When I started running I wouldn’t use music. I found that it made me run too fast and I really needed to learn to pace. I also was running on a kind of desolate trail except for speedy bikers, so I wanted to hear what was going on. Now that I am better at pacing and run somewhere else, I’m addicted to music. But sometimes on long runs I’ll start the first 1/2 without music, and reward myself with it after 5 miles to pump me up.

I’m still a relatively new runner (about a year and a half) and for the first year I almost always ran with my friend and we would chat – so no music. On the rare instances I ran on my own I pretty much always ran with no music – and races I like running without music to enjoy the crowds. Now that my friend is unavailable for a few more months (she’s out of the country) I’ve picked up the ipod – it’s definitely a nice change of pace, but I’d like to still keep in practice running without music so I can comfortably do my races that way.

It is toasty hummus or hummusy toast? The jury is out.

I have to have music to workout. It’s pretty much a fact that I will have a bad workout if I don’t have music.

I have done both, but prefer to run without. I never listen to music when running outside, always listen when I’m on a treadmill, and listen during races less than 25% of the time. You miss out on so much of the race when you’re in your own little world with your iPod! I used it during my most recent marathon in October, and I actually felt sad after the race (despite the 13 minute PR!) because I never felt like “part” of the event.

Haha I was dying last night reading the latest one. Definite music addict while working out.

I can’t workout without music- it keeps me going!

I have to have noise of some sort, music, a book…something!

I just about died laughing when I read that post. I love hyperbole and a half…check out the reality vs. expectations post if you haven’t seen it already.

I ran my first 10k without an iPod (I assumed it would be antisocial – how naive I was) and I didn’t struggle too much. But for the most part, without music, the workout seems harder.

I much prefer not having music. I’ve tried to listen to music, but I just end up turning my iPod off. It’s probably because I’ve spent so many years going without music that I am used to it now. I love the silence of my morning runs!

Good call on Hyperbole and a Half!

She is the funniest thing on the internet. I laugh out loud all the time reading her stuff!

Ugh that has almost happened to me on a few occasions and I think I would have gone mental if my iPod died! I usually keep my iPod and iPod touch in my gym bag in case one runs out during one of the spin classes I teach, so having a backup on hand definitely helps.
I love the H&AH posts too – and I agree they really do look like your dogs!! 🙂

My headphones died during a run and I kept putting off buying a replacement pair. I thought I would make-do without music for a while until I had time to get to the store. But several runs later, lo and behold, I started to enjoy the silence and never did buy a new set. Now I let my mind wander off while I run, and I find my runs to be more therapeutic- a true escape from the constant noise of everyday life. Also, it’s less stuff to carry and worry about charging!

Never own an iPod! Pretty much used to working minus music. I bet it’s interesting to try sometime 😉

My friend shared that cartoon with my and I laughed out loud. My dog is a rescue and has bad anxiety so I can totally relate.

I tried running with tunes when I first started but back then I would get bad diaphram cramps if I didn’t keep my breathing steady. The music made that hard for me to do so I stopped running with tunes and haven’t looked back.

I go back and forth, depending on my mood. Sometimes I love having energetic music, other times I love the peacefulness of our woodsy roads.

Is that a corn relish on your salad? Looks good!

It depends… definitely on a longer run, I want music. I’ve done races with and without them and found no true difference in my time. I think music just makes it a little less mentally challenging.

I love my gym because they play music over the speakers. This way, I can work out to music without having those buds in my ear. This means no control over the songs, but fortunately they mostly play hip-hop, which I like, and even songs I normally wouldn’t listen to on my iPod sound good blasted that loud!

Running without music is pretty much impossible for me!!

I’m definitely a music addict. Broken ipod? NO RUN FOR ME!

I am a music addict- and I totally am okay with that!

I definitely prefer podcasts.

I cannot run without music. No question.

Any suggestions for horrible IT band syndrome? Nothing I’ve tried works for me, and I can’t run more than 3 miles since a half marathon a few weeks ago. Bah.

Hyperbole and a Half is the best blog ever. Everytime she posts I squeal with delight and enjoy the day more because of the humor. Yeah, I’m obsessed.

It depends on my mood! Sometimes I need to have tunes to stay motivated (or distracted perhaps!) . Other times I am happy to run without!

I’m usually a music person- I love the chance to rock out & zone out. But every once in awhile, a nice quiet run is just what I need.

