What inspires YOU?

We had a sub for our 5:15 spin class this morning. All the regular instructors are riding Ragbrai (the Register's Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa, more on that tomorrow...) this week. The sub, John, is notorious for his eclectic music selections. He's been known to, in the same class, play Vogue by Madonna, My Name is Sue by Johnny Cash, and Ride of the Valkyries by Richard Wagner. He'll instruct us to do things like, "Stand up and ride as hard as you can when Carrie Underwood starts her string of vandalism," meaning we get out of the saddle for the chorus of Before He Cheats when she sings, "I tore my key into the side of his pretty little souped-up four-wheel drive, I carved my name into his leather seats..."

You never know what to expect from John, who is a maniac triathlete (he's done one Ironman, four Olympics, and a few others just for "fun") in the over-50 category. Today, part of his music selection was taken from a list compiled by some exercise physiologist of the best songs to work out to and get the most out of your body.

I've been known to exercise in the silence, with just my breathing, my thoughts and the nature along the trail to entertain me. But most of the time, I pop my iPod buds in my ear and blast my own odd playlist during my rides, runs, walks and supposedly athletic meanderings. I must say, I would never choose the William Tell Overture as one of my top workout songs, but the exercise guru put it on his list.

Which got me to thinking, if I had to put 15 or 20 songs on a playlist to use when I really want a great, inspiring, hard workout, what would they be? What are yours? I'd love to share lists. Maybe we'll all discover a new favorite. I'll choose just from the songs I currently have on my iPod, but you're welcome to include any song at all that you like.

I'll put my 2008 version of a "mix tape" on the next post. Until then, here's a list compiled a few years ago by VH1. I admit I own 3, 6 and 7. And 13's out there in my cd collection somewhere.

1. Olivia Newton-John - "Physical"
2. C+C Music Factory - "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)"
3. Salt 'N Pepa - "Push It"
4. Wreckx-N-Effect - "Rump Shaker"
5. Survivor - "Eye of the Tiger"
6. The Village People - "YMCA"
7. Madonna - "Express Yourself"
8. Snap! - "The Power"
9. Montell Jordan - "This Is How We Do It"
10. House of Pain - "Jump Around"
11. KC & the Sunshine Band - "That's the Way (I Like It)"
12. Prince - "I Would Die 4 U/Baby I'm a Star"
13. Queen - "Another One Bites the Dust"
14. Michael Jackson - "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"
15. Fatboy Slim - "Going Out of My Head"
16. Public Enemy - "Fight the Power"
17. Tina Turner - "The Best"
18. Chumbawamba - "Tubthumping"
19. Anything from the Perfect soundtrack
20. Van Morrison - "Bein' Green"