Apr
28
It started with deciding to say yes to a challenge that felt impossibly out of reach, which led me to a beautiful city I’d never seen before and a finish line I never thought it would be possible for me to cross. A week later, I thought, I’ve come this far and learned so much about myself in the process—what if I kept going?
We leave on Friday for Eugene. The marathon is on Sunday. The marathon that I’m running in.
I pushed myself out the door a thousand times when I’d have given anything to stay home. I ran through wind and rain and dark night skies. I ran short, I ran medium, I eventually ran 21 seemingly endless miles, all in the name of preparing my body to endure 26.2. I spent money on tights and fuel belts and energy gels and music and hats and shoes. I got sidelined by painful injuries in my knee and hip and foot. I sometimes ran lonely; I always ran alone.
It’s been the hardest thing I have ever done, this training. A lot of it has been, in a word, miserable. I don’t know if I will ever want to do this sort of thing again.
But here I am, about to run a goddamned marathon. It’s not over yet, but I’ve put in the work to get this far and it is a nearly indescribable feeling. I read a quote once: “Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be.” I believe this is true. I believe these last several months of running have forever changed me. Or maybe just revealed what was there all along.
I’ll be thinking of you on Sunday, my friends, you who have helped me out so much with encouraging words and support from afar. Thank you for being such a positive presence in my life. Thank you for the kindnesses you’ve shown me and the advice you’ve shared. It makes a difference.
Now, assuming I don’t black out and die in a pool of my own vomit before I have a chance to make it past the audiobook section of my iPod and into the music, I need what can only be described as the World’s Most Epic Running Playlist, and here’s where you come in: what’s the one song that never fails to revive your flagging spirits, that you’d want piped into your head-holes to help stave off total physical collapse? The request line is OPEN.
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I have no witty songs to add, just to make sure all the kids’ crap is off your random lists – I get to plugging along (I’m mostly walking/jogging) and there’s nothing that kills a good rhythm than having Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Choo Choo Soul come blasting on – ACK!
Rock it Sunday – you’re amazing. Can’t wait to hear the story!
Rear View Mirror- Pearl Jam
“I gather speed… from you fuckin’ with me!!”
These three songs are seriously awesome and will keep you going.
A King Without a Crown: Matisyahu
Jockey full of Bourbon: Moshav
I Just Want to Celebrate: Rare Earth (the Mocean worker remix on treadmill training mixed terrain 1)
Linda, I am so excited for you. I am so proud of you. Good luck. Remember to enjoy it! Run your ass off, girl.
I am a former marching band geek so I need tempo music. Here are my faves:
Tik Tok – Ke$ha
Cup of Life – Ricky Martin
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
Army – Ben Folds
Ok, this may not be your speed but “Move B*tch” by Ludacris always get my blood pumping. It’s not PC but I feel strong and badass when listening to this song. It is appropriate for a race though because you want to tell the other racers to “get out tha way!!”
Linda! YOU ROCK! Good luck!
Here it is:
“Lose My Breath” Destiny’s Child
“Strutter” The Donna’s (it’s a cover of the kiss song but they do it faster. And harder.)
“Brass Monkey” The Beastie Boys
All are fast and I just automatically push it when I hear them! I’ll be thinking of you this weekend!
Good luck Linda. As many other have said I find you very motivational. My favorite song these days for working out is “Breaking Dishes” by Rihanna.
the way you make me feel
Michael Jackson.
You’ve been a great inspiration to me on my own running path. Good Luck!
Oldies but Goodies to keep up the pace:
Bob Segar-Against the Wind, Still the Same, Old Time Rock and Roll
Joe Cocker-Up Where We Belong
Alan Parsons Project-Psychobabble
Bruce Springsteen-Born to Run, I’m on Fire
Roy Orbison-Pretty Woman
The Doors-Light My Fire
Queen-We are the Champions, We will Rock You
Chariots of Fire to finish
no bad news- patty griffin
go go go. you’ve already won.
I’ve got two:
She is Beautiful by Andrew W.K.
This Too Shall Pass by OK Go (the live version with the Notre Dame Marching Band)
Like a Friend – Pulp. It starts slow but then it picks up. Good luck to you! You are an inspiration to a lot of us out here on teh interwebs.
Hellllooooo!! *waves from bottom of seemingly endless comments*
My hands-down run across the finish line in a vomitous blaze of glory song is “The Final Countdown” by Europe. Just thinking of the intro gives me goosebumps of AWESOME.
Good luck, Linda. I know you’ll do a great job!
My songs are:
The Power – Snap
Break Stuff – Limp Bizkit (I know I’m a dork)
Break My Stride – Matthew Wilder
Paralyzer – Finger Eleven
Mickey – Toni Basil
The Killers “Mr. Brightside” or “Somebody Told Me”
the slow build and then the screamy singing
You’re gonna rock it, Linda!
