Jim's Top 5 Music Albums to RUN to

When it comes to Ultra Running, people often ask if I listen to playlists of music.  The answer is "Yes," however my playlists usually consist of full length albums.  When running 12+ hours, albums help sooth the time and help it go on, rather than individual songs.  Here are 5 of my favorite music albums to listen to while running.

Comment below::: What are your top 5 albums to run to?

"Joshua Tree" by U2

"I want to run - I want to hide 
I want to tear down the walls that hold me inside 
I want to reach out and touch the flame 
Where the streets have no name"

"Suburbs" by Arcade Fire

"Hey
Put the cellphone down for a while
In the night there is something wild
Can you hear it breathing?
And hey
Put the laptop down for a while
In the night there is something wild
I feel it, it's leaving me"

"Lonesome Dreams" by Lord Huron

"It's time to run, they'll string me up for all that I've done
I'm going soon, gonna leave tonight, gotta 
I did it all for you, well I hope you know the lengths I've gone to
What's a man to say? They'll be looking for me, should be on my way"

"Boxer" by The National

"We're half awake in a fake empire
We're half awake in a fake empire"

"Clarity" by Jimmy Eat World

"How long would it take me to walk across the United States all alone.
The West coast has been traumatized.
I think I'm the only one still alive."

for runners who enjoy listening to vinyl records...  OR just stick with the Ipod.   

10 Best Long Distance Running Songs HERE

Comment below::: What are your top 5 albums to run to?

We are the statues...

Allow us to begin with some thought provoking words by C. S. Lewis:

"This world is a great sculptor shop.  We are the statues, and there is a rumour going round the shop that some of us are some day are going to come to life."  Mere Christianity

Looking out over the cold North Dakota landscape, a whopping -10 wind degree temperature, drinking a large cup of hot tea, these words are stuck in my head

"Come to life" 

These words are found in the last paragraph of Lewis' first chapter of his fourth book in Mere Christianity.  They challenge and inspire me, while at the same time developing within me a deep tension as I wrestle with some tough questions:

What is the element, the spiritual force, the religion that brings humanity to life? 

Is the Christian religion a set of moral values instituted by Jesus Christ for people to uphold?  Can humanity uphold these moral views?

What does "come to life" mean?  How does one find the joy that overflows?  Can one even find that joy?  If so, how?  Or are we just waiting to be breathed into?  

Crazy, huh?  How reading one chapter of C.S.Lewis in the early morning can provoke inspiration and challenge. 

I'm often inspired and challenged by the created works of others; in this case C.S.Lewis' writings.  

I ultimately know other people's creations aren't the final work.  C.S.Lewis would be a fool if he wrote a book and claimed, "This is as good as it gets."

I could argue that C.S.Lewis is as good as it gets, but that for an other blog post, plus that would be foolish.   

Art.  

Each person is an Artist.

We've been created with an ability to Create.  How cool is that?

With each piece of art, we inspire people.  Hopefully our art inspires people in a positive way.  

Seeing someone do what they were created to do, inspiring.  

We are all artists, we are, truly.  Some people think of artists as left-brained people, not so.  Yes, left-brained people may be more inclined with drawing or making melodic noises with instruments, but everyone is an Artist.  Nature is God's canvas given to us in which we write and create our story.

Side note: I really dig this sticker:

Each person is an artist in their own respect.

What's your specialty?  

The art you are producing, is it making the earth a better place?

Do you "come to life" when you create it?