A runner’s conundrum: podcast or music? - Bridge to 10K

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A runner’s conundrum: podcast or music?

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10
47 Replies

Quick 30 min run this morning, using a podcast to keep me slow and low intensity.

And I realised something.

For the first 3 years of running, I was a music-only running gal. But lately I have been running to podcasts, and I think it has actually helped me to keep running in a lower heart rate zone. I have a feeling that I need music when I need to push myself, and also, at times when any speed is an effort, music helps me get through a run.

However, being now a slightly more seasoned runner (still slow), I can tell apart different paces, I can adjust my effort. So I can relax into a run without the crutches (?) of a music-beat, and it’s just a relaxing run listening to a book or podcast.

At least I think that’s what it is. And I know I look forward to a slow, solitary half hour listening to a podcast whilst joggling along. It’s almost like cuddling up in that corner leather chair with a blanket and a good book … ok … almost as good. 😊

So does anyone else find they can relax into a run better with a podcast or audiobook, rather than music?

(picture credit: perchance.org)

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CBDB profile image
CBDB
Graduate10
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47 Replies
GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10

That's my nail too that you've hit on the head there CBDB

Spoken word to keep going, music if I need to get going. Mostly just me and the birds though!

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toGoogleMe

Lol! Love that phrase: “Spoken word to keep going, music if I need to get going. ” 👏🙏👍🏽

Fionamags profile image
FionamagsGraduate10

I run with music. When I get back to longer runs it might be worth thinking about podcasts though. Good tip!

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toFionamags

👍🏽

Archerygoddess profile image
Archerygoddess60minGraduate

I do think that you tend to run to the beat of the music. Depending which tracks I play it's not always a good idea!

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toArcherygoddess

Lol … yeah… I have actually playlists for different speeds, as I felt exactly the same. 👍🏽

David_G profile image
David_G

Hi CBDB I too have come to the conclusion that I should listen to a podcast on ‘slower’ runs (I’m currently listening to a series about murders of the centuries) and use music for ‘faster’ runs (I usually like to listen to The Beautiful South).

The podcasts take my mind off the running, while music helps me concentrate on it!

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toDavid_G

That is so interesting (The podcasts take my mind off the running, while music helps me concentrate on it!) Yup, I think that’s it!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

I don't like to carry my phone with me anymore whilst running. It is my time. I relax, contemplate, think things over, day dream or soak in nature around me. I also usually have a Cocker Spaniel to keep me company. Sometimes if I'm going on a longer run I'll take my phone and then I listen to podcasts. Last year I was running and listening to a Podcast, I had to stop and almost collapsed from laughing. I won't be listening to Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant again whilst out for a long run, that's for sure. 😀

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply todamienair

🤣🤣

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10 in reply todamienair

A spaniel will keep you busy that's for sure! (My runs and walks are peppered with "That's where she...")

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply toGoogleMe

Me too. I love to run along a river track which is very safe, off road, quiet and just runners and walkers. She can be off lead and I love watching her set and explore. But I always scanning looking for her.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply todamienair

Awwwhhhh (someday I’ll get a dog!)

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

I listened to music whilst doing C25K then switched to podcasts when I graduated.

It's mostly light comedy or documentaries. One of the podcasts is music-related.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply tonowster

👍🏽😁 podcast with a bit of music might be a compromise, but there are far and few of them due to licensing.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply toCBDB

The one I listen to is "The Listening Service" from BBC Radio 3. It's not always about classical music.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply tonowster

👍🏽

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministratorGraduate10

Sometimes I consider running to a podcast but I don't think it'd work for me. I've been doing a lot of guided runs recently for the 10k plan and it's bad enough when the coach interrupts my music. If I was listening to something where detail was important it would just annoy me.

I don't react well to being asked to think while I run, ask my poor husband who occasionally makes the mistake of asking me a question that requires coherent thought (while we run I mean, I'm usually ok when I'm sitting on the sofa 😂)

I do vary my music according to how fast I'm planning to go - current favourite is Sophie Ellis-Bextor's kitchen disco for slower runs and drum'n'bass for the speed runs (both on BBC Sounds).

Podcasts suit me best when I'm ironing or doing repetitive housework. I don't need to think too hard about what I'm doing and can concentrate on what's being said.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toYesletsgo

That’s interesting! I cannot talk very intelligently when running! 🤣🤣🤣 I always thought running should help blood circulation to the brain, but now think my body needs all the energy for running, that nothing is left for the brain!

😏😵🥴🫨🫣😉😀

Tessie66 profile image
Tessie66Graduate10

I like a mixture of both depending how I feel

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toTessie66

I’m beginning to like both, as well! 🙃😊😄👍🏽

Doris8 profile image
Doris8Graduate10

I am now a podcaster. Since I am doing walking it’s podcasts but when it was jogging it was music. I think with music I tried to jog in time with the tempo of music I had.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toDoris8

I also like walking to podcasts!

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10

I like podcasts for chilled runs, or sometimes music which isn’t drum and bass (that’s exclusively for speed runs because I cannot be trusted not to get too excited and speed up). I’ll usually opt for music for ones with a bit more effort (mental or physical). Sometimes my chilled runs turn into tempo runs and somehow talking podcasts can still work when you’re pushing yourself as well. I don’t think they work so well with guided runs with a lot of commentary.

