Tonight, I upped my game somewhat significantly and in fact unexpectedly — jumping from six minutes of running without stopping (and dying) to nine minutes without stopping (and dying). I attribute this in part to the inclusion of music, which got me amped up to keep running.
So, some questions for you Humans Who Run (yes, I’m prejudiced against robots, shut up):
a) What music do you listen to when you’re running?
b) I got a pair of Nike running shoes new (though on clearance) — though some folks say it’s worth investing in a real shoe. Like, ones actually designed to fit my wide-ass shovel-feet. Anybody got any suggestions for where to go to get that? Or any advice at all, re: shoes? SHOULD I RUN IN FLIP-FLOPS? DO THE COOL KIDS RUN IN CROCS? Are roller skates considered cheating?
c) Apps. What apps do you use for running? To track, to motivate, to whatever. Also, what appetizers do you like to eat while running? I am partial to gooey mozzarella sticks!
d) Dumb flailing monkey question — I’m running with headphones on and sweet jesus the headphone cords are trying to fucking kill me when I go. At a distance I must look like I’m jogging through a spider’s web — playing cat’s cradle with my headphone cable is not exactly energizing. This time I wrapped it around the phone and just… well, held the damn thing while I played music, but it’s not ideal.
THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS, RUNNERS OF THE PLAIN.
Please provide me succor in these hard times or the tribe will burn me at the pyre.
Heather Milne Johnson says:
I hate to be boring here but I’m a small woman who runs mostly in the city and I no longer wear headphones because I want to keep my situational awareness on high. And not just for nefarious folks but stray dogs or kids not paying attention on their bikes who want to run you over and so forth. But when I did I found the best way to control the crazy cord was to thread it down the back of my shirt and have it come out the bottom before hooking up to my iPod. Doesn’t fly around so much.
I use Runkeeper now to track my runs. I also use it for biking, walking, rollerskating, and even can manually enter my swim times to keep track. Another app that has worked wonders for me to actually stick to a schedule is Gympact (if no one has mentioned it, I don’t think I saw it.) You pledge to work out a certain number of days per week and if you don’t you have to pay a fee. If you make all the days you get money back. And you can sync it with Runkeeper so your runs will count. It’s ridiculous how often I’ve been out there on a Sunday evening puffing away because I had to get that last workout in before the week closed.
August 22, 2013 — 9:58 PM
Calico says:
If your foot is wide, as in you need wide width as a general rule, New Balance shoes all the way. If there’s an actual New Balance STORE near you, their associates are great to listen to what you need, how your feet are (do you need more cushioning? less? do you put strange pressure on your toes? etc) and help find the shoe that’s right for you. I’d recommend NB for anyone needing sneakers if they have wide width feet. They’ve been a life-saver…..
August 22, 2013 — 9:58 PM
Tim Rodriguez says:
a) I like power metal, Ayumi Hamasaki j-pop, or other peppy music. But I’ll run to anything. Ideally the beat matches my pace but I’m not picky.
b) I swear by New Balance shoes. I have a pair of the minimus trail runners. But I also like the 910s and have owned several pairs.
c) C25k was good for getting started. Zombies Run is good when you’re doing a 30 minute-plus run. Otherwise I hate carrying the phone while I run.
d) I’ve got a pair of the yurbuds ironman earbuds. Run the cord down your shirt. My arms are too big for the armband I bought. YMMV.
August 22, 2013 — 10:01 PM
Abby says:
1. I don’t run w/music but make sure you can hear cars if you do.
2. People complain about running shoes being expensive (~$100) but months of physical therapy for running in crap shoes is more expensive. Buy shoes at least 1/2 if not 1 size bigger than your usual size. Get some nice socks too. Cheap running clothes can be had at Target.
3.nike+ if gamification/competition works for you. Runkeeper if you like dashboards & free training plans. A GPS watch if you like data. Mozzarella sticks are good but peanut butter crackers more portable.
You didn’t ask but pick a 5k race about 6-8 weeks out — it’ll give you something to work towards & look forward to. And you might want to try C25K or the Galloway program so you don’t overdo it. Happy running!
August 22, 2013 — 10:20 PM
Denise says:
A) I use the Couch to 5K Program as a series of podcasts designed to help you expand your running. I actively loathed running and found failure because I didn’t know how to build up slowly. Couch to 5K takes into account your knees, heart, and lungs need to adjust to pounding. http://www.c25k.com Scroll down and you will find a list of podcasts to just about all taste in music. I tend to match my feet to the beat so it is a way to encourage your pace. Personally I chose Robert Ullrey podcasts.
B) Shoes are important. To your shins, your knees, your back. If you go to a New Balance store or equivalent they will put you on a foot pad and determine your arches and weight displacement and match you to a proper shoe. When you get shin splints, don’t get discouraged. There are compression sleeves for your shins and ICE IS NICE! There is also a tutorial to taping to help with shin splints but I never figured out how to tape myself. Perhaps BDub could help.
C) I can’t really help with apps. I do it the old fashioned way but a trainer told me a single serving of chocolate milk after a run can help, not regular milk, chocolate. Nestle specifically.
D) I got an arm band for my iPod. I string my cord under my shirt up the back. I also got head phones that have the ear cup/clip so I don’t have to worry about them falling out. I personally tuck the cord under my sports bra shoulder strap so it doesn’t move around, but I don’t imagine you wear one of those. You can also bundle the extra headphone cord with a rubber band or twist tie to prevent flopping around.
August 22, 2013 — 10:23 PM
Denise says:
Consider having two pairs of shoes and switch off. Like with hiking, they will rub in different places.
August 22, 2013 — 10:37 PM
Sakura says:
If you’re going to be a writer who runs, the following books are a must read:
Born to Run by Christopher Mcdougall
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
The above will answer your questions and keep you amped about running!
August 22, 2013 — 10:36 PM
JL Henry says:
I don’t run, but I have a neoprene sports arm band (belkin makes them, as well as other conpanies) for my phone so i can listen to books while doing boring ass things like laundry or vacuuming. And instead of letting the earbud cord run down my chest i let it lay down my back, keeping the cord from getting tangled in my arms.
