Being a distance runner, I often get looks as if I am absolutely nuts for wanting to run double digits, day after day. After the initial look as if I am crazy goes away, they ask how I can possibly do that. My response is short and simple; I have a pretty stellar playlist.

And this is the honest truth. A playlist can make or break any workout, let alone running. If I didn’t have an awesome playlist, I’m not too sure how many miles I would actually be able to get in. But I find that when I am out on my run, it is crucial for my playlist to be on point. I hate nothing more than when I am in the zone, and a song I don’t really like comes on.

I don’t listen to any specific genre of music; I listen to anything and everything and keep the playlist on shuffle. My running playlist is pretty crazy, being that it could go from ‘NSYNC to Fetty Wap to Thomas Rhett to Will Smith. Yes, Will Smith as in the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. But I told you that my taste in music is totally random. The music I listen to changes from day to day, and that’s because it really just depends on the type of mood I’m in. But at any given moment, I can tell you that I am enjoying my run, and possibly even dancing a little. Nothing wrong with combining running and dancing at the same time! Double the cardio! Again, sometimes you just have to get creative and get the run in.

I am constantly adding music to my running playlist, and am open to suggestions to new songs to add, so if anybody knows of any awesome songs definitely let me know! My running playlist is my favorite playlist in the world. I treat it as if it were my baby. I know it's silly because it is basically a folder on my phone that contains songs. But these songs are the soundtracks to my runs. These songs are the songs that my runs are fueled on. Yes, I admit that sometimes it is nice to have a run and not listen to music, and keep the headphones out and listen to nature. I get almost as excited for my running playlist, as I do for the run itself. It’s the little things that make the run that much more enjoyable. There’s nothing better than sticking those headphones in, and hearing one of your favorite songs. It just pumps you up, and makes you feel like your ready to conquer anything! Or even extending a run, because another one of your favorite songs came on, I have done this many times too!

Upbeat songs are the best type of songs for a run. They just make you happy in general and make you want to get up and move. And when you are running ten plus miles a day, you need all the help you can get. I find that when I am running to upbeat songs, my pace seems to be faster than when I am listening to something not as upbeat. But I find that good songs really do make the run go a lot faster. Slower songs, or songs that I don’t like as much, can make the run drag on.

As a runner, I usually want to keep a fast speed, but I also have to pace myself extremely well, so that I don’t get tired half way through a run, and music definitely helps prevent this. So when I am competing in a race, I make sure that only upbeat songs come on. I don’t want anything to prevent me from doing my absolute best, and potentially stop me from creating a new personal record, or personal best for myself. As a runner, I strive on constantly setting new goals and then beating these goals.