Home > The Running Report > Archives > 2008 > March > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhich Song gets you Over the Hump?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You’re on the final five miles of your long distance run and several hills lie ahead.
Which tunes carry you home? A little Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire?
With five miles left on my 15 mile run, this weekend, I called on da Lord with gospel tunes to help me over 12 more steep hills.
Yolanda Adams’ slow-paced song “The Battle is the Lord’s” pulled me up the most grueling hill.
And later Martha Munizzi’s hip song “Till the Walls Fall” spirited me on the final mile.
If I’m just cruising along, I enjoy R&B/Pop singer Robin Thicke’s tune “Everything I Can’t Have” or Joss Stone’s “Girl They Won’t Believe It.” Both songs have soulful beats that energize.
Send your favorite running tunes to me here.. We’ll share them with our readers. And please keep the helpful comments coming on the worst hills in metro Atlanta. We’re going to use them in a special package on “heartbreak hills.”
THIS WEEK’S LONG RUN
Yesterday’s 15-mile trek was tough compared to last week’s long run on the Silver Comet trail. I ran my normal route but it seems I’ll never get used to those hills. One part of the run includes a four-mile stretch on Huntcliff Trace in Sandy Springs. The road has at least 20 hills, counting both directions.
I told myself that I should be worn out.
While I struggled up one hill, a woman walked to the end of her driveway and encouragingly said, “Good for you” as I passed.
The run was also notable for another reason. I ran on the correct side of the road.
But get this, there was someone else running on the wrong side of the street. A man, who appeared to be an experienced runner, pushed an infant in a carriage.
A few seconds after I saw him again, about 20 minutes later, he crossed over to the correct side of the street.
For me, running on the right side of the road is going to take some getting used to. But it was nice to be able to run a little more in the street (until cars approach and I move to the edge of the road).
Several drivers waved.
Still I could see one driver jerk his steering wheel, because he didn’t see me until a few moments before he passed. And another driver seemed to toy with me by swerving towards and then away from me.
THIS WEEK’S TRAINING
To allow my legs to recover I’ll run five miles on the treadmill Tuesday and include upper body weight training. Wednesday and Thursday will be 5 to 6-mile runs outside and lower body weight training. Saturday is an 18-mile run.
MORE: State of the Art Marathon Training. USA Fit/Team Spirit Active Trainer. Peachtree Road Race. Road Rules. ING Georgia Marathon.
Comments
By FarLeftLoons
March 10, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Oh man. You can’t beat “Winning” by Santana. Classic running song.
By hotlanta
March 10, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Too Much Booty in Them Pants works everytime. I used to love to listen to DJ Chip on V-103 from 12-3:00pm. He would play everything like Planet Rock, Hammer, Houdini the whole 9 yards and I would run so much I didn’t care about the time. Bubby has gotten some help from JD Heard so it is a lot better.
By Jeff
March 10, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Well, running is the main way I release aggression in a non-violent way, so anything that builds that aggression in me is good for the most difficult running.
And that could be a variety of songs. ‘Alyssa Lies’ always makes me want to go out and DESTROY idiots that abuse their kids, and I can turn that destruction into fuel for the run.
Motorhead’s Triple H theme songs ‘The Game’ and ‘King of Kings’ are good too.
Papa Roach’s ‘Last Resort’ is good.
On a slightly gentler side, songs 8/9/10 off of The Last Sumurai soundtrack are good, though I would use those for the home stretch, as 10 has a great deal of ‘cool down’ music in it. (Total length of the three tracks is only something like 10-11 minutes, with 6 minutes of it spent in track 10, and 4 minutes of that is the ‘cool down’ music.)
By Running On Empty
March 10, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Any upbeat rock or country song will work. You can’t run to hip-hop, rap, or soul - it’s lame. Get real.
By John
March 10, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Years ago when I was a serious marathon runner I would never have listened to music while running. It would be distracting…I was always focused on my stride, or some aspect of the mechanics of my run. I needed total focus to push myself through hard workouts. But those days are gone now and I have a more mellow approach to runningand have finally found a music device that isn’t too cumbersome. I still prefer something that is not distracting though…any type of trancy or consistent beat works for me and that is usually electronic dance music, although I have also found inspiration from such oldies as Jessica by the Allman Brothers, any AC/DC, and even Free Bird..(I don’t have to name the band that wrote that I hope)
By Jason
March 10, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Geez, now you have me wondering if I run on the correct side of the road. What is correct - with traffic or against it? I mostly run on my low-traffic neighborhood roads, so it rarely matters.
As far as the music goes, it totally depends on my mood. Sometimes I’ll listen to Jack Johnson. It’s not “up beat”, but it’s pleasent and it helps the time go by. If it’s a shorter run and I want a good time, then a little Greenday helps a bit.
By Jason
March 10, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Nevermind my post on running with/against traffic. I just read the last blog and now I’m better informed. Also, I’m glad to know that I’ve been doing it correctly :-)
Thanks.
By BPJ
March 10, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Toward the end of a long run, the last movement of Sibelius’s 2nd Symphony works for me.
Listen to it - the ASO has an excellent recording.
By Mark
March 10, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Anything but (c)rap or hip hop works for me. Listening to either one or the other makes me want to move my bowels…..
By lovelyliz
March 10, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
I like Euro Dance-ish stuff. Almost everything on Queer Eye For The Straight Guy Soundtrack, Spice Girls, Whigfield, Chenical Brothers, etc.
By hotlanta
March 10, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Mary J. remix I’m Fine is a great running son. I am bopping my head to it now. I like the Lean Back song. Because it helps my breathing especially when they say lean back, lean back. I love that song when I am going up a tough hill.
By anonymouscoward
March 10, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
You go girl!
What works for me is techno or dance. I like to download the podcasts from Techno.FM on iTunes. These run about 2 hours and can guarantee a good steady beat. However, towards the end if I really want to push it I’ll tack on things that I can really groove to, like Absurd by Fluke, History by Madonna (I know, I know), some break beats or whatever. Even something like “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2 for that final push.
However, I must say that I wouldn’t do that myself until race day. Building distance is also building aerobic base, and (to me) it’s more important to keep my heart rate under anaerobic threshold during the run the entire time when training like that. For building speed I put together playlists that work well with interval and fartlek training. But that’s a different topic. :)
By Adrianne
March 10, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Looking forward to checking out these suggestions. I love to run to Carlos Santana too, FarLeftLoons. Especially anything off “Supernatural.”
By slow runner
March 10, 2008 6:12 PM | Link to this
For those big hills and when you think you can’t make it listen to “Gonna Fly Now” the theme from Rocky. I know it’s cheesey but it lifts your spirits. Others I like are Springsteen-Born to Run and U2-Beautiful Day. Also if you name your running playlist “1xxxxx” it will come up first on your Ipod so you don’t have to search for it during your run.
By Adrianne
March 10, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
“Gonna Fly Now” ….I can see that.
By John Tackett
March 11, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
I have a folder on my Ipod Nano labeled “Running” Inside of the folder is Cheap Trick, Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen; 26 songs totla (for now.) This will ususally cover me in a half marathon without any repeats in songs. Sometimes the songs are at a fast pace and others are a bit slower. These help me to pace my run / training.
I am looking at the Nike iPod accessoriy to track my runs and workouts. Would appreciatte any feedback from those that have used it.
By BRW
March 11, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
Miles Davis’s The Complete Jack Johnson is my essential running music. Especially good are the hard driving tracks “Willie Nelson” and “Right Off”.
By keyalus
March 12, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
I listen to mostly pop and R&B with a little rap thrown in for variety. But Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” pulls me across the finish line everytime.
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