What to listen to when running and how to motivate myself on dark evenings.

[Pink-Floyd]

Still trying to find the best way to motivate myself now that I've "graduated" - with the added problem of the nights drawing in. This week I tried one run with mapmyrun and the Stepping stone podcast, then the second run on a treadmill. I find the Stepping stone podcast difficult to keep up with (my short little legs don't want to move that fast) and the treadmill is tediously boring.

Went out yesterday in failing light on a route I guessed was the right sort of distance. Set up mapmyrun on my phone and then stuck in pocket and tried to ignore. Stuffed a small radio into my cleavage to listen to R4 PM programme and just set off. Ended up being out for 43minutes, and covered 4.3k (including a walk at either end). Best distance yet and in a better mood than my previous two runs.

I am lucky that I work in a school so should be able to get a few more runs in during part daylight but not looking forward to dark runs. I had started off c25k on a flat pavement route near home but, as I improved, I have progressed to running around a local park. Didn't like to go there before as it is often full of other runners (all much, much faster, fitter, slimmer, younger etc!). So much nicer running in a park - but don't fancy it in the dark. Don't know whether adding a headtorch to my regalia would be the right move. I already have a jacket often tied around my waist, a water bottle holster, a small crossover bag for my phone, a buff for my head, a plastic visor for if it rains to keep glasses clear - and that radio stuffed in my cleavage!

[ejvcruns Graduate]

So, my experience has been that it's much less freaky after the first time. I recommend a reflective belt thing, they go around your waist and have a place for your phone, and then little LED lights to clip on front and back. I don't need a headlamp as my route is lit but you may... The LEDs are for sale everywhere here - otherwise perhaps a bike shop is a good place to find stuff?

[ejvcruns Graduate]

Also you can get the radio on your phone - why have two devices?

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You need a running belt. I have a flip belt for keys, phone etc. Perfect. Lots of people recommend head torches and ju-ju- 's pictures running in the dark are very cool (goes without saying!).

If you like radio 4, what about podcasts on your phone rather than carrying a radio? I love audio books and think that would help with treadmill tedium Ignore the young, fit, fast runners in the park with their swingy ponytails; You are a warrior!

Not sure you need water with you either

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Blimey oh riley, I think you're weightlifting whilst running! Can you streamline your stuff? I run with my phone in an armband and listen to either the radio on that or spotify or my playlists, and that negates the need to have a radio too. Also you can mute the mechanical voice lady on Map My Run, if you find her prompts intrusive, so that it doesn't disturb your radio listening. IannodaTruffe often talks about the benefits of regular and healthy hydration and you could probably do without the water bottle and its holster, unless of course there's a health issue for carrying it.

The running jacket is a bit of a conundrum, but on IgaT s recommendation, I bought a running hoodie top instead and with my base layer find that is less cumbersome and I don't end up with a jacket tied around my waist - which I hate. I find it works fab and stops dripping hair if there's a rain shower and it's still warm towards the end of the run, but at least you don't have to do that weird Houdini manoeuvre to take it off whilst running!