Virginia Farwell is a veteran Ironman triathlete, rugby player, and Crossfitter. And in today’s post she explores the role that music plays in her world of exercise and fitness…
I am one year away from turning 50, so why compete in CrossFit now?
“The endless quest for love and glory does not fade away with age.” – Patty Larkin
The lyrics above are from a song by Patty Larkin that I try to live each day. That is one of the main reasons I chose to join this CrossFit challenge – the endless quest for love and glory.
I wanted to begin this post with those lyrics because they are from a song and many people like songs or music playing while they workout. However, that is not necessarily so for me.
“What music do you listen to when you workout?”
I never like that question, even though I am asked that question quite frequently. I also see it on many questionnaires for races or profiles. I always leave that question blank. I don’t need music for a workout and a lack of tunes would never stop me from a workout.
A wise person once told me: If you cannot get into your head for an hour or two then something is wrong. Besides which, taking music on a run or a bike ride is just one more thing to prepare and carry along. I believe less is best.
Up until this point in my life most of my “training” has been outside – swimming, biking and running. I never do any of those with music and I believe I never will. The only time I do listen to music is when I am in the gym. And honestly, my taste in music may make some throw up or stop working out altogether.
There is just something special about running down a road and hearing everything around you. I feel safe and I like to listen for birds. It also gives me a chance to focus on my body – i.e., heart rate, breathing, my overall condition. I will admit to singing while I train and humming in the pool (just keep on swimming, just keep on swimming…) And while I am running or biking I usually break into song when something triggers a verse. Just ask anyone who has ridden alongside me for several hours.
The gym is another story and is always filled with music. If I walked into a CrossFit gym and there was no music playing during a workout, I would think the trainers were being cruel or their iPods were stolen. The music in a CrossFit gym is the reflection of the trainers and their tastes, so the tunes give me a perspective on the person pushing me to improve and become my very best.
The music in the gym needs to keep me going through the workout of the day (WOD). I may not know all the songs or artists I hear, but as long as it is loud and has a beat I am just fine. Just get me through the next pull-up or burpee and I am happy.
Just so I can say I told you, here is a sample of some of the music I listen to:
Before a rugby game: Alanis Morissette: “Jagged Little Pill.” That album gets me ready to tackle low all the time!
Before long training rides and runs: Jackson Brown: “Running on Empty.”
When I see others outside biking or running when I cannot, or when I think of all my friends who have made exercise a part of their daily life I hear the tune in my head “Long May You Run” by Neil Young.
Here are the lyrics – which I dedicate to all of you who are thinking about running or cycling or CrossFitting:
Long May You Run…
We’ve been through
Some things together
With trunks of memories
Still to come
We found things to do
In stormy weather
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Although these changes
Have come
With your chrome heart shining
In the sun
Long may you run.
Well, it was
Back in Blind River in 1962
When I last saw you alive
But we missed that shift
On the long decline
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Long may you run.
Although these changes
Have come
With your chrome heart shining
In the sun
Long may you run.
Click here to read about our goal of competing in the 2013 CrossFit Games.
