I finally had to buy into the hype that is Savages. The London post-punk group channel a lot influences from styles and bands that I love. A real heavy 80s alternative vibe.
I like the dark, abrupt, and repetitive music and lyrics.
Last night I went for a run…I am starting to really look forward to my night runs. I just run around a track, boring stuff. Generally no music. I just like the sounds of the neighbourhood and my thoughts. I read this great article the other day in Backpacker magazine about Thru-Hiking. They had this story about an army veteran from the Iraq War who returned to the US. He wasn’t really sure how he wanted to re-integrate into civilian life so he just did the Forrest Gump thing… and started walking. And he hiked the Pacific Crest Trail. The magazine said a fit hiker could maybe do it in 4 months, but it likely would take 5 to 6 months of walking everyday. The hero of the story talked about the clarity of being alone, everyday, sun-up to sun-down, with your thoughts. He hit this zen-like head space.
I respect for many people, the thought of camping coffee for 4 months plus would not sound appealing. But the idea of a total reboot of the brain (not to mention that amazing shape you’d be in) sounds appealing to me. If I could only find the time (and money) as they say.
That article helped me understand better why I enjoy running with no music. It is only an hour, but it’s a mini Thru-Hike brain reboot.
BUT here is where stress case me gets in the way. I hate wasting time when I could be productive (unless I’m playing video games, then I can waste HOURS!). I want to be using the hour of running to be listening to new music or learning. Yesterday I tried both.
I’ve always known and respected the science for why listening to music is a performance enhancer. It keeps you focused on the tunes and not the pain…. I value the ability to really listen to an album in that old fashioned sense. Sitting down and hitting play on track one and staying with it, for better or worse, to the end. Last night it was Savages. The song that propelled me forward was “She Will.”
But what about using the time to learn? I tried a podcast. I downloaded Under the Influence and enjoyed that as well.
How do you manage your workout? Silence? Beats? Ambient music? Podcasts? Audiobooks? Answer that and stay fashionable.
Go with yourself.
The Morning After 
I run a bit. I listen to 350 songs on shuffle. I always add, remove, edit it to keep it interesting. I don’t listen to “normal” running music. “All The Wine” is my favourite song to run to.
that’s a cool song. The science says it doesn’t need to be a driving beat to get the effects. We also respond to the lyrics, emotions, and mood of a song.