Unplugged Running

[DebJogsOn]

I have been toying with the idea of running 'naked' since graduation (but at recommendation of Hidden will henceforth refer to it as running unplugged) and though hadn't planned to try it this morning was presented with the opportunity as daughter 2 had nicked my ear buds. Faced with the prospect of searching for them in her room (a dangerous mission if ever there was one) or running without it was a pretty easy choice!

And my virtual running buddies - it was good. In fact it was the 30 minure run that I've covered the most ground in and my pace for each km was most even. Not sure if lack of music or podcast was reponsible for this (like to think it's because I'm getting fitter!) But it clearly didn't affect how I run .

I could just about hear the voice on my running tracker telling me when each 5 mins was up (which I was grateful for) but other than that it was just me and what was inside my head (and was able to put some work stuff firmly to the back of my mind until Monday - nothing like the opportunity to give yourself a good talking too). And I really enjoyed it.

Actually wondering if I might call the unplugged sessions (yes I do plan to do it again) running therapy?

[HeleneCorsa Graduate]

I do this not infrequently and usually because someone in my family has nicked my headphones (my husband seems to take them with him every time he leaves Rome) and although my initial feeling is irritation, I am always far happier with it than I expect. I ran a lot of the C25k programme "unplugged" - i.e. most of the runs without walking intervals - and although I far prefer running with music, I do think that running unplugged is great for controlling pace and for focusing more clearly on breathing and form (for me, at least). I think that if your route is interesting then boredom needn't be an issue.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Running is pure therapy and running nekkie, for pure joy even better Go you!

[DebJogsOn Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Actually think running has made far more difference to my mind than my body - pure therapy indeed 😊

[rolysmate Graduate]

Well I pretty much run naked, I use mapmyrun which maps my course/distance and gives me a shout out every 1k but apart from that it's me and the highway and I love it

[Richard7 Graduate]

A step too far for me at the moment. The music helps distract me in the first half of the run!! I have to say naked v unplugged - I prefer unplugged but it does sound like being unplugged from the Matrix!!

[Elfe5 Graduate]

Lol! I have that sort of daughter!!

I still need the distraction of music to drown the gremlin whinging, ( so I have one pair of earphones in a distinctive colour which I hide at all times) but always run with only one earphone in. When my running feels happy, I take it out for a while and enjoy the unpluggedness. I look forward to more of that as running becomes more comfortable. 😀

[Martin_Rose Graduate]

I always run unplugged, I just like hearing the world around me.

[Theziggy Graduate]

I do Parkrun unplugged, I use sound in the gym on the treadmill, and other (so infrequent now) outside runs I vary between running unplugged and plugged.

As I have dodgy hearing in one ear and run in an urban environment, I run with only on earphone on - to give myself a chance