Good luck!
August 22, 2013 — 10:36 PM
Melissa says:
a) Music is great, but what’s even better is audiobooks downloaded to your iPod. If you get a good one, you forget you’re dying…at times.
b) I go somewhere that has them all out in boxes where salespeople leave you alone and try on about 1500 until I find a truly comfortable pair. This takes time and can’t be done with a toddler in tow.
c) I have yet to find an accurate running app. They are great for the ego though, because they usually run short on miles. They’ll say you’ve run a mile when in reality you’re only about 8/10 in. I’ve found the best thing to do is map a route out in my car using the odometer. Once you’ve done that route a few times you see how long it takes you to run a mile, then if you go on trails at another time you can map your mileage by time.
d) It sounds crazy, but you get used to the cord thing. It’s awkward now, but won’t be after another week or two. Occasionally though, I’ll accidentally tap it, jerking it out of my ears, which is a great wake-up call.
So glad to see another runner getting started! It will change your life, and I hate to tell you this, but you’ll never be able to go back to walking now. One of us..one of us…
August 22, 2013 — 10:38 PM
Nikki says:
I snake my headphones through my shirt and use an armband. I also use Nike+ which plays songs while giving you time and distance. I will play anything with a decent beat that I can make my feet keep time with as I am a klutz. I have new balance pro grid 5’s and they are like wonderful pillows on my poor feet.
I am approximately as fast as a slug in peanut butter and can only do a mile in just shy of 10 minutes. I consider myself to be accomplished if I finish my mile before my asthmatic lungs decide to cut off my air supply like a grocery store pony halts once the quarter has run out.
August 22, 2013 — 10:52 PM
momdude says:
a) Music – Keep it upbeat, but use whatever you enjoy. I like to run with punk & electronica (Jean Michel Jarre, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode, etc). I also have recorded 8-hour stretches of the Sirius “Saturday Night Safety Dance” (no commercials!) and split it into hour-long MP3s.
b) Really good running shoes are an absolute must-have item. “Sneakers” will kill your feet in the long run. Also get socks, shirts, and shorts of microfibre “wicking” material, it will keep you from chafing and bleeding and blistering.
Get fitted for your shoes at a dedicated running store – a good mom & pop running place with a knowledgeable & passionate staff is like an excellent indy book store for authors & readers. A good store will also be an invaluable resource for a hundred other questions you will have. If you don’t have one nearby, at least go to a major sporting goods chain store to get shoes.
A good running store will also have informal fun run programs with no pressure or competition. You do what you can at whatever pace you can. Training for a long run is MUCH easier with a group of friends once or twice a week.
Also, if (ie, when) you get blisters at longer distances (mine start at about ten miles) get some “Glide”, goes on your feet like a roll-on deodorant but keeps them slick and non-blistery.
c) Apps & food – Runkeeper is outstanding, can’t live without it. For fun & motivation, occasionally use “Zombies, Run!”, a video game in your headphones. Always carry water or Gatorade.
Bananas and bagels are great to eat about a half hour before running. Pretzels & trail mix can go along with you for longer runs, but you really don’t need them until you’re doing well over 5 miles or more. After about five or six miles, start carrying “goo” or “gels” (get them at that great indy running store). When I do a marathon or training for one, I do a gel at 5, 10, 15, 20, & 25 miles, YMMV.
After a run, recover with chocolate milk! Really, google it, many recent studies showing that it works. Chocolaty wonderfulness awaiting at home is a great motivator for the last mile.
d) I use Sony headphones that hook all the way over the ear, don’t have any problems with them coming loose or falling out. I’M WEIRD (so take this with a grain of salt), but I’m only comfortable running with my iPhone (in a Mophie battery case) held in my hand. I often want to look at it for information or to play with the music – I can’t do that if I’m wearing it on my arm and I found that balance to be weird. On the other hand, my running coaches can’t even IMAGINE running a marathon while holding the phone the whole way, either use an armband or they run with a tiny clip-om MP3 player instead of a phone. Whatever works for you.
Any other questions, just ask. As with many or things, I really prefer having run to needing to run and feeling guilty about not having run. Keep it up, there’s a lot more to it than just the exercise and weight management, although those are not trivial.
Once you have finished your first marathon, no matter what your time or pace, you will ALWAYS know that you CAN keep going when the entire fucking universe is telling you to quit.
August 22, 2013 — 10:58 PM
Mitch says:
a) Musical influence is entirely dependent on my mood, but typically either something with a solid beat or something that I can lose myself in to some degree (e.g. being blissfully aware/unaware that I’m running because I’m so engrossed with all aspects of it that the music itself because just background noise). Specifically this short list of mixed genres (Album – Group): No Kings – Doomtree, Black Sands – Bonobo, Ziltoid the Omniscient – Devin Townsend, The Legend of Zelda (Ocarina of Time) – Hyrule Symphony, Ghost Reveries – Opeth, We Don’t Even Live Here – P.O.S., Ineffable Mysteries from Shpongleland – Shpongle, Faders – Toki Wright, Lateralus – Tool.
b) No help here.
c) Or here. On occasion I use “Track My Run” online to track distances, but I don’t have any apps that I use.
d) Holding my iPod and wrapping the cord around my hand seems to work well 89% of the time. I find it reduces the cord repeatedly thumping against my body and it keeps it out of the way as well. Plus, I’ve ruined countless pairs of headphones in the past because I used to run with it in my pocket. But no more! (Alternatively, one of those fancypants armbands may be semi-useful to keep the cord out of the way, and then you could run the headphones through the back of your shirt/arm of your shirt.)
