Runnin’ to the Jammiez
Pick your jammiez and start running.
Finally, after about a 2 year break, I started running regularly again. I bought some shoes, read GL’s post, and just did it. It feels great.
GL made a lot of excellent points(because he is THE MAN), but I disagreed with his opinion on music while running. His rule number 3 states “Do not run with music. It is unsafe if near traffic, also: unplugging is important!” While I do agree that it is unsafe near traffic, if you are in a controlled running environment I think that listening to an album while running can let you escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and really let you hone in on the music and your run. GL goes on to state that if you have to listen to music, choose something that will give you “chills.” Thus finding the perfect running music has been my goal for the last month and a half. Below have been my experiences with various sub genres and bands.
Sick of it All – Scratch the Surface
Assessment
The run started out nicely. Then all hell broke loose. During the first chorus of “No Cure” I commenced to Pickin’ Up Change for the first mile. This soon became a full body workout as I wove in and out of the Classic NY Style, The Gorilla and occasionally the Creepy-Crawly. In the end I somehow ended my 3 mile run with a Glorious Pile On and an aching body. Afterwards I created a bond of brotherhood with the runners around me. From that day on I had their backs and they had mine. We were a force to be reckoned with.
Verdict
I’ll have to save this one for the days when stress relief is needed most. My back is still sore.
Noble Beast – Noble Beast
Assessment
A mighty dragon of steel erupted from the sky and bore me onwards into victory, raining hellfire as we passed over the battlefield, leaving everything in ruin. With my mighty sword of steel I clove our enemies’ helms in twain. Nothing remained as we laid waste. I crushed my enemies. I saw them driven before me. I heard the lamentations of their women.
Verdict
TRUE GLORY! FEEL THE POWER!
Sleep – Dopesmoker
Assessment
Well, I started to run but somehow I kept slowing down. Not in a natural progression either. I mean I seriously slowed down. My heart rate dropped to bradycardia levels. I’m not even sure if I was moving the whole time, I just remember the colors I saw. And they were moving, so maybe I was moving too… And I saw smoke. Smoke leading off into a distant land. I followed the smoke, so maybe I was moving. Then again, maybe the world was moving. It was hazy. I couldn’t tell if my physical exertion was clouding my vision or if it was something else. When the album was over I noticed I was only a few steps away from my starting point.
Verdict
I didn’t accomplish much, just listened to Dopesmoker for the thousandth time.
Immortal – Pure Holocaust
Assessment
After a quick warm up my body was feeling limber, loose and ready to go. I started the album and took off. After my first 1/2 mile my legs started to stiffen up a bit. It seemed normal; I was still getting back into the running process so I didn’t pay any mind to it and pressed forward. Then I noticed the temperature starting to drop, getting colder every second. Another 1/2 passed and my teeth were chattering, my arms were barely moving, and the wind had picked up extensively. I pressed through another 1/4 before ice drops started falling into my face and blurring my vision. I had no clue what was happening but I had to keep going, it was far too cold to stop moving. I felt the tingle of numbness in my feet. After the 1 mile mark my feet felt dead and my legs stopped moving. As I looked down I saw they were covered in ice. I was being Frozen By Icewinds. I had to stop the album and allow my legs to thaw before I could carry on.
Verdict
A little chilly, but it gave me the extra push to keep going and not stop.
Napalm Death – Scum
Assessment
Have you ever done a High Intensity Interval for 33 minutes? Have you ever run a mile in 3.5 minutes? Have you ever bitten the head off of a sewer rat for energy during a run? Have you ever started a run as one person and finished as someone completely different? Have you ever gotten into a sociopolitical discussion with your surroundings during a run? Have you ever licked the bottom of your running shoes? Have you ever attacked unsuspecting fellow runners? Have your kneecaps ever exploded after a run? Have you ever seen a grown man naked?
Verdict
I suffered, but why?
Mortiis – Født Til å Herske
Assessment
As I trudged through the dungeon I heard a faint noise ahead. A roll of my d20 for perception allowed me to smell the bugbear 30 yards away. My keen elf senses aided me to loose one arrow in its direction and my +10 arrow struck true. As the path winds into the darkness the slight incline told me I had reached the heart of the mountain and would soon find the Palace of Drakmir, my final destination. The light emanating from ahead grew stronger, and I entered a great cavern, the Palace in its center. After years of searching it was within my grasp, the Jewel of the Palace of Drakmir.
Verdict
Wait, I was running?
Manowar – Into Glory Ride
Assessment
Many posers were slain that day.
Verdict
Many posers were slain that day.
Power Metal and Black Metal works best for me when it comes to everyday running, despite my love for Doom and Dungeon Synth. When I need the extra mile though I am going straight for my Hardcore and Grindcore collection.
What are some of the artists and albums you like to run to?