The short version of all that waffle is “it depends”!

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toMissUnderstanding

I’m learning that! 🤣🤣🤣 it’s great to be able to pull our stops out that little bit more with just a bit of music!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

I tried a podcast once, it was either listen or concentrate, kerbs, roads people, I went back to music, I hadn't listened but better than to listen and trip over a kerb through lack of concentration, but I know they really work for lots of people.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

🫣😀🏃🏼‍♀️👍🏽

Folkylass profile image
FolkylassGraduate10

I only listen to music. I might need to listen to a podcast🧐🧐x

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toFolkylass

I was like that for 3 years! Even having tried podcasts but not finding it working for me.

But recently…. I have completely reversed. Love listening to podcasts now and may try audio books.

Aren’t we humans strange and wonderful!

🤣😊😉😀🙃

Folkylass profile image
FolkylassGraduate10

I love that! Indeed we are🤣🤣xx

Wavy-chick28 profile image
Wavy-chick28Graduate10

Most definitely! Love a podcast occasionally music but definitely alters pace.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toWavy-chick28

Yup! 👍🏽🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🎧

Lumaca0112 profile image
Lumaca011260minGraduate

An interesting reflection CBDB! I've only been 'running' for 18 months, first to the C25k programme then to a music playlist. That isn't always successful as I'm so slow but can't always keep up to the rhythm of a faster song. Maybe I'll try listening to a podcast instead! Thanks for the tip 😉👍

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toLumaca0112

Would love to hear your experience with podcasts!

I have actually a list of slower songs that fit my pace of ca 145 to 155 beats, which is quite slow. But here it is, just in case it’s of use for future runs: open.spotify.com/playlist/4...

Lumaca0112 profile image
Lumaca011260minGraduate in reply toCBDB

Thanks CBDB! I'll definitely check out out your playlist 👍😉😊

Gthants profile image
Gthants60minGraduate

I guess I hadn't specifically thought of running more slowly (which I will try to do more of as my distance increases) through the medium of podcast. I listen sometimes to a curated classical playlist, but even then I need louder or faster music to hear it over traffic. I'm not conscious of running to the beat or running faster to certain songs, but most of my playlists are upbeat and so this may a subliminal effect. I need to start running in new places which will be away from roads and that may make it easier to listen to audiobooks & podcasts to a quieter background.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toGthants

Yeah, I’m quite lucky with my off-road routes. 👍🏽

PDIGC profile image
PDIGCGraduate10

It's podcasts for me all the time now. There are various ones I listen to - some foodie based such as 'Dish' with Angela Hartnett and Nick Grimshaw and Funny ones that I embarrass myself by laughing out loud such as 'Help I've Sexted My Boss' with etiquette expert William Hanson and DJ and TV Presenter Jordan North who offer their advice to listeners dilemma's. It can get a little risque at times so might not be to everyone's taste.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toPDIGC

🤣🤣 LOL, I can imagine! 😂😂

Week7 profile image
Week7Graduate10

If I listen to music and it isn't the right speed for my run I get my feet muddled up and that is never going to end well! 🙃Comedy podcasts are my go to for long runs, however, I do tend to run around giggling away to myself-nit a good look but so enjoyable.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toWeek7

🤣🤣

Freecloud profile image
FreecloudGraduate10

I went back to listening to audiobooks last year, and am now midway through 10 Charles Dickens books I got for 1 credit on an Amazon trial. I find them great for my long runs. I've just finished "Nicholas Nickleby" and now started "Our Mutual Friend". I used to listen to audiobooks when I was driving from call to call when I was working as a service engineer in England.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toFreecloud

I might yet try audiobooks, but don’t have a subscription and my library (through BorrowBox) has only a limited collection fitting my taste. So I’ll probably have to resort to classics, as well! 🤓📚

Frizzbomb67 profile image
Frizzbomb67Graduate10

Audiobook for me. I don’t get time to read these days so a run with a book is a real treat, especially when the story is a good one and it’s getting towards the end. Guaranteed to keep me running a bit longer. Add a bit of sunshine and I’m in heaven 👍🏻

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toFrizzbomb67

sounds just the thing! Mmmhhhh 😋😄🎧

Tallismorley profile image
Tallismorley

interesting thread. I’ve also experimented with spoken word v music and like others, find music helps me to go faster. But spoken word can take my mind off the running (admission: I don’t generally actually love running 🙄) and I’ve got into the gentler Radio 4 mysteries or comedy shows to keep me occupied (and they’re free on BBC Sounds). They also tend to be just under 30 mins which is about right.

CBDB profile image
CBDBGraduate10 in reply toTallismorley

nice, yes. I am slowly coming to the pattern of using spoken word/narratives for long runs, and music for all others.

Additionally, I do love putting specific music playlists together for specific situations around running (e.g. rainy weather, cold and wet, halloweeney themed music, etc). The specific themes give me extra motivation to get out there for a run, cause sometimes we need that little extra nudge to get out the door. 😅

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