Kristen's Running Playlist

Since all of my runs as of late have been on the treadmill, you better believe I've got my iPhone plugged into my ears. I tend to be extremely picky about what I listen to, and sometimes, even the songs I have on my list don't cut it and I fast forward through to the next one.

There are a few songs that fit perfectly with a specific speed on the treadmill, and in fact, I'm thinking of interspersing them more frequently just to help with my pace during the half-marathon.

Yes, I actually said it. It's on Halloween, which is like 15 days away, right?

Holy crow.

Chariot - Gavin DeGraw (around a 10-9.5 minute mile)

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

Darlin' Do Not Fear - Brett Dennen

Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis (One of my "eh" songs - need to be in the mood)

Everything - Michael Buble (it's slow, but it's inspiring to me. If I'm tired, I do fast forward through it)

Everybody's Changing - Keane (it's also sort of slow - I might take this one off as I always fast forward it)

I Don't Want to Be - Gavin DeGraw (around an 11 minute mile - good pacer)

I'm in Love With a Girl - Gavin DeGraw (around a 10-9.5 minute mile)

Promiscuous Girl - Nelly Furtado

Sandstorm - Darude (This is the no lyrics techno/dance song that you'll recognize from your club days)

Singing in My Sleep - Semisonic

Viva la Vida - Coldplay

Give it To Me - Timbaland/Justin Timberlake

How Come You Don't Call Me? - Alicia Keys

I'm obviously going to need more music to last an entire half-marathon, but since I really like these songs, I don't mind listening to them or twice (heck, even three times depending on my pace).

What's on your running or workout playlist?

Comments

[Melisa with one S]

We did a great group/interactive playlist of workout songs over at Music Savvy Mom...check it out here:

http://musicsavvymom.com/2009/08/workout-music-interactive-playlist-3/

I'm ALWAYS looking for new stuff! :)

[Cooley]

I like just about anything from "Girl Talk," "Kryptonite" by Purple Ribbon Allstars, Eminem, JT, Missy Elliot, and some really bad Nelly from my middle school days. As a weird rule, I like bad/loud/expletive-riddled/dance-marathon-esque music when I work out. Who knows why...

[Motherhood Uncensored]

I'm right there with you Cooley. My list is what I could pick through on my husband's downloads.

I'd be embarrassed for people to see what I'd reaallllly like on my playlist. But hell, if it gets me going, then who cares, right?

[Tracy]

Funny. I've been thinking about writing a blog post about the fact that couch to 5k has brought me back to a close relationship with music.

During the last couple of weeks of my Couch to 5K training, I made a playlist that had "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire at the end, which made me feel like a bourgeois dork, but darn if it wasn't motivating. Lately I've been reliving my youth with some early Beastie Boys, RH Chili Peppers and other silly circa-1990 hits.

[Amanda]

I've found Muse, Bloc Party and Imogen Heap keep me going! I just skip over the slow ones....but sometimes I enjoy a good slower-paced song. It helps me think less about the technicalities of speed and time and more about loving what I'm doing!

[Quix]

Just found you a few days ago (looking to start shredding soon, just waiting for the dvd to arrive!). I love anything upbeat and dancy or powerful. Some of my faves: Pitbull, I know you want me, Stronger - Kayne West, anything Eminem, Rage Against the Machine, etc. Sometimes slower songs where the lyrics really inspire me are just as good...

[Rosa]

I'm a Hip Hop Momma. I have Keri Hilson's "Knock You Down". It is my go to song for when I have about 5 minutes left in my run and have to finish strong. It worked wonderfully for my first 5K. "Live Your Life," by TI and Rhianna. "Hey, Ya" by Outkast. Beyonce. Mostly fast beat songs for funning. It keeps me charged. I am planning on getting some newer songs and some Reggaeton because of the bpm. I like reading everyone's list.

[Frema]

I just ran my first 5K, and here's what I ran to:

"Just the Two of Us" - Grover Washington (Reminds me to start slow and tortoise-like.)

"Say That You Love Me" - Fleetwood Mac

"The Real World" - Matchbox 20

"Least Complicated" - Indigo Girls (The music inspires a fierce, Rocky Balboa-ish attitude.)

"Martyr" - Rusted Root (Insert Rockygasm here.)

"American Girl" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (Very suburbanite, I know.)

"Back and Forth" - Aaliyah (Brings me back to a more subdued pace so I can rest.)

"It's Sweet" - Liz Phair (To pump me up again; in training I tried "Jealousy," one of my favorite songs ever from her, but it was too fast and I couldn't focus.)

"Least Complicated" again (To inspire me near the end of the race)

"Martyr" again (For the win)

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I tried running to faster songs like "SexyBack" during training but found it threw off my concentration; I couldn't find a pace that synced with my breathing. Now that it's over, though, I want to try those types of songs again.