LISTEN TO THIS: LHS XC State Meet Playlist

On Saturday, the Lexington High School girl's cross country team will be running one of the hardest courses in the state of MA.  The race is located at Northfield mountain in the beautiful but hilly town of Gill (see left).  The course is a grueling 3.1 mile loop up and down a mountain.  No joke.  It is literally a full-blown mountain.  The girls will be fighting for their place in the state.  Their time is not a factor.  It's all guts.  Nothing more.  And they are ready.  These girls listen to music at home, on the bus, with each other, getting ready, on their warm up; basically whenever they need inspiration to push themselves beyond their limits.  Like so many of us, they too are driven by songs and/or lyrics that will help get them in the mindset to "go".  So, what do high school girls listen to when they are getting pumped up to run one of the biggest races of their year?  Here's what they told me in their own words.  The best part - this has to be one of the most eclectic playlists out there.  Different strokes for different runners.   If it works, it works.  Rock on, girls!

From Hayley
Raise Hell - Brandi Carlile   
It gets me really pumped up for a race, not to mention the fact that it's a good song in general. It also has an awesome running beat to have stuck in your head if that happens. 

From Virginia
Dog Days Are Over - Florence + the Machine  
For me this song is about keeping your mind focused and not dwelling on the past (in this case past races or workouts, things that may not have gone as planned), and moving forward. Taking your motivation and determination, and leaving all other distractions behind is very important during a race. Although the message could be perceived as kind of dark, the tune (which is pretty catchy), and the meaning are things that I find inspiring.

From Eleanor (& Paige)
Remember the Name (pre-race) - Fort Minor  
It' a pumpy song and gets me thinking about why I run and what it takes to be a runner (not really because of the song itself but bc of the chorus...10% luck, 20% skill, 15% concentrated power of will, 5% pleasure, 50% pain, 100% reason to remember the name) and Paige always plays it before before big meets so I like to think of it as a tradition. 
Set Fire to the Rain - Adele (sings it in her head during the race)  
Because of the last line " let it burn" which i think  is a good way to think of going up hills. That is also my go-to song for singing. 

From Grace
For you - Keith Urban  
It is inspiring because it is about someone who is sacrificing his life for people he loves. The music behind the lyrics builds up the story. If someone can sacrifice so much for something they love despite so much fear, they can do anything. It makes me want to work hard to deserve everything that I have and can possibly achieve.

From Steph  
Home - Philip Philips  
I heard this song on the radio last week and I've listened to it a good 20 times since then.   I like it because even though it doesn't really have an explicit meaning it makes me think of the team and how  when the team works together we can do anything. We're a team and we succeed together, on the course, and at practice. And, when the song says home I always think of how the team is like a home/family.  It reminds me that the team should know everyone supports them and that we shouldn't be afraid of trying to achieve new feats.

From Emma
Tonight is the Night - Outasight  

This song is such a good-feeling pump up song.  I tend to attach memories to songs, so when I listen to this song, I am reminded of hot weather and sand and the ocean!

Radioactive -  Imagine Dragons  

About 40 seconds in, Radioactive has the best beat drop.  This song is so intense and focuses me for an upcoming race.  Listening to it centers my thoughts and helps me to not get distracted.

Fly - Nicki Minaj  

Grace showed us all this song.  It is pretty inspirational, but most importantly, it reminds me of my freshman cross country season and the short-lived obsession that we all had with Nicki Minaj. :)

From Olivia
Anything by Bob Marley i.e.
Buffalo Soldier  
Bad Boys  

Great for warm-up, cool-down, and pump-up.
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor  
Of course!
Gonna Fly Now (from Rocky) - Rocky Orchestra  
Another given.

From Sonia
Eye On It - Toby Mac  
This song is my absolute favorite pump-up song. Everything about it is pre-race perfect; intense, electronic, energy-boosting background music coupled with race-related lyrics that allude to my personal beliefs as a Christian. “’Cause I can feel the wind at my back. Chest is pumpin’ like a heart attack. Feet are movin’ and my mind is locked. Pressin’ on with everything I got... I feel the deeper call in me, all else is fadin’ in the past, so let me run in the race that I know is built to last.” Before a race, these lyrics get me excited to press on with “everything I got” for the Lexington cross country team and for God.

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