It’s almost Sun’s Out, Guns Out weather for most of the country, so if you’re looking for some new motivation to get you out and moving, we’ve got you covered. Check out this round-up of the best military cadences to run to as you chase down your summer bod dreams.
What the heck is a cadence, anyway?
Well, the Army says there’s more to a cadence than just left-right-left. Wikipedia defines a cadence as a “call-and-response work song sung while running or marching.” Ask anyone who’s worn the uniform and they’ll tell you that a cadence is partly used to motivate, and partly used to infuriate. Just imagine getting to what you think is the end of a long run only to have a cadence start all over again. Try doing that for 10 or 12 miles and you’ll probably end up with some serious opinions about cadence running.
Be that as it may, we’re sure that these cadences will help get you moving, pounding the pavement and enjoying the fresh air. So whether you’re training for the 47th United States Marine Corps Marathon, the (way easier) Army Ten-Miler or just want to get into shape, we’ve got a cadence for you.
Use these cadences to create an easy 10-mile running playlist that will get you ready for, well, just about anything.
Let’s Get Running!
We recommend you start off your run with an easy, heart-string-pulling cadence like The Ballad of the Green Berets. It’s not a traditional call and response, but it’ll definitely get you motivated to move.
Here We Go is a classic cadence that will push you through the next leg of your miles. It’s even better if you can sync your run to the beat. Oh, and we definitely recommend listening twice – that way you’ll run a mile without even realizing it!
Alright, miles one and two are done. How easy was that?
Another classic, 1 2 3 4 Hey is some of the best running music around. What’s not to love about counting off? This one is a little short, so you’ll need to repeat it a few times to make a mile.
Airborne Ranger, Where Have You Been? is a cadence that’s been around for a long, long time. It’s 3 minutes and 31 seconds of solid call-and-return, sure to get you moving.
If you’ve replayed these last two cadences a few times, you might be done with miles three and four by now. You’re cruising along!
Miles Five, Six, and Seven
Dig deep here because these are always the hardest miles. Your initial surge of “Hey, this is fun,” is totally gone and you still have a while to go. Good thing the Marines can get you charged.
1 2 3 4, the Marine version, is only two minutes long, but the cadence is swift and moves fast. Play this one four times and poof! Another mile is done.
I Feel Alright Now reminds everyone who listens that “I can run all day and run all night now,” so yeah, there’s that. This one is also just two minutes long, so get in sync with the 82nd four times over and you’ll have mile six done.
The Navy’s 1 2 3 4 version is perfect for the last leg of this run … unless you’re not in the Navy. In which case, you might get a little heated by some of the, erm, opinions, the Navy expresses early in the cadence. Either way, this will push you for mile seven for sure.
Miles Eight and Nine
You’re nearly there!
For mile eight: Lean and Mean by the U.S. Army Infantry is only one minute, forty-one seconds long, but if 11 Bravos can run it, so can you.
Mile nine: Pick up your page and call out along with his homage to The Bearded Ninja. Chuck Norris deserves all the cadences, just saying.
One More to Go
No Pain, No Gain – Marines save us again with this cadence. It’s another short one, but it’s enough to push, push, push.
And there you have it. Ten miles, ten cadences. You’re well on your way, now. Have you ever tried running and talking at the same time? It takes serious cardio skills! No wonder these cadences have stood the test of time. Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.
Looking for more great cadences? Check out this post.