Click the iTunes button for each song to listen in the iTunes Music Store.
Cooke's Cuts
Megan Cooke has been training on the Women’s National Team, living in Princeton, since the fall of 2003. Last summer in Eton, England, she won a gold medal in the women’s eight and finished fourth in the pair.
When I'm not rowing, my favorite hobbies are spinning records and finding fun music. I love making great mixes for us to listen to while we train. We spend a lot of time erging, running, and weight lifting, and music is usually a big part of our day. So, I’ll be writing a regular feature to bring you the music that I enjoy, music that will get you through your work-out, and might even inspire a better one!
I look for tracks with a good beat, a lot of bass and an original hook. Hate it? Love it? Got something better? Please discuss, recommend or just listen along. You never know, you might find your next favorite song.
-Megan Cooke
Cooke's Cuts - Bavarian Selection
With the U.S. National Team heading off to Munich for the World Championships, what would be more appropriate than a German Cooke’s Cuts?
Cooke's Cuts - July
After a month away, the playlist is back and pumped full of more testosterone than a Tour de France winner. This month’s got the boys on the main stage and their bringing some new material to the act. The latest releases from The Chemical Brothers, Justice, Matthew Dear and Smashing Pumpkins will give everyone something to talk about. And that’s just getting us started…
Cooke's Cuts - May
May’s been good to me. I’ve celebrated a birthday, won a selection regatta, and even gotten myself engaged. In honor of this harnessed girl power, this month is brought to you by all the ladies in my life, or at least the ones in my headphones.
Cooke's Cuts - April
In response to winter hanging on like a marathon Saturday morning practice, this month’s playlist is as dark and gritty as a 2k cough. Sure, I’ve tried to lighten the mood with a little help from Young Love and Shiny Toy Guns, but Busy P and Nine Inch Nails keep inspiring me to do push-ups until I barf. So as spring approaches, tentatively, this mix just makes me want to put my head down and go to work. Perfect.
Cooke's Cuts - March
March, the month of college selection, breaking up stubborn winter ice, and fine tuning the 6k erg test. For those of us training out here at the Olympic Training Center, in Chula Vista, March is pieces, pieces, pieces.
As pair selection begins, I need a good mix to warm me up and get me ready for the action. This month features a hot track from Peaches, new music from Joakim, and a classic that’s appropriate for any starting line.
Cooke's Cuts - CRASH B's Edition
CRASH-B’s are here again.
Just when you think it couldn’t get any colder, it’s time to turn up the heat, in the legs, that is. Here are some of my teammate’s favorite songs to listen to right before they sit ready.
We’ve all done plenty of 2k’s and here’s what we like to hear before putting it on the line. What’s blasting in your ears before you go?
-Megan
Cooke's Cuts - Feburary
With lakes frozen and snow piled high, new music is the only salvation for the winter erging blues. This month brings fun remixes to some old classics including hits by Hellogoodbye, Fatboy Slim and the Basement Jaxx. In honor of Valentine's Day, celebrate with some Sexual Healing. Finish it all off with a room shaking, breath taking hit from Prodigy. Be sure to let me know how this mix rocks your work-out.
So load up your iPod and take some tens, this mix promises to get you through CRASH-B's in style.
-Megan
Cooke's Cuts - January
I’ve got music ADD, I don’t like listening to stuff that’s overplayed and I tend to switch up my current work-out playlists every week. I usually “get over” a song after listening to it about 10 times, so I’m constantly searching for new stuff. I look for tracks with a good beat, a lot of bass and an original hook. Here is my first list of ’07. Hate it? Love it? Got something better? Please discuss, recommend or just listen along. Never know, you might find your next favorite song.
-Megan Cooke
