Brain Training (Running Songs)

Brain-training is something that is hugely important for long-distance runners, and one tip that is consistent is to run each mile of your race for someone else (as it's a lot easier to keep going if it's "for someone").

This post looks like it's about to get all scientific-y. (Don't worry: it's not.)
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I've tried that before, but my ADD generally gets the best of me, and after the first mile, I generally forget to think of other people and instead think the following things (often all at the same time):

• "Just get up the hill. Just get up the hill. Just get up the hill."
• "Only like 30 seconds more and you can walk. Come on, Em. Only 30 more seconds."
• "This sure seemed like a lot more fun about 12 miles ago."
• "There has to be a water stop just around the corner. There has to be. No? Ugh."
• "Seriously, calves? Can you just make it another couple of miles before you totally crap out?"
• "Ooooh! Squirrel!"

Yep: instead of thinking about the amazing people who have helped me become the runner -- and, more importantly, the person -- that I am, I generally tend to think about how much fun I'm really not having.

And then the miles seem to take for-ev-er.

So, for this upcoming race season (in which I'm running not one but five half marathons and a host of other races), I thought of a different strategy:

I would think of those important people in my life when their song started playing.

A few weeks ago, I listed five songs that I have on my playlist, five songs that have inspirational and motivational messages along with killer beats.

Today, I want to list a few songs that remind me of people, individuals who have shaped me into the woman that I am, individuals who will -- just by me thinking of them through their songs -- get me through these miles.

Without any further ado, here are my songs:


Wild Montana Skies -- John Denver

I know not many people have John Denver on their running mixes, but there is no way I could not not have John Denver on mine.

Nothing says run your heart out like this guy.
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I have both Wild Montana Skies and Eagles and Horses on this particular list, and both remind me of my mom and my nana, two people who will get me through my race.

My mom gave me John Denver's Wildlife Collection when I went to college -- because her mom, my nana, gave her a John Denver album when she went to college. Frankly, I'm glad that MP3s exist because I'm pretty sure that album would be rendered unreadable by now based on how many times I have listened to it, thinking of my mom and my nana.

Call Me Maybe -- Carly Rae Jepsen

I'm not going to lie: I'm getting super annoyed with this song playing every single time I run. However, I just cannot delete it from my playlist because it's the song I have for my sister.

And now it's stuck in your head. You're welcome.
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We rock out to this song on every single car trip we have together, and I specifically remember driving to my brother and sister-in-law's wedding (to set up, I think) and pretty much missing our turn and getting lost because we were too busy jamming to Carly Rae Jepsen -- complete with choreography.

Bad Romance -- Lady Gaga

This song will never fail to remind me of my sister-in-law, Aly.

Lady GAga.
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When we were getting ready for the wedding, we had this song on repeat and were rocking out in the limo from the hotel to the ceremony. There is a line where Gaga says, "I don't want to be friends," but since it was after a French phrase, Aly thought Gaga said, "I don't want to be French." And since she was the bride, that is how we sang it. And from then on, that is how I have continued to sing it.

So whenever Bad Romance comes on, whether it's during my race, during a road trip, or whenever, I think of Aly and her wedding day.

Party in the USA -- Miley Cyrus

As goofy as it is (and as much as Katie will probably roll her eyes), this song reminds me of my BFF.

Oh, Miley: what happened?
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Several years ago, Katie and I were at Wellman's, one of our favorite local establishments, enjoying a nice cold one by ourselves on the patio. It was a quiet, peaceful evening -- until a busload of fraternity boys rolled up and infiltrated our bar. They were so ridiculously obnoxious and ruining our evening. So, we decided to try to get them to leave, and one of our tactics was to blast annoying music on the jukebox. The first song we chose was Party in the USA, and instead of scattering like mice, the frat boys began to sing along -- at the top of their lungs.

And they proceeded to sing and dance to all of the obnoxious tunes we played. Mission: failed.

Shoop -- Salt-n-Pepa

This is another one of my bestie's (Alicia's) song.

If this doesn't scream early 90s, I don't know what does.
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Some people wait until karaoke to belt out a song, but give Alicia a microphone -- with or without backup music and/or vocals -- and she will rock out Shoop in its entirety. Regardless of whether we're at a karaoke bar, in the middle of trivia, or at a wedding, Alicia will bring it.

And, since I've heard this song nearly 18,000 times on my training runs, I will likely be able to join her next time.

Countdown -- Beyonce

Interestingly, this song reminds me of my guys, Shaw and Eric.

