Training Music

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:43:10 -0600

Having the right music to listen to -- that will help push you thru those long 1 to 3 + hour running workouts -- is key to help keeping the motivation up. I have very eclectic tastes when it comes to music. I love listening to music from all kinds of genres including pop, country, classical, movie scores, jazz, oldies, dance, and R&B. When I run, I add a little rap to the mix, as well.

Music that has lyrics that inspire me, as well as music with a great beat to lose yourself in, is the best stuff to listen to during training. Listed below are some of my favorite running songs that get me going when I go out for my longer training runs. I turn the volume way up when these songs play on my iPod. These songs really get me going and help me work harder, especially when the going gets tough:

Till I Collapse - Eminem & Nate Dogg
Currently my favorite song so far this year to listen to when I really get to a down point on my longer runs. Although Eminem is talking about rapping, the first 5 lines perfectly describe what it feels like -- and what you need to do to go that extra mile (or 26.2 miles) when you’re feeling down - as an endurance athlete, triathlete, and/or Ironman:
Sometimes you just feel tired,
Feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
And just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
And not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse.

The Distance - Cake
I heard this song for the first time in 2008 at a week-long Triathlon Camp in Palm Springs, CA, and it’s really a great song that relates to triathlon and racing. Macca, Kerry, and all the tri die-hards at the camp seemed to like it -- so I listened. Now it’s one of my favorite training songs to date.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk
Makes you envision trying harder, working to be better, going faster, and being stronger. Great elements of what a triathlete and endurance athlete strives for.

Winning - Santana
Says it all; plus some of the lyrics personally mean a lot to me with some of the struggles I’ve had over the years.

That Old Pair of Jeans (Edit) - Fatboy Slim
Also heard this at my triathlon camp in 2008. I love this song, especially the verse:
Life is too short to be unhappy
And since I know what I'm worth there'll be no settling for dirt
Knowing what I deserve is gold
If I want diamonds then I can't settle for coal

Strangelove - Depeche Mode
A great song about taking the pain; perfect for the triathlete. Pain, will you return it? I ‘ll say it again, pain.

The Best of the Rest:
The Imperial March - John Williams
Anakin vs. Obi-Wan - John Williams
Battle Without Honor or Humanity - Tomoyasi Hotei
Rockstar - Nickelback
Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna
Heat of the Moment - Asia
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Lose Yourself - Eminem
Move Along - The All-American Rejects
Makes Me Wanna Pray - Christine Aguilera
Hit Me Up - Gia Ferrell
Victory - Kool and the Gang
All Star - Smash Mouth
Strangelove - Depeche Mode
Clumsy - Fergie
Fergalicious - Fergie
London Bridge - Fergie
I Love Rock ‘N Roll - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Freedom ’90 - George Michael
The Man With the Hex - The Atomic Fireballs
The Beat Goes On - Orbit
Trapped (12” Vocal Regisford Mix) - Colonel Abrahms
Give Me Tonight (Ligosa Mix) - Shannon
Lose My Breath - Destiny’s Child
I’ll Be All You Ever Need - Trinere
Lookout Weekend - Debby Deb
Take A Chance On Me - ABBA
Mamma Mia - ABBA
A. O. S. - ABBA
Dancing Queen - ABBA
Rapper’s Delight - The Sugrahill Gang
People Get Ready - The Impressions
Black Betty - Ram Jam