To Run With or Without Music

chriscolh

I run without. It's my thinking time. I can work through things going through my head and come up with all those witty comments that I wish I would have come up with earlier when dealing with people who bug me, then let it all go. I set goals, think about how far I've come (fitness wise - good grief! I'm RUNNING! Who'd've thought a few years ago that I'd be doing this!?!) and plan the rest of my day. I've thought about adding music, but I enjoy my thinking time too much!

jturnerx

I generally don't run with music but I'm 100% an outdoors runner. If I were stuck on a treadmill it would be a different story. I'd need something to overcome the monotony. When I do, I use a headset that's designed with a single ear bud so I can be aware of my surroundings. My music selection is all over the place. It can be music or a podcast.

runmamarun7

I run with music too, can't imagine running without I do have a friend who is an avid marathoner and he runs on the last leg of his marathons with music, he says it's sort of a treat to yourself and an incentive to hit those last miles. I have tried this even though I consider 6-7 miles a long run lol, I can't do it. There has even been times my iphone has died in the middle of a run and I've considered just going home.

fleetzz

Without music. But I do listen to my favorite books or This American Life (the non-boring ones).

Holly_Roman_Empire

I run on the street, or on the sidewalk, so music is a no-no for me. I'm OCD about situational awareness, and I must be able to hear if there are cars coming.

It's a peaceful time. I get to think about all the things that are boggling my mind and sort through it. I enjoy listening to nature when I get to, and hearing the pitter-patter of my feet and my dog's paws is music to my ears. It's the sound of progress.

Duck_Puddle

Without. Running is how I dump all the crap out of my brain. Music just crowds up all the stuff already swirling around.

RockWarrior84

I run without because I can't find ear buds that don't fall out. It's really not that bad. The only thing I find music good for is my pace because I have certain songs that I go faster with.

I thought the same thing. So i figured it was worth getting a pair that did not fall out. like these.

daliyanin

Depends...WITH at all times when indoor on the treadmill. If outdoors and doing a quick run, without. If a longer run, with since i need the motivation, and music motivates me.

TwoPointZero

Cardio is generally not my favorite thing, so I typically run/bike/whatever with music.

Lifting, it depends. If I am going heavy, no music.

homeyjosey

I dont run with music but instead I listen to podcasts or audio books

Legs_McGee

I've never run with music. Partly because I often run with a partner. Partly because I always run outside and sometimes in the dark, and I like to be aware of my surroundings (I don't have the best hearing anyway), and partly because even when I'm running alone, or my partner and I haven't said a word to each other for miles and miles, running is my time to get lost in my thoughts .... or to completely zone out and have no thoughts at all.

OnAllFours

I need my music when I run and ride. I do it all solo so music helps break up the quietness. But in both running and cycling, I make sure I can hear my surroundings. It only takes one car to wake your *kitten* up good when you cut them off cause you did not hear them approach.

mxmkenney

WITH! I can't run without music, I focus too much on how hard it is, how out of breath I am, how much longer I have to go, etc.

With music, I can focus on the emotions/energy the music brings. It is a distraction, but it also helps me keep a good pace.

I listen to everything, but it has to be something with a good beat and energy to keep my pace up. My husband prefers to run to either classical or his "battle music" like Audio Machine.

fitfan11

Without. I found that I would run to the pace of the song that was playing which led to some inconsistencies in my run. Music is a disraction from the cadence that is in my head.

GBPackerFan14

With, plus audiobooks and podcasts as well.

Will second the yurbuds well worth the price

_Zardoz_

I never run with music. Two reasons things in my ears when I get sweaty just really annoy me and I find distracting. The other reason is I like to hear what's going on around me not just for safety just because if I wanted to be cut off from the world I'd be running on a treadmill indoors. In reality it's a personal choice and I find people walking along texting far more dangerous than runners listening to music the amount of people I've seen nearly walk into oncoming traffic while texting far out weighs any other dangerous things I've seen people do.

scribb

With.

I tend not to run with music during races so I can hear the crowds.

cmbresnan

I can't run or walk without music! My faves are Bon Jovi, Madonna or Billy Joel for speed and inspiration to go longer and farther! My name is also Chris!

