Rising Up Lifts Me Up on a Good Run
Yesterday, after I finished reading The Residence, I decided to go for a run rather than do my typical workout. I was doing pretty well running last year up until November. After November 8th I didn’t run again until March3rd. After that run it was another month until I ran again on April 15th.
In my defense, I have worked out regularly almost every day over those four months. And thanks to some changes in my diet, that include focusing on reducing the amount of sugar in my diet. My weight is actually close to my optimal running weight! That actually makes starting to run again a little easier.
I told myself it was going to be a walk/run. To me that means I would run just a little faster than walking. However,I started out jogging just a little faster than that. I finished the first mile in a slow but respectable time of 11:55. A little after the first mile Mark I made a right hand turn to follow the course I had run in my first two runs of the year.
I followed that course until I came to another street where I need to make a decision. A left hand turn would keep me on the same course, while a right hand turn would send me up the steepest hill in our town.
I felt pretty good and while the run up the hill would be challenging I know the reward would be going down hill a little later!! I chose the hill. By choosing the hill I also knew that instead of running a 2.8 mile course I would be on a course that would probably end up being a distance of 3.1 mile or 5 kilometers. And that’s the distance I finished at near my home. Here are the nerdy details.
The Nerdy Details
Total Dist: 3.1 Time 38:03 Pace: 12:15 min/mile
Splits
Mile 1 11:55 Mile 2: 12:53 Mile 12:02 0.10 11.15
Avg HR 140 Max HR 161 Cals Burned: 492 Cals
The Soundtrack – Rising Up – Alex Lopez
The soundtrack for my run was Rising Up the latest album from blues guitarist and songwriter Alex Lopez.
About Alex Lopez
Alex was born in Cleveland Ohio. He began his musical journey playing keyboards. However, like many of his generation he was inspired by British blues/rock bands to master the guitar I His influencers Included greats like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix,
After spending his early musical years performing in clubs and recording original songs in small studios around Cleveland. All the he was polishing his songwriting skills
Next came his years in Florida after moving there to attend college. During those years he was the vocalist and lead guitarist of popular rock band Reminiscion
Alex Lopez’s Music
Finally Alex struck out on his own and in September of 2013 He released the self recorded album Back Bedroom Blues
Back Bedroom Blues was a collection of all original blues and blues/rock songs on which he played all instruments and showcased his skills as a blues guitarist and singer/songwriter.
Since then Alex has released four more albums. First came Is it a Lie in 2015 recorded with his band “The Xpress”
His next release , Slowdown achieved both international recognition and critical acclaim. The album earned him fans across the globe. It could be found on the blues, jam and Americana charts.
His next album Yours Truly, me… went to #6 on the blues Radio charts.
His latest release Rising Up may be his most ambitious album yet. Currently , the album is in the top ten on the Billboard chart and number 12 on the Roots Music Report’s Blues Chart. (It was No 8 the previous week)
As always, The Xpress comprised of Kenny Hoye on keyboards, Steve Roberts bass, Kana Leimbach on drums provide a solid rhythm section for Lopez’s soaring guitar work.
Quick Thoughts About Rising Up
As per usual, I really don’t give albums a good listen during my runs, I’m too focused on just running or should I say surviving to focus on the music! Overall, I enjoyed the album. I like Alex’s vocals and guitar work. However, I did find myself saying I really like that Hammond B-3.
The Bottom line is the album will stay in my rotation for a good long while and I will be checking out Alex’s catalog of albums!
Links for the Further ExplorAtion of the Music of Alex Lopez
Artist’s Website
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon
Here’s the official video for the title track of Alex Lopez’s Rising Up
