Beats Per Minute: On The Road, Again. Or Should I Say, The Trail?

Summertime is the season for trail running. Now that training is over and classes are on pause, runners, like me, get the opportunity to waltz in the mountainous terrain and take in the fresh air 

While I’m on the trail, I prefer not to bring my headphones, mainly for my safety but also to immerse myself in the natural sounds around me. But that doesn’t mean I’m not listening to music. Before going out for a run, I always like to have the perfect soundwave to wake me up and ready myself for a morning of possible bushwhacking and great views. My go-to albums are “Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic” by The Sundays and “You and Your Friends” by Peach Pit.

Driving in a canyon itself is entirely refreshing, tie in a good album, and you’ve got a good day ahead of you. “Here’s Where The Story Ends” and “Hideous Towns” with the windows down as you’re climbing the heights of the steepest mountains with the rest of the world behind you is enough to get your spirits up. Possibly as high as the largest peak. The strumming of the acoustic guitar and the jangle-pop, soft vocals of Harriet Wheeler are the recipe for a calm morning run, keeping the heart rate low and making one happy to be moving. “My Finest Hour” is another track that will have you feeling like you belong in the woods and wishing you could leave it all behind you. 

Even on the way down from the canyon, “Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic” sets a perfect tone for an easygoing attitude.

When it comes to those early morning long runs, you can count on “You and Your Friends” to pick you up. Driving alone at 6 a.m. can be hard, but the vocals of Neil Smith as the sun is rising over the trees are the perfect company. With songs like “Puppy Grin” and “Live at the Swamp,” You’ll be tapping your feet, ready and roaring to get out there. There’s something about that indie, surf rock, electric guitar that gets the body moving faster than you can say, “Indie, surf rock, electric guitar.” 

My favorite part about Smith’s vocals is the stability and consistency. A good run needs a good beat, and Peach Pit definitely measures up to that. Even through the dreamlike state of songs, “Brian’s Movie” and “Thursday,” the drive to my run has always been a party rocker, whether I’m alone or not.  

If you’re running this summer, try on these albums for style and thank me later. It gets hot in Utah, but you’re sure to be hotter on that open road with these songs blasting through the speakers.

Hope to see you out there on the trail. Happy running.