Harder, Better, Faster, STONGER

Eeek!  Music.  It makes me run HARDER BETTER FASTER STRONGER!

Seriously, who doesn't like some good tunes whilst pounding out a tough run on the pavement?  I get asked a lot for running playlists, so rather than make random suggestions, I thought I would compile what for ME would be the ultimate running playlist. 

Before I get to said playlist, a warning...my taste in music is eclectic.  This means that I love it all.  And for different reasons.  Sometimes I love a song because of the message in the lyrics or because I'm a fan of a specific band.  Sometimes a song just has a great beat and makes me run faster.  And some songs remind me of something or someone special...a memory from my life that makes me smile, takes the focus off of the hurt and make the run just a little easier.

So here it is.  Without further ado...NO JUDGING!

Andrea's Ultimate Running Playlist

1. Great Day to Be Alive- Travis Tritt
Of course I started with country.  And Travis Tritt.  Why?  Simple.  Every day IS a great day to be alive.  Especially if you're running!

2.  White Doves- Young Empires
New. Awesome. Inspirational.  Love some of the lyrics: it takes a thousand miles to reach the stars tonight; and you will find your dreams they come alive.

3.  Let It Ride- BTO
I have always claimed to have been born in the wrong era.  I love the groove of the 70's.  And that is why I love running to this BTO classic.

4.  C'Mon (Catch 'em By Surprise)- Busta Rhymes Diplo and Tiesto
Makes me run fast.  Like a fox.  Like a maniac.  Like a Kenyan.  A white Kenyan.  With short legs and a long body.  Very un-Kenyan like as a matter of fact...but a gal can't dream, can't she?

5.  Sofi Needs a Ladder- deadmau5

6.  Runnin' Down a Dream- Tom Petty
No explanation needed.  I AM running down a dream.  Many of them, actually.  But most specifically, 26 marathons, 26 different places, see to the right if you're confused...

7.  Don't Stop Believin'- Journey

8. Long Hot Summer- Keith Urban

9. Eye of the Beholder- Metallica
Every running playlist needs some Metallica.  Yes.  Every single one.  Laughing?  Whatever.  You'll see.  Download some.  It will get you through some tough spots on any and every run, I promise.  Plus it takes me back to my misspent Northern Ontario roots.  Kenora Dinner Jackets and pit parties.  Rock on.

10. Sad But True- Metallica

11. Sexy And I Know It- LMFAO
Nothing says sexy like running.  Running is Sexy.  Strong is Sexy.  Healthy is sexy.  Having endurance most 20 year olds don't even know exists yet, SUPER sexy.  And we all know it!

12. Save Me San Francisco- Train
I love the lyrics.  I smile and laugh.

13. Here I Go Again- Whitesnake
It's summer.  It's hot and humid.  I'm driving my boat.  In it are ARJR, Ellis, Haney and Bergie.  We are just pulling up to the Yacht Club Dance and this song is playing.  We just stole beer from someone else's boat and chugged it in a sauna to avoid a short but crazy rainfall.  What a great memory.

14. Banjo- Rascal Flatts

15. Not in Love- Crystal Castles f. Robert Smith

16. Run this Town- Jay Z
Jay Z is badass.  Therefore I become badass when I run this town.  I mean run in this town to this song.  Super street, that's me.

17. Paradise City- Guns n' Roses
For a period of my life, I partied like I was a rockstar.  To be specific, a rockstar in GnR.  Or at least like GnR bandaid.  While those days were...fun (?) they are certainly behind me now.  This song certainly gets me moving.  and when you're running this can't be a bad thing. 

18. Shake it Out (Benni Benassi Remix)- Florence and the Machine

19.  Stinkfist- Tool
Much like Metallica, I can't imagine a running playlist without Tool.  These guys have pushed me through some pretty tough marathon spots.  Tool, if (I mean when) you read this, you rock.  Completely.

21.  Electric Feel- MGMT
A nice slow beat to wrap it all up.

And that is all I have to say about that.  Like I said, my taste is varied, but to me, music for running is not about sticking to a certain genre or band.  It's about motivating me to run Harder.  Better.  Faster. Stronger. 

My suggestion?  Start downloading.  And then get your butt into shoes and onto the pavement.  Preferably singing the whole time!