BPM for snails?

[Sara_Wales]

Hi there,

I usually run to the NHS podcasts... but I'm thinking of switching to the app to play my own music. Should I be aiming for a particular bpm for the music, as a newbie who runs at a snails pace?

If so, should I keep to the same bpm for the whole of each run? and until the end of the programme? Or should ramp I the BPM up each week?

Thanks in advance for any tips!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Do you know what cadence you run at? Matching to that would make sense. If you don’t, then running another on the podcast while using something like Strava would give you the required information.

[Sara_Wales Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thanks very much for the tip. I think my garmin app records cadence, I'll check it out. 👍🏻🙂

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I run to my favourite music which is everything from baroque choral to heavy metal and it is a great way to avoid being dictated to by your music.

Nothing like a bit of laid back reggae for a long slow run............

[Sara_Wales Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

My music taste is pretty eclectic too. I do love a bit of reggae!

I'm a bit nervous about switching to the app, in case of any glitches... but it would be good to listen to something I can enjoy rather than endure! I'll give it a go on my next run. Thanks.

[juliemacd1 Graduate]

I run (slowly) to my favourites. Except first track on after warm up walk was too fast and it nearly messed up my wk9r3 final graduation run!

Rather listen to what I like than have to listen.

But I know it is helpful to others..

[Sara_Wales Graduate in reply to juliemacd1]

Tried my own music this morning.... much better! 👍🏻🙂

[juliemacd1 Graduate in reply to Sara_Wales]

that’s great! Keep on going!

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

I switched to the app so I could play my own music at about week 5 and I’ve got to say the music has got me through the tough runs. I began listening to some favourites and found ‘Happy’ by Pharell just matched my stride so I googled it and found it was 160bpm. Then I filled a playlist with 160bpm tunes and it’s perfect to help me slip into a comfortable pace. I switched things about a bit for a few runs but now it’s great. I start out walking to ‘let’s go for a little walk (under the moon of love) by Shawaddywaddy. The last tune of my run is Queen’s don’t stop me now and then when I’ve finished my warm down walk and reach the car I hear take that’s back for good 😂 All coincidental I should add. It’s really helped me so I’d say switching to the app and perfecting the playlist is definitely worth it.

[Sara_Wales Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

I switched to the app this morning... no glitches, and found it much better!

I started to put together a running playlist last night and set it to random selection this morning. Ended up with some Ram Jam, ELO, Blondie, George Harrison, Radiohead (Paranoid Andoid - great song, but think I might remove that, it's a tad long/slow), Cyndi Lauper, and Toto.... it definitely helped me lose myself a lot more than the podcast music. Going to add to the playlist some more this weekend. 🙂

[chunkypie Graduate in reply to Frizzbomb67]

It was worth joining this site just to hear someone mention "Shawaddywaddy" 😄👍

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate in reply to chunkypie]

I googled tunes with 160bpm and it popped up. Too good to miss! It makes me laugh every time 😂 In fact my whole playlist is like a cheesy wedding party 😂😂

[Sara_Wales Graduate]

I have a natural tendency to walk at a speed that matches music tempo .... even if just walking down the high street, I find it's really difficult not to match the music coming out of shops! So, thanks for your tips 👍🏻🙂

[Frizzbomb67 Graduate]

Glad to hear it went well. You sum it up well when you say it helps to ‘lose yourself’. That’s exactly it for me. I lose myself in the music and forget about my aching legs, for a little bit anyway 😂.

[chunkypie Graduate]

I've been using the bbc sounds app and been listing to the pace setter rap download. I find it's just right for my pace

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to chunkypie]

Hi - that sounds a fab idea ... where do I find this please?

[chunkypie Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

I have an android so it's in the Google play store. I found it accidentally. Guessing theres a link somewhere on the bbc website. Loads of podcasts music, comedy. It's the only thing on my phone where the sound levels are ok with the c25k app 👍

[Tinytears60 Graduate in reply to chunkypie]

Ah ok - will try find it.. it sounds perfect for holding pace on the runs- thanks 🙏🏻

[chunkypie Graduate in reply to Tinytears60]

Links here bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06q9h6q

[Jigsaw123 Graduate]

If you down load Spotify (free version) you can search for running playlists then you select one that matches your BPM🏃‍♀️

[Sara_Wales Graduate in reply to Jigsaw123]

Top tip, thank you, I'll do that! 🙂