This 165-Minute Playlist Will Make Your Next Long Run Feel Lively Without Turning Every Mile Into a Sprint

Whether you’re running outside or hitting the treadmill, good music can often make the difference between a great run and a blown goal. That’s why we’re putting together playlists each month chock-full of songs with enough of a beat to keep you moving. For even more tunes, check out our best running playlists to power every pace and distance.Long-run season is upon us. The next few months are prime marathoning time, and leading up to those big races comes lots of double-digit miles.Training for a long-distance race requires new habits. You can muscle through a three-mile jog without carrying hydration, but that certainly won’t fly on an 18-mile training run. You may also need to splurge on better socks, stock up on energy gels, and make sure you wear only clothes that won’t chafe you.Another thing you’ll need during long-run season is a much longer running playlist. An hour-long mix may be enough for a 5K training, but if you’re going to be racking up 30 or more miles in a week, you’re going to need more music to keep you energized.To that end, we’ve put together a 50-song playlist specifically for long runs that goes on for almost three hours. Long runs can be hard, but they’re so rewarding, and hopefully just a little more enjoyable with this mix.Listen on SpotifyListen on Apple MusicListen on Amazon MusicFind the Perfect Training Plan for YouGet the PlanRecommended Experience: No experience necessary! Anyone can accomplish this training plan.Get the PlanRecommended Experience: This plan is for a new runner who is just getting back into exercise.Get the PlanRecommended Experience: For a new runner who has been exercising regularly for at least a year, or someone who has completed a few 5Ks or 10Ks and can complete 6 miles in one workout. This plan peaks at 28 miles in a week with a 12-mile long run.Get the PlanRecommended Experience: For runners comfortable exercising for at least an hour at a moderate effort. This plan peaks at 32 miles in a week with a 14-mile long run.Get the PlanRecommended Experience: For a consistent runner used to regularly working out four to five times a week. The plan starts with a 10-mile long run and peaks at 44 to 47 miles a week with a 22-mile long run, helping you average under a 9:10 per mile come race day.Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of MARATHONER: What to Expect When Training for and Running a Marathon, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed among others, and he is the co-host of “P.S. You're Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.