Cardio!

First off, I LOVE this movie and ya'll need ta go see it!  (No, not Zombieland, although I do love that one too)

 Remember in my last post how I said you need to focus on cardio to survive horror movies?  Well it's true.  Another truth (if you're like me): music makes your cardio training awesome!  Now I know that there are some people out there who think that running with music is for people who can't be alone with their own thoughts or whatever and somehow think the fact that they can run without music makes them somehow superior to the rest of us lowly runners.  Well to them I say hopefully it doesn't rain on your run (all alone with your thoughts, your lonely, lonely thoughts), you might drown with your nose in the air like that - this list, post, and (probably) blog are not for you so move along (when all ya gotta keep is strong, move along, move along like I know ya do! And even when your hope is gone, move along, move along, just to make it through!).

Props to anyone who read and comprehended that paragraph without having to reread it, you officially have a speedy/random brain like me.

So, it's REALLY no secret that I like music...a LOT, so it should come as no surprise that I have some recommendations to improve (or perhaps begin) your running playlists and in turn, your run.

My Running New Favs:

1. Titanium - David Guetta ft. Sia
2. The Fighter - Gym Class Heroes ft. Ryan Tedder
3. One More - Superchick
4. Bella's Finals - Barden Bellas
5. Every Chance We Get We Run - David Guetta ft. Tegan & Sara
6. Want U Back - Cher Lloyd (first time I heard this song I thought it was ridiculous, I soon realized it was ridiculout but it was also INCREDIBLY catchy and fun to sing)
7. In My Head - David Guetta ft. Nervo
8. Consequence - Notwist
9. Don't You Worry Child - Swedish House Mafia
10. Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
11. Hava Naguila - DJ Jacob (excellent sprinting song because it speeds up - try keeping up with it)
12. Too Close - Alex Clare
13. Home - Phillip Phillips
14. Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson
15. Dark Side - Kelly Clarkson - really just about anything by Kelly Clarkson
16. Breath of Life - Florence + The Machine
17. It's Time - Imagine Dragons (dear commercials, thanks for overplaying this song, sincerely, sarcasm)
18. Turn Me On - David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj
19. Eyes Open - Taylor Swift (pretend you're running through a burning forest being chased by homicidal maniacs who are twice your size and ravenous dogs who want to eat your face - it's very motivational).
20. Beggin - Madcon
21. She Wolf - David Guetta ft. Sia - Yes I'm a little in love with David Guetta, he's got good beats!
22. Pool Mash-up: Just the Way You Are/Just a Dream - Barden Bellas (just buy the whole soundtrack, it's good)
23. Run the World (Girls) - Glee Cast or Beyonce what evs
24. Who are You, Really? - Mikky Ekko
25. Good Feeling - Flo Rida

Now you may be thinking "this is all guilty pleasure music, why would you listen to it?"  Well my friends, two things 1) BPM = beats per minute, that's what keeps you running at a good and constant pace, and 2) It's fun to listen to (like cookie dough for your ears - don't even try to deny it) which is motivational - you are distracted by the sweet ear candy so much you don't notice how cold and tired you are (yes cold, it's almost winter, BOO!).

A lot of that list is somewhat overplayed but hopefully there's something on there you a) like, b) haven't heard before, and c) find cardiotivating (that's cardio + motivating, in case you were wondering).

Please use vertical running instead of horizontal running - happy workout!

Here's the actual trailer:
GO SEE IT!!!!

Surviving Horror Movies 101

So I don't know if it's the time of year or some chemical imbalance in my brain, but lately I've been craving scary movies (although my scary movies aren't really all that scary, they're actually psychological thrillers, but what evs, same concept).













Whenever I watch these movies I typically rate the main character in my head in terms of cleverness/stupidity (then I  rate the guy in terms of hotness...which in my case also includes cleverness/stupid but I digress).  There are a lot of factors that go into this rating:

1. Witty comebacks
2. Good escape plans
3. Not doing stupid things
4. Not being overly brave/curious
5. Not being a complete idiot
6. Ability to escape a situation after being a complete idiot
7. Rescuing others in a clever, non-impulsive manner
8. Getting help at the right time
9. Running fast (you would be shocked how many people jog instead of sprinting)
10. Not going places alone - having back-up
11. Catching on to what's actually going on
12. Determination
13. Stupidity in general
14. Fighting ability 
15. Choice of friends and taste in men

...to name a few.

Your ability to do/not do these things can save your life in a scary movie or it can get you killed, but there are other things that you should just generally avoid.

