Music Moves Us In Every Running Mile | What’s In Your Earbuds?

In the latest episode of What’s In Your Earbuds?, Run Tri Bike’s Joe and Jason remind us that endurance sports aren’t just about heart rate and hydration. They discuss how running with motivational music can move us through every mile. The duo kicks things off with Joe’s unforgettable (and unfinished) experience at the Mohican 100 trail race. Though injury forced him to stop at mile 45, he spent part of the race sharing earbuds—and energy—with fellow runner Derek Sprau, who powered on to finish his first 100-miler.

Their music of choice? High-octane EDM. For Joe, the beat was a boost, a way to fight through fatigue. That story sets the tone for a deeper exploration into how music—whether it’s pounding bass or Springsteen’s grit—can shift our mindset, mood, and even our pace.

The Everyday Athlete 5K Challenge Playlist

Joe and Jason are cooking up something special for July: the Everyday Athlete Podcast Network 5K Challenge. More than just a virtual race, this event is all about community. At the heart of it? A collaborative playlist they’re building together with the Run Tri Bike community.

Their goal is a 60-minute mix that can meet runners at every pace. The current lineup includes artists like Bruce Springsteen, Ellie Goulding, and even a full-on gangster rap setlist from Joe’s last challenge. But the playlist isn’t complete—and that’s where you come in.

Whether you’re fueled by throwback soul or tempo-driven techno, your song picks could help someone find their rhythm on race day. Because at the end of the mile, we’re all in this together.

Introducing Track Tunes: Your Pace + Playlist Analyzer

Have you ever wondered if your playlist helps or hinders your performance? Enter TrackTunes, a smart app that connects Spotify and Strava to analyze how songs affect your running. After a chat with the app’s creator, Dave Hawkins, Joe and Jason are ready to test it during their next 5K challenge.

With TrackTunes, your run data comes with a soundtrack. You’ll see which songs sped you up, which ones matched your stride, and which ones maybe made you zone out. It’s next-level training for the everyday athlete—and it adds a new layer of personalization and experimentation to every run.

Community, Cadence, and Comedy

While the episode is packed with tech tools and training takeaways, the tone stays light, funny, and real. Jason wants more Motown. Joe is now officially Team EDM. Together, they keep the conversation rooted in what makes endurance sports so powerful: connection.

Whether you’re gunning for a PR, coming back from injury, or using running to process life, Joe and Jason show that a shared playlist is more than background noise—it’s a soundtrack to our collective stories.

Your Turn: Contribute Your Power Song

Does music give you motivation and help you run through the wall? Whether it’s a guilty pleasure, a family favorite, or a high-BPM banger, drop it in the comments on YouTube or social. Help shape the 5K playlist and inspire another runner’s next breakthrough.

🎧 Because sometimes, the right track at the right time is all it takes to keep going.

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