Most of the time, I run solo. While I would much rather always have a running buddy, it’s not always the way it turns out – unless you count Charlie, but in that case, I have to watch our because he has tripped me one too many times.
When I do run solo, I need music for my long runs. I rarely run with music when I run 3-4 miles, but anything longer than that and I need a beat to run to!
My current playlist looks like this:
The One That Got Away – Katy Perry
Last Friday Night (Glee Version) – Glee Cast
Stereo Hearts – Gym Class Heroes
Dirty Dancer - Enrique Iglesias, Usher
I Lift My Hands – Chris Tomlin
Better Than Revenge – Taylor Swift
Fairly eclectic, wouldn’t you agree? I have always liked a lot of different music – and it’s a shame I can’t run well to Josh Groban or Michael Buble! I have a fairly fool proof system when it comes to downloading music. I go to the iTunes store, look at the Top 100 singles, and download the ones I like. Genius, I tell you. Or, You could use a cool running song websites like Running Music Mix or Jog Tunes.
Question: What is on your running playlist right now? How do you choose your songs?
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
I always end up having to run alone too - my friends don’t particularly like it. But I always run without music! I can’t survive with a playlist. ><
that’s interesting!
i don’t run for long distances anymore because my smooshie mouthed puggle prefers to walk (haha), but during those avid running days, “candyman” by christina aguilera was SO energising! i also enjoyed avril lavigne’s “girlfriend.” they were very good compliments to my running. love your playlist! x
Moves Like Jagger – Maroon 5 = I love that song and it gets in my head and it plays over and over in my head some days…and that’s ok
I also have 80% of the songs you have on this list on my playlist. I just made a new one about 3 weeks ago.
I always look like a fool when I run to that song because I end up dancing!
That is so scary- our playlists are SO similar! Given your playlist, you MUST add “Where Them Girls At” by Flo Rida & Nicki Minaj!
I will download it tonight!
I usually run alone too! Your playlist rocks! I basically listen to the same tunes with the addition of a little ke$ha and beyonce!
Love your playlist, Chelsey! “We Found Love” is my anthem right now. It’s totally inspiring to run to.
When I’m running, I tend to pick upbeat songs that make me smile and give me an extra pep in my step. I usually mix in some “climbing” songs for intervals, since I’m not running outside too much. I’m loving:
“Without You - David Guetta/Usher
“We Found Love” - Rihanna
“Rumour Has It” - Adele
“Bass Down Low” - The Cataracs
“Medicine” - Grace Potter & the Nocturnals
I LOOOVE We Found Love - it’s the best. I’ll have to add some of those songs to my list!
I run in the country and have promised the husband and mother that I won’t run with music because I can’t hear a truck coming down the road- they think I’ll get hit or something. So, better safe than sorry. I listen to birdies chirping and my feet hitting the dirt road.
I do love your playlist though! There are some really great ones on there!
I totally agree - no earphones for you! When I have to run on the street, the earbuds come out!
I do the same thing… look on iTunes top 100 & chances are, that’s where the music I like is!
Haha I have a lot of the same songs, and that’s how I find songs too! Thank goodness for iTunes…
Love your playlist! I need to revamp mine ASAP!!!
Great minds think alike! I just posted some of the techno songs I run to. I love your playlist!! Mine needs a major makeover haha.
The Rumor Has It Mash up from Glee! Best running song ever, I also love to run to Raise Your Glass by Pink
Any song that is upbeat and I can sing along to so I forget that I’m running!
Oh I definitely have to download that other glee one now!!
Great playlist! Moves Like Jagger is my favourite workout song right now! I’m also loving “Don’t Wanna Go Home” by Jason Derulo and “Tonight” by Enrique.
I need music to run any distance - it just makes the time go so much faster! I like all of the LMFAO songs - great beats for running.
Great playlist!! Love anything by Glee lately! Hahah
I have a lot of Taylor Swift on my running mix, too! I’ll be adding Christmas music soon, I expect. Anything that puts me in a good mood is good running music for me!
I actually try to avoid downloading top 40 hits because I get sick of listening to them o the radio. If I want popular music I will use pandora. Otherwise I like weird older pop and punk that I liked in high school and college. Blink 182 is still a favorite:)
haha I love it!
I may or may not be running to Christmas music already. It’s possible.
Love the playlist! LOVE Moves Like Jagger and just about anything by Maroon 5, big fan of Mercy Me and LMFAO certainly gets me moving!
