It is time to close out 2014, a year that has been very good to us in our corner of the universe. We started the year with our Caribbean honeymoon (I mean, when the ship docs down the road from you and saves you the trouble of a plane ride, you have to take advantage of it), followed by a great return to the States. The obvious high water mark was the wedding and now, we relax going in to 2015.

Except Ray Ray. She is training for a road race. And I have decided the next two mixtapes will comprise tunes to help focus, inspire and zone. Everything a runner needs to continually put left foot in front of right for an extended period of time.

My running career ended long ago. I had one encore performance in Chicago in 2006. That was enough to remind me why I hung up my waffle racers in the first place. Now my knees remind me on a daily basis.

I must give credit where it is due: KEXP, one of my most favorite radio stations, puts out various podcasts and a DJ there put together a “runcast.” I listened to it and almost imagined myself back out there setting a pace. Almost. But instead of lacing up my shoes, I bought a bunch of the songs and assembled them for RayRay, while filling in some blank spots with other tunes I thought appropriate.

Get your heart rate up, folks: Today I Will Run What You Will Not

As always, you can find this playlist on our Spotify station.

Lord Huron – Time to Run

The Lonely forest – I Don’t Want to Live There

The Moondoggies – Changing

Frightened Rabbit – Swim Until You Can’t See Land

Say Hi – Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

Luscious Jackson – Are You Ready?

Lucius – Turn It Around

ODESZA – Say My Name (feat. Zyra)

Larua Veirs – That Alice

Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945

Typhoon – Dreams of Cannibalism

Telekinesis – Ghosts and Creatures

Polyrhythmics – Libra Stripes

The War on Drugs – Red Eyes

Elliott Brood – Jigsaw Heart

Jimi Goodwin – Oh! Whiskey

The Barr Brothers – Even the Darkness Has Arms

Washed Out – Don’t Give Up

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