A bold pace — running for our lives

Best Workout Music: #2 ― Workout Playlist w/ 120 – 180 bpm songs

by John on January 25, 2012

I’m officially hooked on workout music. I can always use a little extra motivation to keep going at the gym and I love it when a strong “power song” comes on when I need it. So here’s another workout music playlist (first playlist) below that takes some of the best, strong-beat running songs from other playlists along with some new music not on any other playlists. For me, the 120 – 130 bpm songs are good for stretching and warming up, the 140 – 150 bpm songs are for lifting, and I switch to the 160 – 180 bpm when on the treadmill. Hopefully you find ways to use these songs to keep you motivated as well and keep those New Year’s resolutions going strong!

I have chosen a few of the best, up-beat songs from our previous seven running playlists and added new songs from several “Best of 2011″ lists. I’ve even added a couple Free Downloads* of songs. All songs below meet our standard of being either about fitness/running, inspirational, or at least fun with a great beat (we don’t add songs with potentially uninspiring lyrics…ie. “19th Nervous Breakdown”, “Loser”, “Blister in the Sun” — all great songs, but not exactly motivational for running or fitness). For over 50+ hrs more of running and workout music, go to home page at Bold Pace Music.

As mentioned before…

Running or working out with music that has too slow of a beat can cause a problem with your pace. You may unconsciously slow to the pace of the song. “Eye of the Tiger” is a great motivational song, but at 109 BPM it is way too slow for either running or working out. Getting the “right” BPM for your pace may take some trial and error as each person has a different stride length (which also may vary based on pace). Therefore, these songs were carefully selected for working out with bpm in the 140 – 160 range. The pace (BPM) starts off slower in first few songs, then builds up to a faster cadence. For a well done chart showing BPM by mile pace for walking, running, and cycling… see Exercise Pacing & Use of Music.

If you’re wondering if music can really help when running or exercising…see what Physician.com has to say. There have been many scientific studies done that prove that music can increase performance, here’s a recent one w/ a video from the BBC.

Got an iphone or use an ipod? Check out this app and software that analyzes your itunes for BPMs and then lets you choose songs at that BPM from your iphone or ipod…see Cadence (need Mac w/ OS 10.4 or higher for ipod; PC w/ XP, Vista, Win7 or .net framework 4.0 and above)

There are 53 workout songs below with a total playtime of 3.5 hours. Enjoy…

Best Workout Music: 53 Song Workout Playlist w/ 120 – 180 bpm songs

Click here to download songs from itunes

Click below to play samples and/or download songs from amazon:

To get this music, just click on either itunes or amazon playlist above and download either entire the playlist or individual songs. Or see our Amazon store for the very best full albums by artists on the playlists.