August 22, 2013 — 10:58 PM
Dave Jay says:
Something fast and loud, you’ll want to drown out the noise of the cars. I’d say something just over a hundred bucks. Even Newton didn’t have Newtons. One more thing … Although illegal … Smoke up and drop a vike. It’s an even better high. Oh, and don’t forget a mustard stained tank top, and a pair of Richard Simons shorts. Ladies (or men) take notice, we’ve got a player
August 22, 2013 — 11:01 PM
Jen says:
Wow all this interest in running across the blogosphere! It makes me weirdly excited. Been running for about a quarter of my life but I’ve never listened to music…too distracting when I’m busy avoiding cars and dogs and (once) giant snakes. I usually just think about what I’m going to write or eat when I get back. Also, it’s a great opportunity for fantasizing about New York Times bestsellers and such. 🙂
August 22, 2013 — 11:03 PM
Steve says:
Chuck,
Listen to whatever music you like.
Shoes are important, so go to a serious running store and have them prescribe the right kind of shoe for you
Try some good Bluetooth earbuds that won’t fall out.
I like runkeeper.
Warning! Don’t be tempted to increase your speed or distance too much too soon. If you start to feel real pain anywhere while you are running, slow down or stop and take it easy. Trying to run through the pain can get you a ticket to the Ortho surgeon and you will be signing over the royalties of CORMORANT to the doctor. Your Ortho doc doesn’t need a new lake house.
Keep having fun and don’t over think it.
August 22, 2013 — 11:03 PM
boydstun215 says:
1. I used to listen to music, but stopped. I found that it messed with the rhythm of my breathing and my *ahem* cogitation. Yeah, I use my running time to suss out story ideas, and music kind of gets in the way of that. Besides, I run in a residential area and need to keep my ears peeled for crazy drivers and stray dogs.
2. In the world of running shoes, you can’t go wrong with the Nike Air Max or the Asics Gels. I’ve been running all my life and have tried other shoes, but these are the most comfortable and they will help prevent shin splints and joint problems.
3. Fuck the apps. Just run, dude.
4. Fuck the headphones. Just run, dude.
August 22, 2013 — 11:09 PM
Rich Friedeman says:
Do not pay attention to brands of shoe or “this worked for me”. Everyone’s feet work differently, and you need to get a shoe that matches the way your feet work. You need to go to a running specialty store — these usually have names like Fleet Feet, Top Gear, Swift Kick, or Racey MammaJamma. They are staffed by people who look like gazelles. Do not go to a Footlocker, general sporting goods store, or department store. They’ll want to see the shoes you run in now, and they’ll make you run on a treadmill or run around in the store. By watching you’re feet, they’ll be able to tell you what you need. Whatever they tell you, buy it. You may have a few choices at different prices, but don’t argue about style, brand, or color. Suck it up and run in the blaze orange and jalapeno green monstrosities they tell you to get. You’re using them to keep yourself from getting injured, not to match your superhero Underoos.
Once you have a shoe that works for you, stick with it. Your feet will thank you.
August 22, 2013 — 11:10 PM
Gayle says:
My daughter, who runs, searched workout music and found things with a beat that work for her stride at 5-6 mph, then downloaded it all on her mp3.
Yes, agree with Rich about finding a running specialty store – I’m a walker, but still, they will, as stated, check your stride, the width of your feet, the whatever you call it when your feet roll on the outside or the inside when you walk, and all that stuff. Even whether you need soft or firm. Best shoe shopping experience you’ll ever have! Like boydstun215, I favor Asics gels.
What apps? I use an iPod, loaded with my tunes. Got an armband so the earphones don’t wrap around everything – just run from my shoulder to my ear. Still, half the time, I don’t even use that – it’s my uninterrupted, peaceful time – just me and the birds, and as boydstun215 says, thinking out plots and such.
August 22, 2013 — 11:24 PM
Suzanne Morin says:
Hi, my first comment on your blog, I’ve been reading you for months now, hidding in the back corridors, letting others spew their ideas and enjoying it all without saying a thing, but now you are running. And I am a runner – I have run 2 marathons – at age 55 and age 56! I find running and writing work well together. You are a smart man and one day you will not feel like dying after running 9 minutes – wait till you run for 4 hours! I use Nike+run with my iPhone. The GPS tracks my run – gives me cheerful commentaries and plays my music. I love it!
August 22, 2013 — 11:38 PM
geekinacardigan says:
I’m not a runner, but I can tell you some writery things that might translate. I can’t write/do human things to music with words. I’m a big fan of classical and techno in these situations. Being of the digital generation I can offer you only the following advice (or advise, if you’re British): Bach and the Dust Brothers. Got me through my thesis. Good luck with the being all healthy and shit. Hugs!
August 22, 2013 — 11:55 PM
TJ Jansen says:
I use the Runtastic app, which is great. That and a wireless Bluetooth headset and you are set. I actually run (actually walk fast) listening to books in audible
August 23, 2013 — 12:09 AM
Iulia Lesley (@IuliaLesley) says:
1. Well, I listen to all sorts of music while running, but mainly energetic music that makes me wanna move. I like rock music, but if that’s not your cup of tea, you could throw a look at the charts. I’m sure you’d find a few songs suitable for running.
2. I’m from Germany so I don’t exactly know where you could find shoes over on your side of the pond. Over here, we have specialized stores with sport goods, even stores for runners, and they usually have someone there that you can ask for advice. Over here, they even test your running pattern to see what shoe would best support you in your training, but I don’t know if you’ve got this kind of service where you live. I do recommend the brand Asics for running, if you’re looking for proper good-quality running shoes. Best shoes I ever wore.
3. As for pre-workout snacks, a banana and 1-2 teaspoons of peanut butter one hour before you run should do the job and provide the necessary energy. Afterwards, you should eat something within half an hour after you finished your run. A protein shake, eggs or some protein-based food with a few veggies should do the trick. Your body needs protein to restore. As for apps, I don’t use any. I only listen to music and run where my heart desires.
4. I usually wear my headphone cord under my t-shirt while I run. It doesn’t tangle and I can run worry-free.
Hope this helps. I’ve been running for over three years and this is how I do it. Good luck!
