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I've recently started running regularly. At first I got a phone strap thing and some Bluetooth earbuds. Used them while running for a while. Music or podcasts.

I've recently started running regularly. At first I got a phone strap thing and some Bluetooth earbuds. Used them while running for a while. Music or podcasts. Then my friend, who is a much better runner than me, told me he likes to keep it simple. None of that stuff, just a Garmin watch for pacing/tracking reasons. So I've started running "quietly" as well. It's great. Not only am I exercising my body, I'm cleaning my mind.

100pctremote 9y ago
Great advice
jackvalentine 9y ago
I often run with my Bluetooth headphones on, but playing nothing. This is because of the fear I’ll be 5k from home and suddenly ‘bored’ whilst running. It’s rediculous.
- mantas 9y ago
  Why are you afraid of being bored? You brain knows how to fill the time. You may be afraid because you know what you brain will fill it with. But it may be worth to listen to what you brain has to say and try to get to terms with yourself :)
  - jackvalentine 9y ago
    Mate if I could tell you :)
    - mantas 9y ago
      Go for a run, leave your buds at home, report when you're back :) I think I know how you feel. I love long solo runs/rides/hikes. I'd lie if I said I was never afraid of random thoughts popping into my head. I look at it as sort of meditation. There're plenty of articles regarding fear of meditation. Check them out. You're not alone afraid of being alone.
      - jackvalentine 9y ago
        I'm not afraid of random thoughts, nor being alone - I have a sense of unease about being a decent distance from home and not being entertained on the way back. Let's not over diagnose this :)
        mantas 9y ago
        I was talking specifically about the unease of not being entertained, thus forced to be with yourself. Just sharing my experience. Unease usually doesn't come from nowhere. Everybody is different though.
mewse 9y ago
I used to listen to podcasts while running or walking, but eventually found that they were replacing the 'quiet time' that my brain would otherwise be using to mull over work or home challenges I was facing. As a programmer, I've discovered that I almost always do better work, faster, if I've been taking my walks and exercise without audio entertainment. Don't know whether that happens for other people as well, but it's been pretty consistent for me. (I do still wear cheap earbuds during exercise, though; you get far fewer interruptions when people assume you won't be able to hear them!)
- lolive 9y ago
  Regarding podcasts, my new strategy has been to buy a fucking awesome armchair. And listen to them only on that armchair. My other ritual is to evaluate every five minutes whether the current podcast is pointless or not. And skip it before the end. That is surprisingly efficient.
ivanche 9y ago
This! While I had been preparing for the marathon, I never ran with earbuds. Running, in essence, is a deeply philosophical activity.
- lolive 9y ago
  This is a chicken and egg question. A device will interfere between your inner self and your surroundings. Ideal when your surroundings are shitty. On the contrary, the lack of device will "force" you to search and find a nicer surroundings. Introspection vs connection, choose your side.
  - mantas 9y ago
    That's a very interesting observation. I run without buds and the only time when I'd want them is really boring straight stretches, e.g. along highway. I'd say novelty is important too. Whenever I do smth in new location or listen to new music, there's next to zero introspection. The usual location or known music seem helps introspection. In addition to that, if the location is unpleasant, it's hard to get into introspection mode. TL;DR known-but-nice locations are best for introspection runs :)
- zimpenfish 9y ago
  Anecdata: The two best[1] marathon runners I know mostly run with earbuds. [1] One did 240+ in 2017; the other 120+. Both broke the relevant records.
Cthulhu_ 9y ago
I used to go to work via the train and always had my earbuds in; part was from boredom, but I think a more important factor was blocking out the noise and whatnot. When I forgot my earbuds, I got restless on the one hand, and while waiting at a train station, remembered why I had them in. Loud train noises and such. Of course, no earbuds will block out the smell. (trains here dump their toilets onto the train tracks; it's officially not allowed to use toilets at stations, but it's not enforced).

100pctremote 9y ago

Great advice

jackvalentine 9y ago

I often run with my Bluetooth headphones on, but playing nothing. This is because of the fear I’ll be 5k from home and suddenly ‘bored’ whilst running. It’s rediculous.

mantas 9y ago
Why are you afraid of being bored? You brain knows how to fill the time. You may be afraid because you know what you brain will fill it with. But it may be worth to listen to what you brain has to say and try to get to terms with yourself :)
- jackvalentine 9y ago
  Mate if I could tell you :)
  - mantas 9y ago
    Go for a run, leave your buds at home, report when you're back :) I think I know how you feel. I love long solo runs/rides/hikes. I'd lie if I said I was never afraid of random thoughts popping into my head. I look at it as sort of meditation. There're plenty of articles regarding fear of meditation. Check them out. You're not alone afraid of being alone.
    - jackvalentine 9y ago
      I'm not afraid of random thoughts, nor being alone - I have a sense of unease about being a decent distance from home and not being entertained on the way back. Let's not over diagnose this :)
      - mantas 9y ago
        I was talking specifically about the unease of not being entertained, thus forced to be with yourself. Just sharing my experience. Unease usually doesn't come from nowhere. Everybody is different though.

mewse 9y ago

I used to listen to podcasts while running or walking, but eventually found that they were replacing the 'quiet time' that my brain would otherwise be using to mull over work or home challenges I was facing. As a programmer, I've discovered that I almost always do better work, faster, if I've been taking my walks and exercise without audio entertainment. Don't know whether that happens for other people as well, but it's been pretty consistent for me. (I do still wear cheap earbuds during exercise, though; you get far fewer interruptions when people assume you won't be able to hear them!)

lolive 9y ago
Regarding podcasts, my new strategy has been to buy a fucking awesome armchair. And listen to them only on that armchair. My other ritual is to evaluate every five minutes whether the current podcast is pointless or not. And skip it before the end. That is surprisingly efficient.

ivanche 9y ago

This! While I had been preparing for the marathon, I never ran with earbuds. Running, in essence, is a deeply philosophical activity.

lolive 9y ago
This is a chicken and egg question. A device will interfere between your inner self and your surroundings. Ideal when your surroundings are shitty. On the contrary, the lack of device will "force" you to search and find a nicer surroundings. Introspection vs connection, choose your side.
- mantas 9y ago
  That's a very interesting observation. I run without buds and the only time when I'd want them is really boring straight stretches, e.g. along highway. I'd say novelty is important too. Whenever I do smth in new location or listen to new music, there's next to zero introspection. The usual location or known music seem helps introspection. In addition to that, if the location is unpleasant, it's hard to get into introspection mode. TL;DR known-but-nice locations are best for introspection runs :)
zimpenfish 9y ago
Anecdata: The two best[1] marathon runners I know mostly run with earbuds. [1] One did 240+ in 2017; the other 120+. Both broke the relevant records.

Cthulhu_ 9y ago

I used to go to work via the train and always had my earbuds in; part was from boredom, but I think a more important factor was blocking out the noise and whatnot. When I forgot my earbuds, I got restless on the one hand, and while waiting at a train station, remembered why I had them in. Loud train noises and such. Of course, no earbuds will block out the smell. (trains here dump their toilets onto the train tracks; it's officially not allowed to use toilets at stations, but it's not enforced).