Top Ten Running Songs

Happy 2010 Everyone! I have had quite a hiatus over the Christmas holidays which I thoroughly enjoyed. Hope everyone enjoyed their time with family and loved ones. This is actually the first chance I have had to think about this blog although I have been running fairly regularly over the last 3 weeks.



So, let's talk music! This is a very odd topic for those of you who know me well. I have always been a rabid CBC radio fan and listened to Jian Ghomeshi not because I liked his musical guests! I prided myself on running only with my thoughts - solved every problem and puzzle in my life while I was running - it was great. Then someone gave me an Ipod Shuffle and I was sold; completely! Funny thing: I started to notice that some types of music really impacted my runs - fascinating so I have spent a year adding songs to my Ipod that I think improve and, at the very least, facilitate my running. I have also accumulated some favourites and identified where they are most useful in my runs.



Here goes:



#10 Kanye West Stronger - A new way of looking at the old adage - " that that will not kill me will make me stronger" Dr. Seuss does Hip Hop. I love the music in this piece but I have to ignore the nonsensical lyrics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsO6ZnUZI0g



#9 James Brown Living in America - I can never decide if I want to run or dance when I hear this really old JB song. Love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHqUipinDyw



#8 Jackson Browne Running on Empty - Of course, the year of this song (1979) may have a nostalgic quality for me but I find it energizing in the last third of a long run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bww2prhAWEA



#7 Eminem Lose Yourself - Got hills? This song is fantastic for getting up and over them with energy to spare. My children were very surprised to discover this was on my Ipod. "Mom, do you know there is some pretty foul language in his music?" Really? All this time I thought he was singing "mothapluckin' option" ;o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYQQPAOz7Y



#6 Bryan Adams The Only Thing that Looks Good on Me - Really don't know what I like about this song - not a big fan of BA. It's a great song for the beginning 20 minutes of a run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEclDV-C1hU



#5 Motley Crue Kickstart my Heart - Wow...this is the biggest surprise - who are these knobs anyway? Gross! But, geez, this song is fantastic when you are feeling fatigued and need a pick me up. It gets my form back in shape. You can't think about what these guys look like though...ewwww...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0Y2g3zOzZM (This is not a video - I found the videos of the live performances did not capture the value for running)



#4 The Killers Human - I love this song. Great to listen to when you're in the zone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIZdjT1472Y



#3 Diane Birch Fools - This is on the list because I love this song. I challenge anyone to listen to this song and NOT love Diane Birch. Another one for the zone and great for pace because you have to sing along with it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDpAPbPMPIA



#2 Elton John I'm Still Standing - Totally inspired by this song - those long slow inclines I hate so much - this is the perfect song to get you up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QjS0AbRpAo



#1 Billy Idol New Future Weapon - Trying to run faster? This is the tune that will make you pump your arms harder and lift your knees higher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieNUilnUmCI



Thoughts on your tunes? Thoughts on mine? Hate 'em? Love 'em?



The Middle Aged Runner