A hot new bombshell has entered the villa, and her name is March. She has arrived loudly with 60 degree days, sunny afternoons, but most frighteningly, my first 5k.
The story goes, in November, I went to a wedding with a group of friends, and as we were all winding down from a busy day, one friend threw out an idea I never would have said yes to. Did we want to run the Rock and Roll 5k with him? Normally, the word “run” would make me go, well, running, but on this crisp night something came over me and I said “sure!”
What came over me in this moment? I don’t know, but I decided to commit anyway! I bought real running shoes and started a Couch 2 5k program. In all honesty, it hasn’t gone great (getting the flu right when I was hitting my stride was pretty brutal), and I’m really nervous for the run. Originally, my goal was to run more than I walk, but I think now I have to accept that’s just not realistic for me. However, I’m still going to do it, and be proud of myself no matter what. The perfectionist in me realllllyyyy struggled to type that.
Anyways, all that to say, there’s no way I’ll make it through this run if I don’t have a great playlist. Here’s my outline/categories for how I’m going to use my music to keep me going along with some of my favorite examples.
Warm-Up:
“The Wizard and I” from Wicked (must be the movie version)
In the C25K program, you always start with a 5 minute walk.
This song is just the perfect length that by the time I get to the soaring outro (“A celebration throughout Oz that’s all to do with meeeeeee”) I get to take off running and it makes me feel invincible.
This is the perfect start to a run. Full of optimism, booming instrumentals, and vocal runs (hehe) that make me feel ready to go.
Pulsing Beats:
“So Long, London” by Taylor Swift, “Runner’s High” by MUNA and “Match Point” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Okay I get that the latter is obvious, but it really is a perfect running song.
Both of these songs have pulsing beats that help me set pace, something that has been the hardest for me. I tend to go WAY too fast and wear myself out quickly. I’ve done a lot of treadmill training to try and help that, but I still struggle when I take an outdoor run.
These are also very helpful in helping me remember to steady my breathing, an essential step for my physical activity induced asthma.
Lyrical Inspiration:
“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” by Taylor Swift, “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius, and “Silk Chiffon by MUNA
Sometimes, I need a lyrical reminder that I can do it or a distraction from how much I hate it.
Truly nothing can keep me going like “I’m a real tough kid” from ICDIWABH. I could be dying, feet on fire, and that line will make me run for at least another 30 seconds.
Sometimes one must pretend that “life’s so fun” and they have their “mini skirt and roller skates on” to keep going.
Just Having Fun:
“Red Wine Supernova” by Chappell Roan, “Red Hearse” by Red Hearse, and “Miss Me Too” by Griff
Last but not least, sometimes all I need is good vibes and songs that can make me smile no matter what.
I’m not a traditional gym music person, and sometimes, I’m most motivated when I’m just listening to music I love that makes me have a good time.
There’s a lot of these in the playlist because nothing can trick me into happiness more than some of my favorite songs to sing along to.
You can check out my (not complete) playlist here which includes some of the other mainstays during my training.
Please tell me your favorite running songs so I can have a piece of all my friends with me on the day. See you all next time when we’ll return to the 30 day challenge. <3
Congratulations on your first 5k!! I feel like it’s a part of the training process to get horrendously ill right as you start feeling good about running.
I’ve done a few 5ks and one 10k and the pre-race anxiety is real. I find that I always have a better time on race day than I expect though simply because it’s so FUN! You’re surrounded by other people who are running (and trust me, there’s going to be people ahead of you, behind you, and beside you! Someone will always be running around your same pace). And the pride you feel for yourself at the end is so intense and delightful.
I’m big on the walk/run philosophy too 😉 obsessed with the playlist, hope it gives you the extra boost you need! 🏃♀️
I do love running to psychedelic switch by CRJ and Lucid by Rina. They never fail to get my adrenaline going