When I run outside, I typically carry my medical card, my keys, five dollars and my iPod. The last time I ran without music was when I ran the Mississauga Half Marathon in 2005 and it was because I forgot a CD to play in my portable disc player. I’ve always run to music. It’s sort of a love/hate relationship. Love because it takes my mind off the fact that I’m actually running. Hate because I know the length of each song which means I know exactly how many minutes I’ve been pounding the pavement. It would never occur to me to run without music
When I ran the Island Girl last month, I forgot my iPod at home. I seem to have a fatal brain flaw that keeps me from bringing my running music to races. Natalie kindly offered me hers but I decided to give it a go without any music at all. What I discovered is I actually liked it.
I liked hearing my feet hit the pavement, I liked how my mind wandered, and I loved taking in the gorgeous scenery instead of ignoring it while my mind followed music lyrics.
I don’t know if I would do it all the time but I think every once in awhile, it’s good to take away the distractions and appreciate what your body can do and what’s going on around you.
Try it. Run naked and let me know how it goes.
Health card. Right. I should probably bring that along with me…
I only run naked when I’m running with someone. We just chat the whole time (me, whilst gasping for air). When I run alone I listen to music. Someone recommended a running podcast to me recently called Another Mother Runner. I listened to one while mopping the floors. It was funny and informative. I will eventually listen to one on a run.
I actually have a hate-hate relationship with running and I need a distraction from the blood, sweat and tears. Music is my motivator. Plus I tend to run indoors for the most part so the music drowns out the deafening shrieks of my children. But I can certainly appreciate that there is a certain tranquility to running naked. Maybe some day…
I always ran “naked”…because I ran before there were MP3 players or even Walkmen (Walkmans?). I started running at age 8, and I’m 49 very soon, so you do the math. I used to write school papers in my head while i ran, have arguments with people who ticked me off, etc. Now that there are all these easy ways to listen to music, though…I don’t run anymore! Skating is way easier on the old bod. And I only listen to music when skating on trails; too much else to focus on when skating on the oval. That’s one big difference between long track and running…in running, you can let your mind wander; in skating, you have to think about every second of every muscle movement.
Wow…you’re really muddy! I don’t run. So I can’t tell you if I’d like music or not. I think if I didn’t have music I would be listening to the sound of my own soul dying a little. So…it’s probably a very good thing I’m not a runner?
I’ve tried it and I don’t like it. All I hear is my heavy breathing. And not the good kind.