Tag: music

Run to the Music 9

Fallon @ Slacker Runner6 Comments

Big Sur Edition 🙂

Oh, for crying out loud, I haven’t shared a music post since June 21??? How the flip did that happen?  Also, I started these posts when I was training for San Francisco in 2016 and I am only on 9? Slacker.

Well, it’s a good thing I have 2 songs today then.

Shinedown- Devil

I went to grab this video for this post and fell down a YouTube hole watching ALL the Shinedown videos.   I could spend a long time there.

Ok, back to the post- I love this band, this band has got me through training and with be with me on race day and if I have my way, I will see them in concert in August. 🤞 I’ve been a fan for years and can find a song to fit any purpose.  If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have seen me reference them in a #tbt post last week.  And FYI, they have the best cover of Simple Man from Lynyrd Skynyrd ever, actually it might be the best version ever.  Yes, I said that.

I loved this song when it first came out just because it was awesome, seriously, I’m hard pressed to think of one of their songs I don’t like- but then I watched a behind the scenes about the meaning of the song.   The “devil” being referred to is the thing that scares you whatever that may be.  So for me right now that could be the miles, the hills, my leg, my side- I have so many options!   So, yeah, I will playing this when things are getting heavy… like my legs.  😛

  • Side note- love the band, love the song but the video is a little odd.  I could have done with the baby bird moment.  Chew your own damn food.🤣

Papa Roach- Born for Greatness

On the other hand, this video is awesome if you stick around to the end.   I’ve shared this song before actually- last April with only a lyric video- but it hasn’t left ANY of my playlists since.  In fact it spawned my motto for the year- Sound the Alarm.  However I never hit publish on that post so surprise!   This song reminds me that we can be better and do better if we only wake up.     And I try not to whine too much when I think about the fact that they are on tour in CA this year but it either doesn’t fit my schedule or is in a town I won’t go to at night.  😢

I have another song that helps get me up hills these days but I’ll save that for another day.

What’s in your ear these days?

Rambling On 27

Fallon @ Slacker Runner12 Comments

Fri-yay!!! I’m so glad it’s Friday.

It’s been an interesting week…at least it’s felt that way. Has it felt that way to anyone else?

I’m not a usually a fan of Justin Timberlake- don’t disown me- but I’m really liking that new Say Something song. Who am I???

Speaking of music, the local Fair has started announcing the summer lineup and they are stepping up this year. I know I’ll be going at least twice. I missed Florida George Line the last time they came so I’m not going to now. And Gabriel Iglesias is coming too. Fluffy!!!!! Could care less about Luke Bryan or Eric Church though. 😛

But how are we talking about summer already??? Wasn’t it just Christmas?? I’m already registering for races in October (more on that later). Slow down!

Speaking of things to disown me for- I don’t watch This Is Us. There, I confessed. I feel better now.😂

Happy Friday!

What are you up to this weekend?

Stepping it Up

Fallon @ Slacker Runner17 Comments

Disclaimer: The WEAV Run app is currently free but I will be receiving a lifetime subscription in January 2018 as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro(ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Google average running cadence and any number of sites and sources come back with 180 average steps per minute.   Dig a little deeper and some will say 180 and above is usually elite runners and most everyday runners average between 160-170 steps per minute.  Either way you dice it- I fall short.   I usually average in the low 140’s, my two fastest half marathons this year didn’t even hit an average of 160.  Ouch.

Knowing that it’s something I need to work on, Weav Run seemed right up my alley.   Weav Run is a newer app on the market that is designed to use music to motivate your running tempo.  Want to run 175 steps per minute? Weav Run can get you there.  Weav Run has 2 options for setting the tempo- detecting the tempo based on your movement or letting you choose your own.

Weav Run works with the individual music files in order to give the runner the best listening experience possible.  So instead of speeding up the entire song and getting that helium sounding effect, aspects of the background speed up while the lyrics remain pretty close to what you hear on the radio.   It’s like your feet are the DJ.

The set up questions were more in depth than I anticipated- where do I keep my phone?- but took hardly anytime.   Pushed a couple buttons and I was set to run.  But I was kind of injured, boo.  So, I adapted and hopped on the bike.  I used the “I Know My Tempo” option, set it at 150 steps per minute and figured I would test it out that way.    For once, my cadence on the bike was even!  It also helped me really familiarize myself with the app.

But how was running?

I say my right leg is the troublemaker but what I really mean is that my right leg is the dead leg. The lazy leg, the leg that never seems to want to do any work. As a result I over compensate with my left and end up hurting. All previous attempts to focus on my form and bringing my leg around have ended in failure. I would succeed for a short time but end up with a headache from having to focus so hard. So I usually gave up.

With Weav Run, I didn’t even have to try, somehow my right leg just wanted to join the party. Something about the beat and the music working together  and flipped a switch in my brain and both legs were on board and working together. I powered up a couple of hills in ways I never have- I felt kind of bad ass. 😛 Now, this isn’t saying it was all perfect- I have 2 left feet and no rhythm so I’d usually get off step at some point and have to work my way back but it’s awesome when I’m on point.

Since Vegas- I’ve been running less, a little sick and the air has been filled with smoke but the paces of my runs using Weav Run have all averaged about 30-45 seconds faster than they should be given my current state of fitness. And that’s with the walk breaks I’m still taking. Consider me a Believer. Which by the way is a song on the Weav playlist.