For some reason I really like running to acoustic music! yes yes granted I have to be in the right set of mind, but sometimes it can be so peaceful and actually lets me think more and use running as more of a meditative activity. othertimes I just like to rock out to David Guetta
I like that!
i have my entire iTunes library on my nano and just put it on shuffle. i love when throwback songs that i had totally forgotten about come on!!
super bass is my song of the moment, though, ever since seeing the little girls do it on ellen!
That is kind of fun! Usually though when I do that, I end up skipping through about 10921029 songs because there’s some pretty slow ones on there!
I spent 2 hours making a playlist (with MANY of the same songs as this actually) for my half this past weekend and didn’t end up listening to my music at all! Go figure. I need music that is fast paced and upbeat. I’m stealing a few of these from you
Love this list! You should download my friend, Cory Asbury’s Psalm 18! He’s a Christian artist from my hometown, currently leading worship at IHOP in Kansas City! All of his stuff is wonderful, but that one you can workout to!
I’ll look him up!!
This will be so helpful! I’ve been meaning to update my play list for the longest time! I’ve had the same one full of my favorite summer songs.
I have such a mix of songs on my ipod! I downloaded INXS and Duran Duran songs the other day!
Happy Tuesday love! xoxo <3
Hope your sister is excited for her little girls first thanksgiving!!
Thanks, she is! I get to take her 2 month photos tomorrow afternoon!
Ok, why do I not have Mercy Me’s Move on my MP3 player yet? I love that song and it’s a great one to get moving!
I love it! It’s so upbeat!
I love Ke$ha for working out!
I have been known to dance to “Baby” while I’m running. I’m sure it’s pretty comical to everyone else who is out there.
I also love 90s pop. ‘N Sync, Backstreet Boys, Hanson, LFO…
LOVE THE LIST!!! I *have* to run to music no matter how short =D
I love using workout playlists as an excuse to keep and music that I’m embarrassed to enjoy on my iPod!
We have near identical taste in music. Christian Contemp, fast paced pop/RB for running & Taylor Swift
i usually jam out to Pandora on my iphone during my runs.
VERY eclectic! I’m doing a 5K in 5 weeks running plan on my blog each week from last Thursday and last week I focused on the importance of music when I run - I can’t do without it, not even 3 or 4 miles like you (though I can’t run as far as you!) And Mr. Saxobeat is such a must on my running playlist!
I can’t run without music. Well….if I have to I will, I just don’t like to. I have a wide variety, from Christian to dance to techno to alternative. I am loving Rihanna’s new song.
For some reason I have started loving to run sans music for my long runs. Weird, I know. I think it is because my music is on my phone, and my phone is big and annoying to carry. However, I always feel like I want to run when I hear certain songs on the radio…especially ANYTHING Lady Gaga. I’m in love with her.
I especially love “Get it Faster” by Jimmy Eat World, “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People, and “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + the Machine because they all talk about going faster/running and for some reason that helps me MOVE IT.
For good uptempo beats I like “Pardon Me” by Incubus, “Quiet Little Voices” by We Were Promised Jetpacks and “Straw Dog” by Something Corporate.
this is my playlist!!
I find myself not listening to music if I run reeeeeeeeeeeealy early, because then I kinda go by how the darkness turns to light, and that keeps me occupied. However, in the day, I need music to keep me from focusing on “am I done yet?” thoughts.
I listen to lotsa Disney singer songs, pumped-up country (I’m lookin’ at you Taylor Swift and Brad Paisley!), and I would HIGHLY recommend Pirates of the Carre=ibean music (REALLY pumpy!).
Like that recomendation?
My playlists are always pretty ecclectic too - I may have to borrow a few ideas from yours. A few of my favorites off my current playlist are:
Beyonce - Countdown
Beastie Boys - Intergalactic
Kelly Clarkson - Mr. Know it All
Blake Shelton - God Gave Me You
Whitney Houston - How Will I Know
I would never survive my cardio workouts without music (terrible, I know!)
Great play list! That is definitely a list of songs I could run to!
I LOVE running alone. It’s therapy.
So much better than pushing the stroller. Loving your playlist. Mine needs a serious update as the highlights right now are Kelly Clarkson and Kenny Loggins. Oops. 
Thank you so much for the ideas! I ran 6 miles on the treadmill last night and hated most of it because I had such crappy music. Long weekend = time to update my playlist! (ps- I’m nervous that my sentence isn’t grammatically since I’m writing to a teacher)
I actually don’t listen to music when I workout unless it’s a class or it’s playing out loud at the gym. But when I did, it was a random mix of fast paced songs I like
I have tons of those songs on my playlist! There’s absolutely no way I can do cardio without upbeat beats! =D