Ah, the sound of silence! Well, the sound of huffing and puffing is probably more accurate.
I went for a four-mile run on Monday morning without music. I like having my fast music to pump me up, but headphones aren’t allowed on the Hood to Coast course.
The run was fine — Mile 1 felt hard, Mile 2 felt better, I couldn’t slow down on Mile 3 and Mile 4 was sort of tough again. (If you want the details, you can see them HERE on DailyMile.) I was hungry the entire time because I actually forgot to eat first. I was in such a hurry to get out the door and get back again, that I didn’t give my body any fuel. Luckily, we are having an exceptionally cool August, and it was misting and dark on Monday morning. If it’d been hot, I would’ve been toast — or I would’ve needed some toast…with peanut butter on it. I really feel for all of you who have to run in the heat. I’ve done it (growing up in northern-central California), and it sucks.
Running without music was nice because I actually felt like my mind got to relax a little. Even though my brain wanders when I have music on, it’s still doing the work of processing the words and beats, etc. But without tunes, my mind was quiet. Sure, it skipped around — What was that? Is that car going to turn? What pace am I at? Okay, NOW what pace am I at? — but I felt relaxed and happy when I got home. I got some true down-time.
At the same time I am practicing running without music, I’m building a super-speedy soundtrack for my Sub-2-Half attempt in September. So far, it looks like this:
Run the World (Girls) – Beyonce
Crocodile Rock from Gnomeo and Juliet – Elton John
Funky Monkey from Rio – Siedah Garrett
Check it Out (Main) – Will.i.am & Nicki Minaj
Till the World Ends – Britney Spears
I Wanna Go – Britney Spears
Bust a Move (Glee Cast Version) – Glee Cast
We R Who We R – Ke$ha
S&M – Rihanna
Blow – Ke$ha
Sin Wagon – Dixie Chicks
Real Gone – Sheryl Crow
Bulletproof – La Roux
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger – Daft Punk
Only Girl (In the World) – Rihanna
Hey Baby (Drop it to the Floor) – Pitbull featuring T-Pain
Shut Up and Drive – Rihanna
Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
Sure Shot – Beastie Boys
Give Me Everything – Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer
Party Rock Anthem – LMFAO
Ballroom Blitz – The Sweet
What else should be on there? I need fast, upbeat songs that make me feel like a bad-ass. (I recognize that the songs from Rio, Gnomeo and Juliet, and Glee don’t exactly meet those requirements. But I can make exceptions.)
Do you ever run without music? What do you think about?
14 comments
Braids definitely = sub 2 hour half!No music will be fine for H2C–We will cheer you on!!
I'm really big on running without music. This last marathon (my 4th) was my first ever race to run with music. All my half marathons, 10ks, 5ks…training runs…no music. But I'm starting to enjoy the music now. 🙂 H2C has so much going on that you will be fine! Hey girl, I need your address if you still want a sticker. [email protected]
Movin' by Group 1 Crew is great. their music has a good beat. Barowgirl and Superchick are also good.Running without music is really nice sometimes. My thoughts are so random, it's like a pinball machine. lol
I rarely run solo without music, but I think I'm going to need to do more of that since music is not allowed in tris!Love your playlist so far, and glad I'm not the only one with the cast of Glee. 😉
I run with music. One time my nano was died so had to run with out it. Needless to say it wasnt a LR, only 3.
I like “Forget You” by Cee Lo on my running playlist. Yeah, I could get the “real” version but I like the cadence of “forget you” better than that of “f you.”
Now THAT is a good running mix! Rhianna's S&M is one of my favorite running songs, even though I find the content a little questionable. I also really like Animal from Kesha, its a good song to listen to in the beginning of my run.
I run with music except when my babysitter comes with me on the long runs…for those we talk the whole time it is greatsongsthe edge of glory: Lady Gagathe lazy song: Bruno MarsHit the ground running: Keith Urbanborn this way:: lady gagafaith: george MichaelI sent you an email yesterday I hope you got it!thank you again!
Some of my current running favs includeMonster by Kanye WestI'm the Best by nicki MinajSuper Bass by Nicki MinajNumbers in Action by WileyHello by Martin solveig and dragonetteInternet Killed the Video Star by the LimousinesPumped Up Kicks by Foster the People
thanks for the playlist! I don't actually run with music usually but I am constantly looking for new songs for my bootcamp classes!!!
I love stuff by Pink on my playlist.
Oh, and Eminem – really good beats and lyrics for running on some of his tracks.
If I'm by myself I run without music. But even when I'm without music there's usually a tune playing in my head and unfortunately I usually know only some of the words and the same bits play over and over again.
I love Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, The Prodigy. Those are probably my top for running music.