workout motivation: music

Music is a huge factor in my workout motivation. From pumping me up to give each interval split my all and pushing me on that bit further, the music I'm listening to can make or break a workout. This applies especially to running - I don't know if I could run without music!

 I divide my workout bottoms into 'running' and 'non running' piles, as god forbid having to run in tights without a back zip pocket to secure my ipod in! i hate holding anything when running, and don't love arm holders. Even the style of earphone I use is important, obviously ones that fall out of your ear every stride are no good!! I recently tried some in-ear ones, which I have always been abit dubious of (wouldn't it feel strange if it went inside your ear?!) but I really liked them. It really blocked out background/surround sound and the sound quality was amazing. I think music for me is to block out the world; any straying eyes watching me (self-consciousness much?) or the tiredness that makes me want to quit.

current playlist I have been loving lately

I have heard of people challenging themselves to give up music and go gadget-free on a run, but I personally can only imagine that being a pleasant experience if I was running on a deserted, beautiful trail route... (where it might feel wrong to blast music over the tranquillity of nature) Where I typically run, be it the treadmill or a road-route, music is a necessity.

 

I try to keep a good selection of genres and playlists lengths at the ready on my ipod, as I tend to go completely crazy on a song and wear it out in a few days. I mostly listen to upbeat pop and high energy hip-hop. I keep all of my favourite running music so I have the option of just shuffling, but prefer to have carefully crafted, preset playlists ready. There's nothing I hate more than doing shuffle and then it being awful and having to stop and fumble about when I am trying to run (especially since my >> button has broken from sweat!)

music... gets you in the zone!

I have also experimented with running cd's and tried several Ministry of Sound Running Trax mixes. I really like how they're ordered and sorted into pace (slow, medium and sprint), perfect for when you need something quick. I tend to use them more for long-runs, where I prefer to just zone-out and have new songs distract me. I think I'll be using these alot more as I get started with half-marathon training!

What kind of music do you listen to when working out? Do you prefer to run with or without music?