I’ve got a new favorite song – I saw it performed on the VMAs from the sanctity (I said “titty”) of my living room and have loved it ever since. It’s on my “Beth’s Long Run” playlist now (Feel Again by One Republic).
Lately I’m sensing that some runners are frowning on other runners who run with music. It’s as if running with music either makes running too easy, or takes too much away from the authentic form of running. Somehow running with music makes one “less” of a runner. Huh?
While I completely get that music is not for everyone – some people love the sounds of nature, don’t wear headphones for safety reasons, or simply feel they cannot be in the “real” running zone with music – I don’t think it’s fair to judge others for listening to music.
I, for one, love music while I run. I don’t use it every time, but I use it often. I’m a talk radio girl, so I don’t listen to music in the car. And, if my kids are in the car, it’s always 80s on 8, which I love but it’s not my first choice. That’s partly why I enjoy listening to my music while I run – because it’s the only time I really do it. I like how it makes me feel. I love the energy of an upbeat song and I love how a slower, more thoughtful song will make me nostalgic. It kind of brightens things for me, especially on days when I could use some brightening.
That said, there can be safety issues with ear buds. I don’t wear them on the trails. And, I don’t wear them in the dark (because I never run in the dark). I also don’t wear them if I am training for an event that doesn’t allow them. I like to train specifically for the conditions I’ll be racing under.
My point is, whether you run with music or not, it doesn’t matter. You are running. Who cares how you do it? Does it make you any less of a runner if you watch the news while running on the treadmill?
I do find it interesting how some judge others for how “real” a runner they are. I mean, seriously, why do you have to run certain distances or races or use or not use certain types of gear to be “real?” Who are others to critique anyway? As far as I’m concerned, if you are out there doing it – any speed, any distance, wearing any type of clothing or shoes, with or without music – you are a runner.
Do you run with music? Why or why not?
Got a new favorite song on your playlist to share?
SUAR
