Playlists

Let's be honest, running can be boring. Especially when you're slow and everything hurts. This is where the right playlist can be your best (and only) friend. Forget those "motivational" power anthems. You need music that distracts you from the existential dread. Personally, I'm a fan of a good mix of modern Canadian EDM (think deadmau5, REZZ, Kaytranada, Caribou, and the wonderfully named পরীক্ষা (Test Pattern) by Josh Korody), the epic soundscapes of Eric Prydz ("Opus" for when you need to feel like you're accomplishing something, even if it's just putting one foot in front of the other), and the sheer, unadulterated energy of Swedish House Mafia ("Don't You Worry Child" for when you inevitably do). Find what makes the time (and the pain) slightly more bearable.

Why My Running Playlist is My Best Companion

So, you know those runners who say they love the peacefulness of a long run, that it's their "me time" for deep thinking? Honestly, I'm not really one of those people. My brain tends to get stuck on random, unimportant thoughts – like that awkward thing I said ages ago. Being trapped with that mental chatter while my legs are burning isn't my idea of fun. That's where music comes in.

Forget the slow, mellow stuff. I tried the folk-ish music, like Jason Isbell, and ended up feeling way too emotional on the trail. Not ideal. While I really enjoy electronic music, I personally love the energy of 90s and early 2000s dance hits. Seriously, try running to Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" – it's amazing! And the music from those national aerobics competitions? Pure energy. If you've seen the Key & Peele sketch, you know the kind of awesome I'm talking about.

When choosing running music, there's actually a bit more to it than just personal taste. Think about beats per minute (BPM), which is the tempo of the song. For a comfortable run, aiming for music around 120 to 140 BPM often works well. This range can often sync with your natural cadence, or the number of steps you take per minute.

Why does this matter? When your music's beat matches your steps, it can make your running feel smoother and more efficient, like having an internal rhythm. Music that's too fast can make you feel rushed, while music that's too slow can feel dragging.

You don't need to perfectly match every beat to every step, but finding music in that general BPM range can be helpful. There are even tools online to find music with specific BPMs.

Ultimately, the most important thing is that you enjoy the music and it makes you feel good. But if you want to optimize your run a bit, paying attention to the BPM and how it feels with your natural cadence can be useful. For me, those upbeat tracks that make you want to move are the best – they definitely make those tough miles easier!