Many runners like to psych up for a race or even a hard work out by listening to music. Some like instrumental music with a driving beat to get them pumped up, other prefer lyrics that inspire them to greatness.
(Tim)
I used to listen to music before every race in high school. I wanted to get as pumped up as possible so I could go out and destroy the competition. When I was a junior, I discovered Van Halen’s 5150 album and the title song “5150” became my anthem. This was before CDs were recordable, so I recorded the song on a tape eight times in a row so I would not have to rewind. If you have never heard this song, go listen to it! The lyrics “always one more, you’re never satisfied” sounded to me like “always WANTING more you’re never satisfied” Then, when the song builds to a full head of steam with, “Going wide, Running Long, Feeling lost, But not for long” I could see myself blasting around the track. That year at our conference meet, I was running the mile. The top three finishers qualify for state, and I was so amped up from this song that I almost can’t contain myself. In fact, I didn’t contain myself. A first lap of 58 seconds at altitude is not a good idea. The second lap of 65 put me through the 800 in 2:03, and I was certainly not going to run a 4:06 that day. The last two laps were pure agony as I held on for 2nd place in 4:26. Not the fastest race of the year, but definitely the most painful, and I blame it all on Van Halen! After that I gave up music before a race but to this day I always have a song in my head while running.(Adam)
I am the opposite of Tim. I have lived most of my life amped up naturally, so I used to listen to music to calm me down! Before races, I would be so energized I looked for relaxing music to listen to while I visualized the race. As soon as I went out to warm up, I put the music away and I focused my mind on racing.Now working out is another story. I am not always excited to get a training run in, so music can help. When I am driving to my favorite places to run, I always have the stereo blasting out rock or alternative tunes that work their way into my brain, and keep me company for the entire run. On days where I am injured, or need to do some cross training in the basement on the elliptical or Alter G treadmill, cranking out aggressive music is the only way to alleviate some of the boredom of running inside. For while, when I was hurt, and forced to cross train all the time, I liked the song “Soldier” by Eminem because it was angry and so was I! I could twist the words and meaning in my mind, to represent running rather than what the song is actually about. The chorus
“I’m a soldier, these shoulder’s hold up so much, they won’t budge,
i’ll never fall or fold up,
i’m a soldier,
even if my collar bone’s crush or crumble,
I will never slip or stumble,
i’m a soldier”spoke to me and motivated me to keep going. So music for me has served different purposes over the years.
So how about you? Do you listen to music before you run? What are the best/worst psych up songs you know? Best lyrics for running? Best beat? Let us know in the comments below.
13 Responses to “Music and Running”
Sierra Stevens
There are certain songs I have to listen to no matter what, whether it be right before a hard workout (like fartleks) or on race day. It’s always the same 15 songs. The list goes as follows (in order of song that pumps me up the most to the last minute warm up song)
1.I’ll Make a Man Out of You-Mulan
2.Beat It-Michael Jackson
3.Dare You to Move-Switchfoot
4.Billie Jean-Michael Jackson
5.Like Toy Soldiers-Eminem
6.Thriller-Michael Jackson
7.Go the Distance-Hercules
8.Zero to Hero-Hercules
9.Zero Gravity-David Archuleta
10.When You Believe-The Prince of Egypt
11. If I Had You-Adam Lambert
12.For Your Entertainment-Adam Lambert
13.One Jump Ahead-Aladdin
14.Skater Boy-Avril Lavigne
15.Prince Ali-Aladdin
I have no idea why its those songs but I have to listen to all of those songs at least twice, if not 3 times before I can run my workout or race. I love all those songs and they have been on my XC/Track playlists since 6th grade
Tim
This is a truly odd play list! Michael Jackson and Disney tunes? Try some Iron Maiden and you will run faster! Haha!
Sierra Stevens
Yes it is very odd (My coach made a comment on it today during practice!!!!!!) but it’s what gets me pumped
Sierra Stevens
Plus the MJ songs…its just given that he’s on almost every single one of my playlists
Timo Mostert
In high school, I listened to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen on a little portable cassette player before my races. SUPREME EPICNESS!
I still include it every season on the Psyche Up Tunes CD I burn for the team to listen to when we workout in the weight room.
Other Personal Faves:
Born to Run – The Boss
Run to the Hills – Iron Maiden
Tribute – Tenacious D
Go the Distance – Cake
Takin’ Care of Business – BTO
Free Ride – Edgar Winter Group
Great White Buffalo – Ted Nugent
Rock and Roll all Nite – Kiss
etc…
Tomorrow I’ll crank tunes over the stadium PA while the boys do a 3-mile 30/30′s workout on our field.