We Used To Wait – Arcade Fire (121):
The song is stellar and the multimedia “event” (aka -the video for the song) is truly groundbreaking and lives up to the hype. The Chris Milk designed site uses HTML5 technology and shows a hooded runner running through a neighborhood…not just any neighborhood, it’s yours. You are asked for an address at the beginning, and Google Maps and Street View do the rest. Once you’ve seen the video, you realize again it’s an excellent song and you can’t help but stay motivated while recalling your childhood images. See the video and learn more.
Came Out Of A Lady – Rubblebucket (121): One of Maimed & Tamed’s Best Tracks of 2011. Just try to keep your feet from moving while listening to this Brooklyn band’s infectious power-pop. Those horns, the whistling, the distinctive vocals… Now that your feet are moving, be careful not to sing “She Came Out of a Lady!!” too loudly at the gym.
One – Yeasayer (123): I love the eclectic, genre-bending sound that Yeasayer puts forth with shades of rock, pop, world music, folk and more showing up in “One”. The dance beat should help to get into the right workout mindset…
Push It – Garbage (123): A good workout mantra: “My head explodes and my body aches. Push it, make the beats go harder”
Let’s Go – Cars (130): This song (from their second album “Candy-O”) was perhaps not as strong as the songs from their debut album “Cars” (with favs like Just What I Needed or My Best Friend’s Girl), but it’s still a great song and one of the few Cars songs with faster bpm (the other is Shake It Up at 147 bpm). It’s also a great pump yourself up song with the simple “Let’s Go”!
Clint Eastwood – Gorillaz (130): A classic, stylish, fun song from Gorillaz with “I got sunshine in a bag”…but I particularly like this lyric for workout motivation…“Look, I’ll make it all manageable, pick and choose, sit and loose”
Bohemian Like You – The Dandy Warhols (131): If you’re checking out the opposite sex while at the gym, this song helps to think “we’re looking pretty cool” and imagine making a move with “what do you do? Oh yeah, I wait tables too…”.
The Perfect Kiss – New Order (131): Not so much about the lyrics with this one, just enjoy the intense, driving beat of this classic.
All The Pretty Girls – fun. (132): Such an appropriate name for this band as you just can’t help but smile when you listen to this (even if you are on the second set of arm curls).
My Body – Young The Giant (132): My daughter found this song before it seemed to explode with airplay…it seems a little overexposed now, but it still has an infectious beat and a great mantra for a workout song… ”My body tells me no!…but I won’t quit, I want more, I want more”
Marseilles – Angel City (135): Seems to me that “thinking ’bout the south of France” is not a bad visual diversion. Keep on pumping iron and thinking about “drinking champagne, playing it cool…”
Mixed Bizness – Beck (136): Another pleasant diversion because Beck makes such damn interesting and clever songs…and this is one of his best! Listen for “I’m mixing fitness with leather” and then of course “Alright now, turn it up now!”
October – Broken Bells (137): A terrific collaboration band featuring Brian Burton (better known as Danger Mouse) and James Mercer (of the Shins). They deliver a nice line to think about during a workout: “There’s no shortcut to a dream, it’s all blood and sweat and life is what you manage in between”
Hate To Say I Told You So – The Hives (137): This band is a favorite for running and workout music and they do it again here w/ a strong beat and an attitude that “I’m gonna” do whatever, because “I wanna”…
Viva La Vida – Coldplay (139): This song used to feel overexposed, but now it feels like an old friend. Enjoy and imagine you “rule the world”.
What Are You Waiting For? – The Rushes (143): In the vein of Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, and the Bravery, the Rushes are a UK band from London that released this song in 2006. The lyrics are perfect with “everything that you do, you are…what you waiting for” Could only find the video on itunes: the song is on the “Corners EP” on Amazon: What Are You Waiting For?
Dimension – Wolfmother (143): Sometimes you just need a good rocker when you are lifting, and Wolfmother delivers with a nod toward taking you to a new dimension…
Places That Are Gone – Tommy Keene (144): It’s all about moving forward in the new year…let power-pop maestro Tommy Keene (think the DB’s, the Records, R.E.M., Matthew Sweet, the Shoes) remind you that “These are places that are gone, now you can move on and on, back before you knew me well, I was trapped inside a shell”
So Alive – Better Than Ezra (145): I’m not usually a fan of covers, but Better Than Ezra takes this Love & Rockets song and not only speeds up the bpm, but makes it better… “I’m alive, so alive” and “your legs are strong”
Clampdown – The Clash (146): Just another magnificent song by the masterful Clash! This is one of my Clash favorites (from London Calling–#8 on Rolling Stone’s “Greatest Albums of All Time”)…enjoy “You don’t owe nothing, so boy (or substitute “girl”) get runnin’, it’s the best years of your life they want to steal”.

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Best Running Music Videos of 2011

by John on December 20, 2011

Here’s our year-end round-up of our “Running Videos of the Month” for 2011*. There’s something for everybody with alternative/indie songs, rock, R&B, and even rap/hip-hop and “world music”. Every song fulfills our mission of delivering running music with a faster bpm that is either inspirational, about running, or just fun with a great beat. Enjoy and happy holidays…

(*most of the songs below were released in 2011, but not all…we just featured them on Bold Pace Music this year)

10) I Hope This Gets to You (Viral Love Letter) – The Daylights (BPM=150) released as single: I Hope This Gets To You – Single (itunes)

This video was made by Walter C. May and his band, The Daylights, with the hope that it would reach May’s girlfriend virally thru various social networks. She got it (he’s setting the bar pretty high for us guys with this one).

