Switched from music to spoken word podcasts

[Ping-pong]

All my running over the years has been done to music and this current reboot via C25K has been no exception.

Those people seeing me run round the park have no idea that in my head I’m dancing in a small basement disco in South Kensington in 1974.

After reading some of the posts on here I decided to try running to spoken word podcasts instead this week.

So far I’ve run with actor Martin Freeman (Desert Island Discs) and folk singer Shirley Collins (Private Passions) as well as catching part of an item about a meeting in a hotel room between Dylan Thomas and Igor Stravinsky.

As well as being very interesting this all made me switch off from trying to second guess how many minutes I had run or when the run would be over.

Felt really chilled and relaxed by the end.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Podcasts made me stop thinking about my breathing... there’s a lot to be said for concentrating on spoken word. I rarely run to music now.

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Yes I found the same! I just kind of settled into a peaceful trance and the breathing took care of itself.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

I agree, desert island discs are great for running, especially as you extend distance post graduation.

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Looking forward to getting to that "post graduation point".

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Ping-pong]

You’ll be amazed at how quickly that will come around.

[Hidden]

Audiobooks usually for me, a good book can help the miles fly by.

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks helen, I've just rejoined the local library as I think my next step will be audiobooks too.

[prudencepayes Graduate]

Haha. I was in that disco in 1974 too ! I completely agree about the spoken word podcasts being great for preventing overthinking the run. I've started learning Italian as I run using a series of podcasts called 'Coffee Break Italian'. Works for me...

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to prudencepayes]

Thanks prudence, how can 1974 be so long ago??? The language podcasts sound great, might add those to my list too.

[prudencepayes Graduate in reply to Ping-pong]

It feels like yesterday! Thanks for the tip about desert island discs - what a great idea. I shall download one for my run on Monday and see how it goes.

[Windle40 Graduate]

Hi there I’m really glad you’ve posted this today as I have been debating switching from music to spoken podcasts - I am a huge music lover but just starting week 7 and my last run was actually ok in terms of the exercise but I did feel bored in parts and counting the minutes down .. will definitely give this a go today!

[JaoJao in reply to Windle40]

I’ve been wanting more feedback on this topic too! Have been looking up podcasts last few days to try out on the upcoming solid runs.

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to JaoJao]

Pleased it helped Jao. Good luck trying out some podcasts.

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to Windle40]

Glad it came at the right time Windle, usually I have thoughts while running then don't actually post them when I get home! Good luck today.

[Windle40 Graduate in reply to Ping-pong]

I found it a much more enjoyable run I chose comedy and for once I wasn’t counting the minutes down! Yay!

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to Windle40]

Comedy! What a great idea, that opens up a whole other world of possibilities, and I guess if we're smiling/laughing/groaning we can't be tensed up at the same time so must be good for running. Pleased your run went well today.

[CookieM Graduate]

I have also changed to spoken word. 🎧 The first time I did c25k was with the podcasts, so music was not optional! But when I graduated I found it hard to find music I wanted to run to - mainly because as a musician I wanted to run to the beat of the music! 🎶 So now I use spoken word, and am not worried about keeping up or slowing down with the music - I just run!!

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to CookieM]

Thanks Cookie. With music I also found I would automatically speed up or slow down with each new track but with spoken word I just settled into one rhythm.

[TuxCatLady Graduate]

I've also switched from music to podcasts/audio books recently. I find it more distracting and absorbing than music for those times when ths legs or lungs are starting to protest! The podbean app is worth checking out.

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to TuxCatLady]

Thanks TCL, I will have a look at the podbean app.

[JaoJao]

Thank you so much for posting this! Exactly what I’ve been looking for. I’ve been searching podcasts to prepare for my upcoming runs! I’m interested in an array of topics so going to give it a try and hopefully one will work!

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to JaoJao]

Pleased it was useful Jao. Hope you find an absorbing topic for your runs.

[Ruutu14]

I started without any music. It's only at W8 that I added some, mainly to distract myself. When I was younger I never ran with music, trouble was I was also fitter and with more energy. I try to vary the pitch and tone, starting with 'Fanfare of the common man' and alsorts after that

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to Ruutu14]

Thanks Ruutu, that's a good idea to vary the pitch and tone. I do like jancanrun's music lists which she has put on Spotify, especially the one she did using suggestions from this site of the first single we ever bought - that has some real variety in it (mine was The Poacher by the late great Ronnie Lane & Slim Chance).

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Great post!! 😁😁 I’m usually quite engrossed in the conversations on the NRC app. I have listened to an audio book before, but I haven’t tried it for a long time, so I might give it another go!! Thank you!! 🤗❤️

[Ping-pong Graduate in reply to Fabulous450]

You're welcome Fab, happy running.