Disclaimer: I received the Aftershokz Trekz Titanium headphones to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
Hi everyone! It’s Friday, which means that it’s time for another Friday Five Linkup with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney! I have to admit, when it comes to running with music, I’m kind of a newbie. I always learned that I shouldn’t run with headphones in my ears because I won’t be able to hear traffic, bikes, or wild animals. So it wasn’t until I starting running with my coworker that I started running with music. We both were out doing long training runs together and needed extra motivation, so I turned up the volume on my phone and played it loud enough for both of us to hear. It worked really well, and we ended up strategically playing certain songs on the toughest portions of the run to motivate ourselves to keep going. If you’re looking for some songs for your own running playlist, here are my top five favorite running jams:
1. Beyonce – Run The World
2. Britney Spears – Work Bitch
3. Lil Jon – Turn Down For What
4. Missy Elliott – Get Ur Freak On
5. Nelly – Hot in Herre
Ok, so you can probably tell that I’m all about 2000s hip hop (Nelly is my favorite!). I also always include some TI, Drake, Kanye, old school Will Smith, and some R. Kelly in there as well. My favorite way to end a long run is with “I Believe I Can Fly”. Try it, it’s epic!
What I wish I would have known while training for long races last year is that there is one type of headphones that is safe to wear while running. They’re the Aftershockz Trekz Titanium wireless headphones, and they’re amazing! These headphones use bone conduction to play music instead of the usual earbuds. What is bone conduction? The Aftershockz website says, “Bone conduction technology delivers music through your cheekbones, ensuring ears remain completely open to hear ambient sounds.” This means that the headphones allow me to listen to music while leaving my ears open to hear everything around me. In Alaska that’s huge because we have moose and bears on our running trail, and I need to be aware of my surroundings at all times if I want to make it home in one piece!
I was incredibly lucky to be able to try these out on a few of my recovery runs before my most recent re-injury, and I was in love! The headphones are pretty comfy. You can feel them, but they’re not annoying like the ones that fit in your ears. I always feel like those are about to fall out of my ears, so I loved that I didn’t need to mess around with these or try to carefully put them into my ears. As I ran, they stayed in place. I honestly won’t use running gear that needs constant adjustment (hence why finding the perfect headband is a NIGHTMARE) so once I knew these would stay in place I knew they were a win! Plus my arms are always hitting the cords on my headphones, and I didn’t have to worry about that with the Trekz Titaniums because they’re wireless.
Even when I was injured, I was able to use these while hiking and felt super safe. And they were great at the gym when I was on the treadmill and the bike. I know that the next time I train for a long race, I’ll be grabbing these to use out on the trails! And on the website they show someone safely using these while riding a bike, so I might try that out on low volume once I’m more comfortable riding outside (I don’t ride on the streets, so all I need to watch out for is other bikes and possible moose on the paved bike trails). One of my favorite things about them is that they come in a nice carrying case, so I won’t lose them in my gym bag like I do with my regular headphones. And there’s no cord to get tangled up! Overall, I highly recommend trying these out if you’re serious about listening to music but want to stay safe while running outdoors. Check them out here if you want a pair! Use the code BIBCHAT to get 20% off any product on the Aftershockz website until April 26!
What song do you think belongs on everyone’s running playlist? What’s your usual “end of the long run” song choice? How do you listen to music while you run?
Mom in the Mtns 
Burn by Ellie Goulding deserves to be on everyone’s list! It’s an awesome song to get you through those hard times!! 🙂
Oh yeah! That one always gets played in spin class and I love when it comes on!
Haha, I don’t know if I would be frightened or excited to see a moose on a trail. Are they dangerous? I’ve tried different types of headphone and there is only one type that I keep coming back to. I wouldn’t mind giving these a try though.
Yeah, moose are super dangerous. They will chase you down and trample you if you get in their space bubble or if they have babies. I’ve accidentally come pretty close to a few while running and got lucky that they didn’t want to chase me! I used to use Yurbuds before I got these, but I hate the cords and the fact that I always lose the little rubber parts that go inside your ear. I’d always get to the gym and realize I was missing one and could only listen with one ear!
I am a huge lover of music and have all of the sogs you listed on my current playlist! My “go-to” song has always been Lose Yourself by Eminem.
Don’t hate me, but I’m not an Eminem fan! I’m glad we have other song choices in common though. I feel like all my favorite songs that motivate me are ones from like 10 years ago!
Won’t Back Down by Eminem and Pink is my go to song!
Everyone is suggesting Eminem! Sadly I’m not really a fan, but his music is definitely motivational for pushing hard.
Til I Collapse by Eminem, Last Resort by Papa Roach, and Fight Song are the best way for me to finish a run strong. I bet I Believe I Can Fly is a good motivator-adding it to my playlist now!
Awesome! It’s super slow but amazing for when you realize you only have two minutes left in a run/race and you want to finish strong!
Those are all pretty fun songs! I kind of dig those hip hop songs too. I found a station on the radio last night that had hip hop and my five year old requested a dance party 🙂 I have to admit I don’t run with music. For me it is my time and I need that silence. It is also a safety issue too. I always like to be aware of my surroundings. Happy Friday!
I’m totally with you! 95% of the time I’m running outside I’m not listening to music at all. I love being able to hear the ocean as I run along the coast, or the creek if I’m running across town. Plus I’m just so nervous about the moose. But on long runs I find that I need something extra, which is either music or a buddy to run with. On a treadmill though, I totally need either music or TV to get me through it!
Love me some Turn Down for What! My pace always picks up a little when that song comes on1
Haha I felt so silly adding it because it’s a ridiculous song, but it seriously works! It’s great for speed work or hill repeats!
I only listen to music on runs not longer than 8 miles. For long runs I find it distracting.
When I listen to music while running, it is not very loud so I can hear what is going on around me.
My favourite one on my Ipod is
Dione, Runaround Sue
I just love that song!
That’s so interesting! I’m the total opposite when it comes to long runs. I need all the distractions I can get!
Oooh!! those headphones look pretty cool!!
I do listen to music when running, and I think an excellent running song is Fighter by Christina Aguilera!
That’s a good one! I think I may need to add that to my list!
I use Yurbuds but these new ones I have are a tad on the irritating side. Those look great! I had Work Bitch on my rotation for a long time but somehow I don’t ever since I got a new phone. Hmmm.
You need to put that back on there! It’s such a good song when you’re running a really hard workout!
I don’t run with music but love hearing Djs and bands during races. Those are all great songs!
So true! When I hear music in the distance it always makes me run faster!
Love all those older hits. My playlist is filled with more older music than more recent tunes.
Mine too! I feel like I’m still in college in my iTunes library 🙂