Thanks for the replies. I read an article a few years ago about a research study that determined a specific BPM (beats per minute) that would produce the ideal running efficiency. Then they selected songs that matched the beat - some strange choices - I'll have to see if I can track it down.
I've also read more recently several runners, prior to this thread, who run to classical music or musical scores. After reading some of the posts, I think I'll give it a try.
I rarely listen to music while I run, but I had the nano with me this morning for the 11 miler. It's funny that you mentioned the BPM, because I certainly felt like my cadence was matching up with some songs better than others. "Vertigo" by U2 and "Morning Glory" by Oasis seemed to be ones that clicked best with me this morning.
For my "Chris' Exercise" playlist, I have about 4 hours of music that I shuffle. My life soundtrack seems to have been set in large part during my college years, so a lot of my playlist is based on rock/alternative artists that were up and coming during the early to mid 90's. The primary exception is U2, by far my favorite band of all time, which I have been a huge fan of since 5th grade (other than, ironically, during the mid-late 90's, but I'll forgive them for Pop and Zooropa). As I recall, this morning's shuffle featured:
U2 - (Vertigo, No Line on the Horizon, Magnificent, Pride, New York)
Oasis - (Morning Glory, Live Forever, Acquiesce)
Mattthew Sweet - (Girlfriend)
Ben Harper - (Burn to Shine)
Gin Blossoms - (Lost Horizons)
R.E.M. - (Superman)
Lenny Kravitz (Are You Gonna Go My Way)
North Mississippi All-Stars (Hurry Up Sunrise)
Drivin' N Cryin' (Lost in the Shuffle)
Hoodoo Gurus (Bittersweet, In the Wild)
Live (Sanctity of Dreams, Heaven)