Best of Playlist Wednesday!

Well, I'm getting really close to my race and it just dawned on me during my run this past Sunday morning that I haven't updated my running playlist since JULY! How insane is that? I am definitely going to need help with some suggestions for new additions before I leave on the 17th for my race! I desperately need to update and any suggestions in the genres of Calvin Harris or Jay-Z/Eminem would be greatly appreciated!

Also, it literally hit me when I was driving home from work that I'm running the Detroit International Half Marathon in ELEVEN DAYS. Ohhh, no big deal… I don't even know what I'm going to wear! Crazy!

In lieu of new songs to share, because let's be real, there haven't been new additions to the playlist in nearly 2.5 months so I thought why not do a 'best of' post! Here are some of my favorites that I can't seem to get rid of off my playlist and will definitely get me through this last week and half before my big race:

• Lose Yourself- Eminem
• Does this song really need any explanation? "Success is my only motherf-ing option, failure's not."
• Heaven is a Place on Earth- Belinda Carlisle
• This song has literally been on my running playlist since I ran my first half marathon back in 2011! Love it and love the 80s!
• Forever- Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
• Ahhh another favorite that's been on my playlist since 2010! I think I fell in love with Drake and all his emotions back when I first heard this song so I love running to this one!
• American Boy (feat. Kanye West)- Estelle
• I just love how damn catchy this song is! I tend to sing aloud when I run and this is definitely a fun song that I just love!
• DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (feat. Pitbull)- Usher
• ummm, this song takes me back to things from fall 2010 but I try to ignore those silly thoughts and just enjoy my Ursher and upbeat music! This song never fails to get me going during a run!
• Hold It Against Me- Britney Spears
• OK, say what you want about Britney but this song is pure genius. I mean "You feel like paradise, and I need a vacation tonight"-- lyrical amazingness. I love having Britney on my playlist but this has definitely been a staple since her last album came out! 
• Feel so Close- Calvin Harris
• I am pretttty obsessed with Calvin Harris. His music is one of my favorites for my running playlists but this song is definitely one of my favorites!
• I'm Real (feat. Ja Rule) [Murder Remix featuring Ja Rule]- J.Lo feat. Ja Rule
• I don't care what people think about Ja Rule. I've been obsessed with this song since I was 15 and I love having this song on my running playlist! 
• What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)- Kelly Clarkson
• This song really needs no explanation! It is just a great song to keep me motivated and encourages me to keep pushing through whatever negative thoughts and feelings and accomplish my goal.
• Glamorous (Feat. Ludacris)- Fergie
• Well, this is just for fun! I love Ludacris so this is mainly for his portion in this song but I love how ridiculous it is too!
• Mowtown Philly- Boyz II Men
• Every time I hear this song, without a doubt I think of that one episode of Full House where Stephanie messed up in her dance recital to this song. This is another one I love to sing out loud when I run and always get funny looks haha!
• We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)- Rihanna
• Oh Calvin Harris, you musical genius! I'm not a huge Riri fan but I love this song. 
• Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)- Daft Punk 
• OK, so this song is a newer addition from this past spring/early summer but I'm pretty obsessed with this song and anything with Pharrell so it's an overall winner in my eyes!
• Only Girl (In the World)- Rihanna
• Again, not the biggest Riri fan but there's just something about this song that it never left my running playlist since October 2010! So catchy to sing along with as well!
• Sweet Nothing (feat. Florence Welch)- Calvin Harris
• Ok, I swear, last Calvin Harris song.  Florence Welch just has the most amazing voice and totally makes this song amazing and addictive. I can't help but singing along whenever I hear it so you can imagine how I am when I hear it on my running playlist!

 

Wednesday Playlist!

August has been a busy month so far! I'm about 3.5 weeks into my 12-week Detroit training plan and my mileage has been upp-ed exponentially and I am TIRED! I feel like my body is just sore and achy ALL the time.  I'm going to try and start doing some more strength training and circuit work so hopefully that will help with the soreness!

Here are my stats from my runs so far this week! I still have a short run in the morning and a long run on Saturday left this week!

Monday's amazing run!

Tuesday's run!

Here's what I'm listening to this week- they are all repeats I'm sure but I love them all!

