Music to my ears

Just a quick smug-lady update: after my post yesterday I actually went on a long run (according to Google maps its 6.1 miles - a bit contentious though, I think..) and finished in 45.20. The last time I did that course I did 45.54, so YES I feel like I can be chuffed. Why I can't do those sorts of times in races, we'll never know.

ANYWHO, moving on. My little pink iPod is pretty much my running lifeline and in times of great peril it's helped me battle through some brutal elements (I did A-level drama, can you tell?). I usually just stick it on shuffle and hope for the best, but one of my main galz Faye asked me about my preferred playlist the other day... so being the true inspiration that I am, I thought I'd share my top 5 fav running chooooonz. 

I felt this post needed some illustration...

In no particular order, here are some of the best songs to run to. I'd like to point out that my iPod is updated maybe once every 2 years, so YES I expect Jason Derulo 'Trumpets' is really good to run to but I wouldn't know. SOZ JASON:

1. Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna - We Found Love
THIS IS A GREAT SONG, okay maybe this is number 1 actually. Me and my mum AND my sister are all of the opinion that the banging beat and added diva element of badgirl riri are enough to keep you pumped for at least a mile. Although the song is only about 4 minutes long so it would have to be a bloody fast mile. 

2. Jessie Ware - Running (Disclosure Remix)
The main words to this song are 'keep me running, keep me running'. Totally motivational. I bet it features on many 'running anthems' compilation albums.

3. Foo Fighters - The Pretender
Spurred on by my sister's infatuation with a certain Mr Grohl and Foo Fighters in general, I once nicked her album and shoved a few songs on my iPod in an attempt to be current. And what a gem I discovered in the process! The Pretender combines the excellent skill of shouting (singing, sorry Dave) while also sticking to an consistent, quite well-paced beat. It also reminds me of my sister, who nearly pipped me at the Bristol Half Marathon with a lot less training. If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is... 

4. Kanye West - Jesus Walks
Many people think Kanye West is an absolute knob, but I am of the opinion that he is a GENIUS. Jesus Walks is one of my all-time favourite songs, and again has a really steady beat and some wiiiiicked lyrics. And he's singing about Jesus... Not that I am in anyway religious but it helps to have a Jesus song on your side when you're running 7 miles in the pelting rain.

5. Bring Me The Horizon - Suicide Season (Secret Handshake Remix)
Now I am not usually one for such a heavy band, but I heard this song for the first time in my best friend Rosa's car and basically just copied her by putting it onto my iPod... creepy. It's quite screamy but for some reason the lyrics 'WE STARE AT BROKEN CLOCKS, THE HANDS DON'T TURN ANYMORE ARGGGHSGHDHGHH' help me quite a lot when I'm really, really struggling. Maybe I'm subconsciously trying to run away from the scary, screaming men...

YEAH MUSIC!!!!

There are SO many songs that I really like when I'm running and remind me of certain things and make me get my butt in gear - anything by Arctic Monkeys reminds me of my boyfriend and makes me move my booty a bit faster - but I don't want to bore you with my extensively odd iPod playlist. Running without music is sometimes quite nice, although any longer than 20 minutes and my heavy breathing starts to get on my tits a bit. Much love for the iPod.

OH AND FAYE - NO TRACY CHAPMAN!!! No matter how fast her car is.
*I'd just like to point out that I do actually listen to current music, I'm just more of a YouTube gal, honestly.