a running slump.
Call it the 100+ degrees day
The 5am or earlier wake-up alarm
The 15 extra pounds
The glass of wine in the evening
Or just plain lazy
I'm just not feeling the running joy and it makes me depressed. So much so that I repeat all the bad things that make me feel guilty.  I hope when it cools down I can get moving again. Maybe I can lose weight.  Maybe I can enjoy running once again.

While sulking and procrastinating I watch this video and I'm not stupid enough to think if this 40 year old can run like this I can, but it does motivate me that I don't have to stay where I'm at and I can do something more.  Joe Pavey didn't let the 'I'm too old' negative thoughts tear her down. She got out there and did something no one has done before.

Maybe if you're in a slump this will help boost you up and get your butt out there.

It's ok to be you. Video by Colbie Caillat

One of the great benefits of having a blog is I can post things that I love.  This video makes me tear up because of the pressure that is put on women to be beautiful, thin and "perfect".  Yet here is a grammy Award-winning, singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat  who released her new EP,Gypsy Heart Side A with the album’s lead single “Try” that makes a powerful statement about beauty ideals. 

I know I will go back to this video and watch it when I need to remember, it's ok to be me. And maybe I won't cry each time I watch it.

The Runners- Video

I stumbled onto this 11 minute film of two gentleman filming runners. They managed capturing runners running with a bicycle and a small trailer allowing the rider in the back to be in front of the runners and capturing film.  They ask the runners personal questions and get back honest, heartfelt answers.   I recommend taking a little time to watch this video.

The Gap: An Inspirational Video by Ira Glass

Over a year ago I received a camera for my birthday and I've been practicing on improving my photography. However, the image conjured in my mind doesn't equate to the finished image on my computer screen.  This gap leads to disappointment.  This video is timely since just this morning I thought maybe I should put the camera aside. But if I did that, I would ignore the killer instinct, wouldn't improve or lessen The Gap.

While the video targets creative people, it applies to runners too. The desire to get better yet having the inevitable disappointment.

Enjoy this video by Ira Glass.
THE GAP by Ira Glass from frohlocke on Vimeo.

Dance Lapse- Learning to Dance in a Year

I'm mesmerized by this video and what Karen accomplished in a year-she taught herself how to dance. Everyday she committed to practicing, learning and taking one step closer to her goal.  This just goes to show you that you can learn a new language, a craft, photography, running, or how to dance by working towards a little each day.

At the beginning she clearly doesn't know how to dance and within three months the improvement is amazing.  The video jumps to 365 days later when she dances at a San Francisco subway station.



You can learn more about Karen and her tips for striving towards a goal by visiting her website.

Zombies on the Canal Video

These are the zombies that attacked us on our long run last Saturday.   1:21 minutes into the video you'll start to hear me screaming.

 

Here's what the group said with their youtube posting and a click here for a link to their post about this event.

There are a lot of organized zombie walks these days, but we wondered what people would do if a zombie outbreak happened somewhere they really didn't expect.

To find out, we organized a small group of pranksters to invade the Arizona canal to scare and entertain unsuspecting runners at 7am! We picked a section of the trail that's a common route for runners and bikers who are training for races this coming winter. We thought a little Zombie outbreak might give them some extra motivation to run fast!

We warned runners with a big sign about a "Zombie Outbreak", then got to work. Some were scared, some laughed, some stopped for pictures, and many ran out of there with an extra burst of speed, but everyone had fun.

For more information on pranks and flash mobs in the Phoenix area, check out http://improvaz.com.

Watch out for the zombies while out on the run.

Watch Out if Running on a Trail in Germany

This video is at least 6 years old and as my boyfriend said, this wouldn't happen in USA because of potential lawsuits.  Imagine today of all the ruined cell phones and other gadgets. You will have to follow the link to youtube but it's well worth it.

Kate Bush- Running Up That Hill

I'm continuing my blogging everyday streak and am swamped at work (and need to get back to it); my post today is one of my favorite songs and is even my phone ring tone.  The video isn't terribly exciting but I love the song just the same.  Happy Monday!

