Good morning everyone! I’m back from my first day of grad school (lots to say on that, but I’ll wait until after my second full day of classes today!) Yesterday was a busy day – practicum orientation in the morning, and then two looong classes. Plus a little run squeezed in there.
Remember back when I ran my half-marathon? Before I did, I solicited advice for some new tunes to keep me occupied for 13.1 miles.
I just like to show this picture off whenever possible
Back then, my number one training partner was my iPhone, with its snazzy Pandora application. A personalized radio station cranking out 80′s jams? And Miley Cyrus? Yes please!
But then my friend Jamie told me that she runs without music. And I thought that sounded crazy. Until I tried it…
Folks, I might be a convert! Let’s have some background: I have a very active mind. I was the child who lay awake at night, my mind spinning with thoughts from the day and of thoughts for the next day. Not very pleasant some nights!
When I was running without music yesterday, I realized that I had the perfect opportunity to put that mind to work! It spun and spun and entertained me (for the most part) for three miles. I call that a win-win!
What about you runners? Can you run without music?
I can do short runs without music. I transitioned with podcasts. Now I’m just the podcast in my head.
I tried audiobooks and couldn’t do it. Good for you for transitioning!
I love it!! I think that’s the reason that I can run without music, too. I was definitely the child, and sometimes still the adult, that would be awake all night because of my thoughts. I think it’s great that you can run both ways because more and more races are banning headphones!
Seriously, still happens to me every once in awhile / not amusing! But yes, I’m making sure I can run without music in case I have to someday for a race
Total convert. I used to only run with music unless I was with my husband. I have been running mostly in my neighborhood recently so I definitely don’t use music for safety reasons and I’m so very much ok with it. I think it’s helped my running actually. And I never used it for races so why train with it? Every once in a while I think a super upbeat song might help me out during a difficult run, but probably not enough to always be worried about the iPod dying on me
Exactly. Honestly, I first tried it when it was raining one day and I didn’t want to mess up my iPhone. Haven’t gone back since!
Hi Leah! I just stumbled upon your blog and love it! I’m from Nashville and miss my hometown soooo much. But NYC’s pretty awesome for now
. I ALWAYS have to have music on when I run–kudos to anyone who can go noiseless!
Thank you! I’ve definitely been missing Nashville recently. Good thing I’m only 2.5 hrs away now!
I love running without music, experiencing nature and whatever I need to think about to get out of my head. So relaxing. I started going without music because the headphone cords annoyed me, but it truly worked out!
The same thing happened to me – I started one day when it was raining and I didn’t want to mess up my iPhone by taking it with me!
i can run without music if i am feeling pretty motivated. sometimes i just want to zone out into the tunes so i use the music that way. or other times i try to use the music as motivation. so i will start without and then turn it on as a little boost toward the end!
I agree – sometimes I need a boost too! Plus you are clearly running longer distances than me, little miss 50 miler…
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