The past year have seen a resurgence in my passion for fitness. Watching my good friend compete at a triathlon event last September roused the dormant performance demon within me. Since then, I’ve religiously trained six to eight times a week, designing a loose training program around a couple of basketball leagues.
Since I almost always train solo, music is a necessity I cannot live without. No matter how intrinsically-driven one is, one can use a little musical inspiration.
Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody)
This song is perfect for warming-up or at the early stages of a run. It’s slow enough to keep the speed demon inside you at bay, but perky enough (with its eclectic new wave/post-funk twang) to put a spring on your step.
Santana – Evil Ways
I absolutely love how Greg Rolie’s vocals perfectly blends with Carlos Santana’s hypnotic guitar playing in this track. It certainly helps in setting an even pace. The guitar solo at the end is usually my queue to raise the tempo several notches higher.
Justice – Phantom Pt. II (Boys Noize Unreleased Turbine Mix)
Don’t you dare listen to the Justice original. The Boys Noize Turbine mix is a lot more fun to listen to because of all the bells and whistles (quite literally). If this track doesn’t get your juices flowing, I don’t know what will.
Disclosure – Help Me Lose My Mind
Unless you’re the Energizer Bunny, there comes a point in our daily runs when we turn down the throttle. I usually do this midway as I conserve my strength for the final push at the latter stages. Pay attention to Hannah Reid’s vocals on this one.
Eminem feat. Gwen Stefani – Kings Never Die
Remember that iconic Eminem hit from 8 Mile? Kings Never Die is its spiritual successor. P.S. Watch Southpaw too!
Chvrches – Under The Tide
I’m a big, big fan of this Scottish synthpop outfit. It feels like I’m cruising on a sleek speedboat every time I listen to this.
The National – About Today
The home stretch is where I expend all my remaining energy stores into one last burst of speed towards the (imaginary) finish line. It’s about pushing oneself against taking the easy way out. “About Today” was featured at that intense final scene of the MMA film Warrior (2011).
M83 – Wait
I’ll be lying if I say that TFIOS didn’t introduce me to the best M83 song ever.
It’s a bit slow in building up but once the songs shifts into high gear, expect a fireworks display of drums and synth.
