Musical Motivation

I like to listen to music while I run – I have tried at least one run without it and it did not seem to go so well.

I set up some running playlists and had intentions of creating more but I find it odd that I don’t want to do this… mainly because the music I think would be great to run to turns out to be the exact opposite.

I created a fast dance paced playlist (called Run, Bitch Run) which was high energy and lively but I cannot run to it. The pace is too fast and it just tires me out. All the dance music seems to merged into one another and I get absolutely no motivation from it whatsoever.

Funnily enough playlists of my favourite artists such as Janet Jackson and Prince do get me motivated. I have obviously picked lively tracks but this does not seem to matter. In fact some of the remixes I have removed as they just appear to be too monotonous.

It would appear that the best playlist is music I love, something that can motivate me when I need it to yet ignore when I don’t need to hear it. Much the same kind of music I listen to when I study or concentrate at the office.

Volume plays a bit part too – having the music too loud simply distracts me. Turning it down so it’s simply there in the background works much more effectively. Maybe the ducking of the coach over the music is too distracting.

Anyway it’s interesting that I have found familiar music to be the best incentive to keep going. Maybe thats why I haven’t felt the need to purchase any of this new wealth of running compilations that appear to be flooding the market?

I’m going to use my most motivating tracks that I have logged over the past couple of weeks plus the fastest track recorded by iSmoothRun and see if it gives me the ultimate playlist.

What do you listen to when you’re out running?