Running/training with music - Ultra / Adventure racing

Dr Nic Twinks

25/05/2007 at 12:39

'ow do

I'm writing a piece about running "to" music (training in general but hard to swim to music and dangerous to bike to music LOL)

I'd love to hear your thoughts on:

- Why do you think listening to music improves your running?

- Do you think there is a link between speed of music/BPM and running speed? Does faster BPM mean you'll run faster? How do you think this 'works' for you?

- Downloads/podcasts - where do you get yours from? Which are the best? What do you like? Is there a cost involved?

- What kind of music works best for you?

- Would you like to know what music the pros train to (if they do). Who?

Thank you!

I also need to interview an age grouper about this so if anyone has any particularly strong feelings about how training with music helps them, let me know and I may be in touch.

Nic

SoVeryTired

25/05/2007 at 13:03

I currently run to a playlist of 180bpm (or 90bpm) tracks to keep a good steady cadence. So yes, the speed of the music definitely affects the. speed of my running

When last marathon training, I'd tend to listen to the radio for a bit of company and as a distraction. And when a faster song came on, I would find myself speeding up.

So I either use music to focus on my running, or to try and distract me from focussing on running...

Leo M

25/05/2007 at 13:10

Listening to music definitely improves my running as I do most of my training in a gym and without it I'd die of boredom! It also affects my speed and motivation as if I'm listening to the radio and a really good tune comes on I'll generally hit the speed button and push myself for for a sprint whilst I enjoy the music.

I downloaded one of DJ SteveBoy's Podrunner podcasts (www.djsteveboy.com), which was supposed to be 165bpm and used for tempo training but I made the mistake of listening to it on an LSD run and nearly collapsed after half an hour as I'd been pushing myself too hard, despite knowing that I should be going slowly, so i'd say BPM definitely makes a difference to my running.

I generally listen to Zane Lowe on Radio 1 when I run so it's fairly eclectic music which I find works well, something with a heavy beat and that can be played loud!

It's always interesting to hear what others listen to in case they give you any new ideas.

Hope that helps

Gumps.

25/05/2007 at 13:10

I listen to music both swimming and cycling – waterproof earphones swimming and one earpiece cycling but only on unclassified roads.

- Why do you think listening to music improves your running?
It minimises boredom and allows me to enjoy two things at once. I oten turn the music off for a bit in a scenic area, but almost always use it on rainy dark nights

Listening to music
- Do you think there is a link between speed of music/BPM and running speed? Does faster BPM mean you'll run faster? How do you think this 'works' for you?

I think there is certainly a correlation

- Downloads/podcasts - where do you get yours from? Which are the best? What do you like? Is there a cost involved?

All from itunes - Ironman talk, various radio 4, great speeches
- What kind of music works best for you?
No real kind of music - my music taste is diverse and this is reflected in what I want ot listen to

- Would you like to know what music the pros train to (if they do). Who?
Not really – it’s personal choice

SoVeryTired

25/05/2007 at 13:16

And as for what music I lsiten to - anything in my collection that's the right tempo.

I downloaded this free software, which analyses MP3s and tells you the speed in BPM. Very clever little tool.

Running Wilbury

25/05/2007 at 13:19

I use a sony mp3 player, and Sonys Connect site if downloading. Otherwise record cd's on to the Sony library on my laptop.
Usually play whole albums at a time or a mixture.
Currently looking at putting together a playlist from my library that will have similar bpm for LSR in marathon training.
If using hotel gyms etc, it definitely helps to have songs that hook into the pace I'm running.
Sometimes run with a radio at weekends of Jonothan Ross is on Radio 2

Dr Nic Twinks

25/05/2007 at 13:21

Thanks everyone, this is great.

SVT - ta very much for the software tip :-)

fat buddha

25/05/2007 at 13:25

nope - don't train to any music apart to the singing of the dickie birds.......

Dr Nic Twinks

25/05/2007 at 13:29

Why not FB (not saying you should - just interested in a counter-argument)?

