Wednesday, May 18, 2011

My feets is too fat for Nikes: Making the perfect running playlist

In my humble opinion, finding the right music is as essential to running as finding the right pair of shoes. My recommendation, by the way, is NuBalance, because my feets is too fat for Nikes.

The process of finding the right play list for a run has taken, much like the process of finding the right shoes, a bit of trial and error, minus the shin splints. I can best describe this process by comparing it to the plight of Goldielocks in the 3 bears saga. Some songs are too slow, some are too fast and some as just right.

When I first began looking for music I thought, the faster the better. This reasoning, although somewhat logical, ended with me being winded and downtrodden after only a couple of miles. I now shy away from anything too fast.  Dance music is mostly out of the question. While some songs might be good for the club, they are bad for the treadmill, case in point Bombs over Baghdad by Outkast, a great song, but my vote for worst fast paced running song.

Choosing songs from the slow end of the spectrum might seem strange. However there is a certain logic to it. Slower songs tend to be more even tempo and can help keep a nice even pace over a long distance run. However it is best to shy away from songs that are too slow or a play list of only slower songs. One night I decided to try an all gospel hymn run. How could you go wrong with exercise and Jesus, right? After a mile or so I nearly fell off the treadmill. My vote for worst slow song, Swing Low Sweet Chariot.

So how, you ask, did I find my baby bear? Balance is the key. Songs that have have differing tempos are perfect. Songs that start out slow and get faster can give you great energy. Mixing slower tempo songs with a consistent rhythm and faster songs with a great beat can keep you motivated.

So what, you may wonder, is my perfect mix? Well, it is ever-evolving, but right now it is a mix of melodic alternative rock and mid tempo hip hop. I am always open to suggestions, but here is my current mix.

"Club Can't Handle Me Right Now (Flo Rida), "Sweet Disposition (The Temper Trap), "F You (CeeLo Green), "Blood Buzz Ohio" (The National), "Runaway" (Kanye West), "Right Above It" (Lil Wayne and Drake), "All the Right Moves" (One Republic), "Crazy (Gnarles Barkley), "Drop the World" (Lil Wayne and Eminem), "Dynamite" (Taio Cruz), "Human" (The Killers), "Mama Said Knock You Out" (LL Cool J), "Paper Planes" (MIA), "Pumped Up Kick" (Foster the People), "Ridin Solo" (Jason DeRulo), "Virtual Insanity" (Jamiroquai), "We Used to Wait" (Arcade Fire), "Lose Yourself" (Eminem).

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