Inspirational Running Music

I’ve been getting into my running in a pretty big way in recent months, and I always find the miles tick by much faster if I’ve got a good soundtrack to keep me company. I’m calling upon the Dope’s many, many athletes & music enthusiasts to help me put together the definitive musical companion for the long distance runner. Here’s what’s on my iPod at the moment:

  1. Shipping up to Boston - Dropkick Murphys.
  2. No Cars Go - Arcade Fire.
  3. Mr. Brightside - The Killers.
  4. C’mon, C’mon - The Von Bondies.
  5. Hands Open - Snow Patrol.
  6. The L.A. Waltz - Razorlight.
  7. Chariots of Fire - Vangelis (gotta be done, really).
  8. The Racing Rats - Editors.
  9. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen.
  10. Panther Dash - The Go! Team.
  11. Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey.

What would you put on your definitive running compilation?

Watch Us Work It - Devo

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk

I don’t know if you seen this yet, but if you like that song it’s worth checking out (Youtube video.)

‘Attack’ by System of a Down is good for the sprint finish.

Pump it Up - Elvis Costello

The Rocky Soundtrack compilation.

Fight the Good Fight, by Triumph

I’d also consider:

Radar Love, Golden Earring
Running on Empty, Jackson Browne (no, really, and it was in *Forrest Gump * when he was doing his running thing)
Gloria, Laura Branigan

You are entirely welcome to download and listen to my home-composed MIDI file “The Runner”

Runaway by Bon Jovi
Lose Yourself by Eminem

If you’re going for a distance run, the studio cut of Run Like an Antelope by Phish would be a good selection – it has an extended jam in the middle that’s well paced, and a section at the end that rocks fairly hard without increasing the tempo. If you’re putting it on a mix and intend to go running, though, be warned: the studio version off their album Lawn Boy runs 9:52, so this could cover a major segment of your workout!

Another obvious one is “Gonna Fly Now” from Rocky.

Highway to hell AC/DC
Maniac Michael Sambello
Footloose Kenny Logins

Road to Nowhere – Talking Heads