Alternative to music while running

macgrub

Hi. I run for about 45 minutes, 4-5 days a week. As you can imagine, listening to tunes can get monotonous. Sometimes I listen to podcasts and/or the radio but I'd like an alternative. Has anyone ever tried to be productive, I.e. language lessons etc while running, or anything at all that's an alternative to the same tunes.
Thanks all

rom

Marathon talk

RayCun

Podcasts for me. When I was training for my first marathon, I listened to a lecture series from Harvard about the US civil war, there's loads of similar ones.
Language lessons aren't great (I did try a couple of times) because you should be repeating the pronunciation of words. Not always easy to do on a run, and you feel like an eejit.

macgrub

RayCun wrote: »

Podcasts for me. When I was training for my first marathon, I listened to a lecture series from Harvard about the US civil war, there's loads of similar ones.
Language lessons aren't great (I did try a couple of times) because you should be repeating the pronunciation of words. Not always easy to do on a run, and you feel like an eejit.

very true.:)

I would love to be more productive (in my mind) with all of the time I use running each day.

What's marathon talk?

RayCun

http://www.marathontalk.com/

matrim

A friend of mine likes to listen to audiobooks while he does his long runs.

statss

I've started using the Rickey Gervais Xfm podcasts, make the time fly and you get funny looks of people when your busting a gut and laughing at the same time.

YFlyer

Silence

macgrub

matrim wrote: »

A friend of mine likes to listen to audiobooks while he does his long runs.

This is a good idea but might work out expensive.

macgrub

YFlyer wrote: »

Silence

Tried that. At first, it's refreshing. Then I just get bored. I need something to distract the head.

coalshed

I've listened to several audio books while running. Depending on where you live there may be some great books available for free download from your local library.

Here, for example, is South Dublin Libraries list of audio books:

http://digitallibrary.southdublin.ie/7ECCD1B3-A126-4BFB-AD73-CE335D3090F1/10/457/en/BrowseAudiobook.htm

There are a few gems in there, so perhaps check if your local library has a similar set up.

nerraw1111

Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time podcasts are superb. Pretty much every topic under the sun has been discussed at some stage by a panel of experts. Topics range from cultural, religion, science etc

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qykl

tHE vAGGABOND

I too now listen to audiobooks while on long runs - I joined audible.co.uk [€9 a month after the intro offer] and I always have one or two books on the go] - recently done Bring up the bodies by Hillary Mantel, and also Andrew Marr's History of the World - both great I cant do serious "deep" stuff like Ulysees or Waiting goddot, but stuff you can half listen to, or tune out of for a sec and your not going to loose the whole idea of what is going on - so its a matter of selecting what you listen to carefully

I have not actually used music on long runs for ages actually

Cabaal

Also have to suggest audiobooks,

But as already highlighted you want to stay away from really complex stuff that you need to pay 100% attention to or it'll annoy the hell out of you

Personally I prefer not listen to any sort of music/audio on long runs as I like to ensure I'm used to running without any headphones for any events I enter,

kit3

YFlyer wrote: »

Silence

+1

For me one of the best things about running is the headspace - also find it can be productive as I sort through a lot of things. Do a lot of my runs at lunchtime so go back to work ready to get at it (sometimes :rolleyes:). With 3 kids at home and a full time job life is hectic the rest of the time !

ultraman1

usually have"u goinn out aagainnnnn" ringin in me ear for a couple of miles,,,,,,,,and den silence

kit3

ultraman1 wrote: »

usually have"u goinn out aagainnnnn" ringin in me ear for a couple of miles,,,,,,,,and den silence

Fine set of vocal chords or sensitive ears ???

average_runner

Usually listen to marathon talk, gaurdian football and newstalk.

Marathon talk is just so addictive though. A

Cartman78

A combo of podcasts and silence does the trick for me.

Currently working my way thru the Napolean Bonaparte podcast series....learning a lot about someone I knew virtually zip about a month ago.

The headspace argument is valid as well...have solved a lot of work/life conundrums on the road

scriba

Big thumbs up from me too for marathon talk and 'In our time' podcasts. I tried some soundfiles for learning french before, and I found I was just zoning out as it got more complex, and as I got tired, depending on the run.

Sometimes I use the time just to run through some ongoing issues in my head, or in my work. And sometimes it even works.

Murtinho

statss wrote: »

I've started using the Rickey Gervais Xfm podcasts, make the time fly and you get funny looks of people when your busting a gut and laughing at the same time.

yeah, i dl:ed them recently on piratebay, great stuff, too funny for running though, "you never see an old man eating a twix", i normally listen to it in the kitchen or in the car, whatever your into for running, a few months ago i went thru the game of thrones audiobooks, abouts 100hrs, a lot of it running.

dechol

I listen to audiobooks too. Best was "The Help" Fabulous story but got me lots of weird looks. So sad in places I would be roaring crying and a few other bits where I was in shock and muttering oh no! Or my god!was asked was I ok a few times by passers by. Have to say the runs flew by though and were really enjoyable.was always anxious to get going just to see what would happen next!