Top Five Friday : Switching Things Up

Hi everyone!  This is a weekend that I've been looking forward to for a while, because it's Rock n Roll DC week!  Unfortunately I won't be able to run (my doctor said I have a rotator cuff injury and have to rest) but I'm still looking forward to cheering on everyone who is running.  Let me know if you'll be there and I'll make sure to look out for you during the race!

I decided to switch up my Top Five Friday post and start having categories.  Some weeks it's really hard for me to come up with five favorites, so I decided to pick out a favorite in the following categories- songs, podcasts, products, shows, and randoms.  Now you can know exactly what I've been loving each week and it'll be easier for me to track!  Let me know what you think, and be sure to share your favorites in the comments.  Have a great weekend!
linking up with Erika, Heather, and Friday Five 



Song : Believer by Imagine Dragons

This is the best song to listen to during a hard workout.  The lyrics are really motivating, and it has a great, steady beat.  I'm a huge fan of Imagine Dragons and they killed it with this song.


Podcast : Ali on the Run Show

I love Ali's blog, and I think I love her podcast even more.  She interviews interesting people- from her husband (and CEO of BOLD Worldwide) to local marketing directors of Strava.  Her goal is to make the listener laugh and occasionally cry, and she hits that balance perfectly.  This is a perfect podcast to listen to on a run (I always say I'm listening to Ali on MY run! So funny).


Product :  Mueller Ice Bag

This has been my best friend all week.  I've been icing my shoulder like crazy and this bag makes it really comfortable and easy!  It never leaks or makes a mess, plus you don't need to wrap anything around it before applying it to your skin.  If you don't have an ice bag I would suggest this one!


Show : Great British Bake-Off

If you've never seen this show, you're missing out!  This is definitely something that I watch if I want to be cheered up or want to watch something that will put me in a great mood.  There's just something about British shows that restore my faith in humanity!  On this show (which just added new seasons on Netflix), contestants bake their way through different desserts, breads, cookies, cakes, and more.  It's so much fun to watch!  (P.S. If you want to see a funny little skit that SNL did about the show, you can watch it here!)


Random : BNP Paribas Open

It's that time again- another big tennis tournament!  Besides the four Grand Slams, this is the highest level of tennis competition.  Pretty much all of the top players come to play and it's so exciting to follow along.  There are a lot of great matchups that I'm looking forward to, but the biggest story line is the quarter of the draw which features a ton of heavy weights- Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Del Potro, Zverev, and Kyrgios.  Those are all of my favorite players, and I CAN'T WAIT to see them battle it out.



Comments

  1. AmandaMarch 10, 2017 at 3:34 AM

    I've also been a long time Ali on the Run blog reader, and am loving her podcast! I used to see her running in Central Park, and was always a big old chicken and never said hello. Womp womp.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMarch 10, 2017 at 3:59 AM

    That is so crazy that it was a rotator cuff injury. Well, best take care of it now, so that it doesn't bother you later!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Kristen@peachblossomstyle.comMarch 10, 2017 at 4:43 AM

    I like the categories you chose for Friday Favorites - I'm new to blogging, but already I'm finding the topics I pick for my Favorites post to be a little bit all over the place. You may have inspired me to create a few categories of my own! I'm also a runner - short distances mostly, and I love finding fun 5k's to run. I've never listened to a podcast while running before - I always thought I needed music as my motivator, but I think I'll try Ali's podcast this weekend and see how it goes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMarch 10, 2017 at 7:29 AM

      I'm glad you like this idea and feel free to use it as well! I also used to only listen to music, but I feel like podcasts keep my mind off the run and help pass the time faster.

      Delete
  4. CiaraMarch 10, 2017 at 4:45 AM

    I LOVE this idea of Friday FAvorites - I've been looking of a way to freshen things up because I also have trouble with 5 things sometimes.

    I have been a reader of Ali on the Run for a couple of years now - And I love her new podcast! Her husband is actually the CEO of BOLD Worldwide :) They met via JackRabbit! :) I love their story & she is hilarious!

    I've also been a huge fan of the Believer song since it came out.. one of my favorites!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMarch 10, 2017 at 7:29 AM

      Yay! Glad you like it! And thanks for the correction..I meant to double check that I had the right company and forgot. I fixed it!