 

DQ with Flip During Steeple Chase

The pit isn't that deep and the kid could have been seriously injured doing a flip during a race. He was DQ'd.

Push the Red Button- Video

This is an awesome video.

Tim Burton Inspired Cake Zoetrope- Video

Cake Wreaks keeps me in stitches with her daily disasters of cakes. On Saturday she posted these awesome video's.  Check out this amazing Tim Burton-inspired cake zoetrope by French food artist and filmmaker Alexandre DUBOSC.

See pictures of the making of this awesome cake.

I didn't know what a zoetrope was. Here's the wikipedia definition

A zoetrope is a device that produces the illusion of motion from a rapid succession of static pictures. The term zoetrope is from theGreek words ζωή (zoe), meaning "alive, active", and τροπή (trope), meaning "turn". "Zoetrope" taken to mean "active turn".
The zoetrope consists of a cylinder with slits cut vertically in the sides. On the inner surface of the cylinder is a band with images from a set of sequenced pictures. As the cylinder spins, the user looks through the slits at the pictures across. The scanning of the slits keeps the pictures from simply blurring together, and the user sees a rapid succession of images, producing the illusion of motion.

Can You Run on Water?

In celebration of Mother's Day and the miracle that they put up with us, here's a video about running on water, which seems like it would take a miracle.

The Party After the Whiskey Row Race

The after the race party for the Whiskey Row race last weekend makes the race one of my favorite events. John and I stayed at the St. Michael's Hotel, right on Whiskey Row (a famous street with lots of bars), which gave us a chance to shower,nap and then head to the street for the entertainment. Starting at 10am till 10pm there were bands, food, margarita's and beer to enjoy.


The Whiskey Row race is a fundraiser for the YMCA and everything happening that day centers around the YMCA. The bands donated their time, Budweiser donated the beer and a local Prescotarian donated a 1963 Nova Supersport to be auctioned and raise funds for the YMCA. John bought three tickets for $50 but we drove home in the same car we drove up with. The lucky winner wasn't at the drawing so I have no idea if he jumped for joy at winning.

While we were running the race there was a young kid walking along playing his ukulele and we gave him thumbs up.  I guess later he showed up at the finish line (someone said he ran the 10K) and the race director decided to have him play in the morning and afternoon in between sets.  This was the highlight of the day for me.

Marquez is 14 years old and is a true crowd pleaser.  He opened with one of my favorite songs by Isreal Kamakawiwoʻole "Over the Rainbow" and then strummed into other popular songs by Train and Adele. The range of high notes he hit was very impressive.  The crowd cheered him on after each song and he had a great big smile.  Afterwards I saw one of the organizers give him a card wanting to work with him in the future. He was a true gem.


Here's a video of him playing (not from Saturday's event) 

First Follower: Leadership

I first saw this video at a Women's Leadership Conference a couple months ago. Where the guy just looked like a giant goofball at the beginning, it turned into a leader with a following. Running can often be like that too. A goofball out there running and next thing you know, you've encouraged someone else to get out there and run too.
 

Flash Mob in California Shopping Mall

Enjoy this flash mob performance that took place December 18th at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach, California

Sugar Plum Fairy

I watched in amazement how beautifully they played this song on crystal glasses. Enjoy. Glass Duo (Poland) - Chamber Music Festival in Bologna, Italy - June 2010. Placed in Chiostro della Basilica di Santo Stefano. Festival di Santo Stefano XXII edizione. P.Tchaikovsky - Sugar Plum Fairy (The Nutcracker)

Dust Storm Through Phoenix

At the end of my run the wind was picking up but I had no idea this dust storm was sweeping across Phoenix.

In the Summer it's nice to go Swimming

In the Summer it's nice to go swimming.  In the winter when it's 40 degrees out, it's not as nice.

Merry Christmas to all in Bloggie Land

Not Your Ordinary Lunch in the Mall