Running Music



Martini Magic



Some days running is easier than on other days.  Sometimes I just get in the zone and know that I’m going to have a good run.  Other days....not so much. However, I have noticed that if there is a good song playing on my ipod shuffle, it always makes my run a little bit easier.  So my thoughtful daughter Amber downloaded songs onto my ipod shuffle that she thought I’d like (being more technically inclined than I am with all these newfangled gadgets).  Here are some of the songs she downloaded for me:   

1. Chumbawamba (Pissing the Night Away)

2. Beer for My Horses (Whiskey for My Men)

3. It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere

4. Whiskey Girl

5. Margaritaville (But there's booze in the blender/And soon it will render/That frozen concoction that helps me hang on)

6. Friends in Low Places ('Cause I've got friends in low places/Where the whisky drowns/And the beer chases my blues away/And I'll be OK.)

7. Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off, and,

8. Tequila! 

  Are you seeing a pattern here?  Yes, they’re all drinking songs!  What the hell?!  Do I give off that vibe?  Or is it her vibe?!  LOL, I don’t know, but I do have fun running to some of these songs.  We did have may have had quite a few parties when she was growing up, and yes, alcohol was may have been involved quite of bit, a lot, on occasion, so I can see where this might be coming from.  

In all seriousness though, the music can motivate me and either make or break my run.  I have other songs on my ipod shuffle that don’t motivate me in the least, and in fact has the opposite effect, making me struggle to go the distance.  I try to skip those.  Songs that have tempos that match my pace and have a beat that matches my down-step are the best.  It’s like the beats per minute in a song match my steps per minute while running.  It’s like having my own personal pacer for company. 

Music is especially helpful to alleviate boredom when you do most of your running on a treadmill like I do.  Since we live up in the mountains and I need a babysitter minder for safety outside, in addition to new snow dropping nearly every day during the winter, the treadmill is the most viable option for me.  I don’t hate it. 

So why does party music make us happy and motivated?  Maybe it’s the reminiscence of fun times with old friends, balmy summers and a cold drink in my hand that takes me to that happy place and makes me want to run.  After all, music makes people want to dance, why not run?  I’m just sayin’........drinking songs, for whatever reason, can be motivating.  ♩♪♫♬. 

BTW Amber, you forgot a few!  How about, I Love This Bar, Family Tradition, White Lightning, Whiskey River, Straight Tequila Night, Jose Cuervo, One Scotch One Bourbon One Beer?

Just sayin’........♩♪♫♬

There are some purists out there that enjoy running in total silence.  Some people say that music doesn’t motivate them at all, that the silence, putting on the miles and listening to the sound of their own heartbeat is what motivates them.  Seriously?!  LOL, I love silence myself when I’m outside enjoying nature, but when I’ve got miles to put on, and it’s hard, hot and sweaty work, give me some good upbeat music any day.  ♩♪♫♬.  Of course there are safety factors when running with headphones; traffic, verbal warnings, muggers....