Music and running have always gone hand-in-hand for many runners. There’s just something about the rhythm and the beats that can transform the monotony of a long run into a more enjoyable experience. More than just acting as a motivator, it can help regulate your pace, take your mind off fatigue, and even enhance your running performance. So how do we pick the right running playlist? Let’s dive in.
The Power of Music in Running
Before we start crafting the perfect running playlist, let’s understand how music can impact our runs. Research shows that listening to music can lower perceptions of exertion, potentially making the run feel easier than it actually is. More importantly, the right beats or rhythms can also help a runner regulate their pace, providing a consistent tempo to follow. Furthermore, music can act as a distraction, shifting attention away from fatigue and discomfort.
Steps to Creating your Perfect Run Playlist
Identify Your Music Taste
This might sound obvious, but your playlist should be filled with songs that you absolutely love. Running isn’t just about endurance and strength, but also joy and inspiration, so pick songs that have the ability to uplift your spirits. Keep in mind your fondness for different genres, your favorite artists or bands, and the songs you’d typically listen to when you’re not working out.
Consider the Beats per Minute
Beats per Minute (BPM) is crucial when curating your running playlist. A song’s BPM should correlate with your desired running pace. Studies suggest that songs with BPM in the range of 120-130 are good for a regular running pace. You can choose faster songs for intense sessions, and slower songs for warm-up and cool down.
Arrange Them According to the Workout Stage
Segregate your songs into different stages of your workout: warm-up, the main workout, and cool-down. Start with slower, softer tracks to ease into the run with your warm-up. As you move to the main body of your run, go for the more up-tempo, high-energy songs. For the cool-down, transition into something a little more mellow to bring your heart rate down.
Concluding Thoughts
Remember, the perfect running playlist is a personal thing – what could be the right pace, genre, or artist for one person could be entirely different for another. Take time to experiment, refine, and build your ultimate running playlist. Happy running!
