Running with music: I have been listening to a... - Couch to 5K

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Running with music

Grandadmike profile image
GrandadmikeGraduate
17 Replies

I have been listening to a Spotify Playlist throughout my C2 5K programme. It's called "Just Get Going 155BPM" and it's been helpful to maintain a rhythm.

Has anyone gone from running with music to running without and did you find it made a difference or made no difference ?

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Grandadmike profile image
Grandadmike
Graduate
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17 Replies
Montymum profile image
MontymumGraduate

I only ran without music once just to see what it was like and I HATED it. A decent beat really keeps me going. I use Spotify and my favourite playlist is Queen. If a slow track starts I just forward to the next one. As a retired music teacher you'd expect me to choose something classical but it just doesn't cut it!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply toMontymum

I prefer to run without music as it distracts my running, during my 9 weeks of running with C25K I only ran once with music, Strauss Waltzes, completely unappropriate for running to, although I have jocked a few times about running with my Smooth Classical Music CD's. I am of the older generation which means I don't really like that high tempo disco "workout music" they now have for running or in gyms nowadays.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

When little miss UMN runs the same day as me I don’t use music, but I also run slower than any of my songs as she has shorter legs... I think it would be more difficult with music. On my own I always have a playlist.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Loads of us run nekkie :)

It's wonderful... I have my music for specific runs , but often just run without, and take in all the world around me :) I do have some favourite tracks.. ( odd choices), which help me to get going after a spell on the IC.. or on longer runs:)

Montymum profile image
MontymumGraduate in reply toOldfloss

You're very lucky if you run in the peace and quiet of the countryside. Where I run is semi rural but with the constant buzz of traffic. I much prefer to blot out the noise with music.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toMontymum

I am very, very lucky...but I do enjoy the hurly burly of the traffic, the school children, trains and planes etc etc... :)

Sarakc profile image
SarakcGraduate

I have made quite a few playlists on Spotify. All songs I like with no particular theme or beat!! I just chose a list on my way out door and play on shuffle! I have run without when I met up one evening a week with a few others but always ended up running on my own without music and it wasn’t as bad as I feared! I’ve done 2 Parkruns and ran one with and one without and if I was doing another I wouldn’t listen to music! I like podcasts too and find them a great distraction too but I love just getting lost in my music! I’m the type of person who has to have radio on all the time or tv!! 😂

I primarily run with music unless the tech fails which isnt to often, i have done nekid running too .. I prefer with music but no particular beat/rhythm.. but can do it with out ..

Guess that's me getting splinters in my bum from sitting on the fence 😊😊

Runninggran profile image
RunninggranGraduate

I usually listen to the ultimate office party album 80 mostly get up and go tunes. But last time it came to the end and just shuffled my downloaded music which included a Christmas album so I was running to All I want for Christmas amongst others 🤣 it has a good beat though and made me smile.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

The music definitely has an affect on my pace . I like chariots of fire to start my run as it eases me in gently, but if it shuffles in during my run it does slow me down so I FF to the next track. My playlist is mainly from my own library.

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

I sometimes run with music, sometimes without.

Not having music lets the mind work more clearly, in my case and provides valuable thinking time.

I don't subscribe to the BPM for running train of thought.........I have all my favourite music on my phone, from rock and reggae to classical.

Each to his own.

Grandadmike profile image
GrandadmikeGraduate

Cheers all.

My mate (who is a 10k runner), said when he first started running he was listening to an 80s album when Jenny Loggins Footloose came on. He said that the beat helped him so much he used to have it on repeat for an hour to do his 10k 😂

Amandana profile image
Amandana

I find it more challenging without music. I tend to turn up the volume when I'm finding it hard and that helps me keep going.

MikeJones68 profile image
MikeJones68Graduate

I listened to music all the way through c25k. I made a playlist of upbeat tracks and they helped me take my mind off the pain!

Since graduating I've discovered I prefer running without and enjoy taking in my surroundings and the sounds associated with them

Agelesslass profile image
Agelesslass

After my mishap with traffic earlier this week I have tried running without music, it is certainly not the same, I am lost without my music and am going to return to using it. So, personally I think it does make a big difference,

AgingMetalHead profile image
AgingMetalHeadGraduate

I'm old school so only listen to albums. I struggled to get the right kind of songs during C25K tho. Fast songs did disrupt my pace a bit but I found longer songs helpful during those first longer runs!

I've recently had a problem with my earphones and have been running without music. Surprisingly enjoyable.

homlyme profile image
homlyme

I run with music on my long runs but without when I'm trying to improve speed on shorter runs has I find it gets in the way

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