A Soundtrack for Running

If you listen to music while you're running, what kind of music motivates you?  

I like rap music because it usually has an intense beat.  So does a lot of Linkin Park's music, and they're usually a slower steady beat that's pretty consistent with my running speed.  And they have a lot of aggression, which keeps me motivated!  Anything that has intense lyrics gets me going.  

Call me a feminist, but I'm trying to come up with a playlist of songs by female artists about self-confidence and empowerment.  So far this is what I have:

So What - Pink

Sober - Kelly Clarkson

Bitch - Meredith Brooks

The World Should Revolve Around Me - Little Jackie

Single Ladies - Beyonce

If I Were A Boy - Beyonce

You're Not Sorry - Taylor Swift

I know the tempos are all totally different, but I like mixing it up a bit.  :)  What are some more songs I could add?

Okay, first, if you like rap music (and that's what pumps me up)... you HAVE to listen to DJ Rectangle... he mixes rap song after rap song into each other with really great beats!!! I recommend Pyro Technics or Turntable Terror (something like that)... his mixes are about 60 minutes long, so they are a great length for work-outs....

Okay, so chick music...

Fergalicious and London Bridge - Fergie

Grace - Kate Havnevik (feat. on Grey's Anatomy one night, that's how I found it)

anything by Brandi Carlile (her songs can be a little sad, but she is SO awesome... I have her on my ipod right now)

A Fine Frenzy is pretty good too...

there's some song that I LOVE called Jezebel... really gets me pumped up

Happy Face - Destiny's Child

I'll keep thinking...

I like running to Madonna's "Ray of Light" and "Shanti/Ashtangi".

I'll add female songs as I think of them or come across them on my iPod.

I was running with a friend one day, both with iPods on in our own little world.. and my friend just kicked my butt. I was listening to an audio book and he was rocking to Elvis. Since then I've switched to music and increased my speed and try a lil harder.. music definately pumps you up.

So what do I listen to?Here's a quick view of my workout playlist:

All My Loving (Beatles)

Lit Up (Buckcherry)

Ch-Check it out (Beastie Boys)

Suerte (Shakira)

Without Me (Eminem)

Perfect (Sara Evans)

Feel Good Inc (Gorillaz)

Blitzkrieg Bop (Ramons)

Bat Macumba (Os Mutantes)

and a lotta Fatboy Slim (fast and hypnotic)

too busy to write the rest.. but you get the idea.. like me - completely random

for a great run, your ipod playlist is as important as your stretches! it can totally make or break you, i think!

I've got an artist for you that you'll LOVE for long runs when you're dying for a pick me up: Girl Talk is actually a one-man show, who mixes pop, oldies, hip-hop and other songs all together into these FANTASTIC mixes. Check out his website for the CD download.

my playlists rotate, but a few songs always stick it out:

Gotta Work, Amerie

Six Feet Underground, Ja Rule

Upgrade U, Beyonce

Dirt Off Your Shoulder, Jay Z

Throw Dem Bones, Ludacris