marathon mix

Today was the marathon. I finished! And roughly at the time I had estimated (4:25). The good news is that there was absolutely no enforcement of the ludicrous headphone ban, so I had much quality time with my meticulously constructed playlist! I share it now for your perusal. I won't notate each, but will chime in here and there.

Get Yr. Move On: Gonzo's Marathon Mix

1. Iggy Pop - Lust for Life

This was the perfect opener! I initially had Jamie Lidell's "Another Day," because I've found that to be a great start to a morning run, but nixed it. Glad I did.

2. Santogold - You'll Find a Way
3. We Are Scientists - The Great Escape
4. Battles - Atlas

Another running favorite. In a discussion of running music lately, a friend stated something along the lines that "Battles will get you going and make you want to kill anyone in your path." I restrained the violence, but this is a great running song. It always reminds me of seeing them in Iowa City in 2007 when, launching into this song, the entire packed audience began jumping in unison, making me question solidity The Picador's building structure.

5. Gary Glitter - Rock and Roll, part 1

Maybe a sports cliche, but eff it. Also, this is the less-attended to vocal part of the track, which I've always loved. Perfect beat.

6. Hot Hot Heat - No, Not Now
7. The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
8. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army
9. The Clash - The Magnificent Seven

Non running-related comment - this is potentially my favorite Clash song. Maybe.

10. Busta Rhymes - Dangerous

In making this playlist, I wanted to include a few songs I haven't listened to in a while. Hearing this today, I was struck by how great this song is. Generally I gravitate towards The Coming when I want some Busta, but this is certainly a standout from the follow-up. I don't care much for anything after that. Too bad - he has such a great voice and sense of vocalic rhythm.

11. LL Cool J - I'm Bad
12. Public Enemy - Public Enemy No. 1
13. Outkast -Gasoline Dreams
14. Gnarls Barkley - Go Go Gadget Gospel

Sure, they have a song called "Run," but that's a) obvious and b) from their newer album, which I am not fond of at all. I've always liked this for running though, and I actually think that the first time I listened to the album was at the track in Iowa City. Money quote: "If you're wonderin' what it look like, look at me."

15. David Bowie - Little Wonder
16. Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up

Heh - again one I hadn't listened to in a while and why not? It was between this and "Breathe," but this is much more in your face.

17. Bonde Do Role - Marina do Bairro
18. MIA - Bucky Done Gun
19. Yoko Ono - Yang Yang (down & dirty mix)

I definitely wanted a Yoko remix included, as the Yes, I'm a Witch and Open Your Box collections were common running soundtracks in 2007. I'm pleased with this choice for the beat and I really paid attention to the vocal manipulation. Very cool.


20. No Doubt feat. Prince - Waiting Room

Non running-related comment - interesting that this sounds much more like a Prince song and that the collaboration on Prince's album ("So Far, So Pleased") sounds much more like a No Doubt song. Hmmm.

21. CSS - Move

I've been loving this album, and this song especially. "Better get your move on." Of course, it's about dancing and not running, but as I say - very blurry line in my world.

22. Pop Levi - Wannamama
23. L7 - Fuel My Fire
24. Misfits - Children in Heat
25. Motorhead - Killed by Death
26. Megadeth - Take No Prisoners
27. Body Count - There Goes the Neighborhood

A much needed venture into the rock world. The L7 track is an old favorite. The Motorhead song was PERFECT and made me feel like I could destroy the world. The Megadeth is another classic that hails from my metal roots, and Body Count - Ice-T does rock - doesn't get much harder than that.

28. Danger Mouse - 99 Problems
29. Run DMC - King of Rock

Run DMC is one of my very favorite running accompaniments.

30. Public Enemy - Shut 'Em Down
31. Public Enemy - Fight the Power (Fear of a Black Planet mix)
32. Public Enemy - Night of the Living Baseheads

As is Public Enemy. This was around mile 13. I saw Kate from the sidelines and all I could do was wave a peace sign and shout "FLAVA FLAAAAAAAAAAV!" I don't think she (or anyone) knew what to make of that.