• Pursuit of Happiness (Extended Steve Aoki Remix) [Explicit] [feat. MGMT & Ratatat]- Kid Cudi
• I LOVE THIS SONG. Whenever I hear this during my runs, I definitely spend the entire song (and time after) thinking about my life and if I am really pursuing happiness. I know in the grand scheme of life everyone is to some degree but I love how this song makes me think and this remix is forever long and I love it!
• Bring Em Out- T.I.
• Ooooh T.I. I love him. This is an old favorite of mine and I love the beat and the rap portions are amazing to keep me going after mile 3. I dread mile 3 on EVERY SINGLE RUN and I don't really get into a groove until I'm safely past mile 3.5-4 during any length run/race. Hopefully I can incorporate this into my long run playlists and see how it works out for me.
• Let's Go (feat. Ne-Yo)- Calvin Harris
• YES. Calvin Harris. The answer to all my problems. I love his entire CD and this song is one of my go-to songs when I run. I love how this song rarely fails to motivate me and at the very least keep my mind occupied when I run!
• I Want You (Feat. Fat Joe)- Thalia
• Oh this song always takes me back to spring semester of my junior year in high school, for obvious reasons but still. I love this song and always reminisce of when Fat Joe was actually fat. I love this song but I'm still judging Thalia so hard for marrying that heinous Tommy Mottola for so long...
• DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love (feat. Pitbull)- Usher
• OOK- URSHER. This song definitely takes me back to fall semester of my 3L year of law school but despite that, I love having this song keeping  me motivated and keep me going during any length run. The beat is amazing and so addicting!

What's getting you going this week??!

Playlist Wednesday!

Detroit training is in full swing! I've up-ed my milage the past 2.5 weeks and halfway through the month I've already run more than I did all of July! I'm really getting back into my morning runs so hopefully I can keep it up! 9.5 weeks left until the big race!

This is a screenshot of my most recent, albeit slow, run!

Here's what I've been listening to this week:

• I Do Not Hook Up- Kelly Clarkson
• Love this song. Love the message and love the beat to it when I am running! LOVE me some Kelly Clarkson!
• Brave- Sara Bareilles
• I know this came out a while ago but I recently learned of it's amazingness and am now obsessed! Check it out! I love all of her music, always makes me feel empowered/better about life every time I listen to anything off her new album!
• We Found Love (feat. Rihanna)- Calvin Harris
• AH. I have loved this song since fall 2010 when a former acquaintance introduced me this this amazing song! I never was a really big fan of RiRi before but this song, I'm in love. I love the lyrics, the beat, everything about this song! Listen to it and add it to your playlist ASAP!
• Lose Yourself- Eminem
• OK, so this is pretty much my running anthem. I'm sure I've used it before on a previous playlist Wednesday post but no matter what mental state I'm in, this song NEVER fails to keep me going!
• Independent Women Part 1- Destiny's Child
• I feel like this one is self explanatory. I love old school Destiny's Child when Beyonce wasn't so annoying and this song is perfect for a young, single, professional woman.  I love the message of this song and using it to pace my "short" runs!

What are you listening to this week??

Playlist Wednesday!

What a week so far! I've been trying to stay on track with my Detroit training plan since I am officially in week 2! This is a lot harder than I remember so I am really proud of myself for not getting lazy thinking "Oh I can do that run tomorrow" and then never get it done.  I did skip Sunday's 6 miler but caught up on Monday and kept on track with my 5 mile ''short run' yesterday! I am hoping I can stay on track through week 3 so I can create this into a habit that I can stick with for the following 9 weeks! A post on my training plan is coming soon! In the meantime, here is this week's playlist!

• Live Your Life (feat. Rihanna)- T.I.
• OK so I have always LOVED T.I. (well, since high school) and last summer when I was in Raleigh for the bar exam, I rediscovered my love for him.  I watched a T.I. and Tiny (his wife) marathon on VH1 and I just love how real he is. Granted, yeah he had some gun issues but I feel like since his house arrest, he actually turned some things around and is actually doing some good.  I don't know but I love him! I love this song especially the message.  I love the theme of just living your life and not worrying about what other people are doing as long as you move forward, not backwards.  I'd like to think that's how I'm living my life and this song always makes me think about things like that while I run and then 30 minutes have passed and I haven't even realized it! Definitely check out the link, download it from iTunes (or any other legal method of downloading music!) and love it! I know I do!
• '03 Bonnie and Clyde- Jay-Z & Beyonce
• Ahhh, another high school favorite.  I love how this song was the beginning of the JayZ& Beyonce empire we know nowadays.  I love running to this song because I use the different rap portions by JayZ and Beyonce to do sprint intervals during a run.  Definitely a great song when working on speed!
• Young Forever- Jay-Z & Mr. Hudson
• I guess this song has been in my head this week more so because it reminds me of life and just enjoying being young and single. Lately, things have been hectic but this song always reminds me to enjoy life and make good (maybe bad) life decisions because what I'm doing now will be my memories that I'll reminisce about when I'm old and grey (ugh I don't want to be grey).
• Can I Get A…- Jay-Z feat. Amil & Ja Rule
• I LOVE this song from the Rush Hour soundtrack.  I swear, the first time I heard this song was because my brother made me watch Rush Hour and I heard it in the closing credits (I think?).  I remember being so scandalous and watching this rap video on MTV back in the day. I guess this song is a great addition to the playlist for the same reason as the '03 Bonnie and Clyde. I love doing sprint intervals/speedwork with rap songs that have been somewhat mainstream.
• Honey (Bad Boy remix)- Mariah Carey feat. Puff Daddy, Mase, & Jadakiss
• Ok so this song is purely on my playlist because I just love MC so much AND this remix. 1- it reminds me of simpler times in life when people/things weren't so crazy and complicated and 2- I love how this song was a sort of release for MC and like a theme song for the next stage in her life. Ok, I am getting way deep here but seriously check out the amazing video, listen to the song, and add it to your next playlist!

