Music free running and songs for inspiration

I notice a fellow 1/2 marathoner commented on music during events. I have to say I am not a fan of running with others with headphones in so this will be a little bit of a rant but also a bit of a reflection of music which has shaped some of my events.

I am a bit of an old fart - and have been running for a long time - long before music able to be carried easily - I remember trying to run with a potable CD player - just didn't work!

So firstly - why I don't like people running with music (especially on events)

1. you miss talking with fellow competitors
2. you don't hear someone coming up behind you and generally become a greater obstacle to pass.
3. It probably gives you an advantage over others (especially as most people train with music now)

I guess I am just mostly old school - but I will say if everyone wears headphones then why do we bother gathering and running together on big runs - what happened to actually talking to each other and sharing the experience.... I did say I was old school.

So to help keep myself motivated and just because I am a complete nutter .... I sing to myself on the event (and often in training - remember practicing everything you are going to be doing in an event makes it easier)

Here is a list of what popped into my head for some major events.

First Half Ironman - Busselton 2008 - "I feel good" - didn't even know the words properly but it popped into my head in the swim then I switched to singing the rocky theme on the bike. Got a bit tough by the run so I started singing "I feel good" again - just to try and fool myself!

Gold Coast Half Ironman - This was a very wet day 200mm of rain so we were all soaked. My brain got stuck on "day trip to bangor" which is a really old song that people who grew up in the 70s and 80s in country WA seem to remember from their childhood - there was only a small number of radio stations and ABC often played it. So nothing is more fun than singing "didn't we have a lovely day the day we went to bangor" .... in the poring rain!

Other songs I have sung include: hey soul sister, someone like you, jumpstart, call me maybe (which a SA tri group made a youtube video about at Busselton IM one year). I have an interesting remix of the Lazy Song which I also like singing.

I also know the words to "chariots of fire" and on the run leg of my second half one of the local residents was playing this song (without the words) so I started singing

"there is but one freedom, men running along, each step that he's taking a step to his soul. The passion and courage it is to be there, the spirit of freedom alive in the air.... whenever the running in man awakes to challenge the freedom he knows that he can turn the key once more to unlock the soul"

Definitely inspiring stuff.

 

The best event for this was London Marathon (my only marathon without a swim and bike before it) in the pre ipod era of 2003. Here the music is on course for you - every pub ( it's London there are lots of pubs) had music. From classic, to rock, to pop, reggae music... it was a complete blast ... helped me dance all the way to the finish line.

 

So pre event now I think about what songs I might be singing.... then I set up a playlist called "ear worms" This helps me find my mojo when out there on course and makes my event more fun.

 

Mandurah 2013 was my last event and strangely it was Adele "Someone like you" that was working for me.

 

Now I need to find a new set of ear worms for Busselton this year - or will I just go back to my old favorites?