Is it focusing on your breathing?
Is it listening to the rhythm of your heartbeat?
Is it enjoying the time to meditate?
Is it becoming one with nature?
Or are you just plain running your worries of the day away?? LOL!
The list could go on and on. But, for the majority of us, it's what we are listening to!
Now, I'm not saying all of the above aren't great motivators, because in the beginning I ran a good four months without listening to anything but my GPS tracker updating me on my progress. It was cool at first, but then I started to get bored. I was tired of listening to the wind, my heartbeat, the birds etc.... I wanted something extra to enjoy my runs more.
So, I decided that I'd try what everyone else was doing and make a playlist. I didn't know what I was doing, what songs I wanted on the list or what was appropriate. So, I began downloading songs that I thought would keep me pumped up like Eye of the Tiger, that Champion whatever song, Hip Hop etc... I even threw in a few slow songs.
When I set off on my first run with my new playlist, I thought I was going to be rockin'! I thought I would just cruise along listening to my tunes and forget about the run altogether. NOT!! It was a disaster!!!!! I'm usually an even paced runner and that never changes. I can either speed up my pace for the entire run or slow it down and it stays the same for the entire mileage I decide to do. But not the day of my first playlist experience. I was all over the place. When an uptempo song came on, my pace sped up, immediately followed by some slow song which slowed me down! Not only was the music throwing me off my routine, I also went through all the emotions in the lyrics of the songs!! NOT GOOD! I had to shut the music off mid-run and become one with nature. LOL! Needless to say, that run did not go as intended. I had to regroup and refocus. I had to do more research! And by research, that means I had to ask around!
So, after countless runs with different playlists, I was about to give up and go back to my silent, peaceful runs. But then an Angel came to my rescue. My girl, fellow BGR! Charlotte runner Crystal Blair, saved me! She told me about this Pandora station she listens to which is all "Urban Comedy." At first, I didn't think that would work, listening to people talk while running. But hey, I was going to give it a try because I like to talk while running so what's the difference? It was a blessing in disguise. My first run with the Urban Comedy show was wonderful! Not only did I forget that I was running, I laughed the entire time. Granted, the people running around me probably thought I was on drugs, but who cares! I don't say anything when I see people talking to themselves walking down the street! LOL! So if we can get used to people doing that because they are on their cell phones, then darn it, we can get used to people busting out laughing at any moment just because! Man, from Kevin Heart, to Paul Rodriguez, Bernie Mack, and Kat Williams etc... I was rockin' and running with them all! I cannot go running without my Urban Comedy! I highly suggest you try it.
Either way, whatever you are listening to, make sure it's something that you enjoy! Whether its music, comedy, or even a book reading, make sure that it's not conflicting with your pace. Your listening selections should be in tune with your running pace, needs and goals. And if you are one of those runners that don't like listening to anything, that's fine too.
My next thing is to try listening to a book while running. I just know it has to be a drama to keep my interest. I have made a list of things that I'd like to listen to while running and I'm going to try each one. I always say, I'd try "ALMOST" anything once!
Whatever motivates you stay off the couch and keep moving forward is fantastic! Just keep moving!!!!!
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