Play that Funky Music White Boy

Ok, so you've decided to Wog a long distance race. You got fit for your shoes, you've decided on what to drink your hydration method, you've got your outfit planned and you've started training. There is one important thing you've not done yet. In some ways it may be the most important step in the whole process. You need to select the songs for your ipod.

The first thing you have to decide is how long is it going to take you to Wog your way to the finish line and then know that that's how much music you need to put in your playlist. And yes, I do recommend a playlist. That way it's easy to swap out songs and just seeing the name can inspire you.

I call my playlist for the 1/2 marathon the very clever and witty "1/2 marathon music."

It's not just picking songs to fill up time. It's to create a soundtrack for your Wogging journey. However, speaking of soundtracks, it is in no way acceptable to have any music from "Chariots of Fire" on your playlist. Now that's not to say I'm not in favor of ironic choices because I am. Indeed the last song on my playlist is "The Closing Bell" from the Rocky soundtrack.

See, that's funny because it's only me listening to it and as long as I don't throw my arms up in the air no one has to know. It's just my own little inside joke.

Now a race has it's own flow and you should try to match the music to the mood. At the beginning of the race I like to have some peppy music. Some rock. I start with "Wake Up"by Arcade Fire. An awesome driving song to get the adrenaline going. As reality sets in that I have taken on something more than I probably should, I decide for some depressing music. I try to mix in some folk music and a little Blue October.

After that I try to get a mix of upbeat and irony so I have a little Gloria Gaynor via "I will Survive."

I kind of go back and forth like this between upbeat and depressing as that's how my emotions go. At around mile 7 I get really depressed. You see, I'm really tired and realizing that I'm only half way there. Also, I realize that I would only be 1/4 done with a full marathon. I've listened to some Gregorian Chant at this point and the song from Platoon when Willem Defoe gets shot. It's called Adagio for Strings for my classic music friends out there.

All this is interspersed with 80's rock. I don't know what it is about music from the 1980s but it really lends itself to exercise and athleticism. If in doubt go to any sports arena and count how many times you hear "The Final Countdown." Maybe it had something to do with all the spandex, headbands and muscle shirts people wore in the '80s. Sadly this applies to both men and women.

So get on your on your computers and go make those lists. And click here for a little ending credits music.