I see so many posts online where the topic of running with or without music is discussed, so I thought I drop my own views on that in here.
First of all, the whole matter is one of personal choice, there is therefore no right or wrong answer, it’s up to you.
I could of course stop there and leave it at that, but you know I won’t. For me there are a number of factors which can be brought into the discussion, and we’ll look at each in a little more detail
- Entertainment
- Pacing
- Nature
- Safety
Starting with ENTERTAINMENT, I personally like running with other people and so mine is provided by having good company around me, but that’s not always possible on every run, or for all of us. On those longer runs, especially through sometimes uninspiring urban or suburban landscapes, and especially industrial estates (yes, they can be a feature on many of our runs), boredom can set in. Our minds are less than stimulated and this is where listening to music can lift our mood, help the miles flow past more quickly, and just help eat or an hour or two, often more, making sure we get those miles in when we need it most.
When I started running I listened to a lot of music, but at that time running wasn’t a passion of mine (it took a while for that to develop) and so I used it as a way to get through the pain and unpleasantness of it all. My musical repertoire was very limited to what I’d put on my old iPod nano, but it worked just fine. Music also brought me to tears at the end of my very first Marathon, but that’s a story for another day, perhaps when I write about the emotional highs and lows of running.
In conclusion, music can help alleviate the pain and boredom of running, but the more you enjoy your running, the less you find it painful or boring, so maybe music becomes less of a need?
When it comes to PACING, music can play a really important role here, and you need to be careful. Different tempos and beats will get your feet moving in time. Occasionally you’ll be flying, at other times you be plodding along. Both, of course, are fine unless you are in a really specific period in your training plan and need to hit certain targets. When it comes to running in general though, who cares? If the music is helping, bring it on! Running to a beat can really boost your mood, and I found that, for me, heavy rock and even punk did the trick. Maybe I should try it again soon?
Now then, onto NATURE.
And this is where I find music ruins my runs. I am lucky enough to live on the edge of town, with miles of fields, trails and the gently rolling patchwork of the English countryside on my doorstep. I am in love with it. I listen to the wind in the trees, the birds twittering in the hedges, deer barking from the woodland, and larks singing over grassy fields. This all brings me enormous joy, and is a massive part of my running. Running in nature makes me feel so grateful. Grateful that I am actually able to do it when so many cannot. Grateful for the world around me. Grateful that I have the luxury of time to get out and spend time away from it all. For my, the sounds of nature are my music, nothing more is needed, my earphones stay well and truly at home, they could not possibly enhance what nature provides. For me, they have no place on running in the “wild”
Finally, let’s move on to SAFETY. I’ll start with a question. Have you ever, whilst out, running or otherwise) come across runner who is obviously totally unaware of your presence? In their own little world listening to something? Actually jump a little when they notice you or eventually hear you coming? They are cut off from it all, isolated from everything and, whilst this must be blissful on so many levels, isn’t it just so dangerous?
Listening to music like this means you can’t hear the traffic, maybe someone wants to alert you to danger, maybe someone has less than good intentions (muggings do happen), and you just won’t know. I’ve run with those open ear headphones and they really help, giving you the best of both worlds, but I’ve seen so many runners with buds shoved right in – is that really such a good idea?
In the end, it’s all a matter of individual choice. For me, for now, it’s no music. It’s a good natter with my friends, and my ears open to nature.
What about you?