Wednesday, August 24, 2011

16 Tunes that Make Me MOVE!


I don’t typically listen to music while I’m running. It can be really dangerous (you can’t hear that car coming or that creapster on his way to get you). It also can distract you from listening to your body. I’m also not a huge fan of ipods at races.—I think it takes a way from the spirit of the race, but that’s a personal preference.. I love talking with other runners during longer races, if you have earphones in it’s a big, “DON’T TALK TO ME!”
Headphones don't make for moments like this. I ran the last 30 miles of Comrades with this dude and was happy to share the finish line with him.

I tend run much quicker when I have tunes playing which is fantastic if I’m doing a tempo run or mile repeats but not so much for days when I should be recovering. That being said, this past month I’ve been trying to get my stride back (I took a few months off to heal). Its been a little awkward to tell you the truth and I’ve found that listening to music is a great way for me to find a tempo that feels challenging yet comfortable. I think the key to choosing running music is to choose songs that make you want to move. Most of my favorite running songs also happen to be the songs I like to boogy to. I also have a few songs that I associate with good memories and the release of endorphins I get from remembering those good moments is like a shot of espresso.



Here’s my top 16

1. Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas—good tempo. Sometimes I can’t help but dance a little. Nothing like a good booty shake mid-run.

2. American Woman by Lenny Kravits – just makes me laugh and feel a bit sexy—always a good thing when you’re running.

3. Born in the U.S.A by Bruce Springsteen—I listen to this not because I'm particularly fond of the song but because it reminds me of 2 Oceans utlra-marathon in Cape Town. As I was climbing up the last 100 meters of Chapman’s Peak, I heard this song blasting from the aid-station at the top. I smiled and said to the person running next to me, “Hey, I was born in the U.S.A.” They laughed, which I liked. As I crested the hill, I was laughing and dancing with the volunteers. When I hear this song, I remember that moment and it spurs me on.

Which one of these was born in the U.S.A?

4. When Love Takes Over by David Guetta—We can do crazy wonderful things when love takes over. Great tempo. Also makes me stop for a dance break sometimes.

5. One Love by David Guetta— “I’ve been through the pain, been dragged through the dirt. I’ve been where you’re standing, I know how it hurts…ONE LOVE”—love it.

6. Your Sex is on Fire by Kings of Leon—Brings a smile to my face, which releases feel good endorphins and gives me energy. Fun to sing along to while I’m running—I’m sure the Koreans think I’m ridiculous. I wonder if “sex” is a well-known English term here. I hope not.

7. The Middle—Jimmy Eat World—“It just takes some time, little girl your in the middle of the ride. Everything, everything will be just fine. Everything, everything will be alright, alright…Live right now, just be yourself. It doesn’t matter if your good enough for someone else.” --need I say more?

8.. Wavin’ Flag by K’naan—Another song that brings me back to South Africa and makes me feel like I CAN DO ANYTHING. Way to represent for Somalia K’naan—beautiful (be sure to watch this music video).

9. Waka Waka by Shakira-- Official World Cup song for 2010. I must have heard this song a million times during World Cup but I still listen to it almost every day. “When you fall get up, oh-oh and if you fall get up eh-e-eh…” (also a dance worthy video--it is Shakira after all)

This is just to brag that I was at World Cup. The only in the stadium shouting for Cameroon.

10. You Shook me all Night Long by AC DC—makes me laugh and sing. Sometimes I like to shake my head around while I’m running. You’re welcome, Seoul, for all the free entertainment.

11. Raise your Glass by Pinkreminds me of a road trip I took with my cousin Molly last year. While stuck in traffic in L.A. we rolled down the windows, cranked the stereo in our soccer mom rental and sang at the top of our lungs for all to hear—annoying? Maybe but we got everyone around us to laugh. We probably saved someone from committing serious road rage. Fun for running—good memories, good tempo, good singing.

12-16. Thirty Seconds to Mars—The first time I was introduced to this band was at a concert in Arizona. IT WAS HORRIFYING! Lots of skull flags, F-bombs, and crazy people in black thrashing about. I hid behind the security guard while the guy I was with blocked from the side. Not a great first impression but now I’ve found that their music really gets me going on runs—like a lot. These are my favorites. I can do anything when I’m listening to these guys:

Night of the Hunter

This is War

Kings and Queens

Hurricane (ft. Kanye West)

What are some of your favorite songs to run/work out to? What gets you going? What’s your take on ipods at races?

2 comments:

  1. Melissa! Did you know I went to Cameroon for a mission trip two years ago? I got to see 2 mens soccer games and one womens! GO LIONS!! :]

    I like
    "So hard" by Rhianna
    "Jai Ho" by The Pussycat Dolls
    "Shake it" by Metro Station
    "Golden Gun Girls" by Metric
    "Great DJ" by The Ting Tings
    "Rhythm is a dancer" by Snap!
    "Be my lover" by La Bouche
    "Naive" by The Kooks
    "Hello" by Martin Solvieg & Dragonette
    "Monkey Wrench" by The Foo Fighters
    "Feel Good Drag" by Anberlin
    "Kiss with a Fist" by Florence and the Machine
    "Buttons" by The Weeks
    "Great Escape" by Boys Like Girls
    "Tubthumping" by Chumbawamba

    lol okay so I pretty much just gave you a bunch of my PE music. Hopefully you find something you like. :]

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  2. I did know you went to Cameroon! I thought of you when we were watching them play! Thanks for the list! I'll check them out! How's student teaching going?

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