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Why My Running Playlist Is a Concert (And Why Yours Should Be Too!)

Do you spend way too much time making the perfect Spotify playlist for races or long training runs?

Same.

A lot of runners build playlists based on BPM, tempo, and what science says will make you run faster. But my running playlists? They’re built on one simple rule:

If I love the song, it makes the cut!

My everyday running playlist is a chaotic, wildly unhinged mix of songs I never skip. Songs I sing out loud to. Songs I dance to while running down the road. Songs that turn a long run into a full-blown concert with me as the main act!

On long runs, I’m not just logging miles, I’m headlining a world tour!

The Secret to Staying Motivated on Long Runs (It’s Not Just Discipline)

One of the most common questions I get is:

“How do you stay motivated on long runs?”

My answer is always the same:

Music.

Certain songs. Certain lyrics. Certain moments that hit exactly when you need them.

Like when Hannah Montana comes on at mile 15 of a 20-mile run and belts:

“Who said, who said I can’t be Superman? I say, I say that I know I can.”

Tell me that’s not elite marathon motivation!!

Or when David Guetta’s Just One Last Time hits and you hear:

“Even though it hurts, I can’t slow down.”

That’s not just a lyric, that’s a race strategy. This came on at mile 12 of my first half marathon and I truly believe helped me get to the finish line faster.

And when Taylor Swift reminds me:

“I’m a real tough kid, I can handle my sht.”*

Yes. Yes, I am. I’m training for a marathon. I am a tough kid!!!

Music doesn’t just distract me. It is the basis of my run. It turns discomfort into momentum and exhaustion into energy. One song can completely change how a mile feels.

My Favorite Running Songs (For Your Next Playlist!)

If you’re ready to stop overthinking your playlist and start romanticizing your runs, here’s some inspiration straight from my headphones.

These are some of my top 5 songs from various genres and artists! Let me know in the comments any songs or artists you need on your running playlist as I am always looking for new songs to add to mine.

🎸 Top 5 Emo / Pop Punk Songs (Because No, Mom, It Was Never a Phase!)

  1. Welcome to the Black Parade – My Chemical Romance

  2. I’d Do Anything – Simple Plan

  3. Misery Business – Paramore

  4. The Suffering – Coheed and Cambria

  5. Dear Maria, Count Me In – All Time Low

My favorite speed work playlist is all my favorite emo/pop punk songs and I will say they get the job done, and get it done fast!!

💃 Top 5 Dance Pop / EDM Songs

  1. Just One Last Time – David Guetta, Alexander Ryberg, Taped Rai

  2. Play Hard – David Guetta, Akon, Ne-Yo

  3. Carry You Home – Tiësto, Stargate, Aloe Blacc

  4. Red Lights – Tiësto

  5. Came Here for Love – Sigala

👑 Top 5 Female Singer Power Songs

  1. Since U Been Gone – Kelly Clarkson

  2. Stronger – Britney Spears

  3. Soulmate – Lizzo

  4. Level Up – Ciara

  5. Run the World (Girls) – Beyoncé

🎭 Top 5 Musical Theatre Songs (Main Character Energy Only)

  1. Defying Gravity – Wicked

  2. This Is Me – The Greatest Showman

  3. You Can’t Stop the Beat – Hairspray

  4. From Now On – The Greatest Showman (slow start but when it hits, IT HITS)

  5. Out Tonight – Rent

🫶 Top 5 Taylor Swift Songs (If Taylor Trains This Way, So Do I)

  1. …Ready For It?

  2. I Can Do It With a Broken Heart

  3. The Man

  4. Better Than Revenge

  5. I’m Only Me When I’m With You

🎤 Top 5 Jonas Brothers Songs

  1. Love Me to Heaven

  2. Celebrate!

  3. Pushin’ Me Away

  4. Goodnight & Goodbye

  5. Hold On

🏰 Top 10 Disney Songs (The Golden Era of Disney Slaps!)

  1. Rockstar – Hannah Montana

  2. Who Said – Hannah Montana

  3. Wouldn’t Change a Thing – Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas (Camp Rock)

  4. This Is Me – Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas (Camp Rock)

  5. I2I – Tevin Campbell, Rosie Gaines (A Goofy Movie)

  6. I’ll Make a Man Out of You – Donny Osmond (Mulan)

  7. How Far I’ll Go – Moana

  8. What Dreams Are Made Of – Hilary Duff (Lizzie McGuire Movie)

  9. Determinate – Lemonade Mouth

  10. Strut – The Cheetah Girls

Disney Honorable Mentions:
– Literally any High School Musical song
– Zero to Hero – Hercules
– Go the Distance – Hercules
– Ultimate – Lindsay Lohan (Freaky Friday)
– Push It to the Limit – Corbin Bleu (Jump In!)

🎧 Other Staples From My Everyday Running Playlist

  1. Pump It – Black Eyed Peas

  2. Drag Me Down – One Direction

  3. Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else – Benson Boone

  4. Golden – KPop Demon Hunters

  5. Strong Enough – Cher

  6. Just Fine – Mary J. Blige

  7. Ruff Ryders’ Anthem – DMX

  8. #thatPOWER – will.i.am, Justin Bieber

  9. Sexy Lady – Jessie J

  10. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

Final Thoughts: Run to What You Love

Your running playlist doesn’t need to be perfectly curated, scientifically optimized, or approved by running TikTok.

It just needs to make you feel something.

If that means Disney bangers at mile 18, emo anthems during tempo runs, or Taylor Swift screaming in your ears while you convince yourself you can do hard things then you lean right into it.

Because if I’m going to suffer through a long run, I might as well do it with a soundtrack worthy of a standing ovation.

🎤✨

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