Music on the Run

People question why I always must run with my iPod and my music. I have even been chastised for not paying attention, but listening to music, instead. But, the reality is that music is what gives me motivation to keep running. The more I hear the beat of a tune, the less likely I am to pay attention to the pain in my legs, the heavy breathing, the sweat, the pain in the butt, the reminder that I didn’t get enough sleep last night, the intensity of the workout. Geesh, sounds like sex, doesn’t it?!? Can you see why I run now?!?

Besides, music has always been a huge part of my life.

But, when the pulsating rhythms of Kevin Aviance’s “Give It Up” are in my ears, I just can’t stop. “Baby you can flip me, dip me, know just when to lick me.” I mean, come on, does it get any better than that?

Not every song has to be techno-based. Something like Ryan Adams’ “La Cienega Just Smiled” and Josh Rouse’s “Quiet Town” have lyrics that take me to another place. I vividly remember a drive through Idaho not too long ago when I was so amazed with the landscape that I had to stop four or five times just to take pictures. And it also reminds me of running on country roads in all parts of Indiana, watching the corn grow.

They remind me of people and events that have impacted my life and my running. Shawn Colvin sings “Fill me up, fill me up, I’m a long way from home and I don’t have a lot to say…And I know where you live. And I know who you are. Don’t get too close. Don’t go too far.”

I was recently challenging a good friend to run with me. Of course, his excuse was that he liked to zone out and run with music and forget the world. He also says that he is more of a treadmill runner. I think he is just scared to face the challenge, but how can I argue with his reasoning? On a recent not-so-good run, I started to doubt myself, but just stopped for a minute, flipped to a few new songs, and found some new energy. Maybe his excuse is valid…except for the treadmill part.

Mika talks about being Grace Kelly and getting someone to like him in one song, but in another tells me to relax and take it easy. Anything that Pete Yorn sings is sweet music to my ears, especially when he sings “it’s got me out of my head and I don’t know what I came for, but I want you to know…” Bon Jovi reminds me in “Livin on a Prayer” that I am halfway there. Trust me, when someone says that you’ve already ran 7 miles and you are halfway there, it is motivating. I can turn around and go home to a nice cold beer and…we’ll leave it at that.

I run so that I can escape the day that I’ve had or the day that is looming. I run so that I can remember long drives of the past and longer drives in the future. I run to remember good friends and even better conversations. I run to meet new friends along the way. I run to enjoy the scenery…of a new city…of nature…of beautiful people. I run to remember who I am and where I am going.

So the next time you see me out running, stop me and ask me what’s playing right now. I will be glad to stop and chat and share the tune with you, but mostly because I will just be glad to stop for a minute!

Be well friends!