Lobby: The trouble with music during a run

During my time as a runner (nearly 11 years now) I have found that you can group nearly every single runner into one of two categories.  The first category is the runner that cannot go without their Mp3 player.  The second; the runner that cannot go out with an Mp3 player.

 I am firmly in the latter.

 When I first started running competitively, my friend, as cool as he is, bought me a small Mp3 player that I could easily take with me on a run.  I thanked him and thought it was great since I had never had the means to bring some music on a run. 

After a week, I told him that I had to return it.  When he asked why, I stated that it messed up my rhythm and pace too much.  He looked at me like I was stupid.

 But it was true.  I initially put on my favorite music which was/is techno/trance/electronica.  Well, the fast beat of the music drove my pace that much faster and I found myself cooking to the tune of 5 minute miles.  When I would try to slow down, the fast beat of the music would still be drumming and quite honestly I would find myself slowing way down, stumbling over my own feet, etc.  

 On my next couple of runs that week I tried different styles of music: hard rock, classical, country, etc.  No matter what song I played, I always found that it would always mess me up one way or another.  Anything from wonky pace, to irregular breathing (probably from trying to sing along), to stumbling feet.

 After the week or so, I finally gave up.  I've since tried from time to time running with music, but I got the same results every time.  Lately, however, I have eased back on the competitve running and am starting to find that I'm getting lonely out on the road.  I think music could help aleviate that a bit.

Therefore, my question to all you music listeners:

How do you run with music (how does it help you)? and what music do you listen to?

I'm a new runner (just about 1 year) and I'm one of those people who enjoys running with my mp3.  I find that if I lose myself in my music my pace just becomes more natural and something that I'm not worrying about or focusing on.  However, I do know the beat does affect your pace, especially if its a fast paced song.  For me, '80s music works great.  Many of the dance songs from the '80s seem to have the perfect beat for my pace.  Give it a try.

I also listen to books, but I have to say I listen to music as well, and I have never found it interferes with my pace. In fact, I often find that it helps me find a pace. You know that feeling when your breathing and your stride are in perfect sync, and when you are really pushing? Well, when that happens to me with music as well, it is transcendent. More frequently, music provides something else to concentrate on when the run gets tough -- it helps me move through the tough times.

I am, incidentally, a runner who goes out just about every day, and has for four years (before the streak, I was a pretty consistent runner for previous 20 years). I am not too fast, but not all that slow either. I average about 8:30, and I run 30-45 miles a week.

 What do I listen to? Springsteen, Stones, Grateful Dead, String Cheese Incident, Allman Brothers, Elton John, Van Morrison, and show tunes. I change my playlist about every other day. I also subscribe to the This American Life podcast and listen to books pretty frequently.

LawandEconomics, I've never even thought about listening to something like a podcast.  Interesting.... I should give this a try sometime soon. 

Often times, the music I would listen to would set a pace for me.  It's just that it was the wrong pace, lol.  Then I would change the song to get one better suited to my desired pace, but that would just mess me up more because I'm moving my arms around to hit the 'next' button.  Grrrr.  

 I'll have to try a podcast though since it doesn't really have a beat to it. I'm just afraid that I won't be able to concentrate and 'hear' what they are saying which would defeat the whole purpose I think.  We'll see :-)

 To all of you, thanks for the replies!

I guess one factor that could affect the desire to run with/without music could be the reason you're running?  Training for a specific race/event vs. running to stay in shape vs. running for fun.

 Of course, maybe I'm A.D.D. because I can't focus on music and running at the same time?  

I like to run with music, but I also found that it would set the pace for me.  So ... I found out through trial and error what my pace is (Beats per Minute) and I download Podrunner podcasts (free from iTunes - look up "Podrunner").  They're about an hour, and they are set to beats from 130 to 180 bpm.  Not too many words, and a bit techno/dancy, but all I want is the beat - and it does help me A LOT to keep my pace and to escape into the music when I need to.  It's also good for those who are trying to inch up their speed.  I started out at 130 BPM (slow, I know) and now I have to run to at least 152 BPM or it feels too slow.  This lets you up your speed almost without thinking about it, as the beats are telling you how fast to go.

Something I am strongly considering is some software (about $40) that allows you to download any song and set it to the BPM you want.  That way I could just use my favorite songs (even if they're a bit faster or slower than "normal") to run to.