SoVeryTired

25/05/2007 at 13:33

Dr Nic - I got to it via this site. There may be some other good tools on there, but I've not tried them.

mellifera

pirate

25/05/2007 at 13:34

music is ESSENTIAL for the turbo! When I am outside I enjoy the contact with the world.

- Why do you think listening to music improves your TURBOING?

helps me keep me rhythm which can be important if the set is especially hard. passes the time / breaks the time up

- Do you think there is a link between speed of music/BPM and TURBO speed? Does faster BPM mean you'll TURBO faster? How do you think this 'works' for you?

generally I am turning the pedals at 100rpm. i'll find ome wahy to make the music fit with waht I am doing in a way that enhances my focus.

- Downloads/podcasts - where do you get yours from? Which are the best? What do you like? Is there a cost involved?

ummmm, still using CDs!

- What kind of music works best for you?

dance music - hardhouse, euphoric. anything loud and energetic.

- Would you like to know what music the pros train to (if they do). Who?

vaguely interested but it won't really impact what I do - music's personal.

Running Wilbury

25/05/2007 at 13:34

Thanks for the software tip,SVT. Weekend is now cancelled due to playing with Mixmeister!
Shame I cant access the tutorials offline while on a night duty tonight!

Daz

25/05/2007 at 13:38

Id never race with music. I find at higher intensities I start to lose the rhythm of my breathing/leg turnover.

If you can get the right track bpm to suit your running speed then fine but at higher intensities I think you need to be more 'aware' on focus. I also think there may be a balance/form issue if you unable to hear your own foot landing, I wouldnt know.

Thats from the physical point of you.

Personally I think mentally it can be beneficial. It can take your mind off the pain and you can 'lose yourself' a little more. But Id only use it in training.

My favs are either something soothing and classical like enya (I prefer this on the hot, sweaty days) or i'll go more upbeat with some prodigy, green day, etc (usually before a race). I find it v beneficial to loosen up pre-race.

Dr Nic Twinks

25/05/2007 at 13:39

Fab guys - thanks! :-)

Daz, long time no 'see' - how are you?

fat buddha

25/05/2007 at 13:41

Nic - I just don't see the point of running with music - though I've never tried it so I can't really qualify it from a true prefer/not prefer angle.......

have been running for so loooooooooong - well before Walkmans came to the market so I guess it's more a case of not missing something I've never tried.........

and I like to run in quiet countryside and enjoy what nature has to offer - and at this time of year with all the summer visiting birds, it's a joy to listen to them..........and see if I can spot them by song, before I see them.........

BUT - I agree with mel - I have to slap the iPod in for the turbo as that is just so achingly dull staring at the same spot for so long............

SoVeryTired

25/05/2007 at 13:43

Gramps - just point it at your 'My Music' folder, then leave it running while you go do something else. It doesn't take too long per song, but when it's doing 1000+ songs it can take a couple of hours.

You can export the results in to Excel, which is handy for sorting, filtering and multiplying or dividing by 2!

Dr Nic Twinks

25/05/2007 at 13:44

(I agree with you FB, I don't run with music either except for on very long runs - and then I might not turn it on. Might account for why my pace hasn't improved in about 5 years though?!)

Dr Nic Twinks

25/05/2007 at 13:44

(I agree with you FB, I don't run with music either except for on very long runs - and then I might not turn it on. Might account for why my pace hasn't improved in about 5 years though?!)

Dr Nic Twinks

25/05/2007 at 13:45

Odd.

cougie

pirate

25/05/2007 at 13:47

- Why do you think listening to music improves your running? Doesnt necessarily improve my running - just that its there.

- Do you think there is a link between speed of music/BPM and running speed? Does faster BPM mean you'll run faster? How do you think this 'works' for you? Sometimes I find myself running to the beat - but that could be bad unless its the right pace I want to go - so bad music could mess up a training session.

- Downloads/podcasts - where do you get yours from? Which are the best? What do you like? Is there a cost involved? Is it Podrunner ? Free - thats good.

- What kind of music works best for you? Music I like. But mainly I listen to Radio 4 downloads like the Archers and things. I know - I'm odd. The comedy is good too.

- Would you like to know what music the pros train to (if they do). Who? Er yeah - why not ?