August 23, 2013 — 12:28 AM
benjaminryant says:
A) I listen to audio books. I’m training for a half marathon, and I run for long stretches at a time, so audio books are great for me.
B) Whatever is comfortable for you.
C) No idea. But you should probably steer clear of gooey mozzarella sticks before running.
D) If you run with headphones, you’re always going to look like a jackass swatting at invisible flies. You have to make your peace with it.
August 23, 2013 — 12:56 AM
welltemperedwriter says:
Right now I have a playlist a friend of mine made that is full of loud angry dudes singing loud angry songs. Generally I like metal when I run. I don’t really run to a beat–I just want something that gets my energy level up. Eluveitie is my favorite.
Honestly, people talk about running shoes a lot, but I hate most of them. I’ve been using the same pair for a few years now, which you’re not supposed to do, but they feel fine to me and I’m not sore or anything after I run.
Now here’s the caveat to that: I was a ballet dancer for ten years and partly as a result do not have a lot of habits that can cause injury, including landing heavily or heel striking, and I don’t need no steekin’ arch support. I think Rich has good advice as far as choosing shoes goes–consult someone at a running store. They know what they’re about.
I don’t use apps. I have a basic spreadsheet where I record my time and distance but that’s about it. And I’m still holding my iPod in one hand when I run so I don’t really have advice on headphone cords.
August 23, 2013 — 1:01 AM
epbush says:
The cords – DOWN your back, dude. and into a pocket. No pocket? A zippie bag and a binder clip work in a pinch. I like the headphones that hook over your ears and the bar is on your neck. IF you are using a phone to play your tunes – there is nothing better in the world than wireless bluetooth runners headphones.
Music: My running playlist has:
Fatboy Slim – CANCAN
Fallout Boy – Going Down and Light em up (PERFECT PACE)
Fun. – One Foot
JustinTimberlake – Sexy Back
KT TUNSTALL – Black Horse and The Cherry Tree
Cake – COMFORT EAGLE
Nicki Minaj – Pound the Alarm
Darude – SANDSTORM
Pitbull – Don’t Stop the Party
Macklemore – Can’t Hold Us
AND THE ULTIMATE RUNNING SONG! Black Eyes Peas – Let’s get it started
Work to get your breath to match your feet. the music helps. Run to the beat, and breath in a pattern with your feet – It helps keep the burn out of your lungs if you let your lymph be moved by the major muscle groups. SO – I do 1-2-3-PUFF- 1-2-3-PUFF. It doubled my distance when I learned to breath and run in a pattern. But don’t chew gum…. not at first anyway. Ask me how I know…
Come back to Crossroads and we’ll run.
August 23, 2013 — 1:03 AM
Jen says:
I don’t listen to music because I run with my boyfriend and we talk while we run. I run so I can get out of my neurotic head and music traps me in my head! I wear Saucony Original Jazz. Got a pair for $40 on sale on zappos.com. So much cushioning it’s like running on marshmallows! Endomondo is a good app to track your your run. There’s a free and paid version. You can save your runs and compare times and distances.
August 23, 2013 — 1:08 AM
kootenaymurph says:
I took up running recently, and found I got the best results by running until I feel out of breath, walking until I get my breath back, then running again. It worked way better than just trying to run a bit further each time.
I listen to Audiobooks.
Good shoes are critical.
Pick a time each day and run. Fuck the apps or whatever.
August 23, 2013 — 1:30 AM
The Philosophunculist says:
If you’re really hardcore, look into barefoot running….Born To Run by Christopher McDougall covers it pretty in depth……
August 23, 2013 — 1:37 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
1. Music: If I’m planning on running any distance (say, more than a mile) I go for something with a steady beat, usually something with a driving rock feel but also something which isn’t TOO fast. Think Deep Purple’s Child in Time, for example. If I’m doing interval training or sprinting, then something within the death metal range usually does it for me. You won’t have heard of any of the artists I listen to (unless you’re a massive fan of the Gothenburg and general Scandinavian metal scenes) so I won’t go tangential with artist lists, but you should be able to find something similar where you are. It needn’t be metal, it could be dance tracks. Basically, whatever has the best beat for the speed you want to sustain. If you’re really into listening to music, use it as a sort of metronome. I don’t really listen to it when running outdoors, as I prefer the sounds of nature (also allows me to hear cyclists/horses coming up behind me at speed, as I run on a bridle path) but if I’m on a treadmill then music is a definite for me.
2. Shoes: Like Rich said in the second post, you need shoes which fit YOU, not just a brand name. If you head over to your local sports shop you’ll find people who are trained to advise in these matters. If they’re a really good shop, they’ll have a treadmill and one of those gait analysis camera doohickies behind it. You run on the treadmill, computer analyses your stride, any flaws are pointed out, and shoe recommendation is made. Doing a gait analysis helped me to discover that I lean in on the arch of my right foot when I jog, so now I have running shoes which are built up on the inside to stop me leaning in and damaging my leg over the long term. They cost (rough approximation of conversion rate) $100 USD but they are well worth it; they feel like tiny little sofas encompassing and cushioning my feet. Running doesn’t so much feel like agony, as kinky foot sex.
This does of course depend on what kind of track you run on. Some shoes are specifically designed for treadmill use, whilst others are better for cross-country, and others for tarmac/concrete. I run outdoors on a part-gravel/stone-chipped bridleway (I know, I know, just terrible for the ankles and knees) more than I run on a treadmill, so I avoided the indoor shoes. You can also buy shoes which are designed to help you build maximum amount of muscle and burn maximum amount of calories, because of the way they are designed and the position they put your leg (and therefore, body) in when you run. You might want to avoid these for now.
3. Apps? Even if my phone was capable of having apps (I don’t think it is, it’s a Blackberry, which mostly means it’s a glorified alarm clock and email inbox), I don’t take it running with me as the chances of dropping/losing it/being mugged for it are too great. I am a somewhat old fashioned runner. As in, see a nice bit of ground, run across it. I don’t need six pieces of technology primed to tell me the best way of doing it. I think an over-reliance on technology can sometimes be a negative thing for the casual runner. If you’re looking at becoming a professional athlete, or are serious about recording your improvements (for bragging-to-friends purposes) then maybe apps are more useful. If you need to record your improvements for health reasons, then your doctor should provide you with any relevant tracking device (well, I would like to hope they’d provide that).
