I'm happy to say that even though it took a couple days, I am walking like a normal person again! Why was I ever NOT walking normally, you might ask? Well, because last Sunday I ran the Flying Pig half marathon (13.1 miles) in Cincinnati. I trained hard for this race and during every race, I set a goal and try my very hardest to reach it—I actually race myself and my past times!
 
That takes a lot out of my body and leaves me sore for a few days…and sometimes even during the race itself. But one thing I do to keep my energy boosted and my motivation high is to play some of my all-time favorite kick-butt running songs.
 
I don't normally make a playlist specifically for a race. Generally, I just shuffle through a generic "running" playlist I created. But this time, I needed the energy surge that only my favorite songs could provide.
 
So if you're looking for some of the best running songs to refresh your own workout playlist, look no further.
 
Coach Nicole's 2012 Half Marathon Playlist
(Listed in alphabetical order. Click on a song title to preview/purchase mp3 from amazon.com.)
 
2Pac – California Love
Avicii vs. Journey – Don't Stop The Levels (Project 46 Mashup) (YouTube link)
Coldplay – Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
Coldplay – Life In Technicolor II
Coldplay – Paradise
David Guetta ft. Usher – Without You
Diddy - Dirty Money ft. Skylar Grey – Coming Home
Flo Rida ft. David Guetta – Club Can't Handle Me
Flo Rida ft. Sia – Wild Ones
Flo Rida – Good Feeling
Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench
Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over
Jimmy Eat World – Pain
Katy Perry – Firework
Lo Fidelity Allstars – Battleflag
Matchbox Twenty – How Far We've Come
Mumford & Sons – The Cave
Naughty By Nature ft. Zhane – Jamboree
Neon Trees – Animal
Nicki Minaj – Starships
The Offspring – The Kids Aren't Alright
The Offspring – You're Gonna Go Far, Kid
P!ink – Raise Your Glass
Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris– We Found Love
Usher – More (RedOne Jimmy Joker Remix)
 
Sunday wasn't my day to meet a new PR, but I still ran a great race that I feel proud of. These tunes kept me going up all the hills and during all the times I felt so tired that I would rather walk or quit entirely. I hope you enjoy them, too!
 
Do you have a favorite song for running? Do you make specific playlists for each race (or workout) you do?

Follow @thecoachnicole