26.2 Playlist

Music is a major factor in my ability to keep running. It's extremely motivating for me, and I pick a lot of the songs in my playlist because they send me various messages that help me keep running. With the 26.2 playlist, there are some songs that are slower, but they are meaningful for me. I definitely start out with slower songs as a warm up into my running, too. A lot of the songs I choose have themes revolving around strength, and a couple that deal with a self-realization or coming home. Also, I love songs that have the word "run" in them!

Harbor, Vienna Teng -- I always start my playlist with this song. Love it. It represents how I feel about all of my boys and was on my "Stephen playlist" for when Stephen was born, which signifies the beginning of this running journey for me
Boston, Augstana
Forever Young, Alphaville -- Hopefully through running and strength, I'll be able to stay "forever young"
Sleeps With Butterflies, Tori Amos
Ribbons Undone, Tori Amos -- She runs like the fire does, just picking up daisies...
Long Way, Antje Duvekot -- Nice one for the beginning, since I'm in for a long run. Also represents the journey that has been my life so far.
Cars and Guitars, Tori Amos
No One to Run With, The Allman Brothers Band -- The title sort of says it all :)
I Found You, Alabama Shakes -- This song was my "come to Jesus" moment during the marathon. For me, it was about finding Bob, finding myself, finding God, everything. Good song. I was feeling good during this song. Only wish it wasn't so early in the race :)
We Found Love (In a Hopeless Place), Jona Vark, etc.
Dog Days Are Over, Florence + The Machines
Run-Around, Blues Traveler
Little Talks, Of Monsters and Men
We R Who We R, Ke$ha
The Edge of Glory, Lady Gaga
Simple Song, The Shins
Bad Romance, Lady Gaga
The End Where I Begin, The Script -- Always love the message here. The end where I begin.
Till The World Ends, Britney Spears
Firework, Katy Perry
Mirrors, Justin Timberlake -- Really digging this song right now. It's kind of about finding your perfect partner but also about, for me, feeling that way when I look in the mirror. I doubt that's JT's message, but that's what I take away from it.
Hold It Against Me, Britney Spears -- Love the double entendre of this song!
Born This Way, Lady Gaga
Piece of Me, Britney Spears
Gravity, Vienna Teng -- This is sort of my Taylor birth song. In some ways, it sort of comes off sounding like a "satellite mom" attitude, which isn't how I feel, but for me it's more about the fact that my love for him is an consistent as something like gravity. I'll always be there for him, even when he is out there exploring the world.
S&M, Rihanna
Everybody's Got a Mountain to Climb, The Allman Brothers Band -- Another good, motivational song!
Wild Ones (feat. Sia), Flo Rida
Paparazzi, Lady Gaga
Don't Stop Believin', Journey
Take It Off, Ke$ha
We Are Young, Fun.
Unusual You, Britney Spears
Just Dance, Lady Gaga
I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons -- This is the song that was playing when Bob slowed down and waited for me to catch up when I was having explosive knee pain. It meant so much that he stuck with me and it's pretty crazy that this song was playing at the same time.
Born to Run, Bruce Springsteen -- Gotta have this on a running playlist!
I Ain't the Same, Alabama Shakes
Your Love Is My Drug, Ke$ha
Shut Up and Drive, Rihanna
I Gotta Feeling, The Black Eyed Peas
Let's Go Crazy, Prince
Some Nights, Fun.
American Girl, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers -- This song always makes me think of driving around, head boppin', with my high school girlfriends -- you know who you are!!
Starships, Nicki Minaj
Right Round, Flo Rida
Yeah! (feat. Lil John & Ludacris), Usher -- Always loved this beat! Takes me back to my undergrad days :)
Breakaway, Kelly Clarkson
Little Lion Man, Mumford & Sons
Hold On, Alabama Shakes -- This one was planned to help motivate me to keep pushing through, keep on running!
Sos, Rihanna -- Sos, please, someone help me... That's pretty much how I'm feeling at this point in the run.
Gimme More, Britney Spears -- Britney wants me to give her more, so that's what I'm gonna do!
Halo, Beyonce -- Love this song. Makes me think of my "angel" (aka., Bob since he's into angel investing) running beside me
The War Is Over, Kelly Clarkson -- Another motivating song
Fighter, Christina Aguilera -- This one is definitely meant to help me stay strong in the race
Carry On, Fun. -- When you're lost and along, and you're sinking like a stone, carry on...
If I Were a Boy, Beyonce -- Just love this song
Moment 4 Life (feat. Drake), Nicki Minaj & Drake -- This is meant to remind me to savor the amazing experience, even when I'm in pain and not sure I can go on
Best Thing I Never Had, Beyonce
Just Give Me a Reason (feat. Nate Ruess), P!nk -- Awesome song and totally motivating!
Crazy, Gnarls Barkley -- Just fun!
Coming Home, Diddy-Dirty Money & Skylar Grey -- A good one to have near the end, when I just want to run it home!
Womanizer, Britney Spears -- Just a fun one!
Arms, Christina Perri -- This is a comforting song to help me get through
Dance In The Dark, Lady Gaga
Hey Ya!, Outkast
Fly, Nicki Minaj & Rihanna -- I like the thought of flying when I'm running
Mountain Sound, Of Monsters & Men
Young Blood, The Naked and Famous
Hang Loose, Alabama Shakes
Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You), Kelly Clarkson -- I think this is where I actually finished the marathon
Try, P!nk -- If I'm still running, I'm going to need some major encouragement
Soon Love Soon, Vienna Teng -- This is a Taylor birth song and what better message at the end of a long race than "Soon, love, soon..."
Back Where It All Begins, The Allman Brothers Band -- Praying I wasn't still running at this point
Carry On, Fun. -- Another major motivator
Where Are You Going, Dave Matthews Band -- Are you still running?! Dude, where are you going?!
Boys Boys Boys, Lady Gaga -- Fun, silly song
Raise Your Glass, P!nk