This Epic Movie Score Playlist Will Make You Feel Like Rocky

If you're a runner, you're probably familiar with the struggle of keeping your playlist fresh [1]. No matter how much you're in love with an artist, hearing the same words every workout is bound to get old.

In my search for inspiring running music, I decided to try something different: a playlist with no words at all, made up entirely of movie scores. Full disclosure: the idea came from my actor boyfriend who lifts weights to Superman's theme and many other strength-inspiring scores. A fast-paced tempo and the absence of lyrics allowed me to bring my own intention to each run. It felt a little like I was in my own movie.

I once began a Turkey Trot in Washington DC with the music from Mad Max: Fury Road. The postapocalyptic film score made me feel a sense of urgency I couldn't get from the latest chart-topping pop song. As I raced toward the US Capitol Building in early morning light, surrounded by hundreds of others, I imagined myself in a fight for survival. To my surprise, my finishing time also reflected that feeling. And it was fun!

On my run to work in Los Angeles, I came up on the La Brea Tar Pits (actual tar pits with the smell to prove it) at the exact moment the theme song from The Terminator came on. I channelled my inner Linda Hamilton — because she's a total badass in those movies — and dug deep to improve my time.

When I use the score playlist, workouts feel more like an adventure than a regular old run. There's nothing quite like the feeling of starring in your own action movie. Ready for an epic running experience? Give this playlist a try.