Cara Nelson ’09 accomplished an incredible feat, completing seven marathons, on seven continents, in seven days. Her biggest challenge? Staying mentally strong.

In every 26.2 miles, she put on her ultimate playlist. During her final leg, the social studies teacher turned to Broadway for inspiration.

“For the last 10 miles, no matter what I was listening to, I would turn back to Hamilton, and start with ‘My Shot,’” she said. “It was the perfect song to motivate me to push through the last stretch of the race.”

Here’s what she listened to during every challenge; Try this at home, or make your own, to keep motivated during a workout.

Cara’s Marathon Playlist 

  • “This Is Me” — from the film “The Greatest Showman”
  • “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” — Shakira
  • “Wavin’ Flag” — K´Naan
  • “Just a Ride” — Jem 
  • “World Spins Madly On” — The Weepies
  • “Hopeless Wanderer” — Mumford & Sons
  • “From Now On” —The Greatest Showman Soundtrack
  • “Running Up That Hill” — Placebo
  • “Losing A Whole Year” — Third Eye Blind
  • “Run” — Snow Patrol 
  • “There’s No I In Team” — Taking Back Sunday
  • “Best of Me” — The Starting Line
  • “Slow Motion” — Third Eye Blind
  • “Just Say Yes” — Snow Patrol 
  • “Dice” — Finley Quaye & William Orbit
  • “Little Secrets” — Passion Pit
  • “I Will Wait” — Mumford & Sons
  • “Free Fallin’” — Tom Petty
  • “Wake Me Up” —Avicii
  • “Africa” — Toto
  • “Walking On Sunshine” — Katrina & the Waves
  • The entire soundtrack of the musical “Hamilton.”