I am way late on this post - missed it in my inbox somehow. I have several playlists that I listen to, but when I was training for the NYC marathon, I included in my long runs several NYC-themed songs to keep me motivated. These included "New York State of Mind" (Bill Joel), "New York, New York" (Frank Sinatra), "New York Minute" (Don Henly), "Autumn in New York" (Frank Sinatra), and "Empire State of Mind" (Alicia Keys). Funny thing was that during the NYC marathon they have so many great bands and music along the course, I never once put on my headset. I just enjoyed the entire experience and the great music along the way (including the gospel singers in Harlem).
Looking over my playlists….So. Many. Songs! Music is my absolute drug of choice for all I do in life, and I have playlists for every “mood” of running, whether training for or running a marathon—start, fast finish, cruise, hard hills, jam.
I “can” run without music, but it “feels” a little like watching the triumph scene in Rocky without its famous song Gonna Fly Now. Anyway, the songs that follow me through many playlists are Everlong, Days Go By, Runnin Down a Dream, Lose Yourself, and Turn the Music Up.
One quick story. Forever ago (2013), before my third ever marathon (in the same year), I had my then 17yo daughter put together a surprise playlist for the last 10k of the marathon. I did not look at the songs before the race. When that first song hit—Britney Spears’ Work B*tch—that was the ultimate endorphin hit. That last 10k was the second wind runners dream of!
Hmmmm I do like shake it off if we are talking Taylor Swift but I’m Nirvana, Tori Amos, Alanis, foo fighters, Metallica, Django Reinhardt, Dio, Fleetwood Mac kinda girl 🤣
I'm sharing the link to my running playlist before listening to the suggestions in the comments.
I started my list in the spring of 2019, when I began running. Some of the songs on this list I love with every particle of my being. Some have unforgettable stories attached to them, because they played in my head during unforgettable runs!
I listen while prepping to run and post-run but not while running. I've listened to music while running maybe half a dozen times in these almost six years. I love my Running playlist nonetheless!
i never listen to music when i run. but if i'm doing a race i love when water stops or people on the course have music blaring. i like all the running classics - break my stride, running up that hill and eye of the tiger. but anything upbeat is fun and its fun when the runners all start singing along.
I love music from all genres and time periods. My current/latest favorite running song is Never Gonna Stop by Danger Twins (I found it because my kid loves the movie Harold and the Purple Crayon). It's about 180 bpm, which used to be a good cadence for my final kick (I preferred 170-175 bpm for a sustained effort).
I've been alternating between injured, sick, and too-wimpy-to-run-in-the-wintery-cold for about a year and a half. But I have big plans this year, so we'll see if this song makes it on my playlist. I'm definitely bookmarking this page for ideas!
Well, I'm in the lottery for the NYC marathon, but barring that long shot, I think I'll keep it local and slowly ramp up to the AVL half in August 2025.
My playlist is quite varied, but my favorite song is Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (yea, I’m in my 60’s). I have recently uploaded Lady Gaga’s Hold My Hand since seeing her performance prior to the Super Bowl. That was such a heartfelt performance.
My playlist when I was training to qualify for the Boston Marathon included CCR's Up Around the Bend, Beatles' Octopus Garden, Billy Joel's Only the Good Die Young, Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon, Journey's Don't Stop Believing and Chicago's You're the Inspiration and Saturday in the Park. I tried to make a playlist last about 2 - 3 hours for my longer runs.
No, I have not. I will try and load it into my playlist. Don’t stop believing was the song that I played over and over again after I got accepted into Boston.
Often any Zeppelin or Beatles album will satisfy my running needs, but I believe I listen to U2’s All that You Can’t Leave Behind most often, especially Beautiful Day, Stuck in a Moment, and Elevation. (Joshua Tree may be a close second).
I am way late on this post - missed it in my inbox somehow. I have several playlists that I listen to, but when I was training for the NYC marathon, I included in my long runs several NYC-themed songs to keep me motivated. These included "New York State of Mind" (Bill Joel), "New York, New York" (Frank Sinatra), "New York Minute" (Don Henly), "Autumn in New York" (Frank Sinatra), and "Empire State of Mind" (Alicia Keys). Funny thing was that during the NYC marathon they have so many great bands and music along the course, I never once put on my headset. I just enjoyed the entire experience and the great music along the way (including the gospel singers in Harlem).
Better late than never! 😃
Eye of the Tiger!
Looking over my playlists….So. Many. Songs! Music is my absolute drug of choice for all I do in life, and I have playlists for every “mood” of running, whether training for or running a marathon—start, fast finish, cruise, hard hills, jam.
