The first run after an injury (even when its only been 9 days) is kind of like learning to ride a bike.  With wobbly uncertainty I slowly set out for a jog, not sure what to expect.  My right foot hit the pavement, and then my left as I braced myself for disappointment.  But instead I was met with surprise and relief.  While my ankle did feel a little stiff, it didn’t hurt!   I celebrated this huge victory by running a trivial 3 miles, all the while keeping my speed (and footing) in check.  I could have kept going.  I wanted to run farther.  It took every ounce of will remaining in my withdrawal-weary body to stop.  I’m proud to report that finally, level-headed rationale beat jittery impulsiveness.  Post-run I diligently elevated, iced, and channeled some of the remaining nervous energy in to completing my playlist!

Ready to Start- Arcade Fire

Hope- Shaggy

Let Go (feat. Kele & MNDR)- RAC

Thunder Clatter- Wild Club

Applause- Lady GaGa

I Can- Steven Cooper

You Give Love a Bad Name- Bon Jovi

Runaways- The Killers

The Great Divide- The Mowgil’s

Back In Black- AC/DC

Dammit- blink-182

What’s This Life For- Creed

Punk Rock Girl- Dead Milkmen

The Motto- Drake

Kryptonite- 3 Doors Down

Sexy and I Know It- LMFAO

Hey, Soul Sister- Train

Yer So Bad- Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Up in the Air- Thirty Seconds to Mars

We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris)- Rihanna

Eye of the Tiger- Survivor

Blow Me (One Last Kiss)- Pink!

The Champ- Nelly

Payphone (feat. Wiz Khalifa)- Maroon 5

Ho Hey- The Lumineers

Stand- Rascal Flatts

Don’t Give Up- Kevin Rudolf

Sex on Fire- Kings of Leon

Crazy Kids (feat. will.i.am)- Ke$ha

Honestly- Hot Chelle Rae

‘Till I Colapse (feat. Nate Dogg)- Eminem

Wild Ones (feat. Sia)- Flo Rida

You- Candlebox

On Top of the World- Imagine Dragons

The Fighter (feat. Ryan Tedder)- Gym Class Heroes

I’m Shipping Up to Boston- Dropkick Murphys (for my son)

Ready to Go- Republica

Run This Town- Jay-Z Feat. Rihanna & Kayne West

Tomorrow- Silverchair

She Wants to Move- N.E.R.D.

You’re So Damn Hot- Ok Go

Don’t Stop Believin’- Journey

Kids- MGMT

Pompeii- Bastille

Graceless- The National

How’s It Going to Be- Third Eye Blind

Best Day of My Life- American Authors

Let’s Go (feat. Ne-Yo)- Calvin Harris

Steal My Sunshine- Len

Inner Ninja (feat. David Myles)- Classified

Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond

Rest Assured- The Lemonheads

Sexy Bitch (feat. Akon)- David Guetta

Sweat (Snoop Dogg vs. David Guetta)- Snoop Dogg & David Guetta

She’s Not Afraid- One Direction (for my daughter)

Lover of the Light- Mumford and Sons

Give Me Everything (feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer)- Pitbull

Armistice- Phoenix

Life of Leisure- Rainer Maria

10:1- Rogue Wave

Dance Song ’97- Sleater-Kinney

Double Vision- 3OH!3

Legs- ZZ Top

Calendar Girl- Stars

Dakota- Stereophonics

Your Love- The Outfield

Hey Ya! (Radio Mix/Club Mix)- Outkast

Sex and Candy- Marcy Playground

Laid- James

Hyper-Ballad- Bjork

More Than A Feeling- Boston

Not Your Fault- Awolnation

An eclectic and random mix- ’80s, ’90s, pop, rap, indie, a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll.  73 Songs of varying duration, beat, and mood.  Everything I could possibly need for a fluctuating 26.2 mile journey.

(I forgot to add that these are not in Play order.  I began trying to organize the list but became too overwhelmed with the sheer volume of material.  I plan to hit SHUFFLE and let the songs play how they may.  Very fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pantsish, I know.)