These songs definitely helped me get through my first 'long run' on Monday and I even finished with a most amazing pace! Here are my stats:

pretty fantastic pace, right??!! Slowly but surely building up my speed!

and my cutiepie Rusty from our walk Tuesday evening! He was freaking out excited .5 seconds after this picture since it started raining and that means MUD, his favorite (not mine!!)!!

What songs got you going this week during your workouts??

Playlist Wednesday!

SO this week was the start of my Detroit International HM training! My body is definitely feeling it and my shins/ITBS are killing me on my left side but hopefully using my foam roller and The Stick will help my sore muscles.  I am working with my 5 mile base so hopefully that I have my endurance down, I can work on my speed.  Detroit is a long ways away so I know I have plenty of time!

Here is what I'm loving on my playlist this week! 

• Heartless- Kanye West
• I have been on an old school Kanye binge lately and I am LOVING his 808s & Heartbreak album from 2008! 3 songs from that album are on this week's playlist especially thanks to my Ursher pandora station for bringing those songs back into my life! This one is definitely one that I have to be in the mood to listen to when I run but once I'm in the groove, this is perfect.
• Amazing (feat. Young Jeezy)- Kanye West
• This is another great Kanye song but I have to be in the perfect running mood for me not to skip/shuffle this song!
• Love Lockdown- Kanye West
• Again, another Kanye favorite of mine! Definitely check this one out- it was probably my favorite on his 808s & Heartbreak album.  I definitely needed this one during my 5+mile run last night!
• Aint it Funny- JLo & Ja Rule
• Ahhhhhh I wish so bad Ja Rule didn't play with guns and paid his taxes so he could make pure gold music like this song with J.Lo again. I love this song- definitely from JLo's sassier time in life and sometimes, I think this song is like perfect for the stage of life I'm going through.  Early 2000s JLo really spoke to me and still to this day I have the majority of her first music album on my running playlist (these remixes too!).
• Hips Don't Lie feat. Wyclef Jean- Shakira
• This one definitely takes me back to college when my bff drunkenly serenaded me after one too many margaritas at our favorite Mexican restaurant! Seriously, we had fun in college. Haha ANYways- I love this song on my running playlist- I know all the words so it's not uncommon to hear me singing this during a particularly long run!

proof these playlists are doing their job-- stats from my very first training run last night for the Detroit International Half Marathon

What are you listening to this week??

Wednesday Playlist!

So I've been back and running more consistently the past couple weeks and I start my Detroit International Half Marathon training plan next week (look out for a post coming with my training plan) sooo I really need to get my playlist updated with some more/new songs.  I updated my old playlist over the weekend to add some of the new songs I downloaded but I'm still hoping to make some changes in the next few weeks! Here are some of my new (&old) favorites this week:

• Little Black Dress- Sara Bareilles
• love love love this song! One of my girlfriends told me about Sara Bareilles' new album streaming on iTunes last week and told me about this song so I naturally became obsessed and now have it on repeat! Love it for building my speed up on my runs!
• Remember the Name (feat. Styles of Beyond)- Fort Minor
• So I heard this on Pandora for the past few weeks and I have been meaning to download it and finally did over the weekend! I know this isn't technically a "new" song but it is to me- perfect beat for running and keeping me going during my longer runs!
• Can't Hold Us (feat. Ray Dalton)-Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
• AH I love this song.  I've just recently discovered Macklemore (I'm behind on the times, right???) but I am obsessed. I love this song to run to and it really just keeps me motivated and my spirits up during a longer run because after the first 45 minutes, I am always ready to quit.  Usually once I get through 60 minutes, the time/distance doesn't seem overwhelming but that sliver of time between 45 minutes and 60minutes is always the hardest for me for any run/race, etc.
• Fantasy (Remix)- Mariah Carey & ODB
• This has literally been a staple in my life since I was what, 9-10 years old? MC's Daydream album was the first tape I ever got (didn't start getting cds until I was 16) and I played it so much that the tape eventually wouldn't play. I think I still have the old tape case in my old bedroom at my parents' house! So this remix- it's pretty much amazing. I love the remix especially because it includes some classic 90s rap and parts of one of my all time favorite songs! Definitely add it to your playlist- your running/workout life will never be the same!
• The Fear [Explicit]- Lily Allen
• Oooh another older song! I just love the beat of this song.  It's a nice break from my rap/r&b heavy playlist.  I love the femininity of this song and Lily Allen has an amazing voice! Definitely check out the link and see if it's something that would mesh well with your playlists!

