Block rocking beats- who needs them?

01/09/2026

Manchester Mind's Peak District Challenge Team (most of them) posing in the sunshine and smiling. Right to left, Danielle, Darren, Craig, Sian and Markie. (Craig is smiling on the inside)

What music do you want to listen to when out running or walking? This is an under-appreciated and highly personal aspect of planning and preparation for a challenge walk. And one not everyone will agree with. As a team of Manchester Mind Staff and Trustees prepare to take part in trail races and ultramarathons. We dive into the physical and psychological boosts listening to music can give you. And also start to build our own ultramarathon playlist.

For some, the sounds of nature are enough. It can be argued that clamping on a pair of earphones (or popping in a set of earbuds), can cut you off from the wider environment (especially when walking/ running on or near busy roads). You may also miss the opportunity to chat to fellow competitors along the way.

On the other hand, you might actually want to avoid chatting to fellow competitors along the way!

But here are a few more reasons why you may want to listen to music when exercising outdoors.

The sciency bit

Studies have shown that listening to at music at different tempos can influence your body’s autonomic nervous system, which controls your involuntary body functions (heart rate and breathing)

Fast Tempos (120+ BPM): Accelerate your heart rate and increase alertness by stimulating sympathetic nerves and releasing adrenaline

Slow Tempos (60–80 BPM): Lower your heart rate and promote calmness by increasing parasympathetic activity and reducing physiological stress

Cardiovascular Synchronization: Your body naturally tends to synchronize its breathing and heart rhythms with a steady musical beat, a process known as entrainment.

Perceived Exertion: The act of listening to music can distract you from internal signs of exertion and fatigue. Studies suggest this is more true for lower intensity exercise, as the exertion rate grows you will still feel the effects.

Dopamine up, cortisol down: Listening to your favourite music releases dopamine, increasing motivation and satisfaction. At the same time it can lower your cortisol (the stress hormone) levels. Decreasing the strain on your system.

The emotional bit

Taking part (walking or running) in an ultra-marathon can be an intense emotional experience. An ultra-distance event is defined as any event above marathon distance (26.2 miles).

Nerves start to build in the days before the event. On the day excitement increases as you wait for the start and carries you through the first few miles. Then periods of doubt, strain, and worry can develop as the distance unfolds, the weather changes or your carefully prepared plan for the event crumbles in the face of reality.

Anger, sadness, and self-doubt are frequently experienced emotions during extended endurance events.

Alongside the lows, there will also be highs from spending time in nature, dopamine hits from exercise, and for the lucky few exercise-induced euphoria (runner’s high), and the deep satisfaction of challenging yourself and completing any event at these distances.

Generally speaking the positive emotions massively outweigh the negative experiences, otherwise no-one would sign up for a second ultra.

Developing emotional resilience, as much as physical capability, is a significant part of preparation. And music can be a part of the toolkit that gets you going and gets you through both in the training period and during the event itself.

The Manchester Mind-Peak District Challenge- Playlist

On Friday 18th and Saturday 19th September a team from Manchester Mind will be taking part in the Peak District Challenge ultra-marathons. To help us all get moving, and to lift us when we start to flag, I asked the Manchester Mind Peak District Challenge team for three tracks they’d put on a playlist for the event.

1) Which track get’s you going? Gives you a beat to move along to?
2) What’s your song for the dark times? Which track will help you when you’re struggling?
3) What music do you want to cross the finishing line to?

Here’s what everyone said:

Craig

1) Rasputin – Turisas
A Russian rock cover of the Boney M disco-era classic Gets the blood pumping, and the feet stomping (those Russians!)

2) Do You Realize – The Flaming Lips.
Swirling and lush orchestration gives this track an uplifting feel. The lyrics are a more sombre reflection on our small place in the universe.

3) There She Goes My Beautiful World – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, with the London Community Gospel Choir.
Beautiful noise.

Danielle

1) I’m Gonna Be (500 miles)– Proclaimers
Pretty annoying but I know I’ll be in that giddy mood, ready to get going, setting off with gusto. Good strong pace I’d say too.

2) Run To You– Whitney Houston
Struggled with this one, do I go uplifting, or do I embrace the darkness with a solid power ballad.

3) On Top Of The World– Imagine Dragons
Cheesy but it reminds me of good times and feeling like I’ve achieved something

Darren

1) Can’t Stop The Feeling– Justin Timberlake
Pop music to pump myself up. (And from one of my favourite films- trolls)

2) Carry Me Through– Maren Morris
I use this to pull me through dark times all the time. I love the line ‘I’m still the one who has to choose to carry me through’

3) Hallelujah – Happy Mondays
Feel that this might be the general vibe.

Ethan

1) Pioneer-Digital Plastic Sound– 1tbsp
Anything electronic with a 130-140 bpm sets the pace right and keeps the energy up out the gate. This type of metronome soothes my brain for some reason.

2) Numb– Gary Clark Jr
When it gets tough I might have to stick on the Swamp rock playlist. Pretty apt as my feet will be numb. Need some Riffs to distract from tired legs.

3) Sledgehammer– Peter Gabriel
I associate this with dopamine hits from finishing challenges. Feels like the bassline will pair nicely with endorphins on the way home.

Markie

1) Judas– Lady Gaga
The beat of Judas and most Lady Gaga songs are just perfect to keeping pace and rhythm whilst absolutely slaying a diva strut.

2) Unstoppable– Sia
Unstoppable – say no more really – “I’m a Porsche with no breaks, I’m invincible…” If a powerful song like that doesn’t get you motivated nothing will.

3) How You Like That– Black Pink
Black pink and K-pop in general gives me victory vibes. I can imagine myself cracking out some dance moves after 50km when hearing a K pop song as we cross the finish line

Ruth

1) Once in a Lifetime– Talking Heads.
Cos David Byrne’s a genius and I frequently ask myself “how did I get here?” I’m choosing this as my first song because I don’t want to go too quickly right off the bat, and not leave enough energy for later.

2.Stand Up and B Strong– Prince (from the Welcome 2 America posthumous album)
The whole album got me through some dark times in 2021, and this one in particular brought me courage and joy. Plus I can sing along, and singing will always get me through rough bits.

3) Slam– Pendulum
I’m stuck on my final one, but I’ll probably go for some drum and bass as that’s what I usually listen to when I’m running a race… so it’ll help pick my speed up even and leave me feeling uplifted even if I’m knackered.