The Art of Not Having Time
Jane is a master of time management. Just ask her—she'll tell you between helping her roommate with a crisis, doom-scrolling Instagram for "just five minutes" (forty-five minutes ago), and stress-organizing her desk for the third time this week.
She's a university student, which means she's basically a professional at being busy. Busy worrying about exams. Busy procrastinating about worrying about exams. Busy feeling guilty about procrastinating. It's exhausting work, really.
What Jane is not busy doing? Running. Exercise. Anything remotely resembling self-care that doesn't involve buying another "treat yourself" coffee she can't afford.
The cruel irony is that Jane knows running would help. She's read the articles. She's seen the TikToks. "Exercise reduces stress!" they chirp cheerfully, as if she has time to reduce stress when she's so busy being stressed.
But here's the thing about Jane: she wants to run. Desperately. She daydreams about it during lectures—pounding the pavement, wind in her hair, Taylor Swift blasting in her ears, leaving all her problems behind (at least until she has to return to her dorm room where they're patiently waiting).
The problem isn't motivation. The problem is the playlist.
The Impossible Task
To run, Jane needs music. Obviously. Running without music is just... suffering with extra steps. Literally.
But creating a playlist? That requires:
- Time to browse songs (doesn't have)
- Mental energy to make decisions (depleted by 9 AM daily)
- Knowledge of which songs actually work for running (unclear)
- The emotional bandwidth to care (currently allocated to existential dread)
So the running shoes sit in the corner. Judging her. Every day she walks past them thinking, "Tomorrow I'll make that playlist." Tomorrow has been saying that for three months.
The beautiful irony? Jane somehow finds time for:
- A two-hour study group where thirty minutes were actual studying
- Explaining to her mom (again) how to use Google Docs
- Watching three YouTube video essays about shows she's never seen
- Creating elaborate color-coded study schedules she won't follow
- Helping her friend analyze a text message from someone named "Tyler"
But five minutes for herself? Impossible. She's too busy. Obviously.
The Accidental Click
It happens at 11:47 PM on a Tuesday. Jane is doing what students do best: avoiding sleep while simultaneously complaining about being tired.
She stumbles across Song2Run while looking for "songs to study to" (she is not studying). An AI chatbot that creates running playlists through conversation?
"I don't have time for this," she thinks, while having time for this.
But something catches her attention: "Create your perfect playlist in 5 minutes."
Five minutes. She's spent longer deciding what to order for dinner. She's spent longer watching a video about why a pop star's outfit was actually a secret message. She can probably spare five minutes.
Probably.
The Conversation That Changed Everything
What follows is almost suspiciously easy. The chatbot asks what music she likes. That's it. That's the hard part.
Jane blinks. That was... it? She expected forms. Questionnaires. A personality test. The kind of friction that would give her an excuse to say "I'll finish this later" and never return.
Instead, the bot just got it. Contemporary pop. Strong vocals. The holy trinity of Taylor, Ariana, and Dua. And it's already suggesting Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter—artists Jane definitely does like but didn't even think to mention.
A strange feeling washes over her. Is this... easy?
Twenty Songs Later
The chatbot delivers. Not just a list of songs, but explanations that actually make sense—BPMs, energy levels, which tracks work for pushing hard versus catching your breath. It's like having a really intense friend who knows too much about music and running.
1. "Don't Start Now" - Dua Lipa (124 BPM)
This disco-pop banger has an infectious 124 BPM that's ideal for maintaining running pace. The driving bassline and empowering lyrics make it a perfect opener that'll get you motivated from the first step.
2. "Cruel Summer" - Taylor Swift (170 BPM)
The euphoric production and building energy in this track creates an adrenaline rush perfect for running. The tempo sits at a steady 170 BPM, and the bridge will give you that extra push when you need it.
3. "positions" - Ariana Grande (90 BPM)
Despite its sultry vibe, this track has a steady 90 BPM groove that works great for warm-up miles. Grande's incredible vocal runs add musicality that keeps your mind engaged during the easier portions.
4. "good 4 u" - Olivia Rodrigo (164 BPM)
This pop-punk-influenced hit at 164 BPM delivers aggressive energy perfect for interval training. The angsty, driving guitars and powerful vocals push you to run harder and faster.
5. "Levitating" - Dua Lipa (103 BPM)
A disco-pop masterpiece at 103 BPM with an irresistible groove. The shimmering production and feel-good energy make miles fly by, and it's nearly impossible not to match your stride to this beat.
The list continues: "Anti-Hero" for those self-deprecating mid-run thoughts, "Flowers" for feeling like that main character everyone talks about, "Espresso" because Sabrina Carpenter understands that running is basically a personality trait at this point.
And then—the bot does something unexpected.
It's asking if she's satisfied. Like a waiter checking on the table. Jane has never felt so catered to by technology.
Done. Just like that. No rebuilding. No starting over. Just a simple swap, like she's editing a Google Doc, not crafting the soundtrack to her fitness journey.
Jane's Complete Pop Running Playlist
Here's the full playlist the chatbot created—a carefully curated journey through 2020s pop that takes Jane from warm-up to full sprint to triumphant cooldown. Every track selected for maximum running motivation.
1. "Don't Start Now" - Dua Lipa (124 BPM)
This disco-pop banger has an infectious 124 BPM that's ideal for maintaining running pace. The driving bassline and empowering lyrics make it a perfect opener.
2. "Cruel Summer" - Taylor Swift (170 BPM)
The euphoric production and building energy creates an adrenaline rush. The bridge will give you that extra push when you need it.
