Good morning! I'm celebrating my birthday present with my coffee mug choice today.
It's marathon week!!!!!
Commence the panicking. I heard Eric tell his dad on the phone "Alyssa's running a marathon on Sunday". I thought, why would he say that? Oh CRAP I AM!!!
I started off the week with a 4.25 mile run at an average 9:29 pace. It was another beautiful run where I didn't want to stop. I really wish I could bottle that feeling and dump it all over myself at about mile 20 on Sunday.
Around 5:30 am, when I was pushing snooze like crazy, I decided to make this run music-less. That's a big deal because I can't remember a run since college where I was by myself, without headphones. But, I do remember in college, occasionally leaving my discman at home because I would feel like running without it. I'd like to get back to that, and not be so dependent on music. Because I really don't want to listen to music the WHOLE time during my marathon, I decided to use this week to reconnect with mother nature. It was surprisingly pleasant listening to the birds chirp (traffic might not be so nice, though) and the run flew by. Amanda says she does one run a week without music, and I think I should adopt this practice.
On my quiet run, I fantasized about a spring of speedwork and race PRs - half marathon, 5K, and ten miler - all starting with the Shamrock Marathon. I think I can do it. I'm really glad I signed up for the Lead Strong Half so I have something to look forward to after Shamrock is over.
Do you run with music? What are your thoughts on it?
I run listening to podcasts from NPR (because I'm a giant nerd). It keeps me entertained and my mind occupied. I get tired of music and can't really afford to update my itunes every couple of weeks.
ReplyDeleteWhen I run with others, I don't listen to music, but I like it when I run alone. I don't turn it up too loud so I can hear if the baby is fussing, but it's critical to have something.
ReplyDeleteAfter running a marathon in silence yesterday, I don't think I'm going to take any more silent runs for a while :)
OMG marathon week!
ReplyDeleteI've also been trying to do a few runs with no music. I started accidentally when my iPod died 2 miles into a 7 mile run. After that I realized it wasn't so bad, but I still feel dependent on it!
I usually run with music. But if I'm running at night, I never have music. I'd much rather listen for attackers. ;-)
ReplyDeleteOne of my recent half marathons, I left my iPod in the car and ran the whole thing without music and didn't mind at all. So, I can go either way. Even on the treadmill.
99% of the time i listen to music. It motivates me & plus i can't stand to listen to myself huffing & puffing. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I trained for my first half I listened to music on every run, but for the second I never did. I think it's because I ran with friends. We didn't talk much, but it was really relaxing to not have music.
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