Running and Music

Most of my running friends have very strong opinions about running with music. Music can pump you up, give you energy, distract you from the monotony of a 16 mile run, and even help pace you! (Check out the apps that will create a playlist based on the pace you are running.) 

But listening to music on a run also presents a safety concern; it’s hard to hear someone coming up behind you if you can only hear Taylor Swift.  Most women know of this safety concern, but it’s true for men, too.  In addition to being aware of other runners, it’s important to be able to hear bikes, cars, thunder, sirens and golfers yelling “fore!” because a runner will pretty much always lose in a battle with a bike, a car, lightening, an ambulance or a rogue golf ball. 

Here’s my compromise:  wear one earbud.  If you do wear two earbuds, keep the volume low.  Your hearing will thank you!

A few songs on my running playlist:

-Walk of Life (Dire Straights)

-A Little Less Conversation (Elvis)

-Rocky theme

-On Top of the World (Imagine Dragons)

-anything by Pink

-Can’t Hold Us (Macklemore)

-Mr. Jones (Counting Crows)

-Lose Yourself (Eminem)

-You Can Call Me Al (Paul Simon)

-Drop the Pilot (Joan Armatrading)

-Road Goes On Forever (Robert Earl Keen)

Dr. Amy Cyr is an assistant professor of surgery and breast surgeon for the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital.  When not working up a sweat with her running buddies, Dr. Cyr is part of the world-class, multidisciplinary team of Washington University medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgeons that specialize in treating all types of cancer at Siteman-St. Peters.  To refer a patient, or to make an appointment, please call the Patient Care Coordination Center at 314-747-3046 (toll-free 877-251-6485) or visit siteman.wustl.edu/refer.aspx.