There are some pretty funny comments on this thread!:laugh:

GeorgeD7441

For me on the treadmill I need the distraction but on the street or track I like to know what’s going on around me.

I’ve played around with http://jog.fm/ but usually just set all the songs on my phone to random. Maybe when I pick up my speed using music to keep pace will help more.

lisalsd1

With. A: I usually run on a treadmill at the gym, so I need my music to block out the horrible gym music.

I tend to go more punk for running; it's faster and quicker, like The Ramones.

For weights, I need something a little heavier. Pantera is the end of the spectrum for me with metal.

snugglein

I feel like time is flying when I listen music.. I had to run once without music and 30 minutes were like 1 week for me..

mreeves261

Usually with. From time to time I like to unplug from everything. I keep my phone with me for those "just in case" moments, but leave all other electronics in the car or at home. No HRM, music, GPS, etc...

Daisy471

My husband thought he would be cute and load the Star Trek Theme on my iPod.

That would drive me nuts! My husband knows not to touch my iPod, and he wouldn't know how to download music anyhow. Star Wars music, OTOH, I would probably like.

AlwaysInMotion

I do both. Indoors, anything goes. If running/biking outside on trails, I keep it low or pop out the L earbud (easier to hear passers). When biking in traffic, no music. Too many close calls. I really dislike being lectured about wearing headphones while biking/running. If someone is doing so in a safe, courteous & responsible manner, then MYODB.

I mostly listen to 70s-80s rock, 90s alt & some modern rock/alt. If it's dark/gloomy, I queue up the Radiohead and other post-rock stuff. Sometimes need a little "guilty pleasure" mainstream rock, pop & rap. Other times I go all "glow sticks" and blast the techno/house/electro/dubstep/etc. Or random stuff (John Denver, meet Kraftwerk!) When I'm burnt out, I play podcasts.

Spikethered

If it's a shorter run of something like 3 miles I might listen to music, but the longer runs of 18 miles + I have no music....it's easier to daydream and run on "auto-pilot" that way, of I run with friends and have a conversation.

synapse0782

Always always always with. If my headphones break or my battery dies, which has happened, I'll literally stop running to go to Radio shack to fix it on the spot before continuing on. I can't run without music, my brain is too loud. I'm primarily an outside runner, but I stick to running trails and other places where I don't have to worry much about cars, etc. What I listen to depends on the length of the run, if it's 3 miles I listen to something more upbeat like the Running station on Pandora or Top Hits on Pandora. If it's longer like 6-12 miles, I listen to indie music, usually my own complilation. I like the Snowden radio on Pandora too when I haven't updated my playlist. Also 8tracks has a lot of good mixes if you are looking for new artists.

teaparty75

I run without because I can't find ear buds that don't fall out. It's really not that bad. The only thing I find music good for is my pace because I have certain songs that I go faster with.

this used to me an issue for me as well BUT i got the Beats by Dre Sport - they were totally worth the $$ because they DON'T FALL OUT !! they make "sloggin" (slow *kitten* jogger) so much more enjoyable

Chewbacca262

I thought the theory was that runners who run with music feel like they get tired less?
I use an over the ear Bluetooth headset when running. I was an 80s kid so a-ha, Duran Duran is what I listen too.
Recently started listening to audiobooks which I find even better.

Anyone else tried a few audiobooks on their workouts? Or does that make me too old?

meshashesha2012

depends on where i am. i do a mix of both. when i'm running indoors on the treadmill or the track then headphones are fine.

when i run outside no headphones so i can hear what's going on around me. besides that my goal is to run 5 and 10K races and in most of those you arent allowed to wear headphones, so it's good to not get used to needing the music

ETA I think whether or not outdoor running with music is a good idea will depend a lot on what type of area you live in. if you live in an urban area where you are sharing your space with cars, bikes, other runners, walkers, dogs on long leashes, etc then zoning out to music is going to be a bad idea.

CTcutie

Treadmill: MUST have music (or audiobook, or TV)
Outside: silence, and its also safer
Track: don't care, either way
Race: silence