What To Do While Running?

The0neWhoKnocks

Hey guys,

I was reading through the When Will I Enjoy Running thread, and a few of you mentioned some interesting stuff, and I'd be interested to hear your ideas on what to do while running. I think I get quite hung up on time, but some of you mentioned listening to audio books, music - even music itself I have a spotify playlist that's getting tiresome and repetitive - do you use alternatives for music? Do you run without anything, if so, (this sounds odd but) what do you do with your mind?!

Audio books is an interesting idea, any personal faves? Never really got into them!

MeanderingMammal

The0neWhoKnocks wrote: »

Do you run without anything, if so, (this sounds odd but) what do you do with your mind?!

At the moment I'm coming back from injury, but I've been training to half marathon lately. That means long runs are anything up to 2:30, but in the main most of my sessions have been 60-90 minutes. As I'm coming back I'm in the 5-10km range, so 25 minutes to 60 minutes.

I stopped listening to music by the time I was getting to 10Km sessions. At that point I was comfortable running for up to an hour so the experience of running itself was becoming the point. It's quite meditative to just get out and run for a time. When I was going through the 5K and 10K training plan the intervals rather disrupted that aspect.

I have a stressful job that consumes about 60 hours per week. So my runs give me space to contemplate, clear my head and work thorugh issues that need resolution.

Also, from a more practical perspective, I run on trails for preference. So there's plenty stimulation out there without needing to resort to audio.

PaytraB

Keeping one's mind off of the time is crucial. I still get hung up on time, if I've got nothing else to concentrate on. You could try covering up the treadmill display and see if that helps you.
For treadmill workouts, I find that keeping my eyes busy helps a lot. So, a TV is a good distraction. I usually have it muted and listen to either an audiobook or music. To keep things interesting, you can up the speed during commercial breaks (or one commercial) or increase the incline by 1 or 2 for a commercial (maybe slow the treadmill down, if necessary).
For music, I loaded up my ipod with music of a good beat for my running and just let it run at random. There's usually enough variety (so far).
For audiobooks, I find light mysteries or family stories good. They offer enough interest to keep the mind busy most of the time but if you zone out for awhile, you still know what's happening. It's interesting that the books I listen to while jogging are books I usually don't like to read in book format.
If you're running outdoors, it's nice to go without any audio stimulation. I listen to birds, twigs cracking, people talking as they pass me (just hear a few words then I can make up scenarios from those words while I jog). Sometimes I find that I just enjoy the view and don't even think about the audio stimulation. Sometimes I concentrate on the terrain (hills, uneven, rocky, etc) and, again, don't think about the audio stimulation.

Keep trying things. You'll find what works for you.

PhoenixRisingFromAshes

Since audiobooks are kind-of expensive, I tend to rely on my library. I started with books that I had always wanted to read but soon found narrators I liked and tended to follow them from series to series or books to books.

I think it would depend a lot on what you like to read, but my current favorites are Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series (although there are some laugh out loud moments where I forgot I was at the gym--some rather interesting looks come when you are running on the treadmill laughing but I am never bored) and Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhoune letter series (love them but I am not sure I would have stuck with them as books). Mainly I started these because I had always heard great things about them as audiobooks--and truly the narrators are great.

I have also done the first three Game of Thrones but I always need a break after one of those because they are so long and so intense. But the narrator for these is amazing and has a voice for each character which really helps keep all the individuals separate in my mind.

Best of luck on finding something you like. For me, audiobooks are part of what brings me back for more. It is all part of my "me" time experience that I can't easily get anywhere else.

jessiruthica

At this point, I'm only listening to MapMyRun's average and split paces. I'm working on pacing to be able to run longer (rather than burning myself out too early) so those pace statistics are endlessly interesting to me.

I used to listen to music but eventually it just started to annoy me. Now I'm listening to my footfalls and my breathing to know how my run is going. I think as that all becomes more second-nature, I'll be listening to books and/or podcasts.

It has been said that having headphones on can be dangerous because you aren't as aware of your surroundings when you're running outside. I probably would only use one headphone (only in one ear, if you see what I mean) no matter what you're listening to.

LazyButHealthy

The0neWhoKnocks wrote: »

Hey guys,

I was reading through the When Will I Enjoy Running thread, and a few of you mentioned some interesting stuff, and I'd be interested to hear your ideas on what to do while running. I think I get quite hung up on time, but some of you mentioned listening to audio books, music - even music itself I have a spotify playlist that's getting tiresome and repetitive - do you use alternatives for music? Do you run without anything, if so, (this sounds odd but) what do you do with your mind?!

Audio books is an interesting idea, any personal faves? Never really got into them!

Depending on the time of the day, i sometimes listen to the radio.

Tune In is a great app for that. I live in UK but I'm from ireland, so I might listen to this irish politics/civil affairs talk show i like. A bit of debate and argument - I end up engrossed in that more than wondering how far/how long I've run.

PhoenixRisingFromAshes

LazyButHealthy--that's an interesting idea that I had not thought of. I love listening to different sides of an issue and running seems to be a good uninterrupted time.

