Music and running go hand in hand for many of us. For me, hitting the pavement without a solid playlist feels almost incomplete. Sure, for a quick jog, I can manage with just the rhythm of my feet and breath. But when I’m tackling longer distances, podcasts or, more often, a playlist packed with upbeat music are absolutely essential.
Back in the day, I relied on my trusty iPod Shuffle, loading it up with podcasts to keep me company. Now, my iPhone and a carefully curated playlist are my go-to companions for every run. Music has always been a huge part of my life. Before travel writing took over, I actually spent time as a DJ. It was my dream job growing up! From spinning records at my college radio station to working in commercial radio after graduation, music was my world. That is, until the travel bug bit, and the realities of radio salaries (or lack thereof!) became clear. 😉
Vintage iPod Shuffle for running music
So, with my deep-rooted love for music, I was thrilled to build a killer running playlist in 2015 as I trained for my first marathon in Honolulu (spoiler alert: I crossed that finish line!). As race day approached, I realized my playlist was a little thin and wouldn’t quite last the estimated 4:30+ hours I’d be on my feet. I needed more tunes, and fast.
To expand my musical arsenal, I turned to my Facebook community for recommendations. They delivered big time with some amazing suggestions. I dove into their ideas, listening to everything and adding tracks that seemed to match the pace and energy I wanted for the marathon.
With a playlist long enough to soundtrack my entire marathon, I knew I couldn’t just hit shuffle. Like any good DJ knows, the order of the music matters. I meticulously planned my playlist, song by song, trying to anticipate which tracks would give me the boost I’d need at different points during the race. Thinking about tempo and energy levels was key to keeping me motivated mile after mile.
Marathon training tip: Just like you gradually increase your mileage leading up to a marathon, you can also strategically “taper” your music. In the weeks before the race, I actually stopped listening to my running playlist during training runs. My thinking was that by giving my ears a break, the music would feel fresh and exciting on race day. And you know what? It worked! I was genuinely pumped to have my music back when the marathon started. It was like reuniting with an old friend, ready to push me through those 26.2 miles.
Marathon runner in action, powering through the race
While I won’t list out my entire 2015 marathon playlist here, the experience taught me a lot about what makes a great running song. It’s not just about your favorite tracks; it’s about finding music that matches your pace, keeps your energy high, and motivates you to keep going when your legs want to quit. Think about songs with a strong beat, positive lyrics, and an overall vibe that makes you feel powerful and energized. Experiment with different genres – pop, rock, electronic, hip-hop – to find what truly gets you in the zone.
Often on long training runs closer to home, especially in the final miles, I find myself needing to remove my earbuds and embrace the quiet. But for a marathon like Honolulu, having that wall-to-wall music was a game-changer. I truly appreciated having those carefully selected tunes pushing me forward.
Hopefully, you can find some inspiration here to build or refresh your own workout playlist. And I’m always on the hunt for new music myself! If you have any go-to running song suggestions, please share them in the comments below!
Keep running strong,
Beth
