The Power Playlist - Richard Whitehead MBE

In this bonus episode of RunPod, host Jenny Faulconer speaks with Richard Whitehead, a double Paralympic gold medalist and marathon runner. Richard discusses his preferences for music while running, highlighting the importance of having a strong beat to maintain motivation. He prefers DJ sets from artists like Swedish House Mafia and Tomorrowland, but he also enjoys slower tunes from artists like Sade and George Michael when he needs to ease the pace.

While Richard enjoys music during training runs, he doesn't listen to anything while participating in races. He believes that music can detract from the experience, reducing awareness of surroundings and connections to fellow runners and spectators. Instead, he sometimes opts for mindfulness audio or podcasts before a race to get into the right mindset.

In addition to his music preferences, Richard shares tips on choosing the right earphones for running, mentioning Apple AirPods and over-ear headphones. He stresses the importance of safety when running, encouraging the use of one earphone when needed to stay aware of the environment. He also advises runners to vary their routes and dress in bright colors to enhance visibility, especially when running at night. Richard concludes by inviting listeners to check out his main episode on RunPod for more insights on racing and running in general.