Jess--currently I am running on a treadmill but if I run outside I agree one ear phone is probably what I would do. It just doesn't seem too safe to have my hearing completely absorbed in a book.

In general, I know some people swear by podcasts. Finding a podcast that you want to keep up to date on can be another motivation for running.

KANGOOJUMPS

I listen and watch the nature and wildlife,,, so so soothing.

LazyButHealthy

PhoenixRisingFromAshes wrote: »

Jess--currently I am running on a treadmill but if I run outside I agree one ear phone is probably what I would do. It just doesn't seem too safe to have my hearing completely absorbed in a book.

I run with both earphones, just lower the volume.
Whether it's music or a talk show, I always have it low enough to hear cycling bells of bikes coming up behind me.

jbee27

I've been listening to podcasts lately. They are absorbing enough that I forget that I'm running on a treadmill (I'd prefer to run outside, but the dark and cold make that a not safe/enjoyable prospect for these winter months).

I just started Serial, and I only let myself listen when I'm running. It's a fascinating story and it's good workout motivation :-)

radiosilents

I used to only walk and run using no headphones or anything, and I still see the value in that, for the reasons others have mentioned. But lately I have really been enjoying crafting motivational music playlists to walk and run to – keeps my mind off any discomfort and helps me keep a good pace. I do understand the safety hazards of wearing headphones, but I do keep VERY aware of what is around me, so I think I do OK.

upsaluki

I also get almost all of my audiobooks from the library. My library system has the overdrive program that is a digital collection. I like to download mp3 format books with my phone, then move the files to my SD card. I also tend to listen to lighter stuff like SciFi and mysteries, but I also like to listen to lectures from the Great Courses series from the Teaching Company. I get those on disc and rip them to MP3.

Podcasts are great too and free. I have an app to download them. I have several sports radio shows I listen to with that.

I always run faster if I listen to music versus books though.

zipa78

Podcasts, music, audio books. For music, run your track library through some tool that calculates the tempo of your songs, and then make a playlist with songs that match your target cadence.

matfatcowboy

there is a pod cast call pod runner that actually times the music to the intervals in the c25k program (and it's free). that's what I run to, at first because it was hard trying to start 3-4 apps simultaneously. it goes week by week and it's pretty cool. it's dance/electronica music so if you can't stand that type, it's probably not for you. but like I said it makes a difference for me. I've run to the radio, and Pandora, and the ad's slow me down, I become hyper aware of how hard I'm breathing, or that my calfs feel tight, or my left pinky toe is cramping, etc. so it's music all the way for me.
if I did audio books, I think I'd just end up sitting in my car and listening to it there...

melaniefave41

When I first began running, music felt like a necessity and I would put as much effort into making the perfect play list as I did the actual running. Maybe more. Since toying with running has changed into an absolute love for running, I can't stand the idea of listening to anything other than what is going on in the environment around me and the "music" playing in my own head. I always run outside though and imagine if I were to hit a treadmill that some sort of outside stimulation would be needed to take my mind off of the fact that for whatever reason I am not outdoors where I belong.

percycat1

Can someone explain to a nontech savie person how to listen to audiobooks and a c25k app at the same time? I have a Samsung 5 phone and use overdrive to get books from my library. I have not picked a c25k app yet.

If this should be separate post, I will make a new thread.

Thanks!

michelle0989

@percycat1‌ I have a Samsung Galaxy as well and I use a C25K app by Run Double. It is free until after the 2nd or 3rd week, then you pay 1.99 for the Pro version (totally worth it in my opinion). This app runs in the background, so you can play any other music app or audiobook app while it runs! Hope this helps

percycat1

@michelle0989 - Thanks for your reply. The Run Double app is one that is on the top of my list. I will check it out this weekend.

Does this app let me repeat or restart sessions?

michelle0989

@percycat1‌ Yes, it does. I have done the whole program 4 times now. I also use it sparingly for "fun runs"; just to time out an interval run. I can choose any Week and Day that I feel prepared for at that time

Just_Ceci

percycat1 wrote: »

@michelle0989 - Thanks for your reply. The Run Double app is one that is on the top of my list. I will check it out this weekend.

Does this app let me repeat or restart sessions?

You can repeat or restart sessions with the RunDouble app. (If you pay for the full version of the app it includes a 5 to 10k program, a 1/2 marathon plan, and tons of fun runs and interval sessions.)

Autumnfilly2005

I actually find music during my runs to be super annoying. I don't like the feel of headphones in my ears while moving. Also, I use my phone to track myself, so I basically only use i<3radio for music. While most the music there is good, but there are several songs I don't like, and I find it really irritating to have to unlock my phone to skip the song. I wish there was a way to put the song on a permanent block list. Maybe if I was using my own music it would be better, but then I'd have to figure out how to juggle ipod and phone and headphones.

I'm tempted to try audio books, to see if a really good audio book can drown out the feel of using headphones.

When I run, I pretty much zen out. I'm a writer, so when I run, I use that time to plot out story elements, or to plan the rest of my day. Just my two cents!