Rock on!
Tim
I love “Run to the Hills” and “The Distance” by Cake. Those are great! I also like “The loneliness of the Long Distance Runner” by Iron Maiden and “Marathon” by Rush. I know you are a huge Rush fan! And don’t forget the “Cross Country Rap” we are going to be playing on Sunday!
lauren lundy O'Connor
i run marathons to spread awareness of a terrible genetic disease that took the life of my 5 month old nephew, so I like to call this my “kick in the balls” playlist…it fires me up
Welcome to the Jungle (guns & roses), Sex Thing (stone temple pilots), crazy train (ozzy), Promise (chris cornell and slash) son’s gonna rise (…citizen cope) Them Bones (alice in chains) are you gonna be my girl (jet) laid (james) devil…’s dance floor (flogging molly) ava mary a (pink) my finale song depends if I am running for Gwendolyn or Owen…Gwen I go with all the single ladies by beyonce and for Owen Stolen by Dashboard Confessional because well he Stole my heart and I wont get it back until SMA are just three letters in the alphabet again!
Tim
This is an epic play list! I must be a metal head because I love Guns and Roses and “Crazy Train” is WOW! Good list!
willy
try listening to “remember the name” that song gets you hyped, every race im listening to that or something like it.
Renee
Here’s one that I created for a friend…about 30 minutes, so for a quick run.
A Well Respected Man – The Kinks – 2:43
Woke Up This Morning – A3 – 4:14
Love Shack – B-52s – 4:19
Bruises – Chairlift – 4:01
She Wants To Move – N.E.R.D. – 3:33
Woo Hoo – 5.6.7.8′s – 1:59
I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked – Ida Maria – 3:14
Stronger – Kayne West – 5:12
Keep On Smilin’ – Wet Willie – 3:57
jason jensen
Never really was much of a music for warm-up guy, still not, but thdese songs get my blood flowing…
Enter Sandman – Metalica
I Alone -Live
Gotta Turn Around -D-train (member of the ehs school record 4×8 and 4×16)
Hero – Skillet
Monster -Skillet
Tyler Gibson
Any time I’m headed to an actual race, on my drive down I listen to the same thing. The Clash’s album “London Calling”. I pop that in while I’m driving, and once I get within 15-20 minutes, I skip to the last part of the album and listen to the lineup of “Lover’s Rock”, “Four Horsemen”, “I’m Not Down”, and “Revolution Rock”.
The way the album was arranged, they flow so well, the drums are incredible, and nothing gets me more in the mind set then reggae-beats. It may be strange, but ska and reggae and punk do the trick for me every time.
If I could recommend one song to others during a run, it would be “Dr. Ron, the Actor” by State Radio. If that doesn’t amp you up, then I’ve got nothing for you.
Edgar Alejandro
a couple songs that come to mind that i like having on a shuffle playlist while on runs:
bloc party – “helicopter” this guitar riff gives me energy!!!
franz ferdinand – “auf achse” quick tempo bass that keeps pushing as notes go up.
k’naan – “in the beginning” good background drums and general feel good song that keeps pushing me!
k’naan – “wavin’ flag – coca cola remix (the world cup one)” i think it’s because of the extra drums!!!
phoenix – “1901″ & “liztomania” the catchy fast guitar riffs and steady drum snare go well with a good running pace
shakira – “waka waka” don’t judge, i put it on my shuffle solely ’cause my sister got it stuck in my head and then when i was running the vancouver scotiabank half marathon (my PR for half marathon) it came on in the final 2 kms or so and the african drums and this song just pushed me so hard straight through to the finish line. it felt so good i called my sister to dubai to let her know right after the race!
flipsyde – “trumpets” this song is by far one of my favorite songs to run to. i don’t really know what it is about it but the fast and steady bass in the background and the fast semi rap feel is good. whenever i listen to it and i’m not running it makes me want to run!!!
editors – “smokers outside the hospital doors” the thing that does it for me in this song is the background drum beat. but especially the bass and how the song develops. the lyrics also say to “run as fast as you can through this field of trees” at the very beginning! the chorus drums are awesome. the song slows down about halfway but only to get even better. it gently picks up with the drums the bass and then storms the chorus right through with a choir of vocals singing, they’re screaming and singing for you to run faster!!!! or at least that what i hear :p love this song!
i know that was a lot but those song are a must on my shuffle when running. also, now i want to go running, now! too bad i’m in the library ‘studying’ gah.