It’s almost time for the So Cal Ragnar Relay race!

 

Ragnar Relay Series, runchat

12 Friends, 2 Vans, 2 Days, 1 Night 200 miles (from Huntington Beach to San Diego)!  

 

This is my first relay.  Even though I’m covering the least amount of mileage (10 miles in total), it’s longer than I’ve run in a very long time and I’m excited and nervous about it.  I definitely haven’t trained like I planned and I have friends in town for the entire week leading up to race day (I’m actually cutting out on them early to meet my van) but with a motto like this one, how could you NOT be excited?

Ragnar Relay, shirt, So Cal, Run, Eat, Sleep? Do It Again

Image: Ragnar

 

I need music to run and to get through 3 runs (a late morning/early afternoon, a middle of the night and a next day early morning) so I’m sharing the dozen (for my team name, the #DirrtyDozen) not-so-typical songs that I’m adding to my Ragnar playlist:

***Leg 1***

 

#1 – Nelly

The first leg needs to start off with a powerful attitude – and hey, there’s Joe Perry from Aerosmith on guitar (that one’s for you CB) 

Nelly, #1, Joe Perry, running

Weather With You – Crowded House

I seem to have lousy weather luck when it comes to San Diego but this song is so great – “and there’s a slowboat made of china…”

Crowded House, Neil Finn, Weather With You, Running

Coming Of Age – Foster The People

This is my JAM right now, “Pumped Up Kicks” is also on my regular playlist.  Love FTP!

Foster The People, Coming Of Age, Ragnar Playlist

 

One Small Day – Ultravox

It’s epic, it’s Midge Ure and has great motivational lyrics.  This will not be a small day though.

Ultravox, Midge Ure, One Small Day, Ragnar Playlist

***Leg 2***

 

Roll With The Changes – REO Speedwagon

I hear “keep on running” even though it’s “keep on rolling”.  I’ll need to hear this in the middle of the night.

REO Speedwagon, running song

 

New Shoes – Paolo Nutini

I will not be running in new shoes (big no-no on race day) but I’ll pretend I have fresh, happy feet.

Paolo Nutini, New Shoes, Ragnar Playlist

 

Blue Highway – Billy Idol

Because in the middle of the night, the highway will be blue and Billy (plus that guitar riff) will get me moving.

 Billy Idol, Blue Highway, Ragnar Playlist

My Ever Changing Moods – The Style Council

I function well on little sleep but I’ve never done it with 3 legs of running.  This is a reminder to be nice to my van-mates.

Style Council, Ever Changing Moods, Ragnar Playlist

***Leg 3***

Don’t Tell Me – Madonna

 People always think of the cowboy video with this song but it always paces me well and insists “Don’t tell me to stop…”

 Madonna, Don't Tell Me, Cowboy song, Ragnar Playlist

 

Just Another Day – Oingo Boingo

Although it won’t be “just another day”, a little Danny Elfman will delude me into a regular run on an ordinary day.

 Oingo Boingo, Just Another Day, Danny Elfman, Ragnar Playlist

Can’t Hardly Wait – The Replacements

As much fun as this experience will be, I know I’ll be waiting for the finish line.  I know I’ll appreciate Paul Westerberg’s musical empathy.

 The Replacements, Can't Hardly Wait, Ragnar Playlist

(Reach Up For The) Sunrise – Duran Duran

You knew there had to be a Duran song, right?  I thought about “Faster Than Light” but since that would absolutely be a lie, I went with this anthem.  I won’t be running at sunrise but I almost wish I could with this song as my background.

Duran Duran, Reach Up For The Sunrise

What unconventional song(s) motivate you when working out?

All images from Spotify screen captures.