A couple of days ago DeeRunning challenged me to do a naked (i.e. headphone free) run. I’ve never done one and frankly I’m a bit horrified by the idea. Focusing on music or people talking about something is one of the ways I tune out of my gremlins through a run.
I’ve also done roughly 50 runs since starting the programme and all but two have been the same route (although I’ve clearly made it "further along" during that time), north along the road I live on. The odd two were THAT Parkrun and a run south down the canal towpath near me that runs parallel with the road.
The fact that I’ve done the same route over and over says an awful lot more about me than it does about the route! There’s a photo album of the route as far as it was end of C25k here: photos.app.goo.gl/710yzOL5X...
Having been nursing my calf a bit this weekend I’ve got very little exercise so I thought I’d go for a walk. A naked walk (in the headphones sense only, promise). Out of my house and head south along the road.
I checked back and found I do almost 0.5k on my warm up and warm down walks so I figured if I walked for 6k and turned on the halfway point, that is how far I’d get if I ran a 5k.
As you can see from the first picture, I live in the midst of beautiful countryside and all those cumulus clouds certainly made the sky more interesting than the totally clear azure blue we've had recently. But, my, it’s warm.
The walk took me to the edge of the next small town/big village south (just as my usual route now takes me to the edge of the next but one small town/big village north. Where I reached is near to a canal basin which I could drop down to and the make a circuit along the towpath that I ran part of a few weeks ago. But I retraced the route this time.
One main road crossing. Outbound it was fine - the bend in the road helps you to see. Coming back it is blind to the right and fast, and I managed to nearly get run over (a feat I’ve not managed in a few decades)...
The other photos are an old milestone I hadn’t spotted before and a plaque near some anonymous looking trees. Been living around here nearly 21 years and never spotted them before 🙄
Got back, very hot and sweaty - I tried to do the whole walk at the brisk warm up pace and I’m wearing regular cotton shorts and a tshirt, plus my running shoes. My feet hurt more after that than running, which seems weird.
My calf is still niggly but got no worse through the walk, so I reckon I am okay to run on it. Planning to do another 5k either tomorrow or Tuesday.
Whatever run you have next, enjoy it x
Written by
Jay66UK
Graduate
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That really is beautiful countryside, Jay. That’s an impressive 50 runs as well. Glad to hear your calf is okay as you’ve got all that new running gear to show off! Don’t think I’d fancy a naked run - need the distraction of podcasts. Still not back out there running but managing a few decent walks.🙂
Congratulations Jay, you got through a run without headphones on! That’s not something I’d have the confidence to do 😳😕
It’s amazing what you see when you’re out running. 🙂 I’ve lived in the same flat for nearly 30 years and I’ve found out more about this area in 3 months since I started C25K than I ever did in the previous 29 years! 😀
There’s actually a lot of local history, geography and architecture, no matter where you live 🙂 I’d encourage everyone to get out there and have a look, you might be very surprised 😄👍
Just a walk this time. I’m not ready to ditch the music yet for a run.
Oh Jay that’s lovely scenery but please don’t get run over - we need you! Wise move walking with a niggly calf - don’t want to aggravate it - also - HOT!
Beautiful countryside! Hope your calf niggle settles! I ran without headphones on holiday and enjoyed it as there were new things to see and hear. But at home I love my music to keep me going! 😎😎
Ive always found one of my calfs a bit tight since starting and am careful not to get it let it get too niggly, always giving it a bit more stretching tlc. Ive been using a tennis ball the past few days to stretch out a foot niggle and it's magically cured my tight calf, so i suspect that might have been the real source all along! Might be worth a shot? I keep the ball in the bathroom and roll my foot every time I use the loo
It’s special up here. Scenes like that everywhere.
I first came up from dahn sarff as a school kid on a geography field trip age 15 and swore I’d come back. Fast forward blah years and I met someone from these parts, fell in love and moved up.
Beautiful views are probably one of the few things that will last forever Jay, bet you're making some lovely memories from your runs in those parts though 😊 Peak District?? 🤔
Love that you'll try anything we suggest. You've now set the challenge of coming up with something crazy to see just how far you'll go! The frozen undies has it for now 😉
I read that post and thought "rather you than me, mate!" Cannot imagine not having my music...
I must count my runs, I haven't done that to date. Didn't have Strava from the beginning so I'll have to sharpen my pencil! ✏
Beautiful photos, thankyou. I have to admit that I don't get it. What's the fuss about headphones? I've never run with them. I like to hear the birdsong. I wouldn't want to hear someone babbling in my ear. I go running for a little peace and quiet.
Partly habit. Partly enjoying music. Partly because most of my life outside work is quite silent. Where I’m running the main sound is vehicles. But that’s probably another thing I need to change.
That explains it, most of my day is spent with my 7 year old, very bright and inquisitive and her favourite words are why, what, how, who. I know we've got a problem when 2 teachers have asked me how to deal with her. I know all kids do it, but apparently she is worse than most. I have to listen to her as she she sometimes asks some good and relevant why questions.
Challenge?? Merely a suggestion 😂 Love that it prompted a wee exploration of new territory though! Great stuff. I am so jealous of your local, lovely countryside, you'd be horrified if you saw my local streets ... whilst interesting they are absolutely not suitable for running. 😟
Was it any different walking without the headphones? Each to their own though, you run your own run in the way that works for you. I did a naked run in the gym the other day, which went much better than I thought it would. It was so noisy (workmen, people talking, etc) but I managed to mostly stay in the zone.
Excellent walk report. Hope your calf continues to improve for next runs 🏃♂️
I guess the biggest difference was that it was walking (which I usually do with out headphones) and not running (which I always do with). So the headphones weren’t really a factor. No gremlins to distract/silence/ignore!
What beautiful scenery Jay, and have you noticed how brown the grass has gone over the last few weeks. A good idea going for a walk to check out the calf niggle. Is it at the top of your calf or below the bulge like mine was (Soleus muscle)?
I rarely have music on my runs now and to be honest I'm preferring it, I get to hear all the wildlife now 😊and the ducks 🦆 quacking as they run past me 😂🤣😂🏃 🦆 🏃♀️
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Another very enjoyable 30 minute run
Graduation run done - so it's couch to 4k for me 😀
First run in the wild
W8 R1 on grass: horrible, W8 R2 on the road: great!
Little run after work that turned into an adventure! 😄