3. "positions" - Ariana Grande (90 BPM)
A steady 90 BPM groove perfect for warm-up miles. Grande's incredible vocal runs keep your mind engaged during easier portions.
4. "good 4 u" - Olivia Rodrigo (164 BPM)
Pop-punk energy at 164 BPM perfect for interval training. The angsty, driving guitars push you to run harder and faster.
5. "Levitating" - Dua Lipa (103 BPM)
A disco-pop masterpiece with an irresistible groove. The shimmering production makes miles fly by.
6. "Anti-Hero" - Taylor Swift (97 BPM)
Synth-pop production with confessional lyrics creates a hypnotic running rhythm. The catchy hook helps maintain consistent pacing.
7. "Flowers" - Miley Cyrus (136 BPM)
This self-empowerment anthem combines disco influences with contemporary pop. Excellent for maintaining momentum during middle miles.
8. "Espresso" - Sabrina Carpenter (130 BPM)
A bubbly, infectious track with a walking bassline that naturally encourages forward motion. Keeps spirits high during challenging portions.
9. "Paint The Town Red" - Doja Cat (110 BPM)
Hip-hop-influenced pop sampling Dionne Warwick. The steady beat and bold attitude help power through tough stretches.
10. "Vampire" - Olivia Rodrigo (70-138 BPM)
This dramatic ballad-turned-rocker builds from slow to explosive, perfect for recovery intervals and dynamic changes.
11. "Dance The Night" - Dua Lipa (109 BPM)
Created for the Barbie soundtrack, this disco-pop gem sparkles with energy. Keeps legs moving rhythmically without pushing too hard.
12. "Karma" - Taylor Swift (90 BPM)
Midtempo electropop with a hypnotic bassline perfect for steady-state running. Clever lyrics give you something to focus on.
13. "yes, and?" - Ariana Grande (124 BPM)
Assertive dance-pop channeling '90s house music. The four-on-the-floor beat is literally designed to make you move.
14. "Greedy" - Tate McRae (122 BPM)
Confident pop with slick production and an addictive hook. The steady rhythm helps settle into a comfortable, sustainable pace.
15. "Houdini" - Dua Lipa (115 BPM)
Psychedelic-pop with swirling production. The unexpected sonic elements keep your mind engaged while maintaining tempo.
16. "Is It Over Now?" - Taylor Swift (111 BPM)
From 1989 (Taylor's Version), pure pop energy with '80s influences and modern punch perfect for running.
17. "Feather" - Sabrina Carpenter (104 BPM)
A sassy pop track with a bouncy quality that matches running cadence naturally. Creates a weightless sensation for longer distances.
18. "Training Season" - Dua Lipa (128 BPM)
Insistent percussion and layered vocals. The title alone makes it perfect—and the driving energy delivers on that promise.
19. "Break Free" - Ariana Grande ft. Zedd (130 BPM)
Incredible EDM-pop energy for the final push. The euphoric drops and soaring vocals make you feel unstoppable.
20. "Love Me JeJe" - Tems (112 BPM)
Afrobeats-influenced pop bringing global flavor to close the playlist. Infectious rhythm ensures you finish on a high note.
Total Duration: 68 minutes of perfectly curated 2020s pop, alternating between high-energy bangers (164-170 BPM) and groovy steady-state tracks (90-115 BPM) for a complete running experience.
The Five-Minute Miracle
Jane looks at the clock. It's 11:52 PM.
Five minutes. The chatbot wasn't lying. Five actual minutes to create a playlist she's been "meaning to make" for three months.
She thinks about all the excuses she's made. The "I don't have time." The "I'll do it this weekend." The elaborate mental gymnastics of being too busy to do something that takes less time than microwaving leftovers.
The irony isn't lost on her: she's spent more time thinking about making a playlist than it actually took to make one. She's spent more time explaining to people why she can't exercise than it would take to exercise. She's basically a professional procrastinator with a minor in self-sabotage.
But here's the thing—and this is the part Jane didn't expect—having the playlist actually changes something.
The next morning, she wakes up and the playlist is there. On her phone. Ready. No more "I should make a playlist first." No more barriers. Just her, her running shoes (still slightly judgmental), and "Don't Start Now" waiting to kick off her run.
She runs. For the first time in months, she actually runs. And somewhere between "Cruel Summer" and "good 4 u," she realizes something: the playlist wasn't really the problem. The playlist was the excuse.
But now that excuse is gone, replaced by a collection of pop bangers carefully selected to make her feel like the main character of her own slightly chaotic life.
The Moral of the Story
Jane still doesn't have her life together. Her room is still a mess. She still procrastinates. She's still going to analyze Tyler's text messages with her friends for way too long.
But now she runs three times a week. With Taylor Swift cheering her on. With Dua Lipa making her feel like she could conquer the world (or at least finish this semester without a complete breakdown).
And it only took five minutes.
"Five minutes for yourself. That's it. That's the whole secret."
The running shoes in the corner? They've stopped judging her. Now they're just waiting for tomorrow's run.
Because tomorrow, Jane has time. She's always had time. She just needed something to make it easy to start.
Want Jane's Exact Playlist? Start Here!
Love the pop vibes? You can start with Jane's conversation and customize it for your own taste. Just tell the chatbot what you'd change—different artists, more energy, different decades—and it'll adapt instantly.
Start Fresh InsteadYour Turn to Stop Making Excuses
Five minutes. That's all it takes. You've read this far—that's already longer than creating your playlist would take. Stop scrolling. Start running.
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