Why Do I Run?

Running…. It’s cheaper than therapy.

Why Do I Run?  I ask myself this question everyday.  And it seems that everyday I have a different answer.  Today, I run because I love music.  I love having time alone…. Just me and my favorite tunes.  I love music…. Every genre of music.  I wish I could have a constant concert in my head every minute of the day.   When I get to heaven, I hope the soundtrack of my life goes Platinum.

There probably is a small handful of songs that have changed my life.  Some have made me appreciate all my blessings.  Some have made me laugh.  Some have gotten me through rough times.  Some inspire me to do great things.  Some remind me of great friends, the nights I’ll never remember with the friends I’ll never forget.  Some just lift my spirit and make me a better person.  Some make me cry, and miss things that I’ve lost.  Some give me strength and encouragement to keep me going and achieve my goals.  Sometimes it takes a great song to help you put one foot in front of the other.

Oh yeah, did I mention that my music died on me around mile 20 on Saturday.  Not cool Skull Candy.  NOT. COOL.

I usually listen to music when I’m in the car, getting ready in the morning, or doing chores around the house.  Hey, I heard that…. Yes I do chores!  Running with my iPod is like an escape.  It allows me to listen to the music I love as long as I want.  Even if I don’t feel like running, I do it because it’s my escape into musical bliss.  It’s like nothing else matters at that point.  I’ve found my happy place and intend to stay a while.  When I made my marathon playlist I picked my top 371 songs… so needless to say I love them all AND I’m slightly indecisive.

Here are a few of my favorite running tunes:

Whatdaya Want From Me - Adam Lambert 

For me, this song means, I’m just doing the best I can.   I’m just being me.  If that’s not good enough for you, then you’re the one with the problem.

Girls (Who Run the World) – Beyonce

Well obvi!  This one rocks because I’m a girl and I’m gonna run the world.  Like Phidippedes run, not political run.

We Didn’t Start the Fire – Billy Joel

‘Nuff Said

Toxic – Britney Spears  (Pretty much anything Britney)

Reminds me of the good times dancin’ like a fool in Room 2 at the Sigma Kappa house. 

Cupid Shuffle

Oh yeah, that’s right.  Take your best cheesy wedding reception number and dance the miles away!

Raise It Up – From the August Rush Soundtrack.

Favorite lyric “Sometimes it seems impossible, that’s why we pray”

Boy Like Me – Jessica Harp

I like this chick… she makes it ok to be a bad girl.  You don’t have to fit the good-two-shoes mold anymore.  We can sit around and talk about those things we just can’t talk about. 

Stronger Woman – Jewel

Wow… powerful message here.  “I’m gonna be my own best friend, stick with me til the end”  Get it girl!  Jewel rocks and she’s got an awesome real life cowboy husband too!

Just Stand Up – various women artists

This song was written and performed for cancer awareness and fundraising.  If people are out there battling cancer every day then I can certainly run a few miles.  This song makes you realize that the mind and heart are stronger than your body.  We can get through anything.  This is a major “DON’T GIVE UP” song!

The Way You Do The Things You Do – The Temptations

I love this song simply because it makes me believe that I can be anything that I wanna do… and others notice that because of the way I do the things I do.

Sure, there are plenty of other great songs on my playlist, but these are just a few that I thought we different, unique, and had special meaning to me.

Leave a comment and let me know what are your personal favorite running songs.  Even if it’s Happy Birthday or Jingle Bells, if it’s special to you, I wanna hear about it!

-katie