Monday, June 22, 2009

Music and Running

Recently a lot of my friends and family have been talking about music and running. I’ve seen a lot of debate on this issue on the Internet and in person. I find the use or non-use of music running is a personal choice.

I myself use my Ipod a lot, but now I use it mostly for hard efforts and days when I’m dragging a bit on long runs.

I found music was distracting me in races. Since I stopped using an Ipod I find I’m better with my eating and drinking as I run.

This coming weekend I plan to pick up my Ipod after Robinson Flat. While training on the course I found my Ipod worked the best for me on the canyon ascents and the section between Michigan Bluff and Foresthill, (I HATE that section). After Foresthill I’ll give the Ipod up in favor of a pacer.

Now don’t get me wrong I LOVE music. So with the race coming Saturday I thought I would share some bands and types of music I like. Trust me some of this music will have you rocking up Devil’s Thumb.

Trance/Techno/Electronica

Music of this type can be weird and a lot of it down right horrible. If you look hard enough you can find some gems. I have songs that are 10 minutes long with continuous beats that get me into a rhythm. Certain movie soundtracks have great music of this type on them also. For example: The Matrix, Miami Vice (the movie), The Vampire Lestat, and the Blade movies. Some artist examples are:

Armin Van Buren
Crystal Method
Moby
Lords of Acid
Tiesto
Chemical Brothers
Oakenfold
Fat Boy Slim
Lady GaGa
Juno Reactor
Prodigy

The rest of my Ipod has the following:

Dark Alternative Music/Industrial

This is the dark and angry music that tends to offend most. But I have to say some of the beats can get you through hill repeats like no other music. Personal favorite, Rammstein, play some Rammstein while at the track doing intervals and watch your pace increase.

Rammstein
Korn
Nine Inch nails
Marilyn Manson
Limp Bizkit
Rob Zombie

Alternative/Rock

If you haven’t heard the Linkin Park Jay-Z album, check it out.

Linkin Park
Evanescence
Black Eyed Peas
Green Day
Metallica
Red Hot Chili Peppers

Classic Rock

Too many to list but you have to have:

Rolling Stones
Led Zeppelin
Eagles
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Black Sabbath

Rap/Hip Hop

Again too many to list, but I’m mostly old school on this one, the top fav’s:

Beastie Boys
Run DMC
Dr Dre
NWA

The 80’s

Last but not least is 80’s music. Now I won’t embarrass myself with a list of names. But I find 80’s pop music to be nice to zone out to on long runs.

Till Saturday, Keep rocking

AB

4 comments:

  1. I'm (obviously, given my company) in the pro-music camp as far as training goes. I think the safety argument against it in races is sorta foolish; I never have my headphones so loud that I can't hear other people. And, frankly, there are going to be people on the course (or on the trail, or in life) that don't pay much attention to anyone but themselves with or without headphones on. We've all run races with people like that.

    I do think it's interesting that you've found it better in actual races to not listen to music. Is it that you'd get zoned out and forget to eat/drink, or lose focus on the feedback your body was giving you?

    Good post, by the way!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I used my Ipod at AR50 after you dropped me around Beal's Point. I like similar music. If you enjoy a good spanish guitar, check out Rodrigo and Gabriela. Perfect temp, not too fast and quick enough rhythm to keep you on pace.

    ReplyDelete
  3. John,

    Thanks for the post,

    Yes I find I loss focus on my running and body with the music.

    AB

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jesse,

    Hope your IT band issue is improving. Thanks for the post, I'll check those artists out after ws100. I have a little latin house music, it rocks.

    AB

    ReplyDelete