What are your favorite songs of the moment??

Wine Wednesday…Ooops I mean, Playlist Wednesday!

Hah, it's been a couple weeks since I've done a Playlist Wednesday post but I haven't really had a good run since July 3rd (only power walking with Rusty. I decided that no matter how sick/upset my stomach was or how exhausted I was- today was the day I break out of my running slump and that was all thanks to some of my favorite songs on my old running playlist from June (BTW I desperately need to update my playlist so look out for some hopefully new tunes next week). Oh yeah, I miss Wine Wednesdays with my girlfriends. Being a serious adult is no fun sometimes..

• Bulletproof- La Roux
• I am literally obsessed with this song. It's always a great song whenever you just need to be like 'screw you, I'm better than this' with an old bf or some db you've been dating. I've had this on my running playlist since Summer 2010 and I'm sure it'll be on it for a while longer too!
• Tonight I'm Getting Over You Remix- Carly Rae Jepsen ft. Nicki Minaj
• Ahhh, definitely check this one out- my new obsession! I love this Carly Rae Jepson's voice and this song is so catchy! As much as I don't want to admit it, I really like the remix with Nicki Minaj so much better than the original version!
• Between Me and You- Ja Rule ft. Christina Milian
• Do I really need to re-explain my love of Ja Rule and his 'music' ??? Seriously. 
• Hot In Herre- Nelly
• oh this is a throwback from Summer 2002 but it is totally appropriate this week and WHO doesn't love Nelly? Crazy people I'm sure.
• My Place ft. Jaheim- Nelly
• another addition from my Ursher Pandora addiction! I love all these old songs!
• Kisses Down Low- Kelly Rowland
• This song is so dirty but I really was able to get in a groove when I was running and this song came on! If you like r&b for running like me, then put this on your playlist asap!

What are you listening to this week??

Playlist Wednesday/Thursday

Ahh, I feel like my night blogging methods are failing me again! I always fall asleep while blogging and wake up praying I didn't post anything while delirious!!! This week has been pretty good run-wise! I got back from the NYC trip (more on that later) super late Monday night (Tuesday morning?) Here is what got me through my runs on Tuesday, Wednesday, and hopefully will get me through the rest of this week's runs!

• In a World Like This- Backstreet Boys
• OMG I am SO excited about new BSB music!! I listened to this on Live with Kelly & Michael and I am obsessed! Anyone who knows me knows my love of BSB! Download it from iTunes and enjoy all their amazingness! ILY nick carter 4EVER.
• Run this Town- Jay-Z
• THis has got to be one of my all time favorite jay-z songs on my running playlist! Yeah, it is definitely pretty old but I don't care.  This song never fails to get me going whenever I'm in a slump during a short or even long run!
• Put It On Me- Ja Rule
• Ahhhh Ja Rule. WHY couldn't you pay your taxes and be a productive member of society?? OR at the very least you could stop playing with guns. COME ON. This was probably one of my favorite rap songs when I was in high school that I always had on my playlists  and is ridiculous enough that I can't not listen!
• Fantasy (Remix)- Mariah Carey & Ol' Dirty Bastard
• Another favorite of mine! My law school bff Becky and I would sing this on the regular and it was pretty amazing! Listening to this song/rapping along with it was one of my favorite middle school life moments so it has been a regular on my playlists for years!!
• Shake It Off- Mariah Carey
• Oh my. This song is appropriate on SO many levels right now in life. I remember when my freshman year chem lab (I know you're thinking, I took chemistry?!?!!!) partner in college made me listen to MC's new cd The Emancipation of Mimi and I was addicted! I love that album so much I literally listen to it all the time! I particularly love the message of this song ("Boy I gotta shake, shake it off, Gotta do what's best for me, Baby and that means, I gotta shake you off"). Along those lines, my BFF told me to re-watch Aladdin the other night to restore my faith in man so I did just that and seriously Jasmine, I feel the same!

this is how I feel after this past week filled with total dick moves by people..

 

Coming soon: recaps of my NYC weekend when my brother proposed to his girlfriend!

What are you listening to this week?

Playlist Wednesday!

