Running to the Rhythm

For a music fan, Van Hagar was a massive disappointment that stripped the band of originality, put the best guitarist in the world behind keyboards and sounded too much like Poison. For fans of musicality, showmanship and craziness the best version featured Eddie Van Halen on guitar and David Lee Roth on vocals – they drove the band to exalted heights of wicked licks, fearsome vocals and an intensity driven by not knowing what might happen next.

But for all that, Van Hagar songs are the best partner for runs. Without starting an ugly spat over the merits of Van Halen vs Van Hagar (alternative true fact, Gary Cherone era never happened), it’s fair to say the latter featured a more pop-orientated, commercial sound. While the former was awesome to bang your mullet to, the Sammy songs are much better for pounding the pavement and settling into a relentless pace. It’s kind of like the difference between Peter Gabriel’s Genesis and then Phil Collins as the band’s lead singer; very few people like both versions.

The, pardon the pun, genesis of this reflection develops over the course of a 30 kilometre run: what songs motivate, which rhythms are best to run to, does a certain genre lend itself better to keeping the pistons moving or is there a genre that doesn’t work at all.

And the realization how individual that taste is – death metal anyone?

In what other zone can Mary Chapin Carpenter, Def Leppard and the late great Stan Rogers all mesh together to form a seamless wave of sound? But for me, those three are staples on the list. It’s a chance to mix, match and marvel at what motivates.

Now, there are purists who suggest running should not include ear buds – especially during races. There are races that ban them, which eliminates many from participating for what is the lamest of reasons. To those purists, I say pshaw and phooey. If you are so worried about retaining the roots of the sport, stop eating gels on the course and, while you’re at it, ditch the shoes. This is amateur racing; it’s about finishing the path – plodding along as you put one foot in front of the other – and enjoying it. If a few tunes help to make it easier, then that’s a good result.

Not everyone agrees. A writer I like a lot, James Fell (@bodyforwife), writes in the Chicago Tribune that when racing, in contrast to training, that music can disassociate you from your task on hand – like achieving a personal best. He recommends leaving the iPod at home.

But I find music assists in bringing clarity to the moment. That when I need a boost I flip to Def Leppard or Van Hagar, to gets the fists pumping. When it is time for a steady rhythm, then some Stan Rogers or Mary Chapin Carpenter or Jamie Cullum fills the need. Hit the hills with Texas (great Scottish band) and a little Betty Carter ‘Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing). Need to slow it down just a wee bit, then Dean Martin and George Strait work a picture together (as do Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow).

See the finish line: Toby Keith helps push the limit, as does Bryan Adams. Plus, there are utility players such as The Police, Barenaked Ladies, Guns ‘N Roses and Garth.

Not to mention one-offs from The Wannadies, Tom Cochrane and Daniel Powter, who when strategically deployed, are as effective as any gel (well, that’s a presumption as I’ve never tried the gels during a race).

Coaches can advise on many matters: training schedule, nutrition, when to add hills or switch to fartleks, when to rest, how to wrap sore parts… but the one thing that is all yours – the music you want to spend 2.5 hours with. So throw caution to the wind, mix it up and run to your own beat.

Ed note: Yes, all the songs/artists are somewhat dated but I’m old school and believe in paying artists for their work. So everything on iPod was either purchased CD or from iTunes, from back when I listened to music more regularly and my computer didn’t take hours to perform simple functions. If you have playlist suggestions, open to any and all ideas.