The Olympics (and today's long-awaited first gold medals for Great Britain) have reminded me of my own sporting commitment, which I hasten to add is on a much smaller scale. My charity half-marathon is now only two months away and I haven't been training as much as I should have been over the last few weeks. In fact, I haven't been training at all. That's because the last thing I want to do, after staying up past midnight reading a good book, is to get up at 6am the next morning to go running...
Nevertheless, laziness is no longer an option. This morning I managed to cover 9km, which is a good start. To celebrate this (hopefully) renewed focus, I thought it was time to do what I threatened some months ago, and post my running playlist as a bit of fun. You will note there is a strong inclination towards the kind of music which is fondly known in England as 'cheese'. I've never claimed to be on-trend.
I'd love to know the tracks that get other people pounding the pavements!
Nevertheless, laziness is no longer an option. This morning I managed to cover 9km, which is a good start. To celebrate this (hopefully) renewed focus, I thought it was time to do what I threatened some months ago, and post my running playlist as a bit of fun. You will note there is a strong inclination towards the kind of music which is fondly known in England as 'cheese'. I've never claimed to be on-trend.
I'd love to know the tracks that get other people pounding the pavements!
Affirmation - Savage Garden
I've spoken before about my teenage love of Savage Garden. This song gets
the run off to a good start; it's all about positivity and conviction and
self-belief, and it's light while still having a good beat underneath to get the
pace going.
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This rock anthem gets the blood flowing round about the 1km mark. It's also
an excellent way of judging how I'm doing. If I inwardly punch the air and sing
along sotto voce with, "That's what you get for falling in love,"
that's a sign that things are going well.
Possibly the best song for running on the entire playlist. The beat is
infectious and my feet naturally fall into the same rhythm. Plus, it's another
inspiring song telling you that, no matter who you are, you are the best version
of yourself that you can be. As my face turns crimson round about the 2km mark,
it's a reassuring - if not entirely believable - thought.
As I've said before, I love the layering effect of the introduction, which begins with the tolling of a bell and then gradually builds, gaining guitar, then bass, then drums. The very beginning provides a bit of a breather to recover from Born this Way, but once the song gets underway, it's back to the beat.
It's My Life - Bon Jovi
Yes, there is a lot of Bon Jovi here. It's a testament to my fondness for stadium rock anthems, but also to the band's ability to write upbeat, ridiculously catchy songs. Usually cropping up between the 3km and 4km mark, this is pure tonic for aching muscles and failing motivation: 'It's now or never...'
Let Me Entertain You - Robbie Williams
Another upbeat classic swings into action at 4km. Once again the opening is unmistakeable and it swiftly gives way to a bouncy beat and immense feel-good factor.
Marry the Night - Lady Gaga
Like Born this Way, this song has a beat that's a godsend for the tired runner, but it's also a characteristic Gaga anthem of colossal proportions. Even better, halfway through she breaks off to urge, "Come on and run". By this stage in the session, such encouragement is very welcome.
Ooh...Aah... Just a Little Bit - Gina G
All right, this is probably the one I'm most embarrassed to own up to - but for sheer bubbly energy, there isn't much to beat it. It's fresh and sparkly: Lucozade for the ears.
So What - Pink
From sugary coyness we move on to a bit of feminist attitude. I find that, between 5km and 6km, it's helpful to have a dose of in-your-face feistiness, which makes me perk up and run faster. It's definitely a song for facing long runs or hard days at the office.
Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
Nothing warms the cockles of the heart, as I struggle towards the 8km
mark, like the classic stadium-rock opening of Summer of 69. Suddenly it
becomes possible to push on just that little bit further - even if, by this
point, singing along is pretty much out of the question. As my training runs normally only last about 5km, I always forget this is on the playlist and, when those inimitable chords kick in, I can't help grinning like an idiot.
Reach - S Club 7
For some reason known only to my player, this isn't in alphabetical order. Nevertheless, this comes around at the 9km stage and by that point its simple, perkily motivational message is the perfect tonic. It's all about reaching for the stars and scaling mountains - clichéd beyond belief, but a guilty pleasure nevertheless.
And a final entry for Bon Jovi, designed to kick in on approaching the home
straight. It unlocks that last tiny bit of energy and
determination, drives the tired limbs to overtake anyone within a
reasonable distance, and motivates what, at that point in the race, passes for a sprint finish.
Listen to the song here
Listen to the song here
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