Here are the songs I'm into this week for all my runs:

• I Love It (feat. Charli XCX)- Icona Pop
• OK so you probs know this song from that GD annoying commercial on tv (I don't even remember what it was for even) but it's so catchy when I run! It just makes me want to let loose and just run without holding back and have fun in life! 
• Drinking from the Bottle (feat. Tinie Tempah)- Calvin Harris
• This one is super catchy! I had a block of Calvin Harris play straight on my iPod during my 5K this past Saturday and I fell in love.  I really love this song for running and just life in general. Listen to it, love it.
• Young, Wild & Free (feat. Bruno Mars)- Snoop Dog & Wiz Khalifa
• I'm not sure if I've featured this song on here before but it's so ridiculous.  This song is promoting a lot of things I don't approve of (other than the alcohol because let's be honest, I highly support alcohol consumption in a legal and responsible manner) but I still enjoy it's catchiness!
• Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)- Jay-Z
• Love this song.  I am pretty sure it's a re-make of an older song but it just gives me a feel-good feeling haha! Not super descriptive but definitely check out the link and tell me what you think! I love this song! AND I love JayZ, who doesn't??
• So Bad- Eminem
• I love this Eminem song! I keep hearing it on my Usher Pandora station and all week I've been obsessed with it to the point of rapping along hahaha! I mean, you don't listen to Eminem for clean lyrics or PC words/phrases but I love him and I love this song! Listen to it, love it!!

What are you listening to this week??

Wednesday Playlist!

Here are some of my favorites from this week so far! I am working on re-doing my playlist for my 5K this coming weekend so hopefully next week I will have some more/new options but here are some of my old favorites that got me through last night's exhausting run! I got a terrible cramp in my foot (in my arch!) during my run last night and I fell short of 4 miles by .01!!! It was pretty frustrating and my Nike+ didn't track correctly but thank god I use multiple methods of tracking my distance so I can have something at least accurate for my records!

Here's what I'm listening to this week

• Lucky Strike- Maroon 5
• This is from their newest cd.  It is so catchy and upbeat- it's been on my playlist ever since I downloaded their cd from Amazon! I'm actually glad they never released it as a single because we all know how radio stations like to overplay Maroon 5!!!
• Lights- Ellie Goulding
• This one is a few years old but I love it.  Call me crazy but I'm pretty much obsessed with Ellie Goulding.
• I Want You (Feat. Fat Joe)- Thalia
• Ahhh this is a favorite of mine since I was in 10th grade in high school.  I literally know all the words to this song so it's perfect for all my runs, long or short!
• What's Luv?- Fat Joe ft. Ja Rule & Ashanti
• Another favorite from high school- who doesn't love Fat Joe?? This is from the early 2000s R&B that I have been obsessed with for years!
• Mirrors- Justin Timberlake
• AH I LOVE THIS SONG. When I first bought JT's cd, I heard this song and I was in love.  If you listen to the radio these days, you probably hear this song a few times a day but I'm still not tired of it!  I love how it isn't super upbeat but it still isn't all slow and annoying!
   

What areyou listening to this week? Any running song reccomendations?

Playlist Wednesday (a day late!)

OK so I am FINALLY getting back into running after almost a month of injury and infections and viruses.  Let's be honest, my body was not too happy with the way I treated it in April (90+ miles, 3 PR races, etc.).  I started back with short 30-45 minute treadmill runs so I can get my heart rate up and slowly build my endurance back up! I have some exciting races planned for this summer and fall and I want to be on the top of my game when those races arrive!

Without further ado, here is the return of Playlist Wednesday (a day late since my life this week is OOC) and the highlight of what I'm listening to this week:

• Get Lucky (feat. Pharrell Williams)- Daft Punk
• This song was found on a fluke when I was perusing the iTunes Top Singles list the other day! I love it and I'm always down for anything with Pharrell! It's a new addition to my running playlist so I still need to hear it a few more times to figure out my groove with the beat and running!
• No Church In the Wild (feat. Frank Ocean & The-Dream)- Jay-Z & Kanye West
• Sooo, I was delirious one night and totally downloaded The Great Gatsby soundtrack in the middle of the night a few weeks ago. This song is in a lot of the previews (and a commercial too I think?) but it's great if you like rap songs when you run! I love the beat to this and its like OTP Jay&Kanye are reunited once again!
• A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got)- Fergie, Q-Tip, & GoonRock
• This too is from The Great Gatsby soundtrack I downloaded a few weeks ago in an insomniac rage. I love this song! It's so true, a little party  never killed anybody! Every time I hear this when I run, I just want to have a dance party and drink champagne!
• Feel This Moment (feat. Christina Aguilera)- Pitbull
• Now, let me just say for the record, I do not listen to Pitbull recreationally but I heard this song on the radio couple weeks ago and it's so freaking perfect for running! I love the upbeat parts of the song that it just makes me want to sprint during those parts! Maybe it'll be my speedwork song?? PS Christina sounds so AMAZING in this song!!
• 22- Taylor Swift
• I know I'll regret this later but it is so damn catchy! I love singing along with the chorus when I run haha! Sometimes, I do wish I could act like I'm 22 again!

What's your favorite running/workout song this week??

Playlist Friday??