9) Crossed Wires – Superchunk – (BPM=155) Album: Majesty Shredding (itunes)

The dogs usually seem to get all the video love, here’s one for the cats. A “cat cam”…what a concept. Bad Kitty!

8) Bottled in Cork – Ted Leo & The Pharmacists (BPM=145) Album: The Brutalist Bricks (itunes)

Ted Leo on Broadway? The world needed “a half-assed musical that cheapens what they do and embarrasses everyone involved,” especially when those involved include Paul F. Tompkins, Julie Klausner and John Hodgman.

7) Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) – Janelle Monae (BPM=169) Album: The ArchAndroid (itunes)

Janelle Monáe can dance a little, and that’s never been more evident than this wonderfully choreographed video.

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{race report} The Philadelphia Marathon…10 years later

by Monica on December 18, 2011

Wow, this is so overdue! This was my second running of the Philadelphia Marathon on the 10 year anniversary of my first time and first marathon. It was just after 911 so the details of that run are vivid. I have clear memories of a changed and weary world as we all stood there, pre-race, for the national anthem. It felt a little like running this race was a tribute that moment and to the last ten years of pretty consistent running. It still proves to be the factor that keeps me sane and healthy and connected to a great group of people.

The best part of this marathon was the beautiful fall race day. Philadelphia was full of colorful foliage and crisp blue skies. The temperature was perfect. It’s amazing how much you come to appreciate that on race day. It’s like a gift. Philadelphia offers a great marathon course. There are a few hills but nothing too daunting. There is much to look at and the crowd was great. It was a good running day for me –all except miles 20-26 (3:43 finish). I know that what happens in those miles is the heart of the marathon, but I struggled with them unlike I had before. I was crawling. My running LDF Andrea met me at mile 20 and her calm talking and encouragement really helped me to keep going. I can’t help but think age has something to do with it, but after hearing other older runners talk about this (there was a Masters Runners Panel at the Expo), I am now inclined to think it is my training that needs adjustment. I plan to work more on this is the coming year and before another race.

Jean (we are pictured above with Bart) and I (minimally) participated in the Runner’s World Challenge which had some great perks. We loved meeting Bart of course and the other editors from Runner’s World on the shake out run the day before. Their infectious enthusiasm for running and positive energy is great for both beginners and enthusiasts. The pre-race bathroom, no line bag check, warm hang-out room in the Four Seasons Hotel near the start was totally worth the money. Jean did their post-race massage and post race fruit smoothy which sounded like heaven. I would recommend doing the Runner’s World Challenge for any race if it’s in your budget.
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Music for Running: 5K and 10K Running Playlists w/ 150 – 180 bpm songs (7.5 – 8.5 minute pace)

by John on September 24, 2011

Here are two new running playlists that have faster bpm and focus on a 5K race or a 10K race. I went thru a lot of new songs from 2010 and 2011 and mixed in a few older favorites. I had to cut out a lot of music to fit into shorter playlists, so there are some amazing songs below. If you have a 5K or 10K race coming up, I’d suggest just downloading either whole playlist…you won’t be disappointed. As usual, I’ve started w/ some slightly slower bpm and finished with faster ones to focus on negative or reverse splits (read good Runner’s World article on subject).

All songs meet our standard of being either about running, inspirational, or at least fun w/ a great beat. For over 45+ hrs more of music for running and fitness music, go to home page at Bold Pace Music.

