Depeche ModeI bought my first MP3 player, a rather humble Nike branded device that held a mere 64 megs of music, for the sole purpose of my runs. With that low capacity the selection of a varied playlist of songs was key. I could barely even fit a full album on at 128 kbps, and to avoid the continual loading and unloading of music via USB 1.1, I took great care in selecting a carefully curated set of high energy tunes.
Once high capacity players came about (> 1 gig), the whole game changed and I was able to dump several entire albums onto my player and select one (or several depending on the length of the workout) and head out to the trail. Over the years the stuff I have picked for this music application has varied greatly. I have often leaned towards the high energy, aggressive type of sounds that one would typically associate with "workout music," but there have been some odd choices mixed in as well. Here is a quick review of some of the music that has accompanied my runs over the years.
Artist: Depeche Mode
The first artist I remember becoming a regular part of my running routine was Depeche Mode. This was as much due to the suitability of the tunes for exercise as it was my 2001/02 era obsession with the band. It would be some time until I completed my collection of DM's classic albums (everything 1984 and after), but I played the crap out of what I did have. I especially remember listening to Ultra frequently during my early loops around Tudek Park. Looking back, this stuff is made for running; The driving, repetitious nature of the song structure, the pacing which not to fast or slow to be distracting. If I hadn't played this stuff out when I was in my early twenties I might still be running to it.
Artist: Delerium
OK, this one is a bit odd. Again, this was very much due to a listening obsession of the time. Not only was I regularly working out to the electronic tribal fusion of Delerium's later years, I often had the earlier ambient indstrial and spacey instrumental stuff loaded into my player. Again, in retrospect, this was actually great for running. The repetition of the early works (e.g.
Monolith) creates a trance like running groove, and I still think that Otherworld is a great way to end a workout.Artist: The Kinks
The early Kinks singles are great running material. The pacing, energy and mood of those classic tracks is perfect. During the peak of my Kinky running days I had recently broken up with a rather self absorbed girl, and the jilted classic Who'll Be the Next in Line combined with intense sprints became a favorite way to blow off steam.
Album: Up the Bracket
I have probably run to this album more than any other. What makes this The Libertines record the perfect workout album for me is not clear. It's on my running Sansa as we speak. Also note: this album is a perfect accompaniment for the drinking of whiskey as well.
I will do a part #2 for this post someday to talk about what is on my running Sansa these days...