So, you probably were wondering what happened to this week's Playlist Wednesday? WELL, yesterday was my mom's birthday so I was hanging out with my family all evening when I got home from work so the post never made it up and work has been wearing me out this week! But good news, this week's playlist is here now! GET EXCITED! This week's playlist is inspired by my half marathon PR this past Sunday and here are my favorite 13 songs from my Divas Half Marathon playlist!

• I Do Not Hook Up- Kelly Clarkson
• Clearly I love this song for so many reasons! Kelly Clarkson's song just make me feel so empowered haha, I love it!
• Independent Women Part 1- Destiny's Child
• Again, this song makes me feel invincible! I loved hearing this during my race and gave me that extra pick-me-up after the dreaded nosebleed that slowed me down so much!
• Come Clean- Hilary Duff
• OK every time I hear this song I think of everyone's favorite MTV show of the early 2000s (any Laguna Beach lovers like me??!) and I always sing it out loud! My half marathon was no exception! 
• Let's Go (feat. Ne-Yo)- Calvin Harris
• Again, anything Calvin Harris always makes me speed up in my running intervals and this song seriously helped me so much during my HM.  I was hoping to hear the Elie Goulding& Calvin Harris song but if you can imagine, that song never came on during my run! UGH why did I add so many songs to my playlist??!
• Fighter- Christina Aguilera
• This song always got me going when I was in law school and before finals so I thought this would be a great addition to my HM playlist and it was! What a great life decision adding this song was! It made me literally fight through the pain of blisters on the bottoms of my feet and keep going to the finish!
• Dirrty- Christina Aguilera feat. Redman
• Haha, I have no words for this song other than unlike my other rap songs, this video needs you to verify your age before it will let you watch haahah
• Encore- Eminem
• Eminem is hands down the best for any running playlist!
• Cupid Chokehold- Gym Class Heroes
• I was OBSESSED with this song back in 2006 and I love that I remembered to add it to my playlist!
• Your Body- Christina Aguilera 
• Now, this is a new one of hers. Relatively new- came out about 6-7 mos ago but it's so freaking catchy and Christina is sounding AMAZING again!
• What's Luv- Fat Joe ft Ashanti
• What ever happened to Fat Joe? Didn't he lose a lot of weight?? I love Ashanti in this one- and I love how sassy she is in Army Wives this season!
• Tik Tok- Ke$ha
• Ke$ha Ke$ha Ke$ha, what a hot mess. And I love it. Who wouldn't love hearing &subsequently singing all the nonsensical lyrics??! "Woke up feeling like p.diddy.." haha amazing.
• Dirty Dancing- NKOTB
• OK, I just have to say 2 things: DONNIE. WAHLBERG. Please do yourself a favor and click on the link, watch the video, and oogle at that beautiful old man that I love.  I will always remember him as my first crush EVER in LIFE when I was tiny and I never forgot him.  He's like been the backbone of getting NKOTB back together in 2008 for one of the best cds ever (The Block-- this song was on that cd) and even now with their new cd and all of it's amazingness. And he's so beautiful even for an old man. Love him.
• One Moment in Time- Whitney Houston
• Last but not least, I just feel the need to share how much I love this song.  I find it so inspirational when I run even though it's not super upbeat. Listen to the lyrics (it was written/performed for the 1988 Summer Olympics)- it really does help me during my races and forces me to realize that this is my time to run the best time possible and to give everything I have for that race! 

 

Enjoy!

Playlist Wednesday- 10K Edition!

Better late than never right? I've had a few emotionally draining days and on top of all of that, my allergies have been so bad I can hardly breathe/keep my eyes open! I swear, pollen is the worst… ANYways, onto the playlist for today!

Because of my 10K PR this past weekend, I'm expanding today's playlist to my top 10 songs from my 10K playlist! A lot of these songs got me through the 10K when I was so hot and I felt like I couldn't breathe because of all of the pollen in Danville. This list clearly has no theme and really is just a hodgepodge of some great songs for running!