The Stripper Song by Wyclef Jean – I cannot explain it, but I just love this dang song when I am running!
Gay Bar by Electric Six. Only problem with the song is it’s too short-but it’ll be a 2 minute energy infusion.
okay my suggestion would be to put more than you think you’ll need so that if you’re not feeling a song you can just skip through it and onto something that will give you a litte pick me up.
loose yourself – eminem
start me up – the rolling stones
here i come – fergie
sex on fire – kings of leon
tusk – fleetwood mac
numb -jay-z and linkin park
paint it black – the rolling stones
today – smashing pumpkins
i’m so pumped for you. i’ve signed up for my first marathon in portland this october. i love your running posts. now go kick ass!
I trained for my first 5K on Tom Petty’s gratest hits. Something about Refugee always gets me movin. Also, Running Down A Dream is pretty apropos.
So many of my pop faves were already mentioned, but I’ll add “Afraid” by Nelly Furtado to the mix.
Good luck!
Rise Against: Ready to Fall
The Cure: Doing the Unstuck
Guns & Roses: Welcome to the Jungle
Dorothy at 40: Cursive
GREAT luck, girl! You are going to rock it.
Holy cow! Good luck and know that we are all cheering for you! You’ll do great!
The songs…for me to get totally pumped up and in a don’t-fuck-with-me-I-RULE attitude, I choose:
A.M. Radio by Everclear
Walking Contradiction by Green Day
Thanks for the Memories by Fall Out Boy
Oops – I wrote the Cursive song backwards, should have been:
Cursive: Dorothy at 40
=)
Good luck Linda, you are truly an inspiration!
Eye of the Tiger
Simply the Best by Tina Turner
Beggin’ by Madcon
Drop the World – Lil Wayne & Eminem
Imma Be – Black Eyed Peas
Dragula – Rob Zombie
Going to California – Led Zep
Tik Tok – Kesha
Boom Boom Pow – Black Eyed Peas
April 29, 1992, Santeria, What I Got – Sublime
Good luck lady. You can do it!
So I did my marathon a year and a half ago and I am glad to say that I did it, but I can cross that item off my bucket list. Never again! My husband made me an awesome playlist, and here are some of my suggestions from that:
Thunderstruck – ACDC
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
Enter Sandman – Metallica – I’m a Yankees Fan – It get’s me excited for the 9th inning!
Longtime lurker, first-time commentor, but how could I not chime in? In my opinion, the running mix makes the run. It makes the training run. It makes the race. I’ve done a marathon and a couple of halfs and know what you’re about to do — the nerves are the worst, aren’t they? If the race doesn’t allow iPods, sneak the headphones up the back of your shirt. Anyway, here are my votes:
Brand New Day – Sting (put this at the front of the running mix. It’s a good one to start out to.)
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Get Jiggy Wit It – Will Smith
Hit Me Baby One More Time – Britney
Come on Eileen – Dexies Midnight Runners (or whatever that band is called!)
Let’s Get it Started – Black Eyed Peas
A Sort of Fairytale – Tori Amos (NOT an upbeat song, really, but put it in the middle of your run when you’re zoning out — the beat is a good cadence to run to and the melody is so pretty it’s kind of inspirational).
GOOD LUCK!!!
Good luck! Hotel Yorba by the White Stripes is always good for making me want to jump up and down, so I assume it works well for running, to.
anything by Green Day.
Delirious – Prince. It kicks almost as much ass as you do.
Thoroughly idiotic, but I swear it always works: “Do It” by…the Spice Girls.
Don’t knock it till you try it.
Dark Matter – Andrew Bird
So cool! Have fun.
Dude I am so happy you asked this question so I can come back and review what everyone has said. You rock and you’ll do amazing…best of luck. Right now my favorite is Hollaback Girl, Gwen Stefani, which is probably my favorite only because it is a newly added one. But it does the trick mid long run.
You’re amazing and inspiring!
How about:
Mercedez Benz – Miss Platnum
-and-
Invincible – OK Go
“I’m Running” by Mistress Barbara
Here are the lyrics: http://www.lyricsreg.com/lyrics/misstress+barbara/I%B4m+Running/
LOVE this song.
Can’t wait to hear all about your race. Own it!!
Here are two of my favorite “get out of a bad mood” songs:
Been Caught Stealin’ – Jane’s Addiction
Head Like a Hole – Nine Inch Nails
Some more recent:
Uprising – Muse
Little Lion Man – Mumford & sons
The funny thing is that no one who knows me would ever guess that I like those songs.
Best of luck with the marathon!
You are going to love doing the marathon (even when you’re hating it and wondering why you ever on earth thought it might be a good idea). You’ll finish and you’ll swear you’d never do THAT again….and a couple days later you’ll start strategizing about how you’ll do it differently next time.
