READY TO RUMBLE

I have found it. This is the perfect running playlist for my millennial/gen Z babies. It contains all the pop/rap hits from 2010-the present. It can't get much better than this and I am here to tell you why.

The first song on the playlist "Over" by Drake takes me back to those days when I really questioned what I was doing. Funnily enough, this questioning is far from over and just keeps coming. Thanks COVID. I feel like my life is a whole bunch of questions masked by a put-together facade I like to put on. For instance, do I enjoy running because it is fun or do I enjoy running because the physical pain distracts me? May the world never know.

The second song... oh, it's definitely a favorite of mine. I was in high-school when it came out and man, the beat gets to you as you're running down the street. "I'm Different" by 2 Chainz really makes me feel like I can take on the world. Middle finger up to my competition as I pass the guy on my right. You got this... just keep going. JUST KEEP GOING.

You know, I started from the bottom. I was not always a good runner. People think that I was naturally talented and say I never struggled, wasn't hungry, yeah, I doubt it. That is just not the case. In fact, I didn't start running until high school and I definitely had a rough start.

The first day of practice was a complete disaster. How was I supposed to know that you're not supposed to eat milk and cereal before running (especially if you're on the verge of complete and total lactose intolerance)? When I showed up, I was by far the smallest (5'0 and 85 lbs) girl there. I was was not prepared for what the coach had in store for that day.

On the agenda was 8 200's, or 8 half-laps of a track. To a non-trackie this may seem easy, or at least not as challenging as running 7 miles. Let me tell you though, when you're supposed to run it in less than 30 seconds, you might hate life. I know I did.

On the first set, I knew I was in for it. I came in dead last out of my group. By the fifth set, I had fallen so far behind, not to mention completely out of breath, that I didn't know how I was going to stay on this team. I kept pushing through and well... sometimes the struggle is real. I was on my seventh set when my stomach really said: there's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti. I hadn't vomited in years, but right as I crossed the line, I bee-lined to the bushes. Everything I ate that morning came up. EVERYTHING. I was so embarrassed.

The coach came over and sat me down. He patted me on the back and said "welcome to track". Now I get those goosebumps every time I think about this memory because it reminds me of where I came from. I stuck with running, pushing myself even when it was hard. I braved the heat of Texas summers and the freezing cold of Boston winters. No matter where I was, I found myself runnin'. Wow.

Now, six years later I haven' stopped. I may not be a trackie anymore, but I have found a comparable love for distance running where music is essential.

This playlist is full of so many good beats that I feel like I'm dancing while I'm running. That sounds odd. What I mean to say is that the beats serve as a great tempo for when you're trying to put in the miles. I have found it difficult to keep the same pace for my long runs and when I listen to music, it perks me up when I start to slow. It also perks me up WHEN I GET BORED. There. I said it. I do get bored running.

If you ask any runner, they're lying if they say they don't lose interest after a period of time. I know you had enough. For me, it depends on the day. Sometimes it's at the 2 mile mark and sometimes it's at the 5 mile mark. Whenever it is, it does happen and that's when I start really turning up the volume. So, if you're in the market for some new music in your life check out this playlist. I promise you won't regret it!