Things you shouldn't do when you are home alone (especially if you're a small female like myself):

1. Stay home alone (use the buddy system, ask a well-trusted friend to stay with you; preferably a guy with martial arts training and bam! Most of your problems are solved right now, you can skip to the next list) - however if staying alone is unavoidable please keep reading
2. Put on water for tea (bad things happen while you're filling your kettle...baaaad things my friends.
3. Answer the phone (if they can't get ahold of you, they can't threaten you)
4. Go to the window if you hear/see something outside (if you can't see it, it can't scare you)
5. Go into a dark room/the basement if the lights won't turn on (just turn around, and leave the house)
6. Leave doors unlocked (now that's just common sense)
7. Answer the door (don't order take out, go get the food yourself)
8. Invite people into your house (you don't know if they're a vampire, make 'em wait outside, but honestly you shouldn't even have answered the door in the first place).
9. Be afraid/hesitate to call the police (if you think something's sketchy call the cops, keeping you safe is sorta what they're paid to do).
10. Assume you're safe (always be prepared, but don't be paranoid).

Rules of survival:

1. Cardio - if you need to get away fast you better be physically fit, you never know how far you're going to need to run 
• However, if you're home alone don't go running on your own after dark, ESPECIALLY if you have to leave your house unattended to do so
2. Don't answer the phone, especially if you don't recognize the number.
3. Use the buddy system
• I'm all for girl power, but, in all honesty, if you're a small female, like myself, you're easy prey for just about anyone - take a guy with you
• If you can't physically take someone with you make sure a trusted friend/family member knows where you are so if you go missing someone will notice quickly and send help (always have a schedule - "if I'm not back by enter time here I'm probably in trouble, send help.")
4. If someone is a serious threat to you don't hesitate to injure them so you can get away.  
• For example, if you are being chased by a psychotic/sociopathic maniac who is intent on killing or detaining you and you have the opportunity to shoot him, don't hesitate (if you do he'll probably catch you, take your gun, then you're screwed).  
• I realize that you don't want to kill anyone, no worries, you don't have to.  Just shoot him in the knee-cap then he can't chase you anymore.
5. Where sensible shoes (i.e. boots - they look AWESOME and you can still run really fast through the woods and be safe from ticks).
6. Ditch your phone or turn off the ringer (the bad guy will have no problem finding you if your phone rings).
• If you have a well-thought-out plan you can use the ringer to your advantage and set a booby-trap to disarm or injure him, but your plan better be pretty fool-proof and you CANNOT hesitate
1. If you do ditch your phone make sure you've called for help
7. Check the backseat of your car before getting in
• If someone is back there with a gun or any other for of weapon you've just walked into a trap, good luck with that
8.  Think things through - make sure your idea isn't stupid before you act on it, typically impulsive is bad, instinctive is much better
9. Don't run up or down stairs - there is no escape up/down there.
10. Don't be an idiot

• Hysterics aren't going to help you
• Keep a level head, if you lose it, you're probably gonna die
• Don't run around with one shoe on and one shoe off
• Use your fear as fuel, otherwise it will shut you down
11. Have good taste in men
• Sometimes hot guys are helpful but more than often they:
• Are douche-bags
• Are not the brightest
• Are way too into themselves to truly be concerned about you
• Get killed
• Don't underestimate the nerdy guy - often they're good friends and they can protect you just the same
• Don't entirely trust any guys though, some hot ones are douche-bags with date-rape intentions and some nerdy loner ones (who seem nice) are actually serial murderers - you kinda just have to trust your instincts here 
12. Trust you instincts - they're there for a reason and often-times they're spot on, if something seems off it probably is.

• Want to read a whole book on this subject? Try The Gift of Fear by Gavin DeBecker
13. Don't be a hero - don't rush in and save the day, it won't help anyone if you get killed/captured too.  Instead make a plan, get help, and save your friend with style.
14. Always carry something that can be used as a weapon - your keys will work
15. Yes I stole this (and a few others from Zombieland) but double-tap - make sure your attacker is down before you come too close
16. Be prepared for anything 
17. Don't forget to S.I.N.G. - solarplexus, instep, nose, groin (I would like to amend eyes - people are much less intimidating after they've been poked in the eye)
18. Be loyal to your friends, you would want them to help you
19. If you think someone's behind you turn around with the intent to injure 
• If you think someone's behind you it's probably because there's someone behind you, trust your instincts
• If you get that feeling and don't want to turn around simply take off sprinting away from them
  
20. Know your surroundings 
• You never know what may be hiding (i.e. deadly farm equipment, sinkholes, frightening-but-not-harmful scarecrows, rakes, etc.)
  
21. Look up

That's all I can think of right now, I'm sure there's more, but I don't feel like writing more at this particular point in time.

To study up on how to survive a scary movie I suggest watching

1. Zombieland (excellent set of rules - see above)
2. Elsewhere 
3. The Glass House
4. Push (not scary, but does emphasize the importance of a good plan)
5. Veronica Mars (not a movie, but she's clever in ways that are applicable) 

You may notice that I did not discuss surviving paranormal scary movies, well that's because they scare me and I don't watch them.  Here's my rule:

1. If your house seems haunted, don't investigate,  MOVE!

Happy Almost Halloween I guess....whatever...