I Am Now A Jogger ... And You Can Be too!

For the last seven weeks I have begun jogging. I am generally the last person who considers fitness. The following reasons forced me to make the decision:

1. Playing football at friend Richard's Stag Weekend tired me out within the first few minutes. I was out of breath and had to hide in the background whilst I caught my breath ... which took ages. Then when I started to get into it again, I was knackered soo after. Clearly, this establishes my lack of fitness in the first instance.

2. A friend from work jogged into school. He jogged 8 miles. 8-fu*****-miles. Before he even taught a single lesson. This amazed me and inspired me. He never gave the impression that he was obsessivly fit ... he just enjoyed it and improved week-on-week, to the point that he could run 8-miles in the morning before a day of teaching. Amazing.

3. I was recommend by a friend the NHS Couch to 5k podcast. Only a few podcasts which you listen to, generally, the same one, three-times a week and then week-by-week you up the pace. Starting on 1-minute running, 1-minute walking - times by eight - you run eight minutes the first week. By week 7, you get to 25 minutes solid running. That's where I am now.

As it is 25 minutes, it seems a little useless to listen to the same podcast when I can just put together a playlist of songs to jog to. I always warm-up with a 5-minute "brisk walk" and finish on a 5-minute "brisk walk", with the 25-minute run in between. With this in mind, I managed to hunt down the playlist from Forrest Gump and I use tracks that Forrest ran to as I do (the source-tracks are bookended by music from Silvestri's score). It wasn't easy to find, but I did fill the 25-minutes effectively.

This is what I will share with you film folk - the playlist for my evening jog. Not to mention how much I advise you to do the same!

5-minute Warm-Up

Hold My Hand (UNKLE) - 5.00

25-minute Run

The Crusade (Alan Silverstri) - 2.01

Running on Empty (Jackson Browne) - 4.58

It Keeps You Runnin' (The Doobie Brothers) - 4.22

I've Got to Use My Imagination (Gladys Knight and The Pips) 3.29

Go Your Own Way (Fleetwood Mac) - 3.38

On The Road Again (Willie Nelson) - 2.33

Against The Wind (Starshine Orchestra and Singers) 3.52

The Crimson Gump (Alan Silvestri) 1.08

5-minute Warm-Down

Vision One (Royksopp) 5.00

So what about you? Do you run? And if so - do you have any amazing playlists you could share?

I'm hoping that as I continue and change my playlists, i'll share them with you guys and maybe you could join me!

Incredible Soundtrack #17: Back to the Future (Silvestri)

The music attached to a film creates the environment, I believe, moreso than the literal environment depicted through the visuals...

This week I will try and release a few of these posts - but there will be a twist. In the first instance, the majority of the soundtracks will not rely on the scores to provide exposure or discussion on the film itself. Though Alan Silvestri composed the score for Back to the Future, it is the [easily accessible] soundtrack with some classic iconic 80's tracks.

1. The Power of Love (Huey Lewis and the News) - Interestingly, this song, through scoring the number one spot on the billboard charts marked the first worldwide success for Huey Lewis and the News. Even Huey Lewis himself managed to nab a cameo in the film - judging Marty McFly's band at the school when they play an instrumental 'rock' version of the song. Forever associated with the 80's, this song with never lose its ties with Back to the Future.



3. Back to the Future - There are only two tracks on the album from the score, this track and an 8-minute overture. I have chosen this one as it has no filler spot - throwing us straight into the theme and for 4-minutes filling us with heroic gusto. Alan Silvestri at his best and, dare I say it, creating a forever iconic theme to stand alongside John Williams unforgettable 80's themes such as E.T. and Indiana Jones.


10. Johnny B. Goode (Marty McFly and the Starlighters) - On the soundtrack, this song is credited to the ficiotnal characters of the film, when in fact the artists are Harry Waters Jr (as Marvin Berry), Mark Campbell (as Marty McFly) and Tim May (performing the guitar solo). Following on from the film, I can imagine many young teenagers finding a new love for 50's music. Unlike Mr Sandman (by The Four Aces), at least Johnny B Goode is on the soundtrack!

A-Z #81: Forrest Gump

You can pick up hundreds of DVDs for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. It's never about quantity, it's about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em

#81 - Forrest Gump 

Why did I buy it?

Funnily enough, the DVD release coincided with the DVD release of Unbreakable. I watched both over the weekend and ... whats the connection between the two? Robin Wright Penn! But, I first watched this when a friend in Year 8 let my family borrow the video from him and, not only did my Mum and Dad love it, but so did I. I seriously think that comparing it to Pulp Fiction, as the Oscar Nominations did, is exceptionally tough. I really don't know which one to choose.

Why do I still own it?

It really is incredible. Ionly recently watched it as part of Film Club with pupils ranging from 12-14 and they all really enjoyed it - showing that even 15 years after it was made, it still holds. The special effects are subtle and incredibly effective with a brutal story told with such heart. I can only praise this film and, asked whether I think it is a better film that Pulp Fiction I seriously couldn't pick. Pulp Fiction is more ground-breaking but ... which one do I prefer ...

You guys think - Pulp Fiction or Forrest Gump?