The only thing worse than finding yourself bored with running is finding yourself bored with your running soundtrack: little can make a long training run seem more futile than realising you simply can’t listen to your playlist ever again.
But a great running track isn’t necessarily one with the best BPM ratio for your stride or the most gung-ho lyrics. Often they’re simply the ones that can distract – shifting the mood when your mind is wandering, or setting the tone as you start your run with a goal in mind.
There are only so many times that Queen, Daft Punk or Katy Perry can achieve this before they grate, turning a challenging run into psychological torment. And no distance training can rely on podcasts alone, no matter what NPR would have you believe.
A couple of years ago I found myself four marathons down and utterly sick of every playlist I had ever made. My iPhone seemed visibly dog-eared when asked to play Beyoncé’s Love on Top and a mere snatch of Kanye bleating on about Nietzsche on Stronger would send me diving for the sofa. I almost sabotaged my love for Robyn altogether through overuse.
Throwing a Spotify link out to fellow runners on social media is what saved me. I asked for their unlikeliest favourites for training runs, and the resulting “Unexpectedly Good Running Songs” became the crowning glory of my lists. Its diversity works wonders as a finite work of art (no less), but each of the included tracks also now pops up on other playlists to keep me, quite literally, on my toes. A sense of possibility, a shard of positivity, and perhaps a little something to inspire some mime-percussion en route – these songs are sonic glitter to sprinkle on a playlist, lifting it from merely beat-driven to something more inspiring. A selection of favourites is below.
A final word of advice: never include Rickie Lee Jones’s Chuck E’s in Love on a run playlist. The opening bars, particularly if running uphill, have more than a little Steptoe & Son about them. It feels like being taunted, to say the very least.
Tonight the Streets Are Ours: Richard Hawley
Hawley is not a man known to have built a career on running bangers, but there is no greater track to begin a run to. The chug-chug-chug beat, the strings, the promise of owning the streets themselves. Running’s sense of quotidian freedom yet endless possibility in sonic form.
French Navy: Camera Obscura
Go on, try to run to the first 15 seconds without “doing the drums”. And if you can master that challenge you’ll still have more than three minutes of dreamy yet urgent magic that builds to something which just might get you through that third-quarter slump.
Different Drum: Linda Ronstadt
A swoonsome Summer of Love pop track once featured in a Monkees episode is not an obvious choice for hill repeats, but if this pops up on a long training run, just as you’re losing patience with modern dance music, you’ll feel refreshed from muscles to mindset. A perfect palate cleanser.
Galvanize: The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers are hardly an unlikely team to spot on a running playlist, but having been used in the 2012 opening ceremony this track is forever golden, blessed with an Olympian nobility. Listening makes it impossible not to imagine oneself waving an enormous flag, taking the podium, or inspiring a generation.
Ladyfingers: Luscious Jackson
If all else fails during a disastrous run, Pretend You’re Buffy is always a great strategy. As such, a banger featured on the show is a must on any unexpected playlist. Rippling with funky optimism and sweet 90s harmonies, no wonder it was where Buffy turned when she was down.
I Love the Sound of Breaking Glass: Nick Lowe
New wave was a not a sound known for its promotion of athleticism, but when a little swagger is what you need it would be hard to do better than this. A punchy beat, some well-placed hand claps and those defiant lyrics can do a lot to shift a running funk.
What Makes You Beautiful: One Direction
As if created specifically for the inspiring montage sequence in an amateur running movie, this track is no rare find – but nevertheless scores highly for shameless motivation. Endearingly cheerful with a nice pushy beat, it’s perfect for the flagging runner. And who among us can truly say they don’t want Harry Styles to tell them they’re beautiful?
Riversong: Dennis Wilson
The urban runner in particular will be effortlessly transported by this track. Dripping with spacey LA vibes and a sense of escape, Wilson’s solo track can easily persuade you that today’s route incorporates sweeping Pacific views rather than that road with the dodgy camber where taxis always splash you.
What Is Life: George Harrison
It’s all very well shaking your playlist up with unusual sounds, but sometimes it’s a change of mood you need, too – and Harrison’s unique blend of wholehearted optimism radiates sonic positivity. It’s impossible not to feel cheered after stomping along to this with a cheering imaginary tambourine.
Womanizer: Britney Spears
Britney’s darkest hour was a boon for runners as much as paparazzi: it provided the very best of her hits to run to. Once she was past 2007’s challenges she presented us with Womanizer, a track so demonically relentless it’s akin to hiring a very bullish personal trainer. In a cool wig.
Slow and proud
I am a very slow runner. I am so slow that stoned teenagers have pointed and laughed at me as I trundled up a hill. I did a 5k fun run and was lapped after 10 minutes. Then I did a parkrun and came 414th. Out of 418. And that included children, and people recovering from long-term injury.
But I don’t care. I run to clear my head, and I run for the serotonin rush, which kicks in no matter how snail-like my pace. Actually, I actively try to keep my runs un-swift: speed seems unnecessary (I don’t race) and likely to result in injury or horrible panic, both of which would destroy my barely measurable increase in overall wellbeing. So I run and I listen to sensible podcasts, to keep myself from getting over-excited. I recommend Freakonomics, The Tip Off and Reply All. All informative, lighthearted enough to keep my spirits up as dog-walkers overtake me, and all about half an hour long. No, I don’t run any longer than that. I do listen to music, when I’m feeling reckless. I like a bit of grime/hip-hop/dance, to get me through the initial fear of heart attack, and then some soaring tunes for the almost inevitable tears at the end. Miranda Sawyer
Nadia Rose Skwod
Busta Rhymes Thank You, feat Q Tip, Kanye West, Lil Wayne
Skepta Rolex Sweep (Vandalism Remix)
Basement Jaxx Jump n Shout feat Slarta John
The Chemical Brothers Go
Chic I Want Your Love (Dimitri from Paris remix)
Prince I Wanna Be Your Lover
Todd Rundgren I Saw the Light
Source: Read Full Article