I like running without music. I don’t have an iPod or MP3 player, so I’ve never run with musical accompaniment. I’m an outdoor runner (I loathe treadmills and tracks) and I really enjoy being able to pay attention to my environment. I listen to birds, look up at the leaves, admire my neighbors’ gardens, talk to dogs that bark at me… haha my runs aren’t musical, but there are plenty of things to keep my interest.

I used to rely on my ipod an felt like I could only run with music, but about two years ago we moved to a town with a huge running community. Socializing while running was a great way to meet people and to transition away from the ipod. Now I never use my ipod even on my long, lonely runs. Although I will admit to watching tv or reading a book while on the treadmill 🙂

I prefer running without music, but I like doing ST, other workouts WITH.

MUST. HAVE. MUSIC. 🙂

I LOVE Allie & Hyperbole… (and she just moved to Bend, Oregon – WOO !!) 🙂

I actually thought of you (Maggie…) when reading this last night! Seriously.

I cannot run without music. My running buddy, however, never listens to music and prefers to play it in her head.

I envy people that can run without music! It seems so much more…in tune with your body. But the only time I’ve ever run without it was a 5k with a friend to talk to the whole time!

FYI as I was singing up for a turkey trot today, a woman told me her daughter just completed Girls On The Run. She raved about the wonderful organization – so as if you didn’t already know, you work with a great group!

I had my Ipod die within the first two minutes of a race once. I thought I was doomed but I ran with such clarity, it was great. I love Hyperbole-and-Half… so funny, she really inspires me to keep working on my cartooning skills.

Hyperbole and a Half is so funny! I’m definetly a music addict, I can’t really excercise without it.

I prefer music but recently ran the Army 10 miler without music bc I was told they were very strict about having MP3 players. I thought it was going to be torturous but it honestly wasn’t all that bad…but I think the people and the energy around me helped. If it had been a normal run, I would have died.

It’s not silent just because you don’t have your ipod! What about the wind, the birds, people, the city, streams and rivers…?

And on the rare occasions it really is quiet, I just embrace the rare opportunity to get some peace, to disconnect from everything. It’s very meditative.

I definitely prefer running with music but every now and then I just need the silence. During my first marathon I took out my earbuds after about 3 1/2 hours because I was totally burned out of music and it was giving me a headache. During my second, though, the music only lasted about an hour and a half before I couldn’t stand it anymore! It was very weird!

I thought I was a total music addict, but recently I ran sans iPod…and it was really nice! I could actually think 🙂

MUST HAVE MUSIC!!! Absolutely no exceptions…

I love music during exercise, I always seem to work out harder and get a better sweat.

I have become a music addict while I run, especially on the long runs. I have certain songs that I call my “tempo songs” that I play at certain times during my run to make sure I’m going at a strong pace (usually at the beginning and then every 2.5-3 miles).:)

I have to run with music, if I don’t, I think too much about running and how my legs hurt etc. With music it is background noise and gives me something else to concentrate on.

I have only ran in silence once and it was awesome. It was outside is a wooded area I could hear nature. However, if I was to run in silence on a treadmill, I would go insane. I always run with music on.

I love Hyperbole and a Half! When I need a laugh I go there. I am a music addict too most of the time. Nothing motivates me more than upbeat music. Sometimes I do feel like working out without music though so I can just think.

I always run with music. I ran my first 10K on Sunday – and discovered right before the start that my iPod had died. Well, I finished the race, and it was fun, but probably would have been more fun w/music. Not that I wasn’t happy to finish!

And Hyperbole and a Half is awesome. I’ve read that post over & over, and it gets better every time!

I think I just don’t get running to begin with – I get SO bored after 5 minutes of any monotonous exercise! I think I’m more suited to playing sports 😀

that dog cartoon on the hyberbole blog is BRILLIANT – absolutely hilarious!!!!!! I just snorted juice up my nose at my desk reading it and laughing at the same time.

Julia
Brides Up North

That was the funniest story. I have tears running down my face from laughing so hard.

I’m definitely a music addict – it gets from unmotivated to energetic during my workout!

Also, I have to say, I love all the sourdough bread you eat! So many people, one of which was myself when I had disordered eating, are afraid of carbs and I would always cut out that food group. Now that I’m healthier, I know what an important and vital food group it is (hello energy and better moods!) and I absolutely love them – especially sourdough! 🙂
You’re an inspiration to me and your blogs have helped me get healthier – I now view foods and my body as being “healthy” not good or bad or a number on the scale. Thank you 🙂