• Pursuit of Happiness (Extended Steve Aoki Remix) (feat. MGMT & Ratatat)- Kid Cudi
• found this on the Pavement Runner's Thursday playlist post a few weeks back and I was instantly hooked.  It is a remix of Kid Cudi's song that came out a few years ago.  I loved the original version and never realized that this remixed existed until last week. Granted, there is some bad language but what rap song doesn't? Love the message of this song too, especially when I do my long runs!
• I Need Your Love (feat. Ellie Goulding)- Calvin Harris
• I just watched the video of this song (seriously, click the link- aren't  Ellie & Calvin the cutest thing ever together?? I want them to be dating in real life) and it's pretty much amazing.  I fell in love with/became obsessed with Calvin Harris the past month or so with his newest cd and I may or may not have downloaded his entire cd from iTunes in an insomnia, delirious state the other night...
• Chris Cox Megamix- Britney Spears
• Amazing. This remix was originally on Britney's greatest hits: my prerogative cd back in 2004.  I love love love remixes and this is the perfect mix of all of my favorite Britney songs.  I love how they even made Britney's song Everytime upbeat and a perfect inclusion to the entire remix.
• Run Away- Real McCoy
• I've always had a thing for 90s music and this song has been in my iTunes for probably close to 10 years but I just recently added it to my playlist for my hill runs last week and for the 10K on the weekend too.  It's so cheesy and perfect for running if you take the literal meaning of the lyrics.  So catchy and I seriously sing this one out loud when I run. 
• Labels of Love- Fergie
• OK, so don't get me wrong, I am NO fan of the Black Eyed Peas (the group or the vegetable) and I generally can't stand Fergie (ugh she's married to Leo from All My Children!!!) but I heard this song from the Sex and the City movie soundtrack back in 2008 and it's so fun.  
• Glamorous (Feat. Ludacris)- Fergie
• Again, no fan of Fergie but I love anything with Luda and the lyrics to this hot mess of a song are so catchy.  It helped me to learn how to spell glamorous too.
• I'm Real (feat. Ja Rule)- Jennifer Lopez
• I love Ja Rule.  I often wonder whatever happened to him but I saw that he's in jail for not paying taxes so that sucks. It's like dude, pay your taxes so you can make more glorious songs like this and J Lo won't have to collaborate with Pitbull anymore.  This song has a great beat, the lyrics are fun to sing (J Lo's part).
• Waiting for Tonight- Jennifer Lopez
• This gem from 1999 was I think Jennifer Lopez' first single after she did the Selena movie and it was totally my jam fall of 8th grade.  I remember dancing to this during my 8th grade homecoming dance and loving it! haha I sing it so loud when I drive so I figured it was time to add it to the running playlist and what a great move that was!!
• Remix (I Like The)- New Kids on the Block
• mmmmmm Donnie Wahlberg. ummm ok yeah about the song.. it's so freaking catchy! I love how upbeat the song is for the ENTIRE song.  So many songs these days are upbeat but have a slower part but this song keeps the tempo the entire 3+ minutes and 
• Feel So Close- Calvin Harris
• This is a recent addition to my running playlist but was the first Calvin Harris song I ever downloaded (I think) and it's been the perfect pick me up in the middle of my runs when my shins start hurting and I just want to crawl into a ball and cry. Seriously, download Calvin Harris' cd 18 Months.

 

What are your favorite workout/running songs this week? What are your thoughts on Calvin Harris?

Playlist Wednesday- 04/10 Edition!

So here is this week's playlist- rap edition! I go through phases when I run where I can't stand to listen to some of my favorite songs/genres and this week is one of them.  I heard all of these songs on my Usher/90s R&B Pandora stations this week which inspired me to add them to my running playlist! 

• Lose Yourself- Eminem
• This is from Eminem's movie "8 Mile. " I love hearing this song getting in a grove with the beat while I run.  You can say what you want about Eminem (and we all know there is plenty to say) but one this that can't be contested is that he is a talented musician.  I really enjoy his music for running purely for the beat and sometimes the lyrics as well (for example, "Not Afraid" but that is for another post).
• You Got Me (live)- The Roots
• This one is kind of a hit or miss.  I have to be in the right mood in my run for this song but when I am, it's perfect.  The original recorded version of this song has Eryka Badu (who I love) and she did an amazing job but I love when Jill Scott sings in the live versions with the Roots.  I've become a huge fan of The Roots from watching Late Night with Jimmy Fallon all the time and I knew they were from Philadelphia but I had no idea they were good friends with Jill Scott and that she actually helped write this one.  Even if you don't like this song for running, it's a great song regardless! I know I love it!
• Drop the World (feat. Eminem)- Lil Wayne
• Warning-- this one has some bad language but hey, what other rap songs don't?? The beat of this song is perfect once I get into a run and get in a good groove with my intervals.  I think one of the reasons I like this song so much for when I run is because 
• Welcome to Atlanta-Jermaine Dupri; Ludacris
• Again, this is another great song once I get in the groove of my intervals.  I originally had this song on my playlist for my first half marathon back in 2011 and it was just what I needed to pick myself up after a tough first 10 miles. The music is great and the lyrics are so ridiculous I cant lie, sometimes I break out in laughter while running when this song comes on my playlist!
• Get No Better (feat. Moshanda)- Cassidy
• Here's an oldie but goodie haha! This is from wayyyy back (2004) but it's pretty upbeat, great for running and has some catchy lyrics.

 

Hope you enjoyed this week's rap-inspired playlist! 

Do you like to run/workout to rap music? What other genres of music get you going for a good run or workout?

 

 

Playlist Wednesday- 04/03 Edition!

