Runner Insight

^Click Arrow To Listen

For the most part, I have my mp3 player with me on my runs.  It really depends upon my mood what I end up listening to.  If I want a fast upbeat run, I will grab my player that I have loaded with high energy songs, such as Shakira or Enigma to get kicked into high gear…or at least as high a gear as I can manage with my visual limits.  But if I’m out for a slow pace, casual kind of run, I’ll bring along a good book, maybe a Patricia Cornwell, John Grisham or Anita Shreve that I have downloaded onto my mp3 player. 

There are times, of course, when I prefer to go without: to just run with my thoughts enveloped in the sounds around me, especially when I’m on a back road, or a trail away from traffic noise.

Years ago I would routinely go without music because my tape player was too bulky and heavy to carry.  But since now they make small compact mp3 players that hold a lot of music and an entire book, I listen to stuff more often.

When it came to races though, I had always chosen not to use my mp3 player, even during the two half-marathons I ran.  I noticed that other half-marathon runners were using them, but I knew I wanted to revel in the full race experience: the cheering of the crowd, the connection with the energy of all the other half-marathon runners.

But as my marathon training schedule was proceeding according to plan and the marathon drawing near, I found myself putting together a marathon music playlist.  I guess I hadn’t quite made up my mind yet. 

All of my long marathon training runs had been done with my friend Vickie riding her bike along side me, so we had great conversation to hold my interest. Vickie would not be with me as I ran the marathon, so I was torn: what should I do? Should I take along my music? Or not?

So with a marathon playlist of high energy songs and a book by Nevada Barr, a recently-discovered author I really liked, loaded onto my mp3 player, I placed it in the pile with my other marathon race day things.

In bigger marathons they will often discourage the use of electronic devices such as mp3 player simply because there is so much going on, and the marathon runners need to be conscious of their surroundings. But I knew there were going to be places along the Missoula Marathon route that would be far between the cheering crowds and fellow runners.

As I climbed into the van on race day, and headed out to the starting line of the Missoula Marathon, I had my MP3 player with me.  But I decided once we arrived at the staging area that I wanted to experience the full 26.2 mile marathon in all its glory, so I didn’t bring my marathon music with me.

I am really glad I made that choice.  The raw energy from the starting line crowd in the quiet early morning, infused with the sounds of hundreds of running shoes hitting the road at the start of the marathon was exhilarating.  And as all the marathon runners thinned out, I enjoyed hearing the high powered agricultural sprinklers in the distant fields clicking away, and a lone meadowlark singing a song to cheer me along. 

Had I been listening to my mp3 player, I would have missed out on an unexpected visit from T at the 8 mile mark of my marathon.  We had planned that she would meet up with me at the 16 mile mark unless I called her on my cell phone to request assistance prior to that.  So to my great delight I heard her yelling my name, telling me my time and how well I was doing after about 8 miles.  It spurred me on, with an additional lifting of my spirits, tickled at the surprise personal support.

So for me, my decision not to use an mp3 player during the marathon was a good one.  From the encouragement of the marathon volunteers, to the clapping and cheers and “Nice job – You’re doing great!” support from people lining the streets, to the sounds and sporadic conversation with the other runners, I would have missed out on the energy and a palpable but indescribable connection with the entire event. I’m glad I didn’t choose to block it all out. That feeling will be a special part of my first marathon, etched into my memory to relive and enjoy for the rest of my life.

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

Popularity: 23% [?]

^Click Arrow To Listen

This year winter in Montana hit hard and fast.  We were having a nice long Indian summer, and I had only worn my running tights a few times up until mid December. And that was only because of the wind or because I would meet my mom after my run, and we would go for a walk.  For the most part, I had been running in my running shorts and a lightweight running jacket all the way up until about the second week of December.

In fact, I wrote “Christmas Tree Run” blog a few weeks ago about running in my shorts in December!  But that ended up being the last day I was able to run outside in my running shorts. As it happens, it was the last time I’ve run outside to date.  We got hit with about 9” of snow, then the wind started to blow and the temperatures took a dive down to the land of negative numbers.  When it got that cold, I was content to stay warm and cozy inside…for about 3 days.

Then the restlessness struck, and I just couldn’t stand not running.  So I packed my gym bag and began the long and involved process of getting dressed to venture out into the beyond-frigid, frozen tundra that was now the world outside.  I swear it took me as long to get dressed as it did to waddle like a penguin in my multi-layered winter protection package to the gym, which is only a couple of blocks away.

Out of all the seasons, winter poses the most challenges for me as a blind runner. From snow to sub-zero temps to ice underfoot and freezing rain, the challenge is not in the knowing when or how to run in these elements, but rather it’s understanding and internalizing that I can’t, and finding an alternative to get my running fix.

Because I don’t see well, it’s a no-brainer for me. When there is snow on the running path, I can’t run. Same goes for temps below 20 degrees. It’s not much fun when it’s that cold, and can be dangerous if the weather takes a turn for the worse while I’m out in it.  So during these unfavorable conditions, I usually resign myself to running on a treadmill.

Treadmill workouts are not my favorite thing, but they do serve a useful purpose: mainly to keep me from going crazy from not getting my running fix!  But I have to admit that if that was all I could do – run on a treadmill – I don’t think I would be a runner. I just love running outside so much.  Even though I don’t see well, there is just something wonderful, yet indefinable about being outdoors and running that defies my understanding as to why I love it so darn much. But regardless of the reason, in order to be able to run outside when the weather is better and not have to completely start my training regimen from scratch every spring, I use the treadmill to keep myself in shape. That way I am able to do longer runs once the weather improves.

Since I don’t enjoy running on the treadmill, but find it to be a necessary evil, over the years I have developed some tricks that I use to keep myself sane while running on the treadmill.  One strategy I learned was to put a towel over the display panel of the treadmill.  This way I don’t keep looking to see how much time has passed or how much further I have to go.  I no longer need to do this, as I can’t see the display screen anymore. In fact, it’s quite comical if you’re watching, because I practically have to put my nose on it to see it.

Another thing that I do to make the treadmill running tolerable is I listen to my mp3 player.  I will select music that I have listened to during some of my different runs.  For example, while I was on vacation in Hawaii with my parents in 2002, I was listing to Shakira “Laundry Service” for the 3 weeks I was there. When I run on the treadmill, with Shakira along for the fun, I can visualize myself running along the path by the canal, watching the kayaks float by. Listening to a good book on the mp3 player can make the time go by faster, too.

Another tip is to get a treadmill by a window if you can. The gym I go to has huge picture windows, so I make it a point to get as close to one as possible. Not only is it cooler, but it gives me more of the sense of being outside.

I also use my time on the treadmill to do some speed work.  I can’t do speed work when I’m running outside, as I have to really watch where I’m going. Since I’m not able to run fast outdoors and be safe, too, I punch up the speed on the treadmill and really get a good sweat going.  I also find if I do run faster, I don’t feel like I need to spend as much time on it!

The other big positive about running on the treadmill, it actually gets me into the gym, so I am more likely to do my weight training! And that’s a good thing, isn’t it?

How ‘bout it?
-Vision Runner

Popularity: 18% [?]