So-are there downsides?

  • I take walk breaks- it’s how I run these days. While the app adjusts to my pace and cadence pretty well, sometimes it has issues.  When I slow down, it seems like only half of it slows down with with me and the other half is too fast.  It eventually evens out but it’s kind of an odd 20 seconds or so.
  • The technology is new and while it is great that Weav Run is working directly with artists and music labels, the library currently only has 25 tracks.
  • This is a both a plus and a possible downside- As a BibRavePro, we were able to test some of the tracks that are coming in the future (you will be happy🙂) but all those tracks mean the app needs a little more space on your phone.   As I write this, the app is using 2.25 GB on my phone.  I have plenty of space on my phone but it something to keep in mind.
  • It’s currently only iPhone- ios compatible.

I look forward to many more runs with Weav Run and oddly more bike rides.  I rode the bike more since downloading the app than I have in months.   😛

What are you waiting for?  Go download Weav Run!

Want to read more?  Check it out-

Brenda– Lindsey– Meridith

Light as Air

Fallon @ Slacker Runner8 Comments

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Aftershokz Trekz Air to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

I love listening to music on the run.  Partly because it covers the sounds of my own huffing and puffing and partly because music helps gives me that extra kick in the pants I need some times.   Plus it’s fun to randomly throw in a horribly offbeat dance move while running.  😛

That said, I never felt comfortable with regular earphones.   Completely blocking both ears from outside noises just never worked for me.  I always ran with one in and one out… and would usually end up tangled in the cords.  So when I first discovered Aftershokz last year with the Trekz Titanium, I was in love.   Wireless and safe- where have you been all my life???

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hen I heard about the Trekz Air and wondered- can something that was already awesome be better?  Spoiler alert- yes.

The concept is the same- same bone conduction technology. So instead of shoving an earbud uncomfortably into your ear, the Trekz Air rests just outside the ears on your cheekbones.   This way you can safely enjoy your music or your podcast but still be aware of the sounds and environment around you.  Actually, the tech is still mind boggling to me but I know it works from personal experience and I love it.  I can have my music cranked up but still hear the leaves scratching the pavement as they blow across the path.

From the website-

  • Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds
  • A 20% lighter build than its counterpart
  • A new organic design delivers increased comfort
  • Complete wraparound titanium design provides a flexible fit for unnoticeable all-day comfort and stability
  • OpenFit™ design ensures maximum situational awareness and comfort during long-term wear
  • PremiumPitch+™ guarantees a premium audio experience, including wide dynamic range and rich bass
  • Bluetooth® v4.2 connectivity and convenient multipoint pairing
  • LeakSlayer™ technology significantly reduces natural sound leakage
  • IP55 certified to repel sweat, dust and moisture, from workouts to wicked weather
  • Enjoy six hours of continuous music + calls on a single charge
  • EQ presets boost bass and reduce vibration on the go
  • Dual noise canceling microphones exclude surrounding noise, effectively enhancing speech
  • Audrey Says™ voice prompts guide users through power, pair, play and talk
  • Hassle-free 2-year warranty

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So why am I totally in love with the Trekz Air?  Like love so much, they are always with me- kept charged and in my purse at all times.   They are so much lighter.  I know that spec wise, it says they are 20% lighter but I feel like that number should be much higher.   I’ve mentioned before that I am prone to headaches and those headaches often turn into migraines.  It doesn’t take much to set them off and sadly sometimes my previous pair would aggravate my head on long runs.   Not the case with the Trekz Air!!  Even after a 2 hour, sweaty mess run, I could barely feel them.  If I hadn’t had the music playing in my ears I would have completely forgotten they were on.  That made me want to jump up and down for joy.   Which is why I now carry them everywhere with me.  😎  I can listen to music on my lunch breaks without worrying about anyone else hearing it, which is great because my music is not always break room appropriate.  😛

Want your own? Get a bonus BibRave trucker hat with your AfterShokz Trekz Air purchase with code “TRUCKER” at http://bibrave.aftershokz.com/

How do you listen to music on the run?  

Run to the Music 8

Fallon @ Slacker Runner4 Comments

Yes, I am going there.

This post is about show you how erratic my music taste it.  Let’s call it eclectic.

I could blame summer.  Something about the longer days, sunny beating down and warm air makes me latch onto a ridiculously bubbly song that I put on repeat forever.  2 summers ago it was a country song- Crash and Burn by Thomas Rhett.  Yeah, it’s a breakup song- it’s bubbly to me.  😛

But I can’t blame this song choice on summer.   I’d probably love it in the dead of winter.   Why?  I love this band.  Yes, I am adult, in my 30’s whose last song post was about Papa Roach and I recently downloaded the new Rise Against but…. I still love Hanson.

Yes, they are still making music.  They are so much more than MMMbop.  😛   And their kids are adorable.

I love the words-

Don’t need a map, I can’t be directed
I’ve got a madness, don’t need the method
My heart is a weapon and my mind’s electric
I’ll shock the world when you least expect it
Everybody’s betting on the big guy
But don’t underestimate the sting of the butterfly, oh

Now if I could just apply some of that in real life.  So here’s my current obsession-

I Was Born-

What are you listening to?