Ran naked and I’m not keen.

[limberlou]

I always run with music and like to run to the beat- so much so that quite often Garmin thinks I’ve run on a treadmill.

But this morning, after running my 10k at long last last on Saturday, I thought I’d just go out and run, no music and see how it went. Then I remembered why I don’t do that!!!

I set off too fast and was dying even after first 10 mins. I glanced at my watch and realised I was much faster for those 10 mins than I usually am and I really struggled to keep going. I had to make a conscious effort to slow myself down and could have given up quite easily after 2-2.5k.

I didn’t though.. I tried to get into a steadier rhythm and just about managed although it was a bit of a struggle to get to 5k. And at the end of it all no PRs in any segments, no brilliant time for my 5k and I’m a bit disappointed with that run altogether.

Don’t get me wrong.....it was a beautiful morning but as I’d gone too fast to start with I didn’t really notice my surroundings, my breathing took some time to feel comfortable, my backs of thighs felt a bit stiff and uncomfortable, I didn’t really achieve anything on my run and it wasn’t relaxing either like the original plan.

I think I just prefer to aim for something whether it’s running longer, or faster, or further. I don’t want to race anyone else but I do like to compete with ME!!

Oh well to quote Scarlett O’Hara “ tomorrow is another day” well Thursday is as that will be my next run.😁😁

[Hidden]

You gave it a go!! That is the main thing. This run threw up lots of issues but your experience got you through and you altered and adapted during it to finish. Lots of positives there!

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah. Feeling a bit better about it now. I think it’s because I worked my way through C25k again and then B210k again and it was quite structured having a plan. And today felt a bit off

[Beany123 in reply to limberlou]

It’s weird because I haven’t ran with music for ages- now you’ve made me want to run with music!! Just off to charge my AirPods for tonight’s run 😂👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Music makes such a difference, I'd forgotten that!

So nice to have a beat to move along with....

I'm only just starting back with run/walk intervals given by my physio, my first try was a bit haphazard, so I will make sure to use my playlist next time!

Thank you for the reminder Lou!

🌻😎xxx

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Yeah I love to run to music.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

At least you gave it a go limberlou, I've yet to leave the music at home and although I said to someone on here I might give it a try , I just can't. I love my music when running.

So you did still achieve a run and you've found out you also like your music when doing so. Hope Thursdays run is better for you 🤗🤗

[limberlou Graduate10]

Also certain tracks come on and I think “ oh I love this one” and just seem to run faster then naturally. When I have music I tend to be concentrating in listening to that - no music and I just found fault with my running.

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Well done for your naked 5k!! That’s brilliant! 🤩 I’ve had to run without my music in the past, due to my battery running out. I did find it much harder to settle due to being able to hear my breathing, which I wasn’t used to. I don’t go out without everything fully charged up now! 😂!!

Hey, you can’t know what you prefer if you don’t give it a go, so good on you!! A run well done!! 🤩❤️

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

You did achieve something on that run - knowledge that you prefer music. Everyone is different and you’ve found your happy. I bet you have a great run on Thursday. Happy running 🤗

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

🤞

[Antisocial]

I’ve just finished my first ever 10km this morning... and have never run with music! It is a little strange being alone with your thoughts for an hour but i enjoy being “unplugged” for my running. I’ve not done a lot of running though so time may change my perspective.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Antisocial]

Yeah I walk a lot with no music but I find I run in time to the beat and I end up almost hypnotised by it. And everything else goes away. I quite like that.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

I am another naked runner! I occasionally make pacing mistakes but not very often. The odd glance at my watch is enough to keep me where I want to be, and also tell me whether I am in Pb form or whether it is a slow day. Apart from that I like the sounds of the woodland, and keeping an ear open for attacks from the rear from cyclists is easier without the distractions of music. Each to our own I guess.👍

[JonathanP Graduate10]

I'm with you limberlou - I always run with music (except for parkrun where it feels a bit anti-social!). I don't run to the beat, due to all the weird stuff I listen to - I just enjoy it!

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I listen to my weird stuff in the car 🤣. And I’m too anti social for Parkrun... tried it once didn’t like it.... but I DID quite enjoy being barcode reader a couple of times while I was injured. I hate the huddle at the start and too many people all around me.

I did Race for Life once too and found it felt the same - I’d sooner just donate and run somewhere else on my own.

I actually am quite enjoying the peacefulness of lockdown. Except there are now far too many other runners outdoors. ( how dare they!!!) I’ll be glad when they all clear off back to their sweaty gyms, when they reopen, and leave the open spaces to me 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[WANTTORUN in reply to limberlou]

Lol!! Im same running time is me time. Never done a park run... think Id feel the loss of my anonymity as a random runner plodding round the town! Introvert who runs for peace and mental health!!!

[LeeU 60minGraduate]

I ran without music a couple of times last year, only because the headset I was using at the time made it sound like I was stomping everywhere, so I ran without them.

To be honest, I did quite enjoy it, listening to the birds, etc, that's one of the reasons I got some Aftershockz,

I still turn the sound down from time to time, even when I'm on my bike.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to LeeU]

I love listening to nature when I’m waking but I find I can get in the “ running zone” more easily with music

[Hidden]

Being mindful is a beautiful thing but it is a skill that needs to be learned. I would say, do some research, practice and then give it another go

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I only ever listen to music while in the car on my own or running. I have a lot of quiet mindful time in my garden listening to the birds ( the ones my cats dont get ☹️) and the tinkling if my waterfall in the pond. And also when I walk along the riverbank.

[Fionn42]

I have the perfect solution! I use bone conducting headphones; they sit on your upper cheekbones so your ears are completely free and open. I can hear the birds, cyclists bells, cars, and also my music with the beat loud and clear. No idea how this magic technology works, or how my brain manages to process it all, but it does! They are brilliant - mine are Trekz Titanium. I love them!

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Fionn42]

Yeah I have been looking at those ( and dropping hints for my upcoming birthday later this month)...

[Fionn42 in reply to limberlou]

Fingers crossed then! I got the ‘teenager’ sized ones as I only have a little head (me brain is well packed in there!), and I find them really comfy 😁.

[WANTTORUN]

I also feel that after 10k my legs need a long time for the muscles to unlock, my next runs are tough and never as impressive! I actually ran 12k on Sunday in the heat (a bit daft) and have rested since then. Will probably go out today. Music is the positive distraction as well as the pacemaker but I sometimes run with it just in one ear!! Hear the birds/ cars coming up behind me !!

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to WANTTORUN]

Yes!! I think that was probably half the trouble. When I ran my HM distance last August it took me a couple of weeks before I could run any distance comfortably again. Really wiped me out.

[pippkins]

I love listening to music too, but stopped listening to it while I consolidated throughout April, perhaps because I no longer needed my c25k podcasts.

I am now used to "naked" running, and yes, it was strange at the start, listening to my breathing etc. But with changing my route from overcrowded parkland to open roads and pavements it was vital that I was alert to traffic sounds.

Hearing yourself breathe, it soon becomes a new thing to focus on, for me it also involves checking my heart rate and it is interesting to see the result of how different breathing techniques affect your BPM!

It's a new nerdy stat for me to play with, I no longer aim for speed so much, instead it is distance at a low heart rate with other run days doing sprint intervals but then slow jogs to recover to a low rate between the sprints.

Don't be put off running without music, but I understand how a strong beat helps a lot! Just like army training and the songs they chant to help the squad keep pace.

Happy running!

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to pippkins]

Oh yeah that’s me!! Private Benjamin !! Yeah I might try it again sometime. Just found it really hard to settle to a comfortable pace.