Rock N´ Run: Music For Running

It was 2004 when I decided to start running. Back then, I only did it for a few months, then I got back to my sedentary lifestyle. I guess college drinking had a lot to do with me stopping. Funny enough, it was due to an alcohol related bet that I picked up on running once again. Someone I know challenged me to do a 5k race in less than 35 minutes, promising to buy me a few rounds of beer. I was doubtful I could do it. Mainly because it had been 6 years since the last time I went out for a run. Second of all, I had a cold and only 3 weeks to train. 

I like challenges, so I got on board. This is how, on May 21^st 2012 I went out to train. I immediately noticed that without some great music I wasn´t going anywhere fast…or slow, for that matter. So, I bought an iPod Shuffle and loaded the thing with music that gets my motor running. If not for music, I wouldn´t be so interested in running. Listening to music is one of the main reasons I run, aside from keeping myself from getting man boobs or a belly, two things that almost every man out there carries with an incomprehensible sense of pride.

So, without further a due, here are the top 10 rock songs that get me up and ready for a good run. They sure do the trick for me. They might work for you too. That is if you are a runner or decide to get your lazy ass out of bed one day and start running. By the way, I won the bet…still waiting for the beer, though.

1.    Pantera- Walk

With all due respect to Black Sabbath and Metallica, Pantera is the most brutal metal band ever. Their raw energy, lyrics, Philip Anselmo´s “I have no friends” voice and the wall of riffs created by Dimebag, will surely give you what you need to run like you stole something. 

2.    Rammstein- Sehnsucht

God knows what Till Lindeman is saying in this song (I don´t know German). For all I know, he might be singing about the stupidest things. No matter what, it puts rockets in my running shoes.

 3.    Iron Maiden- The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Inspired by the short story written by Allan Sillitoe about a teenager who starts running to escape from a life of crime, this might just be the ultimate soundtrack for every runner. After all, we are all escaping from something when we run, and loneliness is our biggest companion. 

4. Metallica- For Whom the Bell Tolls

There´s something about war songs that goes so well with sports. Maybe it´s their “fight until your last breath” attitude that´s so inspiring. This song is no exception. 

5. Rage Against The Machine- Killing in the Name

You know what other kind of song goes perfectly well with sports? Protest songs with a high dose of  “f-you” attitude.

6.   Guns N´ Roses- Welcome to the Jungle (live)

As a huge fan of the band, there was no way I wasn´t going to include one of their songs. This has got to be one of their “ballsiest” tracks ever. Everything from Axl´s signature howls to Slash´s sleazy riffs find a way to hype me up, especially in this live version. 

7.   Red Hot Chili Peppers- Scar Tissue

What´s a slow song doing in a list of running songs? You might ask. Well, even though 99% of my running playlist is made of heavier tunes, I have a couple which are not. The reason? I like to slow down for a few minutes, take a breath, relax and then come back stronger and faster. This song helps me do just that.

8.    Smashing Pumpkins- Disarm

Another slow one. In this case, this song reminds me of pretty great moments of my early teenage years (yes, I´m kinda old). I found out that taking a trip down memory lane and remembering happy moments makes me run faster.

9.    Pink Floyd- Run Like Hell

Can a song tittle be more inspirational?

10.   Muse- Survival

Hard not to feel pumped up by lyrics like “Race, it's a race, but I'm gonna win. Yes, I'm gonna win. I will light the fuse, I'll never lose. I choose to survive.
Whatever it takes. You won't pull ahead,
because I'll keep up the pace".