As mentioned before…

Running with music that has too slow of a beat can cause a problem with your pace. You may unconsciously slow to the pace of the song. “Eye of the Tiger” is a great motivational song, but at 109 BPM (Beats Per Minute) it is way too slow for most runners. Getting the “right” BPM for your pace may take some trial and error as each runner has a different stride length (which also may vary based on pace). Therefore, these songs were carefully selected for running (but will work well for just running training or exercising) with bpm in the 150 – 180 range. The pace (BPM) starts off slower in first few songs, then builds up to a faster cadence. For a well done chart showing BPM by mile pace for walking, running, and cycling… see Exercise Pacing & Use of Music.

If you’re wondering if music can really help when running or exercising…see what Physician.com has to say. There have been many scientific studies done that prove that music can increase performance, here’s a recent one w/ a video from the BBC.

Got an iphone or use an ipod? Check out this app and software that analyzes your itunes for BPMs and then lets you choose the best running music songs at that BPM from your iphone or ipod…see Cadence

There are 14 songs below with a total playtime of 52 minutes. Enjoy…

5K Running Music Playlist: Indie and Alternative music for running at 160 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 7.5 – 9.0 minutes)

Click here to download songs from itunes

Click below to play samples and/or download songs from amazon:

To get this music, just click on either itunes or amazon playlist above and download either entire the playlist or individual songs. Or see our Amazon store for the very best full albums by artists on the playlists.

Stand Tall – Dirty Heads (158): A great song to get you pumped up before a race or as you are starting out… “So I stand tall, it’s gets a little better, I can see the wall that we can break down together (we can break it down, yes we can make it)”
Lewis Takes Off His Shirt – Owen Pallett (163): This singer/violinist from Toronto has a unique sound on this song that makes it feel like getting lost in a rainstorm and having your “senses bedazzled by the parallax of the road”. Listen for: “I am muscle, I am bone”
Sydney (I’ll Come Running) – Brett Dennen (165): If you take a look at Brett Dennen’s website, he looks like he’s in high school. He actually put out his first EP in 2004, and this song “Sydney” is off his 6th release called “Loverboy”. He’s definitely a talent to watch. This song is perfect for running…enjoy the lyrics: “if you ever need me, call me…I’ll come runnin’ straight to you” “straight from the airport (I’ll come runnin’)…cut thru the customs line (I’ll come runnin’)…” I travel a lot, so I just love this chorus.
Month of May – Arcade Fire (168): If you haven’t yet listened to all of “the Suburbs”, you are really missing out on what I think is one of the best albums of the last 10 years. Here’s another great song from that album that will keep you moving “gonna make a record in the month of May”… a PR perhaps?
Tightrope – Janelle Monae (168): One of Rolling Stone’s 50 best songs of 2010, here’s a very talented woman who breaks down categorizations and crosses over between Rock, R&B, Hip-hop, you name it. Watch the video for this song if you want to see Janelle’s impressive dancing skills. Janelle says: “You either follow or you lead…yeah I’m talkin’ bout you”
Sadie Hawkins Dance – Relient K (168): OK, I know it’s a little sugary, a little too pop, and a little high school…I still love this song. Think back to your high school years and picture being chased by the quarterback and “I took off down the next hall running, only to get stopped by a girl so stunning”. It’s just a fun song to take your mind off any pain you are feeling…keep pushing. Do you like my sweater?
Ten-Twenty-Ten – Generationals (172): One of the Best Songs of 2011 (so far) according to The Wounded Jukebox and influenced by such favs as the Jam, the Kinks, and the Shins, this band knows how to craft a catchy, up-beat tune. It will make you feel like running…
Come On Lets Go – Los Lobos (174): Originally written and performed by Ritchie Valens, this Los Lobos version is destined to motivate.
Heaven’s On Fire – The Radio Dept. (176): This swedish group’s song was on several “Best of 2010″ lists (see Rawkblog: Best of 2010). Listen for…“We’re outnumbered by those who take no pride, in constantly moving against the tide”–you’re taking pride :)
Friday On My Mind – The Easybeats (180): It didn’t get great reviews, but if you love music, you have to see Pirate Radio. I laughed so hard during this movie that my wife was embarrassed for me. This song had a prominent role in the movie and it should lift your spirits on any run.
Hannah – Freelance Whales (180): From the album “Weathervanes” which was one of NPR’s “Best Albums of 2010″. Combining the cleverness of the fast-talking intro and verse with the slower chorus and layered instrumentation gives this song an uplifting vibe. “I’ll work on the limbs if you work on the torso, if it gets too much then you can lend a helping hand”
Please Don’t Stop – Richard Bona (feat. John Legend) (180): [Actual bpm is 90, but if you double and run off the half-beats, it works at 180.] This one was suggested in a comment by db at medrants.com. Thank you db! It’s a little jazzy and certainly has the right idea for a run.
Philadelphia – Standard Fare (180): Here’s a great review of this song and the album “The Noyelle Beat” from Buzzin’ Music. I may be biased on this one, but this is one of my favorites. As I’ve mentioned before, I do a lot of traveling and I live just outside Philadelphia. So, I definitely relate to the chorus “I’m going to have to wait all year to see you again in Philadelphia”
Give It Away – Red Hot Chilli Peppers (184): I doubt that Anthony Kiedis is talking about “giving away” anything that has to do with running, but “what he’s got” is definitely an ATTITUDE and you can use that energy and confidence to finish the race hard… “reeling with the feeling, don’t stop–continue”