As I read these posts about music, rhythm and BPM etc... I wonder if I am the only one out there who runs just to run.  I am not out to achieve any specific heart rate, pace or distance.  I am not upset or depressed if I do not achieve a certain "whatever."  Regardless as to whether I run with or without music, whether I run an entire route, or walk part or most of it, or whether I cut corners or add a mile or two, on any given day I run to just run.  I enjoy the scenery.  I enjoy the interaction with other runners.  Most of all, I enjoy coming back in from the run and stretching for twenty minutes - relaxing and breathing.  I guess what I like best is that it releases stress.  I have run with and without music for many years - over twenty if you want to know.  I am much older now (41) and if that has something to do with it or not I do not know, but I now enjoy running to music and letting my mind drift off and go where it wants to go.  I do not focus on my body or anything other than what I want to do at that moment (go right, straight, turn, faster, slower, go farther, or go home).  So maybe for me, it is age that drives the motivation to run with or without music - perhaps it is the enjoyment of “company.”         

I love music and have a couple of ipods and tons of music but never ever listen while running.  Running almost exclusively on roads I feel like I need to be acutely aware of my surroundings.  It's also a great time to just think about stuff. 

Ever tried Haydn symphonies? No, seriously! They're perfect for a short regular run - being only about 30 to 40 minutes long - and always end on an upbeat allegro movement. All 104 of them should take you about 8 months, if you run three times a week ...

Gonna have to agree Linkin Park is awesome runnning misic. Though I usually have issues with the headphones.

I brought some Philips ones that loop round the ear. Not sure if either my running technique is too bumpy or i have odd shaped ears, but they are forever falling off. Which is just really annoying.

Due to the amount off you who promote audio aids whilst running, I pressume there exists headphones that stay in. Can people reccomend any?

I've tried different type of headphones and MP3 player. I tried regular iPod, iPod nano, small MP3 player, and cell phone with Mp3 player, but I always had problem with the headphone/ear piece cord.  Finally, I got Oakley thump Pro.  no more headphone cord, no more falling ear pieces, no more incident of  i almost dropped my nano in the toilet while using a portable potty... (maybe that's only me...)

I chose the one with transition lenses that change the darkness when you go outside.  So, I can wear them both indoor and outdoor.  It's perfect for the winter race that starts early in the morning.  I can even wear at night.

I am firmly in the "go either way" camp.   It really depends on my mood.  I can say that in some ways on some days it really helps me to keep my pace and stay motivated - and perhaps be less conscious of how much farther I have to go.  Then, other days I may start out with the music and find it's just annoying me.  I start fussing with the player, forwarding through songs I don't want to hear - it's distracting and weighs me down (mentally).

 I have a different problem that is related, however.  I don't know if my ears are just strangely formed, but there are virtually NO earbuds that fit my ears and stay in.  Another reason I don't use my ipod is because nothing stays on my head or in my ears.  I envision myself running with those huge Bose headphones....they might actually stay. (Even the ones with the little ear clips don't stay on!).  Anyone found anything that works?  Am I alone with this problem?

Thanks.

i think that running is a time to releive stress and just think.  Using an

mp3 or other distraction is not good.  Besides not enjoying the run in itself, you are endangering yourself.  It's hard to hear cars when you have music.  I wish more runners would find that running doesn't need more entertainment to make it fun.  It already is.

Today I finally got my runs to work with an iPod. I find that using a headband to hold the earbuds in place helps, although you have to adjust it often and it's a little annoying.

As for an mp2 player distracting you from the run, I don't think that's completely true. Yes, it does make the mental game easier, but on a long or quick run, it still comes down to your willpower.

And I still did have fun during my run. I enjoyed the continuous feel of my feet hitting the ground- each individual step towards my goal. This run was just as satisfying as other runs I did without an mp3 player.