4. Inconvenient headphones: Don’t run with headphones. Use earphones (ear-buds) as they will make your head less sweaty. If you’re using your phone, switch to the smallest ipod or other mp3 player you can find. Most will have a clip to attach to your shirt, and some are designed especially for runners. I find it safer to run without music outside (less chance of water damage if it rains, better to hear approaching hoodlums and other traffic) but if you’re running on a treadmill you could put your phone/mp3 player on the front of the mill and leave the cord dangling free.
August 23, 2013 — 2:05 AM
Linda Coburn (@LCinLA) says:
I got an ipod nano, the little square one that clips into a watchband. I run the earbud cord up through the sleeve of my shirt out the neck. I used an armband too, good for an iphone or other larger device, but found the watchband to be more comfortable, less intrusive. I run with my dog and it sure helps me keep from getting tangled … Unless SQUIRREL!
August 23, 2013 — 2:31 AM
KT says:
a) Converge – Axe To Fall
Some Girls – Heaven’s Pregnant Teens
The Chariot – Long Live
Swarm of the Lotus – The Sirens of Silence
The Recession – Time, Arithmetic & Other Elementary Subjects Not Well Learned
The Acacia Strain – Wormwood
and my favorite of all time, you must try this at least once: Hatebreed – Satisfaction is the Death of Desire
Basically, anything loud and rhythmic, like crank it transcendentally loud. I don’t like hearing myself.
b) Find a running store, it’s kind of specialty but it’s worth it. If they’re legit, they will ask you to walk and run and study your pronation(?) and how much of your foot you step on. They will then recommend a shoe based on your running style and foot. Disregard price because it can save a lot of pain, and replace annually or sooner if you lay down a lot of miles. I switched to a nice pair of Asics a few years ago and it made a world of difference, way more comfortable and lighter. Or try shoes out until you find one that’s really comfortable and supportive, same as any other shoe purchase.
c) No apps, no tracking or monitoring. Some run for competition, some for ego boosting and self improvement, and that’s cool. I run whenever and however I want. I enjoy things most when I’m not recording or analyzing, it’s the most freeing way I know, makes it less of a chore.
d) Strap music playing device to armband, waistband or in pocket if it’s not bouncy. Corded headphones can be wired up through shirt, front or behind, to stop bouncing. Give slack to stop pulling from between shirt and skin. Excess cord from earbuds can be wrapped up and over ear for stability. There’s headphones made for sports that go around the back of your head, those are cool. There’s also bluetooth versions of headphones. I use wired earbuds that really plug my ears up so I can drown out my breathing.
August 23, 2013 — 3:02 AM
stephenemm says:
I listen to comedy podcasts or other spoken-word stuff. I find that it occupies my mind and stops the “oh man you’re running!…it hurts, stop it!” thoughts.
I’d back the “get some proper shoes” brigade. Your feet will either be slightly flat, slightly the other way or almost perfect – a shoe that gives the correct support will help prevent aches and pains in your joints – especially in the long term.
I use a free app called “map my run” that tracks distance, elevation, time and will calculate mile splits. It also pushes the data to the web and you can summarise what you’ve run in a week / month etc. The day I broke the ten minute mile barrier was a cause for celebration.
I also use a pouch for the phone that has a velcro strap and can be strapped to an arm. Combined with a set of short earbud headphones it enabled me to just forget the phone once i’d started the media player and map my run app.
August 23, 2013 — 3:06 AM
andy says:
A) I just put the mp3 player on shuffle, it can mess up your pace though depending how closely you concentrate.
B) find a running store & get your gait looked at then buy the shoes that match from your favourite brand/political position.
C) RunKeeper. It’ll do simple GPS tracking up to downloadable coaching, there is a community (if you like that sort of thing) but for tracking your data its great
D) up one side, round the back of the neck to the other ear. Job done
August 23, 2013 — 3:08 AM
Erick S. says:
a. I prefer to listen to audiobooks while running. It keeps my mind occupied and distracts me from the “I’m dying” feeling. I’m listening to The Cuckoos Calling by JK Rowling (or
Robert Galbraith, if you’ve been living under a rock ).
b. I’m also a beginner runner, so can’t relly offer much advice here. I just use Nike running shoes that feel snug yet don’t scrape my feet a lot.
C. I used the 5K Runner app to ease me into running and it was very effective. It gives you a routine to follow each day, building up to a 5K run. You can listen to music or books while the app is running, and a voice will tell you when to run/walk. The Nike plus app is good for counting calories, distance, etc.
d. I like to wear my headphones under my shirt, since they always manage to slap me in the face or get caught in my flailing arms. I use an armband case for my phone, warp the cord around the clip once and run the rest under my sleeve and up to my head. I recommend buying some athletic headphones with ear clips. I’ve heard some are “sweat resistant ” as well.
August 23, 2013 — 3:13 AM
Mario says:
Wow! Exercise questions! I feel like I can actually contribute! That said…
a) Because I use exercise to kind of warm up my brain before writing, I tend to listen to whatever music I right to. Lately, it’s been a lot of Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie. But in general, I’d recommend anything with a fast beat so that you’re trying to sync your pace with it like how a drummer keeps the pace on a dragon boat.
b) With shoes, it’s really trial and error. This is going to sound dimwittedly obvious, but comfort is key. Asics Gel-Cumulus is the shoe I’ve gotten used to. It’s got good longevity. I’ve worked out with the same pair for years, and it’s only now starting to show wear and tear.
c) I don’t use apps. I also tend to eat AFTER working out, but I hear it depends on how much pre-workout time you have. If you got an hour or two before your run, you could do some granola or a bowl of cereal. Real cereal. I don’t think the Styrofoam marshmallows of Lucky Charms counts. If you have half an hour before your run, you might want to stick to just a little fruit or some fruit juice. Something quick and simple.
d) Regarding the cord, to hell with looking cool, says I. You want to look cool, get the Iron Man suit. I’ve had the same problem with my iPod when I’m exercising, and I think there’s no shame in holding onto it.