10K Running Music Playlist: Indie and Alternative music for running at 150 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 7.5 – 9.5 minutes)

There are 23 songs below with a total playtime of 1.3 hours. Enjoy…

Click here to download songs from itunes

Click below to play samples and/or download songs from amazon:

To get this music, just click on either itunes or amazon playlist above and download either entire the playlist or individual songs. Or see our Amazon store for the very best full albums by artists on the playlists.

I Want The World To Stop – Belle and Sebastian (151): One of Rawkblog’s Best Songs of 2010 and one of my favorite running music bands. Refined, cool, and smooth…this song should get you started off right. “I run alongside rush hour traffic…a prayer for every car”

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{book review} Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook: Good training food for you (and your family)

August 16, 2011

I somewhat reluctantly picked up Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookbook My Father’s Daughter (not your typical cookbook name…not jumping off the shelf for sure) from the library. I thought it might be plagued with privilege from an actress who has Steven Spielberg as a godfather. But I have to admit, I love it. Yes, her kitchen and [...]

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Week 2: RW Challenge for Philly Marathon — running my age

August 8, 2011

It’s already week two of the Runner’s World Challenge for the Philadelphia Marathon. My e-mail from Bart Yasso came this morning and I started to sweat a little. My goal for the Challenge is to adjust my running to my aging body. I am staring down the barrel of the big 50 (49 in Oct…50 in [...]

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{10 Questions} for Cami Ostman author of Second Wind — give-a-way winner!

July 22, 2011

Congratulations to Monique Rubin of Mo Travels who is the winner of the a bold pace give-a-way! Monique is also a runner/writer and world traveler. She is an expat from California that now lives in the Netherlands with her family. Check out her travel/running blog Mo Travels. You can also follow her on Facebook and [...]

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Trying out the Runner’s World Challenge for the Philadelphia Marathon

May 16, 2011

Wow, this running weather is motivating! This morning was cool and crisp and made for a great 8 mile run. It motivated me to pull out my training log and start plotting my course (goal). It’s time to get back to work. I need to get my base mileage up again before the heat sets [...]

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{recipe alert} Ultimate Irresistible Granola

May 11, 2011

[The Ultimate Granola--seen here with blueberries and milk] There is wonderful irony in motherhood when your daughter navigates the kitchen at seventeen with an ease that you never mastered. My daughter effortlessly stirs up new variations on recipes I would never even attempt. It’s an art and I have total respect for her and those [...]

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Best Yoga Music: Yoga workout playlist — alternative, indie, & jazz mix

May 10, 2011

I’m trying to keep up with Monica as now she’s supplementing her workouts with stretching and yoga. OK, she needs good music for that too, right? She tells me that they have the typical new age, mystical music that you would expect at a yoga studio. I decided to look into yoga music and I [...]

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