I know that running with music is a bit of a touchy subject among runners- some people can't run without it, and others feel that having music on interferes with the pure nature of running. And then, once you introduce to the discussion the idea of wearing headphones during a race, that can ruffle even more feathers.
I generally don't listen to music very often when I run. Occasionaly I listen to podcasts, especially on my long early morning runs before the sun comes up. It can be pretty boring being stuck with just my own thoughts in the pre dawn pitch black. Up until last year I had never listened to my ipod in a race, but last fall I decided to give it a try. I made up a playlist that would get me through the last 12 km of the Philadelphia Marathon, and when I pulled out my headphones and heard "Courage" by The Tragically Hip it was like a shot of adrenaline- I picked up the pace, and ended up running those last 12km at a faster pace than at any other time in that race. I just needed a mental boost that music could provide.
Right now I'm just under 2 weeks out from my next marathon, and it's time to look at another playlist. What I look for in songs for my playlist isn't necessarily pump music, or tunes with a certain number of beats per minute, but songs that put me in a good head space- songs that make me happy. The mental portion in the last quarter of marathons has been my downfall, so if I can keep my head happy, then I know my legs can carry me through.
On that note, here's what I've come up with so far for the Erie Marathon. It will likely be edited a bit more, but I think I'm almost there.
The Best Of What's Around- Dave Matthews Band
Bold As Love- John Mayer Trio
Cordelia- The Tragically Hip
Courage- The Tragically Hip
Don't Give Hate a Chance- Jamiroquai
Drunken Lullabies- Flogging Molly
Easy On Yourself- Drive By Truckers
Even Flow- Pearl Jam
Fifty Mission Cap- The Tragically Hip
Fire Woman- The Cult
Gimme Sympathy- Metric
I'm Not Down- THe Clash
It's Only Love- Bryan Adams
Little Wing- Jimi Hendrix
Livin On A Prayer- Bon Jovi
Love Removal Machine- The Cult
My Morning Song- THe Black Crowes
Nautical Disaster- THe Tragically Hip
New Orleans Is Sinking- The Tragically Hip
No Way Back- Foo Fighters
Paris- Grace Potter & The Nocturnals
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting- Elton John
Shoot To Thrill- AC/DC
Train In Vain- The Clash
Wild Man- Galactic
So there we go. I'll probably pare it down a bit, but this is a good start.
One thought on safety though- if you do listen to headphones when you run, please remember to play it safe- keep the colume down low en