The Unexpected Power of Nostalgia: How ‘High School Musical 3’ Still Fuels Running Motivation

Every December, I’m always surprised to find that my most listened-to song from the past 12 months is the same as it was the previous year: “Scream” from the High School Musical 3 soundtrack, sung by Zac Efron. I typically laugh to myself and feel a tad embarrassed, because why is a track from a Disney musical from my childhood still a staple in my music repertoire? But perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised.

Throughout my years of running, that song has been a constant, the tune that for some reason gets my blood pumping and makes the hardest miles head by in a flash. And it’s something I’ve reflected more on after reading about Harry Styles’s deep connection between the right music and getting lost in a run. I’ve realized that I, too, acquire lost in the music as I tackle my daily runs—except I just get immersed in the tempo of a tune from a 2008 Disney movie.

Finding Your Running Rhythm

It feels silly that a song from one of my favorite flicks as a kid continues to play through my headphones regularly nearly two decades later. But something about the up-tempo, pop-rock beat makes me want to pick up the pace on my runs, or really focus during the toughest parts of a long run. As the song plays in the movie, main character Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) is having a teenage existential crisis over his conflicting loves of basketball and singing. Yet as I’m listening to the song, I’m just trying to dial in for the last reps of a speed workout. As Troy sings (screams?) about his frustrations, I’m watching my average mile pace quicken.

Finding the right song can make running feel effortless, almost like unlocking a new superpower—just ask Styles. “When I started listening to more electronic music, the shift felt just very hypnotic, like oh I’m really lost in this thing,” explains Styles in a recent interview. “It was helpful to my running to get to that place where I felt like I was meditating right there. It makes the time go by in such a different way.”

Research suggests that music can push you into that sought-after “flow state.” Crafting a playlist for your workouts, from zone 2 sessions to long runs, could add to your motivation and turn music into your ultimate training partner.

The Power of a Personal Soundtrack

Sure, I’m not letting loose to the rhythm of electronic music like Styles does. But there’s power in finding that one song that makes the difficult runs a bit easier, the hardest days worth working through and the long training blocks much more enjoyable. For you, your personal run ballad may be a much trendier song, or even a classic pop track. But for me, it’ll always be “Scream.”

You, too, can go deep into the tunes to turn your miles into music-filled moments. Listen to the High School Musical 3 soundtrack on Spotify to find your own motivation, and if you’re looking to develop a consistent run routine that makes heading out the door fun, explore running programs and plans to get started.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year, directed by Kenny Ortega, was released in 2008 and starred Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, and Monique Coleman. The film follows the group as they navigate their final year of high school and prepare for college, culminating in a spring musical reflecting their hopes and fears for the future. Learn more about the film on Wikipedia.