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Was talking with Shroomy the other day as we ran a few laps together. I LOVED it. Talking with a mate as you run is for incredibly lucky people.
One of the things we talked about was her use of headphones when she runs. She likes to pump up the music and distract herself from her tired breathing and muscles, every time she goes.
When I first started running seriously, I was the same - always headphones. Music for short runs, audio books for long ones. I still associate marathon training with “On the Origin of the Species”! There came a time where it completely switched for me though, when I could no longer stand to wear headphones when running.
At first it was just because I was trying to work on my form and couldn’t concentrate. Soon though, donning headphones became an shameful admission that I was trying to mask the feeling of running. Like running was a chore to be endured rather than a joy to be celebrated. It started to feel like betrayal!
This is not a criticism of headphones or their wearers. I overthink on the purity of running!
I love my headphones and using them when I’m boxing. I get right into the music as I hit the bag and it’s a great feeling, punching along with the beat. That’s lots of people when running too. Go for it.
I do have an invitation though…
If you’re an “always headphones when running” person, once a week, even for 5 minutes, take them off.
Embrace the run. Take a moment to find a rhythm, breathing pattern and a form that is comfortable, then just drift into it. Slow down if you have to. Look for that magic place hiding in your run and go there, just for a little while.
I promise you it’s there. Most people never see it, but most people aren’t looking! Remove all distractions, commune with your environment, take note of how you feel, be in the moment and celebrate your body’s incredible stump-stirring ability. Feel it.
This is where running can become akin to mindfulness (apologies to those of you that had mindfulness forced down your school aged throats). When it becomes just you, your space and the beautiful motion.
Or don’t. Bangers on eleven works too.