This is all just what’s worked for me, so in the end, what do I know? I’m not Lou Ferrigno…sadly. *Hulk cries*
August 23, 2013 — 3:13 AM
Daniel Nest says:
Full disclosure: I work at Jabra.
We are actually just about to launch an improved version of our Jabra Sport headset, called (creatively and simply) “Jabra Sport Wireless +”.
No cords, all Bluetooth. Specifically for runners.
That addresses question d), but we also have a partnership with the Endomondo sports app, which I guess also answers c)!
Good luck on the running, dude! Maybe 10 minutes next time, with only a coma as end result?
August 23, 2013 — 3:29 AM
decayingorbits says:
Chuck, take the time to get your shoes fitted at a running store — most have a treadmill setup where they will analyze your stride and foot size, etc. and get you into the right size/type of shoes. It’s well worth it. I buy my shoes through Road Runner Sports online. They have a great selection, prices and service. I too have wide cro-magnon feet and run in either ASICS or New Balance. Both come in wide sizes. Happy running!
August 23, 2013 — 4:24 AM
Adam Short says:
a) I actually listen to Big Finish’s (classic, pre-2005 era) Doctor Who audios, because they’re awesome, and a run gives me a nice amount of story to process. Bigfinish.com if you’re remotely interested.
b) I have some “trail running” shoes that I got mainly for walking a few months back. I destroy the soles of shoes like its what I was born to do, so I went for the most resilient-looking bastards I could find. So far, so good. They’re kind of heavy, but they’ve not worn out on me.
c) Runkeeper. It’s all you need. I don’t know about other platforms, but on my trusty iPhone, I just fire up runkeeper and set an “activity” going, then switch to my music app and throw on my audios. I’d have given up by now without runkeeper. It does the important (for me anyway) job of showing me how well I’m doing. It’s the proof I need to convince my brain that this shit is worth doing and we probably shouldn’t give up on it.
d) It’s all about the pockets. I bought some lightweight hiking trousers for running in, and they have a perfect zip pocket on the right hip where I can stash my phone, with just the headphone cord coming out the top of the zip. It rests in just the right place so that it moves with my leg, not against it, and the cord doesn’t get in my way. Previous outfits have been awful. If you end up buying new shorts/trousers for running in, take your phone or whatever with you and try it out in the pockets.
Can I ask how fast you’re doing those 9 minutes? I can run for about 40 minutes now, but that’s mainly because I’m doing about 4-4.5 mph. If I upped that to 5 or 6 I wouldn’t last half as long.
August 23, 2013 — 4:28 AM
Sharon Fummerton says:
It’s been a while since I jogged regularly, but I would suggest you find shoes that offer the support that your feet need. Are you flatfooted to begin with? Do your ankles pronate? Support will equal comfort. Regarding listening to tunes: When I jogged, Walkmen were the music listening devices used. I know, I know…back in the dark ages! However, I never had one or used one. Because I was female, and liked to jog in the early evening, I always wanted to keep my ears open to vehicular traffic. Or, if I was running in a semi-rural area during the day on a narrow, winding road, I was always listening for sounds of oncoming vehicles, especially trucks, because they were bigger than I! However, because I listened to music a lot when not jogging, I had a whole library of largely instrumental music that I could play in my mind while running. Just choose something that matches your rhythm; it will definitely pull you through those last laps at a track, or the last couple of miles to get back home.
I would like to suggest that you just let your mind run free while you’re running. I always found that my mind would go where it wanted to, anyway. It’s great therapy. It is impossible to remain upset/angry/frustrated when running. It cleanses the mind and the soul.
I started out on a cinder 440 track at a school just a shout from my apartment. I started running in the fourth week of November (not the smartest choice because I live in Canada where darkness arrives around 4:30 p.m during the winter). So, to make it worth the effort of donning my running gear and walking over to the track, I decided to stay at the track for eight laps, two miles. In the beginning, I couldn’t run even one complete lap. I’d jog in the straightaways, and walk, wheeze, shuffle, and/or crawl around the curves. The point being that, regardless of my manner of motion, I’d cover eight laps, two miles, to make it worth the effort. Two miles of fresh air and exercise!
Weirdly enough, I don’t remember running my first mile. However, the first time I ran 10 k. (6.5 miles, which is 25 laps of the track), the weather was nippy with a silver ring around a full moon so bright that I could see my shadow bouncing along effortlessly beside me while I ran. When I counted off that last lap, I felt like Rocky Balboa on the steps of the Philadelphia Library building! I, who had never been even remotely athletic, had run 10 K., without slowing to a walk…and without ending up in the ICU with a myocardial infarction! I felt so empowered by that. Running is about building up your cardiovascular endurance. It will come, but it takes time depending on one’s age and level of fitness to begin with. At my peak, I was running ten miles a day, six days a week, and was in the best shape ever of my life. Resting pulse 55 beats a minute and BP 110/70. I was also more flexible, too, because of the stretching regimen I did after the run — just doing stretching exercises on the lawn, or in my living room during the winter, for thirty-forty minutes after the run when my muscles were well fed with oxygenated blood. And, yes, do some stretches before you run to loosen things up, but the best can be done afterwards while your muscles/ligaments/tendons are functioning like a runner’s.
Even though It’s been three decades since I ran regularly, I still miss it. And I know I would feel so much better, both physically and mentally, if I could still get out there and do even just a few miles a day.
I wish you all the best and hope that you, too, will become a running junky. The runner’s high is really a runner’s calm. It will open up new ideas for your writing, although after reading and enjoying your posts that you send to me, I don’t think you have any trouble in the creative/imaginative realm! Salus et vita!
