Listening to Songs While Running on the Trail

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 1.55mm, f/2.4, 1/3200 sec, ISO25
“Clouds” Cedar Park, 2021

Today I went for a 7-mile run on the hike and bike path near my house. I really like the longer routes, especially towards the end when I am getting tired. I’ve noticed one change that happens to me when I get mentally fatigued on a run, and that’s that I get more emotional when listening to songs. Today, the songs that hit me were “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears, and “Alison” by Elvis Costello.

I can’t really place what specific emotions arise when I heard these… it was just a general feeling of being moved.

Maybe it’s kind of like a type of runner’s high? I don’t know, but I do know that I enjoy it when it happens.

Here’s one of my Spotify playlists that I often listen to while running.

Tennis at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater

“Tennis” Austin, 2021

Tonight I saw a band I really like play a show at Stubb’s. Tennis was awesome! They sounded great, with Alaina Moore singing perfectly and her husband Patrick Riley’s guitar work excellent.

The setlist was really good, and I got to hear most of my favorite songs. They pretty much spread out the setlist over their entire discography, which I prefer over setlists that just focus on the latest album.

Here’s one of the “oldies” from 2013 that they played:

Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater is a cool place to hear live music. It’s outdoors so if the weather is nice, it makes for a great time. Tonight happened to be clear and in the low 70s so it was perfect. One bad thing about Stubb’s is that people tend to talk a lot during the show, so if you want to just hear the music, you should move close to the front. Otherwise all the talking can get really annoying. I moved around a few times just to get away from loud conversations.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/7 sec, ISO800
“Stubb’s” Austin, 2021

This was the first concert I’ve been to since the pandemic started. The band required negative COVID tests or proof of vaccination, and the staff was indeed checking everyone at the gate. However, I still wore a mask the entire time. (I was one of only a handful people masked up)

I was a little nervous going to the show because of COVID, but I’m really glad I did. It was a lot of fun and I even came home with a new t-shirt. 😄