 OK, so here are my favorites for this week, and they are very much 80s & 90s! 

• Heaven is a Place On Earth- Belinda Carlisle
• OK so this is technically 80s but this, a gem for running! You may not feel like heaven is a place on earth during a long run but it's pretty amazing and so upbeat I love having this playing for my long runs!
• Be My Lover- La Bouche
• This is a perfect song for the beginning of a run/workout.  It's consistently upbeat and so catchy that I find myself singing along while I run haha!
• Another Night- Real McCoy
• Again, another one of my favorites! This has been on my driving playlists since I was in college and on my running playlists since I started to run in 2009. The cheesy, stereotypical 90s lyrics are the best.
• Barbie Girl- Aqua
• What can I really say to do this song justice?? I love the fake barbie-ken interactions and whenever I hear this song I automatically picture like a barbie doll and a ken doll singing! A great way to get your mind off how many miles you've run so far!
• Tell It To My Heart- Taylor Dayne
• LOVE LOVE LOVE. 

 

Do you love the 80s and 90s as much as I do? What are some of your favorite 80s and 90s songs?? 

Playlist (kind of) Wednesday!

Here's this week's playlist I am loving.. even though I can't run this week.  This list includes great driving songs too, since I'll be doing a lot of that this week!

• Motown Philly- Boyz II Men
• I can't tell you how much this song always gets me going.  Whether I am running, or even driving back and forth from Greensboro and Danville like this week. And, it never fails to remind me of this gem from one of my all-time favorite childhood shows.
   
• U Don't Have to Call- Usher
• I recently heard this on my Usher pandora station. I am a huge Usher fan but I hadn't listened to a lot of his early 2000s albums in forever so this was a pleasant surprise.  I love the upbeat tempo of this song without being too fast/slow for when I run.
   
• TikTok- Ke$ha
• This song always reminds me of dance parties from summer/fall 2010 haha! I love the nonsensical lyrics and singing them while I run or drive. Ke$ha is crazy but her music is great for running!
   
• American Boy (feat. Kanye West)- Estelle
• Many people forget about this song from 2008 but I like to think of it from a time before Kanye West became annoying and extremely full of himself. I remember listening to this senior year of college and I've had it on most all of my playlists since I started running fall of my 2L year of law school. I even remember how excited I was when it won the Grammy all those years ago! Love it!!
   
• Everything is Everything- Lauryn Hill
• Love the message of this song (Everything is everything, What is meant to be will be. After winder, must come spring, Change, it comes eventually"). I listened to this song a lot after my last bar exam attempt (which I passed!!!) last August and it helps me keep perspective in life if that makes sense.  I love this song for running/working out especially because it reminds me the pain in my legs, the mental exhaustion, etc in the long run doesn't matter and no matter what I can get through that run/workout! Also, check out the video, pretty amazing!!!

Hope you liked this week's song selections! Did any of your favorites make the list? What would your Playlist Wednesday look like this week??

Playlist Wednesday!

First Playlist Wednesday, yesssss!  I'm really excited to share what I've been listening too as I train for my 5th half marathon! I'm looking to change some things up (I have a mix of anywhere from the 80s, 90s, and current Top 40) for this race too so give me any suggestions yall have too!

Soo, here is this week's edition of my top 5 running songs of the week:

• Sweet Nothing (feat. Florence Welch)-Calvin Harris
• I.LOVE.THIS. That Calvin Harris, he knows what he's doing! I love the upbeat tempo of this song and the lyrics are so catchy I find myself literally singing out loud while I run!
• Forever- Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem
• OK, so I know this song is forever old (um.. 4yrs?) but I just love the rap beat and always keeps me going when I want to stop.  I especially love Eminem's rap at the end, I always rap it out loud while I run and sprint during that part of the song!
• Here's a fun fact= this was my first favorite Drake song that I first heard on that silly Sprite commercial back in 2010 hahahha
• Bulletproof- La Roux
• I love this song.  I originally added it to my playlist back in 2010 after a nasty breakup and the beat and lyrics were perfect for my emotions at the time and putting that all into my running.  Sometimes when certain songs have connotations with memories I'd like to forget, I usually never voluntarily listen to it ever again (i.e. jason mraz& colbie callait's lucky or colbie callait's bubbly) but this one, I love it for running!
• I Wanna Dance With Somebody- Whitney Houston
• I think this is my favorite song for running, hands down.  It always gets me going at the beginning of my runs and even if I'm in the middle of a boring treadmill run, it's perfect.  This was the very first song I added to my very first running playlist back in 2009.
• Don't Stop Believing- Journey
• Does this one really need an explanation? This is the best for all those double digit long runs (10+ miles) and for all my race playlists!

OK so I clearly enjoy a wide range of musical stylings for my running playlist! Do you like any of these songs? Which are your favorites for running or working out?