Bold Pace Music

Running Music Video of the Month:

The Distance – CAKE (BPM=91)

At 91 bpm, this didn’t make any running playlists…BUT you just gotta love CAKE! This clever band is always amusing and entertaining and this video is no exception. Take note of the running man’s technique as he grabs the water from the elephant and passes the tiger w/ bib #449. We believe that everyone running a tough race should have people in animal costumes cheering them on.

btw…I’ve yet to find a good Cake running song w/ a 140 – 180 bpm. Closest are “Short Skirt, Long Jacket” -120 bpm and “Never There” – 127 bpm. My favorite is “Love You Madly”, but it is only at 107 bpm. Know one? Please share!

Running Song of the Week:

Bohemian Like You – The Dandy Warhols (BPM=131): #3 song on Playlist #1
This song is early in our first playlist and has a nice, light, and fun tone and vibe. Now that you’re moving in the race you may start to think to yourself “we’re looking pretty cool” and then you’re imagining making friends with other runners “what do you do? Oh yeah, I wait tables too…”.

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What is Bold Pace Music?

It’s all about having great music on a run. All songs on the playlists below were carefully selected for running (but great as fitness music too!). The songs are either inspirational, about running, or just fun w/ a great beat. If you are a marathon runner, you’ll really enjoy the playlists below as they are long enough for a marathon and the BPM (“Beats Per Minute” or the pace of the songs) increases so you can “start slow, finish fast”. If you click on a playlist and go to a post, you’ll see my “rationale” as to why the song was included.

For an explanation of why BPM is important, please see Hella Sound’s “Music and Athletic Performance”. If you’re wondering if music can really help when running or exercising…see what Physician.com has to say.

For a well done chart showing BPM by mile (and kilometer) pace, see Run2Rythym.

Need a music gift for a runner? Take some music below and slip it in with running cards… CD tin notecard sets (disclaimer… Remanents is my wife Monica’s company).

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 version coming soon)

Best Running Music Playlists:

1) Jamie’s Mix: 140 – 160 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 9.5 – 10.5 minutes)

Entire playlist #1: Listen to songs, learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

2) Monica’s Mix: 160 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 7 – 8 minutes)

Entire playlist #2: Listen to songs, learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

3) Jean’s Mix: 140 – 160 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 8 – 9.5 minutes)

Entire playlist #3: Listen to songs, learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

4) Jane’s Mix: 160 – 180 BPM (for runners w/ mile pace of 7.5 – 8.5 minutes)

Entire playlist #4: Listen to songs, learn more about BPM/pace and read commentary on why songs were selected

Running Songs by BPMs:

Here are additional songs that have not made it onto our “best running music playlists” because they didn’t meet one or two of these criteria: 1) about running, 2) inspirational, and/or 3) fun w/ great beat. Songs like “Blister in the sun”, “Loser”, “19th Nervous Breakdown”, etc…all great, but couldn’t quite see them coming up while running a marathon. However, if you are looking for more songs and are not particular about the lyrics…enjoy!

• 140 bpm songs
• 150 bpm songs
• 160 bpm songs
• 170 bpm songs
• 180 bpm songs
• 190+ bpm songs

Favorite Music Sites:

• NPR Music
• The Hype Machine
• All Music
• Daytrotter
• Elbo.ws
• The Music Ninja
• Sound Opinions
• Stereogum
• Rock Birthdays
• Free mp3 music downloads from Amazon

Favorite Running Music Sites:

• Hella Sound
• Lady Southpaw
• Last.fm – Linwood Studios (aka. Jonathan Jones)

Top 5 Running Music Albums:

If you are looking for a full-length album w/ the most up-beat, inspirational running songs, consider one of these…

How Music Can Aid Athletic Performance:

It’s not just about running…works in the gym, on a bike and during a swim too (waterproof ipod review and purchase). Here’s a great video by the BBC (published 7/28/10) that documents a study done on triathletes that shows how music allows for longer training w/ less perception of effort.