      Delete
  5. deborah @ Confessions of a mother runnerMarch 10, 2017 at 4:46 AM

    I must be the only one who does not listen to podcasts! Who has time? Love the old school ice pack

    ReplyDelete
  6. Heather @ Polyglot JotMarch 10, 2017 at 5:39 AM

    I'm so sorry that you got injured right before your race. I'm glad you're taking care of yourself and resting though. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. KookyRunnerMarch 10, 2017 at 5:53 AM

    Oh no - I'm so sorry to hear about your injury :( Wishing you a speedy recovery!
    That is great that you will still be able to cheer on runners this weekend - I know they will appreciate that!

    ReplyDelete
  8. SokphalMarch 10, 2017 at 6:07 AM

    Sad I don't get to see you, but that will be our goal! Want you to recover well! Enjoy the weekend with the snow. I wouldn't mind if it snowed tomorrow during the race! :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownMarch 10, 2017 at 6:14 AM

    hope that rotator cuff heals quick! that's really painful. have a great weekend

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jessie MMarch 10, 2017 at 6:32 AM

    A torn rotator cuff!? How does that even happen!? That SUCKS. I was just about to text you good luck this weekend.

    I've never run RNR DC but I have spectated, and it was actually TONS of fun, I used the Metro and the bike rentals they have and got to see several friends at several different points AND the finish!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMarch 10, 2017 at 7:31 AM

      Thanks Jessie! I wish I knew what happened, and I'm so frustrated not knowing what I did wrong. Such a stupid injury.

      Delete
  11. Hanna @ minimal marathonerMarch 10, 2017 at 6:33 AM

    Very sorry to hear you can't race this weekend!! :-( Hope that rotator cuff heals soon...do you know what happened/how you got it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMarch 10, 2017 at 7:32 AM

      No idea! My doctor said it might be over-use from running.

      Delete
  12. UnknownMarch 10, 2017 at 7:02 AM

    I love Ali too! Her Instagram stories are THE BEST. I can't believe your shoulder is still sore. Maybe it's from watching too much tennis? Sympathy pains.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunMarch 10, 2017 at 7:32 AM

      HAHAH!!! You're probably right! Thanks for making me laugh :)

      Delete
  13. Fairytales and FitnessMarch 10, 2017 at 8:00 AM

    I have never heard of that podcast. I am always looking for new podcast. I have been listening to Another mother runner and No meat athlete. I will have to download Ali's next. Thanks for the suggestion.

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnaMarch 10, 2017 at 8:00 AM

    oh no!! I'm sorry to hear! I hope you have a speedy recovery!

    I'm running DC, in the freezing cold!! throw us a blanket! stay warm tomorrow, send me a message if you want to grab dinner of a coffee while you are in DC.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ange // Cowgirl RunsMarch 10, 2017 at 1:18 PM

    OH man, such a bummer you have to miss your race :( I hope your shoulder heals quickly.
    Thanks for the blog and podcast rec!

    ReplyDelete
  16. UnknownMarch 10, 2017 at 4:43 PM

    Can I just say, I admire that you are actually listening o your doctor and resting! So often I read blogs who seek out a physician’s advice and then ignore it. You remind me to respect my body. So so grateful for that Gretchen. Have a wonderful weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  17. RachelMarch 10, 2017 at 5:11 PM

    I'm a big fan of Imagine Dragons. Sorry to hear you're injured! Eek!

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousMarch 12, 2017 at 10:03 AM

    GBBO - enjoy watching every minute! Has anyone broken it to you that it finished on BBC in 2016?? Honestly, made headline news here in the UK - devastated the nation (possibly more than Bowie and Brexit! Kidding - sort of...)

    Hope your shoulder gets better asap. I never realised quite how useful and used shoulders are until I hurt mine.

    ReplyDelete
  19. CarlyMarch 13, 2017 at 6:41 AM

    With Top Chef over for the season I feel like I need a new cooking/baking show in my life, so I'll definitely check out the Great British Bakeoff-- I've seen it mentioned on Twitter quite a bit, but don't think I realized it was available on Netflix. I'm sorry to hear you weren't able to run because of your injury, but hoping it heals quickly!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Kristy Sayer-Jones @ Southern In LawMarch 13, 2017 at 4:05 PM

    That ice bag would definitely be a favourite on my list too... no leaking!

    Resting sucks but I am SO glad you're listening to your doctor and doing it!

    ReplyDelete

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