Yesterday I was in a bad mood after work, and needed to destress on my way home. I didn't want to bring my grumpiness home to the boys. So, I decided it was time to play my pre-race playlist.
On the way to every race, tri or running, I listen to the same playlist. Part of it is now "supersition" or routine, but part of it is because each of the songs plays a part in calming me down, and then pumping me back up again.
First on my playlist is Coplands Fanfare For the Common Man and Appalachian Spring. These songs are from my previous life when I was in colorguard. Particularly the Shaker Melody. I marched to this song in marching band, and can visualize the entire show in my head. Mentally performing the moves helps to bring me to a very good place. I tend to see the music, not just hear it. Flags spinning, girls dancing. And there was one performace when I smacked a judge with my flag during the final impact. I can almost feel it every time the song gets to that part. Plus it's just beautiful music.
The next on my pre-race playlist is Neil Diamond's Coming to America. I love Neil Diamond. There is one song of his that I dread hearing at weddings, simply because everyone sings it to me, but other than that, Neil Diamond rocks. This song really has meaning to me though. In 2005-2006 my little brother was deployed to Iraq. It was a very hard year for my entire family. I couldn't watch the news, for fear of hearing that a soldier died, and having to wait for the dreaded news that it may have been him. Toward the 12 month mark, we knew he would be coming home soon. One Sunday morning I was driving to church alone, and Coming to America played on the radio. Suddenly a feeling came over me, and I just knew he was home. Once at church, my dad came and sat in the pew next to me and whispered in my ear "Matthew called, he's landed in the U.S. and will be home today." Tears of joy streamed down my face. Ever since that day, that song helps bring me to a very spiritual place. A place that puts my soul at peace. A place I need to be before a race.
And then finally, the last song on my race day list is from the children's cartoon, Backyardigans. It's called Racing Day. This song was in my head the morning of my first Iron Girl. Because it was the day I had been looking forward to and training for for months. It was finally racing day. So it's now the final song I listen to, before getting out of my car. To pump me up, and put me in the mood.
I didn't make it through all the songs on my way home from work. But the ones I did helped me to be ready to be a better mom than I would have been had I not taken the time to destress in that way. And I know the music helps me to be a better triathlete, or runner on racing day.
On the way to every race, tri or running, I listen to the same playlist. Part of it is now "supersition" or routine, but part of it is because each of the songs plays a part in calming me down, and then pumping me back up again.
First on my playlist is Coplands Fanfare For the Common Man and Appalachian Spring. These songs are from my previous life when I was in colorguard. Particularly the Shaker Melody. I marched to this song in marching band, and can visualize the entire show in my head. Mentally performing the moves helps to bring me to a very good place. I tend to see the music, not just hear it. Flags spinning, girls dancing. And there was one performace when I smacked a judge with my flag during the final impact. I can almost feel it every time the song gets to that part. Plus it's just beautiful music.
The next on my pre-race playlist is Neil Diamond's Coming to America. I love Neil Diamond. There is one song of his that I dread hearing at weddings, simply because everyone sings it to me, but other than that, Neil Diamond rocks. This song really has meaning to me though. In 2005-2006 my little brother was deployed to Iraq. It was a very hard year for my entire family. I couldn't watch the news, for fear of hearing that a soldier died, and having to wait for the dreaded news that it may have been him. Toward the 12 month mark, we knew he would be coming home soon. One Sunday morning I was driving to church alone, and Coming to America played on the radio. Suddenly a feeling came over me, and I just knew he was home. Once at church, my dad came and sat in the pew next to me and whispered in my ear "Matthew called, he's landed in the U.S. and will be home today." Tears of joy streamed down my face. Ever since that day, that song helps bring me to a very spiritual place. A place that puts my soul at peace. A place I need to be before a race.
And then finally, the last song on my race day list is from the children's cartoon, Backyardigans. It's called Racing Day. This song was in my head the morning of my first Iron Girl. Because it was the day I had been looking forward to and training for for months. It was finally racing day. So it's now the final song I listen to, before getting out of my car. To pump me up, and put me in the mood.
I didn't make it through all the songs on my way home from work. But the ones I did helped me to be ready to be a better mom than I would have been had I not taken the time to destress in that way. And I know the music helps me to be a better triathlete, or runner on racing day.
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