August 23, 2013 — 4:56 AM
Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) says:
So, you really need to check out ZombiesRunGame, except I bet you already have… 🙂
August 23, 2013 — 4:57 AM
terribleminds says:
I haven’t yet for running, but I’ve heard you make an appearance…
August 23, 2013 — 10:48 AM
Jen Squire (@jen_squire) says:
Ditch the tunes, eat jelly beans. I must have weird ears because I could never get ear plugs to stay in. The only good thing about that struggle was it distracted from the body whines. Visualisation is key. I watched the good guys and pictured the light tread of a gazelle. It felt ridiculous so I lowered the bar a little and pictured the freedom of a dog on a beach. A big one that sort of lumbered, maybe back feet sideways etc, but it was good enough for starting out.
Everyone will tell you “the best shoes” – stick with what you’ve got and see how it goes after time. Unfortunately stretching afterwards is kind of important.
Jelly beans are the best – sugar hit and they get stuck in your teeth so you get to enjoy them for ages.
And smile. You may not mean it but it makes a difference. And again, holding it gives you something else to focus on.
Oh and a small tip, when the distance builds up a bit, make sure you plan to avoid http://jen-squire.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/uh-oh.html
And for me, the commentary is vital. Things like, ‘who would have thought she could be competing at this level when she started the sport at such a late age…sensible taking it slowly here to make sure she’ll go the distance…look at that burst heading for the finish line, this has been a textbook tactical run…’
Good luck. Now that I’ve procrastinated, gotta fly. As in go for my own run.
August 23, 2013 — 5:14 AM
Kimberly Gonzalez says:
Congrats on upping your game!! Six minutes to nine minutes is a big jump. I didn’t invest in real running shoes until after I’d run my old generic sneakers into oblivion, and by that time I was a 3-mile a day runner. (I didn’t even realize I’d done this until I felt water seeping into them from the soles.) When you do buy real running shoes, look for a store that exclusively sells running shoes. Out here we have Endurance House and Fleet Feet but I don’t know if they are national or local stores. Pay attention to how your body feels too — if you have pain in your hips, knees, arches, calves, back, shoulders (e.g., anywhere) it could be a sign of poor shoe fit. As a beginner runner, as long as you’re not having pain issues, you’re probably okay with the shoes you’ve got. You may eventually want to consider trying Five Fingers or other minmalist shoes (or barefoot running). I bought Vibram Five Fingers a couple years ago and *loved* them. I love being able to feel the ground on my feet. Unfortunately, I was still fifty pounds overweight at the time, and have high arches — minimalist shoes offer virtually no arch support so this lead to major pain issues. A good running store may not have ultra minimalist shoes like Five Fingers, but they will be able to evaluate your feet for whether or not such a shoe might work or you.
As for music, I know one runner who hasn’t changed her running playlist in years. I change mine every time my mood changes and every time I like a new song. It includes 80s pop, 80s hair metal, foreign metal, and contemporary pop music. At one point it even included country music and church music. When I first started running, it was all meditative stuff, but know it’s upbeat stuff with a driving beat. In fact, my favorite running playlist is called “bouncy” now. 🙂
My favorite app is MapMyRun. Run! Zombies! Run! sounds like a fun app, but it actually bored me. Most decent running apps will let you play music and have GPS tracking to map your run and give you speed/distance/pace updates as you’re running and are customizable so you can determine how often (if a all) and what types of updates you get. I never eat while I run but my hard core distance runner friends like those little protein gels. I tried them on my first half-marathon and they’re not bad, but I don’t know if I’ll ever bother investing in some for myself.
And headphone cords. Yes. They are a pain in the ass. I have an advantage over you: Boobies. I tie my excess cord around my bra strap then wind the “tail” into a ball and tuck it into my bra. You could invest in a good sports bra if you really wanted to, I suppose. Not sure what guys do about this problem. Duct tape, maybe?
August 23, 2013 — 7:06 AM
Kimberly Gonzalez says:
Oh yes, and podcasts! I’ve always hated podcasts because I felt like I had to sit at my computer to listen to them. Now I play them in my car and while I’m running (when I don’t specifically want to listen to bouncy music). I use podkicker, but I’m looking for a better podcast app.
August 23, 2013 — 7:09 AM
Al says:
1) Music is whatever gets you motivated to keep running. For me, it’s higher tempo rock or Iron Maiden.
2) I’m a big fan of Asics, but like several people said, you should go to a running store since you’re new to the sport. Go to find a manufacturer who makes things you like, then when they start breaking down you can buy the previous year’s models off the internet at a lower price.
3. Don’t worry about apps. If your only goal is exercise and running a little longer each day, your watch or music playlist will do just fine. If you start training for a competition somewhere in the future, then you may find them helpful, but by no means necessary. Case in point: my hero in my high school cross-country days won the Olympic marathon without shoes.
4. For headphones, the armband and back of the shirt method are both classic strategies. For the people advocating situational awareness, these might be a good compromise if you must have your tunes: http://www.aftershokz.com/AfterShokz-Sportz-M2-Open-Ear-Headphones-p/as321.htm I got them as a Christmas present and they are awesome.
Happy trails good sir
August 23, 2013 — 7:31 AM
Mike Berkey says:
a) I always went more for cadence. I tend to subconsciously chug along at whatever bpm the song I’m listening to uses, so if I planned on slow-steady runs, I’d go with slower songs, faster runs, faster songs. Or I’d mix it up and just deal with the fact I’d suddenly be sprinting along with Joe Jackson’s Got The Time. Most of the time, I’d load up with something along the lines of Cypress Hill, some ska or reggae.
b) Go with whatever’s comfortable and not likely to cause long term injuries. Running’s part of the fitness industry, so people will always want to sell you the latest foozle or rave about the latest whatchit they’ve bought. If you’re comfortable with what you have, that’s fine. If you go to the store and find something better than what you’re using, that’s fine, too. I did most of my best running in a pair of beat up sneakers with a hole in one sole, so YMMV, I guess. One caveat: if you’ve done a lot of running with one style of sneakers and you suddenly switch to a radically different pair of shoes, ramp back the amount of running a bit until you get used to/break the new pair in. Going rambo unexpectedly is a great way to fuck yourself up. Running’s not like lifting weights–it’s very easy to go another mile beyond what your body can really handle recovery-wise.
c) I bring my laptop with me, so I can surf porno while I run. It’s the only way.
d) Get an arm clip/armband to put your music thingy on. I usually coil up my headphones behind my shoulder so it’s not too floppy. Of all the headphones I’ve used, the only ones that really work for me are the over the ear clippy ones.