I've been running for a few years now, and I only just even started considering music a couple of months ago. Like guardian I'm in it for the love of running, I love being outdoors and hearing and seeing nature and just... running! Not necessarily too bothered about pace, heart rate, or whatever. However, I'm 21 heh, so I don't think it's an age-related thing. I generally use runs as a way to clear my head, sort out any problems I have, I guess because when I started I was an undergrad at university, I liked this, brain-storming opporunity plus stress-reliever all in one! Now I'm a post-grad though, and well... I'd rather not think about all the things I need to sort out, they're best left in the lab heh. Anyway, the upshot of all this is that I'm working in a lab long hours now, and obviously now it's winter it gets dark, and I have pretty bad eye sight and have ran out of contact lenses, so I just joined the uni gym, seemed the easy way to be able to keep up running over the dark and cold winter months. They had TVs! I found it quite good to listen and watch the TVs while I was running (tempo runs, no point when doing intervals really). Also I found the radio to be a good way of keeping me from dying from boredom (seeing the same thing and people for an hour or so, you're on a treadmill, there's no nature, you don't go anywhere). I went for my first long run outdoors yesterday... and took my MP3 player because it has an FM radio, and I thought the chatter would be good for "company" I guess (I used to take a friend on a bike on the substantially longer runs), and low and behold, the radio just wouldn't work!! BAH! So I turned on the music, initially to Pendulum (drum and bass/techno) and yeah... found maybe my pace a bit quicker than usual, but not uncomfortable, and I guess because as a student I used to revise to music constantly, I'm used to sorta having it there to occupy my brain, so it doesn't really take over my pace or anything. ANYWAY, that only lasted 30 minutes before I ran out of songs, so I then moved on to Chimaira (metal)... and my god... I live in Sheffield, steep hills a plenty, and I found myself powering up them. I found myself running stronger aswell... not neccessarily faster, just stronger, it felt good, and I finished a lot quicker than I planned, but I didn't feel tired. I guess the music just brought out something in me I didn't know I had!!

 Sorry for the blether! I think the summary is: I can run with or without, but I think on long runs, I'll probably carry on having music on, if only to distract that part of my brain that tends to get bored easily, allowing my more immediate thought to concentrate on the running and other things I want to figure out. Oh, and to help me power up those damn hills! (Yeah yeah, I know technically they're good for me, but the novelty of living in the San Fransisco of the north of England has worn out now :P )

I like to run with music when I'm by myself and running long.  If I'm doing speed work or a road race, I have to leave the mp3 player home. I tend to loose concentration and can't stay on pace. I find I don't miss the music, if I don't bring it with me, unless it is a long run.

Some Marathon/Race organizers may start to disqualify runners with MP3 players. I think that is foolish and feel bad for people who say they need the MP3 player to run with. I would hate someone to tell me I couldn't run with mine, eventhough I don't usually bring it with me to a road race. 

Whenever I am running i try to not and get in the habit of running with the music.  I don't want to become over dependant on it just in case something happens to my ipod. 

Although when I do make a point and run with the pod, i have noticed that once i get a good up-beat song, my pace per mile gets faster.  Anyone else experienced this?  Or is this just me?

I personally cant stand listening to music while i run i really like to be intune with my body and all music does for me is dull the connection. There is one time i will listen to music and that is on a treadmill cause i hate those more than i hate being out of sinc with my body.

I guess its just personal preference as they say "to each his own"

Hello everyone, it is interesting to see how different people view music+running.

I began as a competitive swimmer in high school. The girls always wanted to listen to music - I didn't care. Running took me over after that because it is just easier to head out my back door anytime than find an available pool lane. I'm also a pianist and played in the school band for a bit. I've learned to play different types of music (either between my hands or with other people) at the same time, and I think that helps when I run and listen to music. My Ipod shuffle usually has punk, alternative, and maybe some other stuff on it at all times. Whether it a long, slow run or a faster, shorter run, I will listen to anything that I have.

The most important issue (to me) is learning how to set a pace in your mind without clocks/watches/rythm. I do this by getting my body in good form and then listen to my music for company. The music is separate from my running. It might help to run for a month without music, then try different bands out to see how they rock for you while running.

Actually, when a lot of time passes between runs, I always come back just listening to the city for a few days, rather than the shuffle. Not sure why.

For me it depends on the purpose of the run.  If I am pushing for distance, then the the music comes along so I can be distracted from the sound of my breathing and have something to zone off into.  But if I am working on intervals or simply pushing to see what is the fastest I can run one of my 5k routes, then the music is off so I can focus on my form and pace.  I find if I slip into zoning with the music, then I am still running but not as purposefully as would need to while running a race to hit a PR. 

 Also, if you are considering running in any upcoming USTAF sanctioned races, they are starting to ban the use of headphones (mostly the larger races), but enforcement of the ban has been spotty.  Just something to consider if you feel like you are tied to your MP3 player... or tape walkman if you're old skool!  ;)