A lot of triathletes don't like to listen to music when they're running. They like to hear their feet, hear their breathing – that really helps them. It depends on the person. I didn't run with music today. Sometimes you just want to run – be alone with your thoughts.
But I use music a lot, often for distraction. Not focusing on how much I might be hurting when I'm running hard, focusing instead on the music. Maybe Bruce Springsteen, who I've just seen in concert. Born To Run makes sense. I've got a lot of Blondie on my iPod. Anything by Black Eyed Peas is good for running. I might stay out a bit longer if I've got some good songs on that I want to listen to.
Sometimes I might put on a certain song for an "effort"; an "effort" is a crucial part of a training session, when you increase your pace. Something like Fire by Kasabian. I know how long the song lasts, and how much time I've left in an "effort".
I don't tend to listen to music when I'm out on the bike. You can't always hear the cars coming up behind you. But indoors my husband Mark and I work on something called a turbo trainer. You put your bike on it and it keeps you stationary. You basically cycle in the house. Mark's my trainer, and he loves AC/DC. I've grown to like them too – I've been forced. That's all we'll listen to on the turbo trainer. I have no choice in the matter. I suppose my favourite is It's a Long Way to the Top. It has some resonance with the triathlon.
So I associate different bands with different phases of the triathlon, but I haven't tried swimming to music yet. Actually, I have a waterproof iPod someone gave me. Might be time to give that a go.
HELEN'S PLAYLIST
■ Blondie Atomic
■ Kasabian Fire
■ Bruce Springsteen Born to Run
■ AC/DC It's a Long Way to the Top
