In the excitement of the last few days (Book deal! Quitting my job!), I totally forgot that I’m running a 15K race tomorrow!
Miracle Miles is my FAVORITE race to run. This will be my 3rd year running "MM." I love the distance (9.3 miles) and I love the fact that it’s at the beginning of race season.
In 2007, I ran MM for the first time. It was the longest distance I had ever run!
I felt super accomplished at the end!
I crossed the finish line in 1:33:12, just over a 10-minute/mile pace.
In 2008, I ran the race with my new friend Meghann! (Here’s the race recap.)
This was before Meghann got really fast. We ran together for most of the run and then I actually ending up beating her. That never happens anymore, so I just wanted to remind everyone that at one point, I could actually beat Meghann. Just had to throw that out there! 
I crossed the finish line in 1:27:15, improving 2007′s time by almost FIVE MINUTES!
A few months later, I ran another 15K (Gasparilla Race Recap) and set a new 15K PR (personal record) of 1:23:30.
This year, I’m hoping to set another 15K PR. This is the first time this season that I’m gunning for a PR. My goal is to run it in sub 1:21, which will put me at a 9:00-minute/mile pace.
When I decide I’m going to try to PR at a race, I get very, very focused. Tomorrow is NO JOKE. I plan to have fun, of course, but when we line up at that starting line, I’m going to be all business. I take my records very seriously.
I pulled together my 15K Race Playlist today:
There are some songs that repeat, but that’s because they are my POWER SONGS and I need them to push me through!
Lunch was fabulous:
Black bean soup, a pita, and hummus.
Plus, dates:
Things to do:
WalkWorkLaundry- Doctor’s
- Grocery store
- Conference call with Zesty
- Physics homework (ugh)
- Dinner with Family
- Packet pick-up for the race!
Twitter
Operation Beautiful
Thats a great playlist! I may steal it for my own cardio!
Haha, yes, Meghann is crazy fast. Your playlist looks awesome
Great for cardio.
Good luck tom Caitlin!! Great Playlist!! i need to start making playlist for important runs.. I listen to the same thing everytime I run.. Gets super boring!!
Love your playlist! I swoon for Lady Gaga!
omg. you are not the worst chem student ever. i actually did really well in chem in ucla. organic, inorganic. so this is kinda review. STUDY BUDDY?!!!!! for sure. right now i'm doing iupac naming, and soon to go to reactions. better than biochem that's for sure (i'm soo nerdy, i majored in physiological science i LOVE anatomy)
awesome playlist! have a good time tomorrow!!
bombs over baghdad is my faaavorite power song!
Awesome playlist!!
Good luck at the race tomorrow!
I'm glad you have Bossy by Lindsay Lohan on there- i thought I was the only person that liked that song LOL! good luck tomorrow!
I love a lot of those songs, good taste in music!
1. love the playlist! I repeat some songs on my normal runs just to help me get through… and I'd say that about 5 of them are the same as some on your list!!!!
2. LOVE LOVE LOVE song #2!!! I know what soundtrack that comes from…
3. Do you think that your weight has any impact on how fast you run? My runs are much easier now than they were in 2006/7 when I was heavier, and I can never decide if it's because I am much lighter (errr 25 lbs) or if it's because I run more often.
bombs over baghdad is a great workout song!
Haha you look SO determined in that first picture! Awesome race pic.
I love the race pictures! You look so happy in the second one
I really hope I can do a race one day 
Good luck tomorrow! I love your playlist, lots of stuff I use as well
I love Muse! And there are a few great running style beats on the new DMB album.
Good luck at the race
Good job on the to do list so far, I wish mine was that far along. I'm currently doing homework of the worst kind – listening to an interview I did and scripting it, uhhhh have you ever listened to your own voice for hours and hours?!?!
I love making playlist for runs and working out – yours looks awesome. I hope you get your PR tomorrow during your race – you'll rock it!
You look like you're flying in the first pic!
Sweet playlist. Bombs over Baghdad is def a POWER song!!
My "happy" running song is Just Like Heaven by The Cure – I feel like a dork because I start grinning like crazy when that song comes on.
Good luck tomorrow with the PR!
Thanks for posting your playlist! I love love love new running music ideas! Good luck on the race!
Ha, I love how you had to rub it in how you beat me. We'll see how it goes this time around
When's your new blog going to be up? Sorry if I missed something about it, but I'm excited for it!
Question! Where did you download the song Bombs Over Baghdad by Outkast? I can't find it on iTunes!
Good luck Caitlin!!! Wooohoooo I think with all the positive energy in yo life this week, how could you not get a new PR?!
