Friday, April 10, 2020

Songs to Outrun a Pandemic

With all the virtual runs I've signed up for, I needed some tunes that would put me in the right mindset. Today, I'm sharing my Spotify playlist of songs I chose to outrun a pandemic.

Yes, that's Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot watching me navigate this pandemic. She's keeping us safe!

There are so many benefits of running to music. Research shows that listening to high tempo music--around 170 bpm--can boost your performance and endurance. I didn't need research to tell me that, though. I've run with music for years. I also run without music but I can honestly say that when I'm running on the road, listening to music really eases the effort. I love losing myself in the music and that is one of the reasons I love running alone.

When I was putting together this playlist, there were a lot of obvious choices that would be great for a COVID-19 playlist, like Toxic by Britney Spears, I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor, and Stayin' Alive by The BeeGees, as just a few examples. But I love rock music--the louder and faster, the better. Which explains why I'll probably need hearing aids someday in the near future! What?

My Pandemic playlist is well-stocked with rock songs. Some are old favorites and some are obvious choices. I made it 2 1/2 hours long--plenty long enough for the virtual half marathon I am running on April 25.

What the what? Yep, together with Teresa, aka Lady Bird Running, I am running a virtual half marathon. The "StayHome" Virtual Race has a variety of distances, but Teresa and I opted for the half. This race is brought to you by the people who sponsor the National Park half marathons and the medal reflects that. While I don't normally care for medals from virtual races, I want to earn this medal, to remind me of this strange time in history.

A portion of each registration benefits the National Park Communities.

I'm oddly excited to run this virtual race! I've enjoyed all my virtual races this spring. With nothing to train for, these virtual races have given me motivation and goals to push myself and run hard.

   

What songs would you put on a pandemic playlist? Do you enjoy running to music? What do you think of my selections? Are you going to join Teresa and me for the race?


I'm running to some pandemic friendly tunes! What's on your COVID-19 playlist? /via @oldrunningmom #running #runchat #covid19 #socialdistancing

I'm linking up with Fridays with Fairytales and Fitness.


22 comments :

  1. Personally I try to focus on what I want -- so a lot of those songs wouldn't make my playlist (if I had one).I do love It's the End of the World -- but again, not what I would want to listen to right now. We're all different though, that's what makes the world go round.

    No virtual races for me. Still not my thing -- although the National Parks are always a good cause. :)

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    1. In normal times, they wouldn't be my thing. It's nice to have a focus right now.

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  2. I never run with music. Just a personal choice. Showing my age, I don't know any of those songs on your playlist and only a couple of the artists. I'm kind of stuck in a '60's musical time warp. Or bluegrass and jazz. I don't think jazz would be a good choice for running.

    I just got my package for the Hot Chocolate 5/15K virtual race. I'm doing the 5K. Nice goody bag, and one of the best race hoodies ever. And the hot chocolate is awesome. It's just a powder mixed with hot water, but it's the best I've ever tasted. Haven't decided if I'm going to actually wear the race bib during my run, but it might be good for extra motivation.

    Take care and be well

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    1. I saw the HC virtual race--I've run a couple of their live events and they do have great swag! Enjoy and stay safe.

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  3. I love music. Lately I’ve been listening to podcasts.

    My cancelled April 18 race has a virtual option for free plus I am an also running an Earth Day virtual one the week after.

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  4. Sounds like a great play list! I love that REM song. Good luck with the virtual half :)

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  5. I was actually thinking about a songs yesterday. This is great! Billy Idol's dancing by myself? Have fun with the virtual half. I saw that one and thought-I am not running a half all alone!

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    1. Oh that Billy Idol song! I should add it on, shouldn't I? And yes, with good music, you can do anything!

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  6. That "Stay Home" page is so funny! Did you see the Rave Reviews? "nobody told me there'd be LEGOs all over the ground" - hilarious!
    Enjoy the half - I think you have the right kind of music for it!

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  7. What a wonderful cause to support for the race. Good luck with your virtual half. I don't listen to music any more when I run but when I did, I always liked Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down". That song always got me fired up!

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    1. There are a couple of good Tom Petty songs for running. You Wreck Me was in contention for this playlist but I didn't want to go there... ;p

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  8. I love themed playlists! This one is awesome. I did one for a half marathon a while back the had "It's Too Late to Turn Back Now" play around mile three. Made me crack up.

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  9. I don't run with music or podcasts or anything. But the rest of the time, I've got my ear buds in (unless I'm on yet another video conference call, so many of those any more). Right now I'm listening to Housewerk on Spotify.

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  10. I usually listen to music on my runs. It always gives me a pep in my step but when I do long runs I stick to podcasts. They are so intriguing and takes my mind off the miles.

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  11. As much as I love music, I haven't been taking it with me on my runs lately. Not sure why...probably because I've been able to get outside. If I was stuck on the 'mill, that would be a different story LOL

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    1. I like music for my long runs. It takes my mind off the miles.

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