Running With or Without Music – What’s Your Preference?


Health & Fitness / Monday, July 17th, 2023

I have always ran with a banging playlist in my ear, it’s what regulates my pace, gives me an idea of my distance and just really gives me a massive boost. So, when I was 10km into a 15km run on the treadmill at the gym and my ear phones died, well, I was thrown into quite the dilemma. Cut my losses and just go home or try and finish with no music at all.

The struggle is real. That last 5km just went on forever!

I was genuinely going to stop, but then realised that if this happens when I’m out doing the Great North Run, I can’t just stop running because my playlist has. So I just kept going.

This got me to thinking about the people out there running sans-music. What are they doing? What are they thinking about? I was at the point of singing my favourite songs in order to give me something to run to, but I’m certain my horrendous vocals would not be welcomed by the other gym goers, so I restrained myself.

Everything just felt off. I even questioned if I was running properly, was I running too fast, too slow, what am I even doing with my arms. Yep, this is the kind of wobble I have when faced with silence! I did settle into it more, but it took me a bit to find the right cadence.

When it was done, I was chuffed that I had stuck it out and finished. Will I be repeating this, erm, not if I can help it! I’m going to have a back up pair of earphones.

The problem I have is, I’m deaf in my left ear, so it only needs the right bud to break and I’m plunged into a boring world of the whir of the treadmill. Perhaps it’s different if you are outside and you’ve got the sounds of the world. But the banging of weights and the screeching of who knows what is just not my cup of tea.

I’ve finely tuned my running playlist too, so I thought I’d share a few of my favourites, in case anyone is looking for some Running Playlist Inspiration. Many of these put a massive smile on my face and really drive me on at the right time and can take me from lagging to racing in no time at all. I’m wondering if you can tell my age by my choices…

Yvonne’s Runners Playlist for a 10km

Love Generation – Bob Sinclair (3:24)
The Creeps – Freaks, Vandalism (6:21)
Infinity 2008 – Guru Josh Project, Klaas (3:12)
I Like The Way – Bodyrockers (3:20)
Operation Blade – Public Domain (3:06)
California Dreamin’ – Chris Lorenzo, High Jinx (3:16)
Getting’ Over – David Guetta, Chris Willis, Fergie (3:02)
Hipcats – ATFC, David Penn (2:09)
Summertime Sadness – Lana Del Rey, Cedric Gervais Remix (3:34)
If You Really Love Me (How will I know) – David Guetta, MistaJam (3:04)
Nobody Khan (Ain’t Nobody – Austin Millz, Chaka Khan (3:01)
Get Up Offa That Thing – James Brown (3:59)
Big Love – David Penn Remix – Pete Heller (3:26)
I Like To Move It (feat The Mad Stuntman) Reel 2 Reel (5:52)
Hey Ya! – Outkast (3:59)
Miami – Will Smith (3:17)
Want Love – Hysteric Ego (3:19)
Lionheart (Fearless) – Joel Corry, Tom Grennan (3:06)
Burning Love – Digitally Mastered) – Elvis (2:53)
Levels – Avicii (3:21)
Shake It – Metro Station (2:59)

Happy running everyone!

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