Music and Pacing

As I have continued to run I have tried to find as many ways as I can to improve my form, technique, and pace. What I have found, concerning finding a pace that is suitable for me, is that music is an awesome tool. Often, while running, we tend to tire and lose our breathing and foot patterns that tend to naturally come with running. It is during these times that we can use music to strengthen our resolve and make sure that our running is paced rather than sporadic.

On my previous run I had moments where I felt a bit more tired and it was during those times that I realized that my pace was off and I was just kind of sputtering along. I didn't have any headphones with me so I started singing music in my head that I knew had a good beat to which I could match my footfalls. This may seem a little stupid, but it is amazing how quickly time passes when you have your footing paced and your mind occupied. I ended up running much more quickly and my breathing came much easier as well.

I have heard some people say that music can distract from the run and even endanger you because you are not paying attention to what you are doing. To me, music prevents injury and helps you to better pay attention to body, breathing, and surroundings. We may be listening to the music, technically, but that is not where our attention is really at. Running with music is not the same as sitting at home jamming to tunes. Music while running is just having music in the background giving you a beat to run and breath to. It could possibly distract you, but hopefully those are the hard times when you need the distraction. I recently read an article in Runner's World (http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/running-air-breathing-technique) that talks about the benefit of running with proper rhythm and breathing, and to me music helps you find that rhythm. The article goes on to describe how injury is avoided through proper rhythmic breathing, and to me applying music to this logic only improves our rhythm and helps us avoid injury.

I have started to apply this concept more and more during my runs, and I hope that it will keep my pace regulated and help me avoid injury. Just for fun, I decided to toss down a playlist that I like to run to:

Running Playlist

Too Close

I Stand Alone

Kryptonite

Breath Into Me

Awake and Alive

Bleed it Out (edited)

Blow Me Away

Dance with the Devil

Given Up (edited)

Lose Yourself 

Lying from You

Monster

Whispers in the Dark

My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark

I thought this was good advice for the music and the type of running.