Music the Motivator

What role can music play in running? As a musician, I am very much in tune with tempos and rhythm and how it affects my running cadence.  Most of the music I listen to falls within 100-130 beats per minute, in the allegro category, which translates to ‘lively’ in Italian.  This liveliness is ideal when I am running a tempo run, but less ideal when I am trying to stay within a lower heartrate zone, and often I am fighting the urge to run faster. Which leads me to think about the effects of music on my body and brain while running. Listening to music causes dopamine to be released. Running with music, like dancing, lights up the emotional and movement brain centers and can place a person into a flow state which may lead to euphoria which may lead to faster running. When was the last time you were running and realized that another mile had passed unnoticed?

One of my most favorite running activities is to run downhill on a trail in step with a fast song. I might even change my cadence from quarter notes to eighths depending on the tempo. Even before trail running was a “thing”, I discovered it was fun to listen to music, jump from rocks, over the roots and run around tight corners as fast as I can without falling. Mount Si near Seattle comes to mind. It is probably one of the most fun downhill running trails I’ve ever ran. Music enhances the experience of being and moving in the natural world and improves coordination, rhythm, step, motivation and then…voila! I’m back at the trailhead fully satisfied with no sprained ankles.

Before each race I devise a three-hour playlist.  Much of the time the music is quiet background as I am talking to other runners, warming up, plodding along. But then around mile 18-20 when the going gets tough, I turn up the headphones and the music gets me through.