If you live anywhere in the world that's been getting cold weather, it's probably been just as hard for you to layer up and get out the door in the cold. And dark. The good news is, the days are getting longer. In the meantime, Runner's World has compiled this great list of 101 things to motivate you:
Runner's World List: 101 Kicks in the Butt
Friday, January 25, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Running Naked
Running naked refers to running without music, not clothes. Although, I guess it could also refer to running without clothes. Who really wants to see that though?
The debate is long-standing. To run with music or not? Many races have restrictions on listening to music during the race. Be sure to check it out before you go, otherwise you could face being disqualified from the race.
Many can't fathom heading out the door without earbuds and a playlist. I used to be that way. Then I tried a new tactic: no music. I feel like it has really helped push my running to the next level. It's really just about training your brain, I think. I run without music on most runs now, and the reasons are pretty simple:
1. I don't like to listen to music on race day. I'd rather hear the crowd to get the full experience.
2. I need to be able to hear cars on the road since where I run is narrow country roads, and often in the dark. If I use music, I only wear one earbud.
3. Listening to music contributes to my boredom.
You might be confused by the last one. Let me explain. The music you listen to is music you love, right? You know the songs, and can sing them without really paying attention. Instead, you focus on how much you hurt, how far you have left to go, the twinge in your foot, etc. If you need to listen to something, I have found that a book on tape is a great solution. It forces your attention. Why listen to a book if you have no idea what's going on? That means it's occupying your brain away from ruminating about physical complaints. The added bonus? You're multi-tasking: "reading" and running!
What are your thoughts about music vs. none? Anybody found something that works for them?
Speaking of running naked, here's a link to a pretty cool race. The Strip N Run 5k is April 13th in Indianapolis. The run benefits the Salvation Army. The race features 4 "strip stations" where you shed the excess clothes you've put on for the race to donate to the Salvation Army. Pretty cool idea, right?
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