33. Ice Cube & George Clinton - Bop Gun (One Nation)
34. Prince - Black Sweat (Hot Thing FC mix)
35. Prince - Let's Work
36. Prince - Housequake
37. Prince - Sexy Dancer

Yes! First Prince set. I had to settle down here, lest people hear me saying "Sexy Dancer, want your body, want your body" and take it the wrong way.

38. Gwen Stefani - What You Waiting For?
39. Daft Punk - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Infinitely better than the Kanye version, for sure.

40. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
41. Michael Jackson - Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
42. The Jacksons feat. Mick Jagger - State of Shock
43. Michael Jackson - Bad

I was talking a walk break for a bit, but then the breakdown to "Wanna be Startin' Somethin'" came on and I had to get moving. Mama se, mama sa, mama cu sa.


44. Nikka Costa - Can'tneverdidnothin'

One of my most motivational songs in many respects.


45. The White Stripes - Blue Orchid
46. Ram Jam - Black Betty
47. Nazareth - Hair of the Dog
48. Van Halen - Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
49. Van Halen - Hang 'Em High
50. Van Halen - Everybody Wants Some!!
51. Van Halen - Unchained

So begins the second rock set. I recently realized that the Ram Jam song has kind of a White Stripes vibe to it. And I learned from the 20k this May that a little Van Halen goes a long way. I definitely picked up the pace when "Everybody Wants Some!!" came on.

52. Guns n' Roses - You Could Be Mine

Ass kicking. And I was definitely feeling some T-2 action as well.

53. New York Dolls - Human Being
54. Iggy & the Stooges - Raw Power
55. Iggy & the Stooges - Search and Destroy

The Stooges are another of my favorite running pick-me-ups. Search and Destroy, bitches.

56. The Noisettes - Don't Give Up
57. The Beastie Boys - Sabotage
58. Snap! - The Power

I HAD to put Snap! on here of course. And this was well placed in the trajectory of the day, for sure.


59. Santogold - Unstoppable

Love it, but skipped it.

60. LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out

No brainer here. Another point where I found myself muttering the words along the way.

61. The Roots - Here I Come
62. MIA - Fire Fire

Skipped these two.

63. Cee-Lo - Bad Mutha
64. Old Dirty Bastard - You Don't Want to Fuck With Me
65. Run DMC - Can You Rock it Like This

The ODB track has a strangely Rocky-esque bombastic backing. And I already mentioned my running relationship with Run DMC. I can rock it like that.

66. Chromeo - You're So Gangsta

I think this somehow disappeared?

67. James Brown - Living in America

This was it! This was the song that took me home! I've never really liked "Eye of the Tiger" (too schlocky '80s rock) and the Rocky theme is so overplayed. But this from Rocky...III? IV? I always forget - is my favorite song from any Rocky ever. Including Warrant's horrid cover of "We Will Rock You" from Rocky V. What was particularly awesome was that (unplanned, for sure) I crossed the finish line right after JB shouts "PITTSBURGH, PA" in the break. Glory!

68. Prince - Endorphinmachine
69. Prince - Let's Pretend We're Married
70. Madonna - Burning Up (12" version)
71. Prince and the Revolution - Baby, I'm a Star

Didn't get to these, but ah well.

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Marathon Musings

All in all, it was a great day. The weather was perfect, I felt (and still feel) surprisingly good. I had no shame in taking a few walk breaks. And it's true what they say - you end up breaking the distance down. "I've only got a 20k to go. I've done that before." "I've only got a 10k to go, I've done that before." I've only got a 5k to go? HA!" And when I hit mile marker 25, I definitely said to myself "Fuck it, let's go all in from here on out." And it was great.

During the training process, so many people said to me "Wow, that's great. I'd love to do that but...." or "I could never do that!" Everybody has their reasons, but the fact that I did this today seriously makes me feel like anybody can do it. If you would have asked me to do a marathon a year ago, I might have said the same thing. But here we are.

Now I'm setting my sights on the Pittsburgh marathon in May. I predict more hills, but better scenery.

I'd like to include a photo, but I won't get those for a few days, and my camera conked out on Kate. But here's a victory shot anyhow.



And now, I shall proceed to indulge in cocktails for the rest of the evening.