Haha, I always loved physics…
But my real interest in commenting is… what do the non-runners/supporters do while you women race? We're driving down to Disney World for a the Princess half in March and I don't know what my poor hubby is going to do with himself for two hours.
Yay! I really think that 15k or 10 miles is the PERFECT race distance. Good luck tomorrow! My fav "power song" for races is Eminem's Lose Yourself.
p.s. do you have a treat planned for post-race? I vote cupcake!
That play list looks perfect! I might have to steal some inspiration from that (I LOVE that you have old school Britney on there!!!) I am running my first race next month, a 10k, and my biggest worry is my music! My goal this weekend it to work on a play list.
You listen to music during races? I actually like going without my iPod on race day. The excitement and adrenaline of the crowd is more than enough to pump me up.
Love running to that DMB song .. also "Why I am" is a good one!
YEAH, so excited for the race tomorrow!!! I too plan on setting a PR for myself at the 5K……and wish you luck in achieving yours! =) Laura
P.S. Love your playlist…Outkast & JZ are the best to run too!
http://findingahealthybalance.wordpress.com/
great playlist!
i love making my own
jenna
I don't do the ipod on race day, but I definitely put together playlists for "important" training runs! I'm actually putting together my playlist for my 9 mile run tomorrow right now!
Wow! Good luck with your 15k. I'm training for my first 5k so I couldn't imagine forgetting a race. Especially 15k.
I love looking at your playing. I'm trying to make on too for my half! looks awesome! I hope tomorrow's 15K is amazing. your going to do awesome! I have a feeling you'll get that new PR!
Good luck tomorrow! Love the playlist. I find "Poker Face" really makes me run fast! (Yes I have a sort of embarrassing Lady Gaga addiction these days).
Ahhh, that Jay-Z/ Lincoln Park song is one of my fave work out songs too! 99 Problems is also great. So good to get you pumped!
rhodey – i think being lighter makes you faster, as long as you arent weaker because your lighter. also you're faster now because you've been training. so it's both!
carrie h – AHHH HOPEFULLY SOON. I am getting very frustrated.
brooke – my copy is sooo old. maybe try illegally downloading it (i didnt say that).
caroline – very rarely do i make the husband come watch me for races. but he does come to the big ones (like MM). he brings a book or something. for some courses (like disney) you should do research on line because i know the course winds back in on itself and he can see you at multiple spots.
Good luck tomorrow!! I love your playlist!
Have you heard the Bombs over Baghdad version that is Outkast and Rage against the machine? Even better!
Can't wait to hear all about how the race goes in your race recap!
Great playlist too. I always make a playlist when I go running, I like to have variety
Good luck for your run!!
Eeeee how exciting! Good luck tomorrow!! I love that you have Miley Cyrus on your playlist. My roommates make fun of me so much – but I love that song!
Ha! I actually thought about how fast Meghann got the other day! You will rock the race no matter what! Have fun and enjoy!
Haha, I get so nervous before races sometimes I try to purposely forget about them
I love seeing other people's playlists! That Muse song is one of my favourites to run to!! (there are a few really good ones on that Twilight soundtrack)
Good luck tomorrow!
I had to take physics last year and it was KILLER – I hated it but I found that the Cliff Notes company makes a physics one. It was a life saver!! If you're having any difficulty I'd suggest looking into getting it. It was only $10 and the info was straight to the point.
GOOD LUCK TOMORROW
Those in action race pics are awesome! I'm doing my first sprint triathlon this weekend, hope my hubby gets some pics like that of me for my blog!
Rock out to that playlist and PR baby!!!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
Party in the USA is THE BEST workout song haha I love that it's on your playlist… Have a great race!
Good luck with the race!! I've never done that type of mid-distance race before but it sounds fun!! I love marathon training, but obviously it's a bit intensive to keep doing ALL year run, but that's longer than a 5K which I like! I know you'll do great!
Also, don't forget about my Vegetarian Times subscription giveaway on my blog!
I envy you. I would love to run but I honestly have no clue where to start. any pointers? Good luck on the race. I know you'll do fantastic!
good luck! you're going to be awesome, you have such a great attitude about everything =) congrats on the book deal…
"(wo)man cannot live without faith and something indestructable within him (her)"
you deserve it!
Good playlists are a MUST! Yours looks great!! I really like that first pic of you! You look super fast:) Good luck tomorrow girl! I'm rooting for you to get your new PR!!
amberlyn – check out my tips page and try the galloway method (google it). good luck!
so many good songs on your playlist. i admit i do love the new miley song – it's great for runs! good luck in the race!