You run with or without music?

DublinArnie

Just curious to know what people prefer.

I'm on the fence about this. Sometimes I enjoy having some music to keep me busy and not bored, but other times I find that I get distracted from controlling my breathing and pace. My last few runs have been without music though, don't know how I didn't stop from boardness.

Finnt

I always ran with music when I started, iPod died one day on a run, and that was the end of it! I don't listen to music any more it distracts me more than anything.

Chartsengrafs

Love music, love running, hate both together.

I like the relative peace when training, also music disrupts my rhythm.

Caprica

I would listen to music when training but never when I'm racing.

ooter

Don't listen to music but would listen to podcasts like second captains,guardian football,always listen to marathon talk on my long weekend run.

kit3

Without - love the head space

walan

I prefer without, but sometimes listen to music or podcasts if I need a bit of motivation (I really like the Runner Academy podcast). If you're running outside, it might be worth trying to mix up your route or running trails if you can.

kabuxa

walan wrote: »

I prefer without, but sometimes listen to music or podcasts if I need a bit of motivation (I really like the Runner Academy podcast). If you're running outside, it might be worth trying to mix up your route or running trails if you can.

This is interesting.... I usually run without music because I usually run with someone (slowly ;0)) however.. now we are thinking about doing longer distances which means running alone and I am considering music. But the idea of podcasts is very good. How/where can I find the Running academy ones?

Slydice

I've always ran with music except for when I ran in races.

When I ran in the races without music it felt strange. I usually didn't worry too much about breathing when running but without the music I could hear myself breathing heavy. I thought it was distracting. I think I got ok with it after a while.

adrian522

In the race yesterday a lot people wearing earphones at ridiculous volumes, if I can hear your music it is way too loud.

Also how are you supposed to hear an ambulance or follow steward instructions if you have music blaring in your ear?

This Fat Girl Runs

I do run with music but only with one earbud in and volume turned down low. I run in the city so need to hear what's going on around me!

I prefer to run with music more because I always prefer to have music on, even when I'm at home doing nothing!

AlanS181824

I used to always run, don't really anymore but when I didn't I used to listen to music.

Kinda depended on the mood I was in though, sometimes it was lovely to just listen to the birds and all the noises when I ran.

snaphook

I would listen to music if on a treadmill because of the monotony.

Never when running in the open. It's dangerous and I prefer to listen to the pitter patter of my feet

pointer28

Never, ever in a race but I do listen to a lot of podcasts when I train.

I find music interrupts my rhythm too much when I run. It might be useful for hard intervals or such and I do find it great when on the turbo trainer but just not for everyday running.

DublinArnie

It would really depend on the music as well I suppose. I can only listen to hard rock if I ever decide to train with music. What about you guys?

rainbow kirby

Train with it, race without it.

opus

ooter wrote: »

Don't listen to music but would listen to podcasts like second captains,guardian football,always listen to marathon talk on my long weekend run.

Pretty much the same for me, podcasts rather than music, Freakonomics, This American Life, Radiolab, Irish Times Travel Show & of course MarathonTalk.

not_quite_last

Tried to run with earphones, but after a while of running they just start falling out of my ears. I'd spend the rest of the time putting them back in only for them to fall out again later. So in the end gave up using them.

I focus more on technique and breathing now and thinking up cruel and unusual tortures for people who block the paths I run on and the people who don't clean up after their dogs!

walshb

Only raced a few times but I would imagine that having music running through my ears when racing would affect my concentration. Total silence would be ideal. Being completely in the zone. Now, training is a different thing. I always have music when running for fitness/leisure.

walan

kabuxa wrote: »

This is interesting.... I usually run without music because I usually run with someone (slowly ;0)) however.. now we are thinking about doing longer distances which means running alone and I am considering music. But the idea of podcasts is very good. How/where can I find the Running academy ones?

You can get it on itunes podcasts, on the website, or through an Android podcast app (e.g. Podcast Republic, there are probably lots of them).

Mr Freeze

At a race last night, a huge amount of people using ipods and phones and even big Beats headphones!

Never ran with earphones, and probably never will. I'd hate to have to carry a phone/ipod or strap it to me and have wires wobbling about for the whole run, and if it was in a race, I would probably throw it in the ditch after a few 100m.

Krusty_Clown

Mr Freeze wrote: »

Never ran with earphones, and probably never will. I'd hate to have to carry a phone/ipod or strap it to me and have wires wobbling about for the whole run, and if it was in a race, I would probably throw it in the ditch after a few 100m.

That's why the good lord saw fit to invent Bluetooth. I run a lot and get bored with my own company, so listen to a lot of podcasts. I never listen to music when racing. My podcast choices (similar to opus' list):

Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's Film Review - Radio 5
Friday Night Comedy - BBC Radio 4
This American Life
Stuff you should know
Marathon Talk
Freakonomics Radio
Second Captains
BBC Inside Science

davedanon

I would never wear headphones while training in company, or god forbid, racing. On my own I'll bring my trusty iPod shuffle, stuffed to the brim with metal. Great training music, although, as someone said, it can disrupt one's rhythm if one isn't careful.

crisco10

Listen to Podcasts myself. Generally on quite a low volume, I sort of tune in and out, very rarely listen to it with 100% attention though. Mainly just a bit of company on a long run. Podcasts are:

Marathon Talk
Irishman Abroad
Fighting Talk
Desert Island Discs
Freakonomics
Stuff you missed in History Class
More or Less: behind the Stats

Laois_Man

Have never once ran with music.
I think it would be too distracting and I'd be paranoid that I'd get mowed down by a cyclist coming behind me.

Cabaal

Ran with music for the first 6 months including my first half marathon in 2010, I've not run with music etc since. Headphones during a race is just stupid, dangerous and disconnects you from the experience of the race

dwayneshintzy

Definitely prefer without....just like the calmness and focusing on my breathing, not to mention being more aware of my surroundings.

Anytime I'm on a treadmill, though, I would definitely need music. Crushingly boring otherwise.

davedanon

dwayneshintzy wrote: »

Definitely prefer without....just like the calmness and focusing on my breathing, not to mention being more aware of my surroundings.

Anytime I'm on a treadmill, though, I would definitely need music. Crushingly boring otherwise.

Don't go on a treadmill.

dwayneshintzy

Well I don't very often at all, but if it's a choice between treadmill and no run at all (on occasion of absolutely miserable weather, say), I'll take the treadmill.

davedanon

dwayneshintzy wrote: »

Well I don't very often at all, but if it's a choice between treadmill and no run at all (on occasion of absolutely miserable weather, say), I'll take the treadmill.

Weather too severe for running?


I am not familiar with such a thing.

dwayneshintzy

Right, well anyway I was just saying that I run without music apart from when on a treadmill, which is very rarely.