August 23, 2013 — 7:37 AM
Mike Berkey says:
e) Grow some boobies, as per Kimberly’s advice above. Very important.
f) Reading the (excellent) comments above reminds me of the Numero Uno rule of fitness. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you have any sort of ache or pain, punch that shit into Google and do some reading. Being able to assistance exercises like stretches and various bodyweight stuff to sort out muscular imbalances made my life immeasurably easier.
g) Alpacas.
August 23, 2013 — 7:42 AM
joannehuspek says:
I’ve been reading your running blog posts with interest, as I also write and run. I think the physical activity helps.
I run indoors, on an incline treadmill. I don’t like people looking at me, and besides, I’m air cooled in the summer and warm in the winter. That being said, I will answer your questions.
a. I don’t listen to music. I listen to books. Currently listening to Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead.
b. I run in bare feet, because I find running shoes 1. clunky, 2. too loud (as in colors) and 3. too expensive. When you find a place that sells reasonably priced running shoes that are demur – not neon – and lightweight, let me know.
c. My machine comes with iFit. Kind of glitchy software, but I like it! I’m almost up to 300 miles, plus it tells me my elevation, calories, etc. I also use the MapMyWalk app if I’m actually walking outdoors. 🙂
d. My machine comes with speakers (!) so I don’t use headphones, but if you must, I believe wireless headphones are available.
August 23, 2013 — 7:37 AM
Alexis says:
There is no “the best running shoe” there is only “best running shoe for you.”
Do. Not. Skimp.
Go to a most excellent running store. Most of them will have a “guarantee fit” policy so if you drop $140 on shoes, run in them for 2 months, and find they aren’t working you can replace them. Your feet will make or break running for you. And if you break your feet (this happens ALL the time) you are done.
If, after you’ve bought $140 sneakers you still have a few dollars to spend, I would also invest in good socks. These will be $20/$25 but also worth it.
August 23, 2013 — 8:02 AM
lcmcdonoughe says:
Welcome to the world of running! 🙂 I’m also a RunKeeper user, and have found that keeping a meticulous record of my runs keeps me motivated. Another app I recently purchased that has been very helpful is iSmoothRun (all one word when you search for it). I do run/walk intervals (which is a GREAT way to build distance without killing yourself), and iSmoothRun has an easy-to-use interval feature. You can link your RunKeeper account, so all of your running info also gets uploaded there. Highly recommend.
I run in Mizunos, but I second all of the posts that recommend going to a local running store for advice. They will observe your gait and recommend a shoe or two or eight to try. Good running stores often have a treadmill on site so you can run a few paces and see how they fit (so maybe go in workout clothes). Also, be sure to get a shoe that’s 1/2 to 1 whole size larger than your street shoes – you’ll want the room as your feet may swell when you run, so the extra room prevents blisters and saves toenails.
There’s a fantastic article on Runner’s World about proper breathing to avoid injury. It has changed the way I run and I wish I had known about it when I first started. Read it and save yourself from learning the hard way: http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/running-air-breathing-technique
The fun has only begun… wait until you start looking for running socks and DryFit underwear. It’s like a whole new world.
August 23, 2013 — 8:15 AM
Cfmeyer01 says:
I have a running playlist on my phone. It’s a lot of up tempo music with a few slower songs to remind me to slow down a bit at certain points.
You do need a good pair of running sneakers. I used to scoff at this but my cousins convinced me to go to runners world in NYC. They map the contours of your feet and help you pick out a shoe for you. It was pricey (around 150), but when I ran on them it was totally worth it. My feet stopped hurting and it took the pressure off my knees.
I snake the headphone cord down my shirt. I do that when I walk to work too so when people brush too close to me they don’t yank them out of my ears with their bags.
August 23, 2013 — 8:18 AM
bobbucchianeri says:
Once again read Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run. And try Nike Free non-cushioned shoes. Good luck!
August 23, 2013 — 8:25 AM
M. Forde says:
a) It depends. If I’m doing speed work at the track I go for faster music like NIN’s “March of the Pigs” (it’s an odd time signature, but at 269bpm it’s fast). If I’m doing Long Slow Distance, I like a mix of things, but it’s heavy on The Crystal Method, especially their “Drive” album, and every version of “Trip Like I Do” including the collaboration with Filter. I’m also fond of the “Broken” EP by NIN while running. For tempo runs and the like, I listen to my breathing and heartbeat.
b) http://www.runnersworld.com/shoeadvisor This will help you find the right shoes for you. I personally use the Nike Vomero shoes for road running and Nike Pegasus Trail Runners for, well, trail running. The key is finding a shoe that provides the balance of fit, support, and cushioning that’s best for your biomechanics.
c) 1) I use a Garmin 310XT GPS watch and their Training Center software. the 310 might be overkill for your current needs, but their are other models you should at least look into. https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/running/cIntoSports-cRunning-p1.html
c) 2) Jelly Belly Sport Beans. Easier on my stomach than Gu gels.
d) Don’t run with headphones. It’s dangerous. During the RRCA coaching certification course they hammer into us, “DO NOT LET YOUR ATHLETES RUN WITH HEADPHONES!” Get an MP3 player with a built-in speaker or use your smart phone (I assume you have one since you asked about apps). There are a number of generic and model-specific armbands available to hold these devices as you run.
Really, don’t run on the streets or trails with headphones; you can’t hear what’s coming at you and it can cause big problems, such as death.
August 23, 2013 — 8:36 AM