Beyonce? Kim Kardashian?
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A few years ago, when this song first came out, not only did the two guys know every single word to Countdown, but they also choreographed (or maybe just made up as they went along) a dance for it. At countless parties throughout that year, the boys entertained our friend group with their best Beyonce impressions.

And I will never not think of them when this song comes on.


These songs and these people -- in addition to many others (both songs and people) -- will get me through countless miles over the course of the next six months. I am indebted to my motivators -- and am crossing my fingers that my iPhone doesn't shut down in the middle of a race.

What songs get you through a tough workout? What are your tricks to maintain mental strength when the going gets tough?

Favorite Running Songs

I almost always run with music.

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There are only two instances in which I am tune-free:

• When a race requires it (i.e. Market to Market)
• (Sometimes) when I am running with other people (specifically when those people are teenagers with See-Us Run Des Moines)

Otherwise, I absolutely love running with music. First, it gives me something to focus on other than how much I want to be not running. Second, I have always really connected with music, associated certain songs with various people, memories in life, etc. Listening to music, then, brings me positive energy, happy memories, and lots and lots of motivation.

Obviously, all of the songs have great beats that brings me energy, but even more so, most of the songs have powerful messages (aside from, I suppose, songs like Timber, Call Me Maybe, and I'm Sexy and I Know It, which just make me smile). Lately, much of my running motivation has come from "girl-power" songs, so there is a lot of Katy Perry, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce showing up on my playlist. 

Anyway, I have decided to list a few of my favorite running songs, songs that are currently on my half-marathon playlist:

1. The Show Goes On -- Lupe Fiasco

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There are a million reasons I love this song: great beat, connection to my job ("Five in the air for the teacher not scared to tell those kids that's living in the ghetto that the n****s holdin' back that the World is theirs!"), and motivational message:

Never ever put them down

You just lift your arms higher

Raise em 'til your arm's tired

Let em’ know you’re there

That you struggling and survivin’ that you gonna persevere

Yeah, ain’t no body leavin, no body goin’ home

Even if they turn the lights out the show is goin’ on!

2. Roar -- Katy Perry

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I adore this song, and I really, really like Katy Perry. I feel like this song is an anthem for strong women, and the beat and the lyrics get me movin' and groovin' when I feel like I can't go another step:

You hear my voice, you hear that sound

Like thunder gonna shake the ground

You held me down, but I got up

Get ready 'cause I’ve had enough

I see it all, I see it now

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire

'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar

Louder, louder than a lion

'Cause I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar

Also, I really like lions -- must be the Leo in me.

3. Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) -- Shakira

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Who doesn't like Shakira? First, her music has some great rhythm. Second, she has energy to the nth degree. I just want to mooooooove when Shakira pops on the playlist. And, this song has a strong, powerful message (while still bringing the Shakira spirit).

You're on the front line
Everyone's watching
You know it's serious
We are getting closer
This isn't over

The pressure is on
You feel it
But you got it all
Believe it

4. Hall of Fame -- The Script (feat. will.i.am)

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(Side note: The Script is another great Pandora station.)

I really, really like this song. First, the beat is upbeat and full of energy (albeit a somewhat different type of energy than the aforementioned songs), and second, the message is super powerful -- so inspirational, in fact, that I used it in a lesson with my students earlier this year.

Pretty much the whole song is ridiculously awesome and full of motivation, but here's just one little chunk:

You can go the distance

You can run the mile

You can walk straight through hell with a smile

You can be the hero

You can get the gold

Breaking all the records they thought never could be broke

Yeah, do it for your people

Do it for your pride

How are you ever gonna know if you never even try?

5. Defying Gravity -- Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth

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This video is not a super great representation of the actual song, as it is just Idina Menzel (not Kristen Chenoweth) singing with the symphony, not as part of Wicked.

Also, I'm not generally one to listen to show tunes while working out (or, let's be real, ever), but this song is ridiculously amazing. It starts somewhat slow and has spurts of talking rather than rocking out, but the beat is mostly pretty energetic, and the message is awesome and has really resonated with me lately, especially the following:

As someone told me lately

Everyone deserves the chance to fly

And if I'm flying solo

At least I'm flying free

To those who ground me

Take a message back from me!

Tell them how I am defying gravity

I'm flying high, defying gravity

And soon I'll match them in renown

And nobody in all of Oz

No Wizard that there is or was

Is ever gonna bring me down!

So, there are a few of my more recent favorite running songs. I'll be sure to post some more as I get closer to my half marathon in T minus seven weeks!

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What are your favorite running/workout songs? What do you listen to before a race (that is the next playlist I need to create)?