Runners--Do you listen to music while you run?

Amy_B

Do you listen to music while you run? Do you run on a treadmill or outside? Does it affect your run (better or worse)?

I ran last night outside without music, and I think I actually ran better. I even shaved some time off.

xXmimiXx

I can't bear to go to the gym without my shuffle but when I have forgotten it I don't mind exercising without as much as I think I will! I think there may be something there...I still would rather take a bit longer and have my tunes though haha! :laugh:

katie517

I prefer to run outside or on an indoor track rather than a treadmill. And I MUST have music. If I hear myself breathing, for some reason I start to give up. Weird, I know.

jsjaclark

I hate to run on a treadmill - much prefer outside. As for tunes, it just depends but I have to make sure that the songs are the right tempo as that does affect my speed. The number of years I have spent singing, playing instruments, and being on flag corp, my body does not let me run off-beat so slower songs I run slower, faster songs faster.

jdelot

I will usually listen to music if I'm running on the treadmill at the gym. Mainly because I find it sooooo boring. I don't listen to music if I'm running outside. When I'm running outside, I'm usually trying to maintain a certain pace and I think it's easier for me to do if I focus on my running, not what's on my Ipod. I never listen to music if I'm running a 10k or some other race.

chgudnitz

I run outside and no music. I started out listening to my iPod, but I don't like it. Running gives me the time I need to clear my head and gather myself, so the quiet is welcomed...

vctkell

I think it does affect the way you move. I walk and I love having my IPod with me, but I find myself
moving with the beat. When the beat slows down, my stride slows when it speeds up my stride
speeds up. So I put up beat songs at the beginning of the playlist and slower ones at the end that
way I can slow down and bring my heart rate down without just stopping.
Hope this helps........:flowerforyou:

iRun4wine

I hate, hate, hate treadmills... must be my ADD :laugh:

I run outside with my iPod always.

Serenifly

Always run with music, a technoo song (and I don't listen to that genre) can really make me haul butt! i changed my playlist last week to all techno, uptempo stuf,f and I shaved off 7 minutes! (I run home from work everyday)

I'll play games while running too "I'm going to full out sprint for this entire chorus" things like that

SHBoss1673

depends. If I'm running for time (I'll run for time every couple of weeks, just to see if I've improved) then no, I don't use music. But for my regular runs, yes, I do.

Ripgirl

Always!

If on the treadmill, I plug my ear thingies into the machine - it has a TV on it so I can use a show, usually The Last 10lbs to distract myself.

If I'm running outside, I for some reason just can't do it without music. May be the sound of my breathing, I think it's also the songs that motivate me. In spinning class when a particular song comes on that I really like I find I can go harder/longer.

Music is such a fabulous thing.

igmom

I prefer to run alone and outside. I don't listen to music because I feel the need to be completely aware of my surroundings. I used to run with music, but I got attacked because I was completely oblivious to a man running behind me. I ended up getting away unharmed, but 20 years later the fear is still with me.

Amy_B

I prefer to run alone and outside. I don't listen to music because I feel the need to be completely aware of my surroundings. I used to run with music, but I got attacked because I was completely oblivious to a man running behind me. I ended up getting away unharmed, but 20 years later the fear is still with me.

Wow! I think I would be the same way. I do worry about that, but I hope since I live in a rural area and run near a golf course that things like that won't happen.

Ripgirl--I like to watch The Last 10 Pounds too!

RunRideRay

Wow... glad you got out OK. I'd be spooked too!

Music is a must when I run, which is outside and at night usually.

I watch movies during my treadmill runs, and it works great. No commercials and it can make for a great 2 run workout. First run you are getting interested in the movie, the second run you can't wait to finish it. It can also make for a great long run too, my longest is 19 miles on a treadmill :drinker: :drinker: .

Raymond