As for music — there is nothing like a seriously loud gospel choir to get you moving. I have one song called “shut up and start praying”; it’s not particularly rowdy but it makes me laugh whenever it comes on during a run. And you can’t go wrong with old school Motown (Jackson 5) or Earth Wind & Fire
When Worlds Collide – Powerman 5000
Works every time! Best of luck to you!
When I did my first long race (20k) without a partner, I have a great memory of high-fiving the cop stopping traffic while dancesprinting to the finish line to “Footloose.” I was like 249th of 275, but I was in the BEST mood!
Also: Underdog, by Spoon; Kiss Me Deadly, by Lita Ford; American Girl, by Tom Petty; Dancing with Myself, by Billy Idol and Head over Heels by the Go-Gos (1st line: “Been running so long…”)
Look, not that I had musical credibility to begin with, but here goes nothing:
Ani DiFranco – “Angry Anymore”
Kate Nash – “Foundations”
Kanye West – “Stronger”
Daft Punk – “Harder Better Faster Stronger”
Timbaland – “The Way I Are”
Rhianna – “Shut Up and Drive”
Rhianna – “Disturbia”
Depeche Mode – “Personal Jesus”
Violent Femmes – “Add it Up”
Dead Milkmen – “Punk Rock Girl”
Gnarls Barkley – “Run”
Survivor – “Eye of the Tiger” (Better known as the Rocky training theme)
The Chieftains – “The Hunter’s Purse” (which I know is the most random thing, ever, but it’s so cool and so quick that before you know it 2 minutes have passed and you find yourself wanting to listen to it again)
Love Shack by the b-52’s.
No I’m not joking.
“Wonderful” by Gary Go. It’s that song featured in the DisneyNature Oceans Trailer. Very uplifting.
“Five Minutes to Midnight” – Boys like Girls. Just good and upbeat.
“Rocky Road to Dublin” – Drop Kick Murphys. High Irish Energy!
“Danger Zone” Kenny Loggins. Top Gun. Need I say more?
“You’re Gonna Go Far, Kid” – The Offspring. Probably would be great for one of those miles in which your slowly imagining drawing a blade down your wrist in agony.
“Let the Flames Begin” – Paramore. Another one of those “Time to put it into Kickass Mode” songs.
“Automatic” – Tokio Hotel. Very upbeat, techno.
Other than those.. I’ve got a lot of Japanese songs, but I doubt you want those.
Rock on girl! You can totally do it, I did it once and tried a few more times but my body reminded my brain that I said I would only run 1 marathon.
So Whatcha Want – Beastie Boys
Call Me, Blondie
Rebel Rebel and/or Fame, David Bowie
Groove in the Heart, Dee Lite
Personal Jesus, Depeche Mode
Feel Good Inc, Gorillaz
Big Pimpin, Jay Z
Are you going to be my girl, Jet
Sexy Back, Justin Timberlake
Mr Brightside, The Killers
The Beautiful People, Marilyn Manson
Electri Feel, MGMT
I could keep going, but I’ll stop in the mid M’s! Good luck and enjoy all those yummy carbs.
Idina Menzel singing “Defying Gravity” on Wicked’s original cast recording.
It’s Your Thing by the Isley Brothers!! Rock it, Linda!!!
I like Rob Zombie when I need to fire myself up – particularly Dragula and Superbeast. Our 12 yo wants to hear them before his soccer games. :)
I’ll be thinking about you Sunday. I can’t wait to hear about it. I know you’ll kick that marathon’s ass.
We have the country’s largest half-marathon here, and I’ve always wanted to participate. A fact I’ve kept to myself because I don’t think anyone would believe it! Someday….
Rob Zombie’s “More Human Than Human”
Good luck!!!
The best part of my workout mix is these three songs in a row: “Come On Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners, “Pump It” by the Black Eyed Peas, and “SOS” by Rihanna. I’m so excited for you, good luck!!
Okay, dude, you’re going to rock this bitch, I know it.
For songs, I’m going to suggest Vampire Weekend’s “Giving Up the Gun” and “M79” Or really, the whole eponymous debt album, plus Giving Up the Gun from the second.
Also, seconding Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and the whole Rocky soundtrack.
Let’s see … I find Celine Dion’s “Taking Chances” and “A New Day Has Come” to be inspiring (SHUT UP.)
Ben Folds’ version of “In Between Days” is my favorite, too, and always gets me going.
Good luck! You’re going to be awesome!
“I am Superman” – REM
Good luck, I know you will do great! I will be thinking of you this weekend.
Reading about your journey has been really inspirational for me. I am always in awe of how much you pack into your days, you seem to get it all in, time with your boys, time with your husband, work, fitness and now school. You have made me see how worthwhile all the effort is in all areas of our lives, and how you don’t know what you can accomplish until you try. So now I am working toward something I always thought was impossible for me, a 5K. Thanks for that, its a new feeling for me to work toward difficult goals and not shy away.
I’d recommend Holiday by Vampire Weekend.