soulfood wrote:I've tried with and without.
I think if I lived somewhere that was quite open and untouched I'd very much enjoy the sounds of the wind in my ears and the nature around me. However my locality sounds like traffic and angry inbreeders, so I think I'll stick with music... at least until I can run far enough to get away from it all
Ugh, that kind of noise pollution deserves to be drowned out with some good tunes. Although I'm lucky to be near a spot far enough from bothers I don't think I get out into it enough. Haven't been running or cycling as much as I like to - as much as it takes to make my lifestyle awesome - and I don't have anything close to a decent excuse. This thread's great motivation.
Running while listening to music has been a challenge for me because I usually find myself synchronizing my rhythm. I'm not consistent enough, yet, in my pacing to plan ahead with certain mixes or I haven't figured out how to just run with music and not make a big thing of it. Without music there's always the daily mental noise and thought forms to keep me entertained. I like to watch the stress squirm as I hit the second or third mile and it just isn't anymore. And the move into the mid run head space is fucking exquisite.
Cycling is easier for me to synch with tunes because there's no distinctive percussive instance like when the foot hits the ground in running. Plus mental markers for where the foot is in it's round on the pedal push can be changed right with any music. Also Daft Punk and cycling shows Tron who's boss.
Both are great and my joints haven't found a preference.
Lavos: Good shit man. When I got back in to running it took me a few weeks to get up to 2 miles. I don't know if I could do twice a day but good luck getting it rolling. Remember to rest when necessary and enough to help your body back into the groove. Shoes with arch support and all that good stuff are completely worthwhile.