I “can” run without music, but it “feels” a little like watching the triumph scene in Rocky without its famous song Gonna Fly Now. Anyway, the songs that follow me through many playlists are Everlong, Days Go By, Runnin Down a Dream, Lose Yourself, and Turn the Music Up.
One quick story. Forever ago (2013), before my third ever marathon (in the same year), I had my then 17yo daughter put together a surprise playlist for the last 10k of the marathon. I did not look at the songs before the race. When that first song hit—Britney Spears’ Work B*tch—that was the ultimate endorphin hit. That last 10k was the second wind runners dream of!
Ahhhh …. For me Kryptonite by Three Doors Down gives me a boost when a hill or pace seems daunting in the moment.
I don't listen to music when I run, but I sure enjoy the beat at the start of a race!
Hmmmm I do like shake it off if we are talking Taylor Swift but I’m Nirvana, Tori Amos, Alanis, foo fighters, Metallica, Django Reinhardt, Dio, Fleetwood Mac kinda girl 🤣
I'm sharing the link to my running playlist before listening to the suggestions in the comments.
I started my list in the spring of 2019, when I began running. Some of the songs on this list I love with every particle of my being. Some have unforgettable stories attached to them, because they played in my head during unforgettable runs!
I listen while prepping to run and post-run but not while running. I've listened to music while running maybe half a dozen times in these almost six years. I love my Running playlist nonetheless!
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNlDwPcy-b46hHwYAt-EZZFkUfq3iXSDo&si=0f5ozPMHmiy-V9Jf
I always run a little happier (and faster) when The Next Episode by Dre and Snoop comes on my playlist during a run.
Sports podcasts mostly. Keeps my brain active and not anxiety/facepalm inducing like politics haha.
But I also find 00s rap music to be a nice change of pace that gives me a bounce in my step when I need.
I love cinematic scores for threshold workouts. This Hans Zimmer-centered playlist has been my go-to for the last couple months:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7LovtpluwClosEe4ZbqfMB?si=2zPFBp-pQJ-p2j7gLLvO8w&pi=63SrKq0WQRqVR
I'll definitely check this out! Thanks for sharing, Sam!
i never listen to music when i run. but if i'm doing a race i love when water stops or people on the course have music blaring. i like all the running classics - break my stride, running up that hill and eye of the tiger. but anything upbeat is fun and its fun when the runners all start singing along.
I love music from all genres and time periods. My current/latest favorite running song is Never Gonna Stop by Danger Twins (I found it because my kid loves the movie Harold and the Purple Crayon). It's about 180 bpm, which used to be a good cadence for my final kick (I preferred 170-175 bpm for a sustained effort).
I've been alternating between injured, sick, and too-wimpy-to-run-in-the-wintery-cold for about a year and a half. But I have big plans this year, so we'll see if this song makes it on my playlist. I'm definitely bookmarking this page for ideas!
Love hearing about the big plans! Have any particular race(s) in mind?
Well, I'm in the lottery for the NYC marathon, but barring that long shot, I think I'll keep it local and slowly ramp up to the AVL half in August 2025.
I only listen to my playlist while on the treadmill. Have 20 songs from Blondies to GNR.
Top three: Wizards in winter by TSO; Highway Star by Deep Purple; and Chariots of Fire by Vangelis
My playlist is quite varied, but my favorite song is Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (yea, I’m in my 60’s). I have recently uploaded Lady Gaga’s Hold My Hand since seeing her performance prior to the Super Bowl. That was such a heartfelt performance.
I should have added in the original email to share our playlists -- is yours on Spotify/available to share?
My playlist when I was training to qualify for the Boston Marathon included CCR's Up Around the Bend, Beatles' Octopus Garden, Billy Joel's Only the Good Die Young, Fleetwood Mac's Rhiannon, Journey's Don't Stop Believing and Chicago's You're the Inspiration and Saturday in the Park. I tried to make a playlist last about 2 - 3 hours for my longer runs.
No, I have not. I will try and load it into my playlist. Don’t stop believing was the song that I played over and over again after I got accepted into Boston.
Love these, Jenn! Have you heard the 'Glee' version of "Don't Stop Believin'?
Often any Zeppelin or Beatles album will satisfy my running needs, but I believe I listen to U2’s All that You Can’t Leave Behind most often, especially Beautiful Day, Stuck in a Moment, and Elevation. (Joshua Tree may be a close second).
All great songs! Sometimes I'll watch the "Beautiful Day" video too from my treadmill -- always gets me going.