Do you wear an iPod when you run outdoors?
Vote and let us know what you think in the comments field below.
Do you wear an iPod when you run outdoors?
- No (57%, 60 Votes)
- Yes (43%, 46 Votes)
Total Voters: 106
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Sometimes I do, but I keep it turned down low.
No! I think the purpose of running outdoors on the trail is to just take in the tranquility and serenity that nature provides.
Yes, I wear an iPod while running.
Yes – I find running so incredibly boring, my iPod is the only thing that gets me through.
Yes…its awesome. But, i don’t crank it up loud enough to where i can’t hear other runners or cars.
I wear my IPOD Touch when I run in wilson so I can be distracted from the noise and stuff, but when i run in the mountains I do not need it. The same goes for skiing, I enjoy the beauty and sound of the mountains and outdoors, no need for the music. The ipods are great but not when you can enjoy nature
Get in tune with your inner athlete, not your playlist. Ditch the iPod!
I enjoy running with music on greenways and parks but would not feel safe running on mountain trails and single tracks with out having all my senses.
No. I run to clear my head from distractions, to have time to think without someone else’s thoughts interfering. Can’t do it with music.
I run to get away from all the distractions of technology and life. I like to listen to the woods around me, the occassional hawk in the trees and animals scurrying through the underbrush or leaves. This is all linked together with the slosh of water in my water bottle and the rhythum of my breathing. Besides, I usually have a couple tunes stuck in my head anyway.
I get tres tres hyped listening to my ipod on a run indoors, outdoors–anywhere. As long as Coldplay “Fix You” is blasting, I’m good to run over a car any time. Pre lives!
sometimes i need the company of music, but usually am just trying to find the trees and need the quiet.
Think about your personal safety. If you have music playing in your ears, you are losing your sense of hearing. Being able to hear, as well as see, is essential to your “situational awareness”, as the military and public safety people call it. You are more likely to become a crime victim or suffer an injury such as something falling on you if you can’t hear. Save the iPod for safer situations, inside.
@striker – “something falling on you?” – You mean like anvils? or Pianos? When you , are you being pursued by a coyote?
I do only when I need a lot of motivation–like running straight up a mountain. But it’s begging for trouble to wear one if you are a female running alone. Statistically, most assaulted runners have been using a mp3. Try listening to the birds, the wind, rustling leaves, a running brook, and squirrels scampering around. A lot more musical than man-made stuff.
No. Peace & Quiet. Period.
When I run, I am escaping the noise and static from the rest of the world for a little while. Wearing an I-pod is just a way of bringing out there with you. It is counter productive to my whole reason for being out there.
Ok, I am not a purest, even I, the techonolgy challenge 58 year old occasionally use an Ipod when running. Example: Running in Grayson Highlands State Park a little Led Zeplin takes you right up and over some steep climbs and the lyrics can take you to Middle Earth sometimes depending on the mood. I then put it away and enjoy the scenes and sounds.
When I’m road running I always use an IPOD. It breaks the monotony of pounding the pavement. I never wear an IPOD when trail running. I enjoy the sounds of nature instead.
I am a 56 year old male that started running 3 years ago to lose weight and get in shape. I went from 255 lbs and unable to run 100 yards to a comfortable 205 running 6 to 8 miles 3 to 4 times a week depending on weather. Using my IPOD kept me interested and made the trips run. Often I would be tired and looking at a hill and I would reach down and kick in a motivator song and ‘do the hill.’ Pulling on my IPOD is as natural as putting on my running shoes.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Jim…
a friend of mine says that whenever he see’s someone wearing a headset in the woods, it instantly sends a signal that the individual doesn’t want anything to do with you. I agree. Also, it isolates one from the experience. As far as running being boring, a second grade teacher once told us, if you are bored, you’re a boring person. bottom line “hike your own hike”.
yes!!!!
I’d wear them sometimes on the road or track since its basically just tedious to me but never on trails. I want to hear whats going on around me and enjoy my time spent in nature. Plus I’m way more engaged while i’m running on technical trails then when I’m on pavement.
I used to all of the time, but then forced myself to try without (because of the dangers of not hearing what is going on around you)and found that it is really quite enjoyable to run and hear and tune in to life around you.
i am so bored with our technology obsessed culture. Can people not spend one minute outdoors, listening to, uum, say the wind in the trees, or the birds, or maybe the rustling leaves indicating another creature/human approaching? must we blast crappy dave matthews, or beyonce or even our old and beloved rick james cd to motivate us to run?? Sometimes i even think running is overrated, and we should try the simple act of walking. Running with an ipod means you are not ok with yourself and your surroundings; instead you have the use something completely artificial, like the jock rock cd, to get you going forward. One can easily miss the subtle nuances of the woods while running and panting, and ESPECIALLY while running with an ipod hooked to one’s ear. being aware is everything.
i love music and i love running might as well have both
I love my i-pod for running! I download podcasts and listen to them as well as music.
It really depends on where I am running. If I’m running through town or just on local greenways/ suburban trails then I usually have an iPod playing music that syncs up with how hard I’m running (it helps me keep pace without thinking about it). However if I’m doing true trail running then I’m there simply to relax and enjoy nature. Sound is one of the best aspects of nature and I’d be a fool to deny myself the joy of listening to the woods.