After reading the posts here I see that my original message should be revised. In addition to psyching up runners, the topic should include music that calms and soothes nerves before a big race. Reasons for not listening to it should be added to the topic as well, though those posts aren't the slightest bit helpful in finding new music ideas.
I personally have never used music as a relaxer prior to races. The occasions I've used it were to release more adrenaline into my system.
XCpotential must be one of the greatest or one of the worst runners in the nation. Either he is so good that nobody, headphones or no headphones can touch him, or he is so awful that he has never even been around a decent caliber race. I've run in NCAA national championships for both track and cross (d3) and seen national d1 and olympic competition. Tons of guys (and a majority of sprinters) listen to music before their races, and this includes some national champions in distance events. I would vote that XCpotential is not very good, and just has some weird thing about being a "distance runner" who is different. Music focuses people, thats why research says listenting to Mozart before SAT's increases performance.
that being said, Eminem's Lose Yourself.
I love this song too Bad Man! Not only does this pump me up for running - but for life in general! It is possible to listen to this song and not experience an elevated heart rate and the release of mad endorphins, not to mention a huge dopey grin?! Too bad George Michael is gay...so hot!
Wake me up before you go-go is a classic, BUT -
For my money I prefer "Wake me up before Kangogo" by the Mormon Tabernackle Choir. They sure do know how to welcome a brother out there.
No question, all you need for pumping up or relaxing is the Milli Vanilli CD!
Now, I know that you read that study claiming that Mozart improves test scores, but that was an extremely flawed study. The test subjects took a test. Then they took the SAME EXACT test again while listening to music. So the second time around, after having one practice test and music they did slightly better. Later tests disproved the theory that music made the test subjects do better. So anyways, if you are going to convince me that music is better, you are going to need to find a new study.
Captain Coke- I know its all in good fun. You think that we are tugging at each others nuts. If you woiuld look closer, you would see that your mother is sandwiched in between us.
Its not flawed. Since they took the SAT's each test contained different questions; as you well know the SAT's are designed to be equally difficult each time you take them. So the average improvement over a wide range of subjects cannot be put down to people already knowing the answers, especially when the test is different.
But disregard that study because running and tests aren't the same (no physical pain during tests no tests of logic in racing, usually) and explain to me how you can rip on people for being mentally weak for listening to music. Plenty of elite athletes in many sports do it; people far more disciplined than you or I, and if you are calling them unfocused then you better have some unreal talent and have demonstrated it on a national stage. I suspect if that were the case you would not waste your time arguing with a moderately (stress moderately) successful D3 runner, or any other chumps like me.
BTO - "Takin Care of Business" ...yeah
Dude, I'm tha nation's largest Magma fan- got something like 160 live recordings, 20 hours of video, hundreds if not thousands of reprinted articles, every CD in every permutation there is, including the Jannick Top Utopic Music series, and wrote the article in Option in 1988. And got to see Christian and band live at Martyr's in Chicago 2 years ago. Attahk is so atypical form Magma, though. I have to go with songs like De Futura (18 min), Kontarkosz (31 minutes), Mekanik Destruktiw Kommandoh (41 minutes, and the offshoot Offering's Another Day (46 minutes)- can do a lot of running to that, me bucko!
I like those Canterbury guys as well- Softs, National Health, Caravan, Egg, etc.
Wayside sells Magma.
XCpotential,
What you said is false. I know this because you are a homosexual, and you, like other homosexuals are scared and timid around womens' sexuality. You're disgusted by it. I don't understand why you would want to be gay, but since you prefer playing on the "Pink Team", keep it up.
I'll tell you right now, no one wants to hear your X-rated, smut inspired, gay porn fantasies. And I don't think people want to know about how my peeps and I pass your mother around day after day, night after night, week after friggin' week. She's a handful, a real sex pot, a legitimate MILF even, but I'll use discretion by keeping the racy, raucous details private.
Now get lost, roach. Before I step on you.
The rolling Stones "Can't ya hear me knockin" or led zepplin "when the levey breaks"
Um, "Captain Coke", is calling someone a homosexual intended to be insulting?
GOO GOO DOLLS - BIG MACHINE, rules
karangasem.
Captain Coke,
We've had alot of Champagne in a Can together, and been over this form of discussion many a time. I am sorry to say, you have become everything you hate.
Unless, of course, this is some big post-modern joke, so in that case, carry on!
Now I wonder who would win at the Steeplechase; Webb, Ritz, or Scotty. . . . .?
Captain Coke, way to go man. That was well put. Once again, your intelligent and classy comebacks have really put me in my place. You really showed with that last post just how great a person you are. I'm sorry I ever questioned how perfect you and your running are. Anyways, sarcasm aside- I think you people are taking my comments WAY to seriously. I prefer not to listen to music close to start time. If you wanna hate me because I feel like I'm mentally stronger for not listening to music before a race-fine. Sorry if I offended everyone so much and made you all cry. I seriously never expected everyone to curl up into the fetal position and cry themselves to sleep after I said that listening to music before a race is for the weak. Get over it people! I don't listen to music and you do. I feel like it gives me an advantage over everyone else. I'm sure you feel that listening to a certain song gives you an advantage over someone else. Can we just leave it at that? Or does Captain Coke once again, have something intelligent to add to this dialogue?
Lose yourself- Eminem
Higher- Creed
You know, it sure is fun to watch Captain Coke tug on XCPotential's nuts. Get over it man, he didn't attack you at any point. You've got some attitude problems it seems. Ease up man.
Ok, this is my last post on this thread because I refuse to waste anymore time talking to a fool like Captain Coke. Anyways, like I said before- I feel that focusing in silence makes me stronger than the competition and gives me an advantage. I'm sure that you all feel the same way about listening to music. You probably feel that it pumps you up and makes you stronger and faster- gives you an advantage over the competition. Now, Captian Cokehead; I suggest you lay off the white nose candy because you are making yourself look ridiculous on this thread. You becoming this upset about someone else disagreeing with you is embarrassing to watch. I'm sorry if you can't handle other people having a different opinion. You know what they say though- if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.
"A MOMENT LIKE THIS" BY AMERICAN IDOL KELLY CLARKSON. There's no other song that touches my heart and gets me in the mood to run than hearing her voice. ahhhhhhhhh
The issue with you XCpotential is not your choice of listening to music or not, I'm not saying either one is better. The problem I have with you is that you are just as ignorant as CaptainCoke if you think not listening to music gives you some sort of advantage over people who do listen. All not listening does is help you, it does not hurt anyone else; and people who listen to music are similarly helped while you are not harmed at all. You may have a mental edge over other competitors, but not all of them, and it has nothing to do with your pre-race routine.
So find out when you think you will "break the competition" during a race; music or no music you can't do it if they are better than you.
You don't know much about running kid if you can't understand that there is no one right way to do something. You have the arrogance needed to be good, but not the appreciation for the sport.