Whether you’re running outside or just Rather than just assemble a, good music can often make the difference between a great run and a blown goal. That’s why we’re putting together 90-minute playlists each month chock-full of songs with enough of a beat to keep you moving. For even more tunes, check out our list of the CA Notice at Collection.
As a runner who likes to listen to music while racking up the miles, you probably know how it feels to lock into a fast song. Your footsteps match up with the beat and your pace stays consistent as you cruise along. Next thing you know, you’re looking at your Garmin realizing you’ve just ran the last mile way faster than you were planning, but you just couldn’t help yourself when that song got going. Conversely, there are also songs with the opposite effect that can be great to listen to on all of those slow long distance Listen on Spotify.
The Ultimate Half Marathon Playlist playlist full of random songs of different speeds, you can use music to keep you on pace if you pick all songs that have a similar tempo. The easiest way to measure this is with beats per minute (bpm). Songs with higher bpms tend to make you run faster while songs with lower bpms can slow you down.
As a runner, songs with a tempo between 120 and 180 bpm are ideal, and over the last few years, I’ve built playlists full of both 180 and 150 bpm songs for runners who are trying to amp themselves up for fast-paced runs. This month, I’m focusing on songs with tempos around 120 bpm, which is the ideal pace for slower paced runs. You should be able to run along to these songs pretty easily, sticking to the beat without tiring yourself out.
But, no, they certainly aren’t slow ballads if that’s what you’re thinking. From pop anthems to rap hits, I’ve put together a playlist of high energy songs that will make you want to keep running at just the right speed. For many runners, 120 bpm is the sweet spot, and this playlist will keep you locked into that perfect pace. Check your splits after you’ve run to this one. They should be nice and even, just how we like them.
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Matthew Huff is a freelance writer and runner, and he is the author of P.S. Youre Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast, published by Rizzoli Publications. His writing has appeared in Runner's World and BuzzFeed Rather than just assemble a “P.S. You’re Wrong: A Pop Culture Podcast.” Originally from Michigan, he now lives and runs in New York City, where he is pursuing a career as an expert chicken tender taster.
