Today I’m thrilled to have a guest post from a fellow runner and music aficionado (my words not his), Gerard Pescatore aka The Music of Running.  I’ve mentioned Gerard in my Thank You Note To My Fitness Inspirations.  Gerard has great taste in music and has helped me with expanding my musical horizons and has been a cheerleader of my sporadic running through injury rehab.  Gerard and his wife are both avid runners.  Gerard is strong, fast and knows his running stuff – he’s currently training for his 16th marathon!  Today this avid music lover brings up a controversial subject in the running world in his post today – music while running.

The following question comes up once in a while on Facebook or Twitter:
What is on your running playlist?

People join in with their choices, from Hip Hop to Heavy Metal, Electronica to Alternative, and yes, the Rocky theme. In addition, someone inevitably chimes in with:

 

DONT RUN WITH MUSIC!!!!!! You miss too much around you

or

You’re less of a runner if you listen to music while running.”

I laugh at the prospect that listening to music during runs makes someone less of a runner. If I wear Under Armour or gloves in the winter, am I less of a runner? Heck, if I wear running sneakers, am I relying on the cushioning too much? If I take “Gu” during a race, am I cheating?  Does a Garmin give someone an unfair advantage?

I respect those who don’t use music while running, but to insinuate that one is not a true runner if they use music is silly.  I understand that on social media platforms, this will usually be mentioned (just like “running is bad for your knees” usually gets mentioned. This was recently discussed in a Runner’s World piece).

Personally, I only run once per week to music.  Yes, sometimes the quiet is better. Sometimes the sounds of nature are a good soundtrack to our runs; however, if the mood is right, the combination of running with music can be very rewarding.

Some say there is the possibility of becoming “over-reliant” on using MP3 players, iPods, etc. Use of such devices is even banned from some races, despite the fact that many of these events boast of the number of live acts or bands along the race course. These same races have “pump up” music at the start and finish areas. Hey, isn’t the most popular ‘brand’ of race the “Rock n Roll Series?”

Countless times, I’ve heard “Running with music takes away from your experience.” What does this even mean?  Many of us run five or six times per week.  This means we get five or six chances per week to have “an experience.”  I contend that running with music can often ”enhance” the running experience. It motivates. It helps with our cadence. It occupies us.

Others worry about safety (not hearing traffic, other runners or potential predators).  These are legitimate concerns, but, no, listening to music while running does not make us less pure as runners.

At the end of the day, it’s about the run.  So, let’s lighten up and enjoy it (and enjoy the music if you choose to use it!)

For those of you listening, here are a few of my early front-runners for “Running Songs of the Summer 2013” …

1. Spark by Fitz & the Tantrums

2. Give Life Back to Music by Daft Punk

3. Heavy Feet by Local Natives

4. My Number by Foals

5. Wanna Feel It by The Olms

 

Gerard Pescatore, The Music Of Running, marathon

Gerard doing his thing

Gerard can be found at The Music of Running on Tumblr and @gpescatore on Twitter.  His all time favorite running song is “Everlong” by Foo Fighters.

 

What’s your favorite running song of all time?  Mine varies but “Hold Back The Rain” by Duran Duran is one of them.