The Half-Marathon Playlist

To build up to that point where someone can run for over two hours takes a great deal of mental and physical preparation. To be in the moment and running consistently for over two hours takes an amazing playlist.

In chatting with my fellow runners, everyone seems to march to a different beat when it comes to the soundtrack for half-marathon training. Some prefer silence, to be alone with their thoughts; some prefer paying close attention to the ambient sounds of nature or the footsteps of other runners; others like the company of cheerful conversation to help pass the time. For me, it’s all about the playlist!

What that playlist consists of is a very personal choice as it all comes down to what motivates the runner in that specific moment. Just the same there seems to be a natural curiosity among runners in terms of “what’s on your playlist?”, always searching for the perfect song to develop that perfect playlist.

Over the last several months, I have been adding and deleting songs regularly, in seeking that perfect combination for race day. While on the one hand I want songs with a very clear consistent tempo that aligns with my natural cruising speed for running, a full two hours of those can get a little dull. I believe the solution is to liven it up with a sprinkling of upbeat, fun songs to pump up the energy from time to time… and then hit the shuffle button.

I think the mixture of the following songs strike the right balance between being “in the zone” while still remembering to be in the moment to acknowledge and enjoy this precious bucket list moment!

Here are some of the featured songs shuffling through my half-marathon playlist:

Running pace tempo:
Again – Do Piano
Balearic Incarnation – Dolle Jolle
Peccatores Justifica – Nacho Sotomayor
747 – Kent
Morphing Thru Time – Enigma
The Child In Us – Enigma
Sadness – Enigma
The Rivers of Belief – Enigma
Frozen – Madonna
The Power of Goodbye – Madonna
Come Undone – Duran Duran
Quit Playing Games – Backstreet Boys
Enjoy The Silence – Depeche Mode
Here I Am – Danny Saucedo
Put The Top Down – Alcazar
It’s Alright – Pet Shop Boys (the version from the “Introspective” album)

Up tempo:
I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Invincible – Carola
Wannabe – Spice Girls
You Get What You Give – New Radicals
Breathless – The Corrs
What Doesn’t Kill You – Cast from Glee
Teenage Dream – Cast from Glee
Show Me Heaven – Lili & Susie
Olympia – E-Type
Fy Fan – Eric Amarillo
La Voix – Malena Ernman
Stay The Night – Alcazar
Alcastar – Alcazar

How about you, what are some of your favourite songs for working out?

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André