Wednesday, August 17, 2016

5 Songs & a Podcast

Lately I've been lazy with my playlists. Rather than downloading songs I like and crafting the perfect musical background for my runs, I've been letting GooglePlay do the work. With a race on the horizon, I think it's time to delete my old-and-never-used running playlist. I want to start from scratch and put together something that makes me want to run, just so I have a chance to listen to it!

Lately, there's a podcast that has that effect on me. When Elizabeth isn't around to motivate me, fake conversation in the form of podcasts is a good second. Recently, a friend of mine introduced me to Witch, Please, a podcast led by two professors who deconstruct, critique, and analyze Harry Potter through various social and political lenses. Obviously, this is a podcast tailor-made with me in mind.
Besides Witch, Please, which obviously can't go on a racing playlist, here are some songs making my ears and mind happy while I run:

Too Far Gone by Sir Sly. I actually like every song on their album, but this one is a favorite because of its steady, catchy tempo. I like starting a run with this song because it reminds me to ease into it and not go out too fast.
Color by Finish Ticket is super catchy and fun. The song feels earnest and hopeful, which is just how I like to feel when I'm reaching for a PR on race day.
Colors by Halsey. I've noticed that the themes of color and ghosts are pretty popular in alternative music right now, but I'm not complaining! This may seem like an odd choice of song to run to, but again, I like the earnest tone and the feeling of reaching toward something.
Sweet Disaster by Dreamers. This song is catchy and fun! I could listen to this one on repeat for an entire run if Elizabeth would let me! It really captures the free, frivolous feeling a hard run can light inside me.
Life Itself by Glass Animals. I pretty much love everything they come out with, but this one especially has a fun tempo for running. This song is upbeat and the chorus especially motivates me to pound the pavement and just run my heart out.
I know some people prefer really upbeat, pop-style songs for running, but I don't usually like that. I have a weird habit of running to the same music I like to listen to while I drive/relax/read...I don't have a different taste or genre preference when I'm trying to get energized. I just like music I can genuinely enjoy and that makes me feel powerful and strong!

What are you working out to lately?
Do you listen to the same genre of music no matter your activity?
What kind of podcasts do you like?

ABK

13 comments:

  1. Thank you for this great podcast recommendation! During my long runs lately I haven't wanted to listen to music - only podcasts - so I am constantly on the hunt for podcast recommendations. This one sounds right up my ally too!

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    1. Confession: at first the podcast pissed me off because they critique things I quite like in the series. But after a couple episodes I opened up to the criticisms and found them really interesting. They're also very open to differing opinions - I've tweeted them my thoughts and they're always receptive and reply! I listened to all the book podcasts first, then want back and listened to the movie episodes, and now I'm onto the "special" episodes.

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  2. I don't listen to podcasts (just not enough time) or music on the run.

    I do like upbeat pop though. :)

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    1. I think podcasts are MADE for listening to while on the run or doing chores. I like to listen in small snippets, 20-30 minutes at a time usually. But I don't mind having headphones on while I run/do chores!

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  3. Lately I've been listening to podcasts mostly... The Tim Ferriss Show for long runs, Afropop International for mid-length runs, and then going without anything for short runs (I use the time to meditate and pray instead). But my music selection right now has new albums from artists I discovered from going to the Pitchfork Festival (The Woods, Savages, Manuel, Anderson.paak) or that I discovered from Afropop podcasts. Plus I have some selections from my running playlist - I have a monster playlist on my computer and then select different ones at different times - this playlist started at least 7 years ago and has grown to nearly 150 songs. So I'll switch to straight music toward the end of a run or if I'm just in the mood for music rather than speaking.

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    1. Oh, and I always always always have at least one jazz album on my iPod. Right now it's the 2nd volume of Kemasi Washington's "The Epic".

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    2. I don't know if I could run to jazz. I feel like it would give me anxiety!

      I find updating my music on my iPhone is really annoying these days because I hate the newest iTunes updates, so I rarely change around my playlists anymore. I used to change them frequently!

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  4. I am into NPR Politics Podcast right now Trumpcast, and The Five Thirty Eight Election podcast!

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  5. I usually only listen to my running playlist or the radio when I run. When I have new songs on my list it does make me energized to go run just so I can hear them!

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    1. Listening to the playlist when you're not running can definitely lead to listener fatigue, I think. I should really just keep those songs for when I run so I don't get sick of them!

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  6. I am listening to Witch Please right now! Thank you for the link! I'm very excited for it!

    Very interesting playlist! thanks for sharing!

    Right now I'm into listening to my top 25 on my phone... and I'm getting tired of it. My MP3 player is on the fritz and it's starting to give me anxiety!

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    1. I hope you like it! At first I didn't agree with many of their critiques, but it was still interesting to hear their opinions and insights.

      I've been listening to the same "cardio pop" and "alternative" playlists on GooglePlay for weeks now. I need a change!

      Ooh, time for a new MP3 player! I hate when my music cuts out mid-run!

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  7. When I first started listening to podcasts while running, I was skeptical. But I found that it felt like having a conversation with a running buddy, so they're really nice for long runs especially. They're more distracting than music for me!

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