When running: music or no music?

Question

My problem when I run long distance is that I seem to get bored and then focus too much on something I shouldn't -- like my breathing, or my steps, or the sun, or how hot it is outside, or how that girl behind me is passing me... you get the point. So I'm wondering that if I jog with music, if it could help me? I'm a very musical person, so I'm afraid that I'll end up matching the beat of the song with my strides, which would be a disaster.

Hahah, my question, pretty much -- does music help you run, or no? If so, what genre?

Answer 1

Music...

Answer 2

yes! i couldnt do it with out music. u really gotta get into it tho. i run five miles everyday and more sometimes, i prefer rock music when im running cuz it gets me really pumped. and i do tend to match the beat with my strides a little but its never a problem, search workout on itunes and it will give u great different running playlists depending on ur taste in music. music it makes it SO much more interesting, especially if ur a musical person. it just relieves all my stress and i dont think about anything else except getting into the song  

Answer 3

Beethoven, think about it, steady beats that change but do repeat. But it also is good music

Answer 4

Music.

It keeps you focused.

One head phone in one ear because of car or people.

Hip-Hop/rap/r&b

Answer 5

You are exactly right about the focusing thing. And it DOES keep you from focusing on your breathing, which lets you run freely and therefore faster. In long distance at least. No, the beat won't s***w up your strides. Unless you are completely screwy, that's never happened to anyone. It CAN, however, make you run harder and faster. It's all about the motivation it gives. And for me, once i started training with music, i never stopped. It got to be where i was pretty dependent on it, because my training was so vigorous, i needed that extra boost. Just something to think about.

Answer 6

i only run with music if i'm running long distance with no one to talk to. i don't listen to music at cross country practice but i listen to it when i run alone around my neighborhood. i listen to hip hop because it has an upbeat and fast rhythm, which makes me want to run upbeat and fast. i recommend running with music and see if it helps you. choose songs you love that have a faster beat - not slow and soft music. there's some slower music i love, but it screws up my speed when i listen to it while running.

anyway, i hope i helped.

Answer 7

every runner I know runs with music. seems the only sensible thing to do.  running is so incredibly boring that any distraction, like music, helps plus, if you have the right music it helps keep you in stride and motivates you to run further/faster.  The type of music is up to you.  Whatever you listen to, whatever gets you pumped is the music you should use.   One genre isn't better than another because someone said so, it's all about what you like and what gets you motivated.  I like classic rock so that would be good for me but, if you don't like classic rock, it would be a bad choice for you.

Answer 8

Weezer this week.  New album.

Answer 9

I love running to music - when it's the right music. I downloaded a few BPM analyzers before I found one I liked (that was free/trial/shareware).

http://www.download.com/MixMeister-BPM-A...

If you know your pace's bpm, you can sort music you're having analyzed by its bpm and throw those songs on your mp3 player.

If you don't know your bpm, this might give you an idea, a little ways down the page:

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/sundq...

or this tool might help:

http://www.all8.com/tools/bpm.htm

I had to "tweak" my music selection until it worked for me. If you find a song that really works with your rhythm, make note of it and analyze its bpm to find other similar songs.

You might also want to visit the following:

http://www.runningmusicmix.com/

http://www.jogtunes.com/

Edit: I did forget to mention, while BPMs may be similar in songs, they can still "feel" drastically different, (they may seem very slow while their BPM is higher, for instance) so I'd recommend "testing them" before hitting the road.

Answer 10

Try a little of everything, but deal with hip hop first it really motivates a person...

Answer 11

The thing that makes me nervous of listening to music is you wouldn't be able to hear if a stranger is approaching you from back.  There are a lot of bad people out there that do a lot of bad things.

Answer 12

yes; upbeat classical

:)~

Answer 13

Led Zeppelin + the who

Answer 14

Music... the more I zone out... the more I run

I try to mix it up but dance music helps out