Last week I went to the premiere showing of ‘The Runners’, a film by Ivo Gormley and Matan Rochutz. They filmed various runners exercising in Victoria Park over the space of a year, and asked them what they were thinking about. Sounds simple, right? But actually, the variety of responses were amazing, everything from relationships, family, running, to God and the universe. You can see it here.
Now I’m not going to go on about what I think about when I’m running – (everything and nothing) but what I listen to when I’m running to distract myself from my own thoughts.
Music
During the NYCM, I took a cheap pair of earphones for emergency use only. I wanted to enjoy the crowd and take in all the sights and sounds of the marathon. When I hit mile 18 I knew I needed a pick me up, so switched on Tom’s Spotify, picking his Work Playlist that included lots of music he knew I would like. The next few miles my spirits were lifted hearing songs that reminded me of various friends, fun times, holidays. I’m not one of those people that needs a particular type of music to run to, it doesn’t matter if it’s fast or slow, as long as I like the song and it’s meaningful to me, then it will spur me forward.
You can see the playlist here if you like
PS my taste in music is questionable!
Podcasts
I’ve raved about how much I love Jillian Michaels on here before. Listening to her podcasts used to be a highlight of my long runs, catching up on the ones I hadn’t listened to before. But then I caught up, and I had to ration the podcasts- saving them for long runs, or the dreaded wet, gloomy runs. During my 20 mile run with Ashley, I downloaded ‘Stuff your MomNever told you’ which I found pretty interesting, and it definitely passed the time.
Audiobooks
I first thought about listening to audiobooks whilst running when Tom, kept saying no to listening to them in the car with me. As a child, my Mum and I would take long road trips and my favourite part was following along to a story in the car. Spending long hours on the Thames Path on my own was a great time to listen to a book, as well as catch up on some ‘reading’ that I just don’t get the time to do anymore! I listened to Bridget Jones diary during my 22 mile training run, and it was just the distraction I needed from a very wet, gloomy Kingston, although slightly embarrassing giggly out loud at parts!
I recommend choosing a book that you don’t need to follow too closely, as there were times that I felt like I forgot to listen! Additionally, I pulled out my earphones to chat to fellow runners a few times and couldn’t be bothered to rewind.
What do you listen to when you run, if anything?
What do you listen to when you run, if anything?
I listen to zombies run when I’m out running, which is part interactive audio book, part your own music. I really enjoy it especially the story parts which always makes me think about giving audio books a try, but sometimes I really switch off when I’m running and think I would miss out on big chunks of the book. Podcasts is a good idea though, will have to try that on my next long run.
Ooh I’ll have to check out Zombies Run, it sounds great!
If I’m on a long slow run I tend to listen to the podcast Marathon Talk- I’d recommend it, lots of banter, some good training tips and interviews with some really interesting people. If I listen to music it tends to be when I need a pick me up- I’ve downloaded “101 running songs” onto my phone and that helps!
Katie
If I’m on a long slow run I tend to listen to the podcast Marathon Talk- I’d recommend it, lots of banter, some good training tips and interviews with some really interesting people. If I listen to music it tends to be when I need a pick me up- I’ve downloaded “101 running songs” onto my phone and that helps!
Katie
I’ve had Marathon Talk on my to-listen list for ages!! Thanks for reminding me!
I just like listening to music, I’ve tried audiobooks before but I kind of zone out and not really listen or take in much of it, maybe I should give it another go.
Since I read this post and subsequently opened the playlist whilst stretching, I have had Olly Murs in my head constantly!
I like marathon talk or the latest Now cds as they always have lots of upbeat chart music to listen to.