Any Runners out there?

I dont run professionally or anything like that. i run because i have to for my bones and my hardware in my bones to not get stiff. Im not sprinting but I am moving and covering distance.

I wanted to know if when you run do you listen to music or a book or do you run like me with nothing. Just my thoughts. I believe this is the hardest thing to do. There are no distractions but I wonder if it is easier for those who listen to music? I know some people run to the beat of music to keep pace and maybe that would help me. I just dont want words.

What do you find helps with recovery after your run and what do you eat before and after your run?

 

When I was in the service, I was running between 25-40 miles a week (depending on the schedule). Now that I find myself a normal societal citizen, it’s hard to maintain 20 miles even with a 10-12 mile ride in the mix.

I’ve always used nothing when running in nature, far from the hustle and bustle of society. Now, I usually listen to podcasts. Pick something I am interested in and proceed. I do long for the runs alongside nature although thats not really an option where I live.

I’ve heard that a banana before a run is a great choice of energy. I typically go for my runs a couple hours after lunch so, I really dont follow advice. As far as after, I really enjoy static stretching. Touching your toes, butterfly stretch and other are very much enjoyable. Have you considered yoga? It was more challenging that I would have thought.

 

Currently, run/bike/swim in silence but I've been meaning to buy a set of Shokz bone conduction at some point (this year has been very minimal on endurance sports because of life/chores/kids). Swimming gets kinda boring because I'm so awful at it and my form requires constant attention to get any distance, but I wish I had music to pass the time. Running I wish I had a book as I tend to stick to Z2-4 and I much prefer using "dead time" to learn over listening to a song. Road cycling is usually in group, so nothing. MTB is generally Z4-5 and I'm huffing, so nothing, but I aughtta try music to take my mind off of the suck that is hitting a long climb.

For me, running absolutely requires a thorough stretch session before going out. If it's just Z2 on the treadmill, then not so much. If it's a longer run, like 6+mi, then ice baths after have helped tremendously. I'm nearly 200lb at 6'1", so the lower half of joints gets beaten up pretty well. Prefer to run without any food prior. Afterwards gets protein and some carbs.

 

Not a runner, but an aggressive walker. I don't listen to anything. Good way for my mind to decompress and clear stress. I already have too much distraction when I'm not out for my walk that it's nice to have an unplug moment.

 

Regular runner here. At my peak a few years ago, I was getting in 38-45 miles a week, but I have dropped way off of that level.

I listen to some music or at night, I like to listen to the news. The news keeps my mind engaged instead of the boredom of counting down the miles I still have to go.

As for my recovery, it’s Pacifico’s.

 

@Mohoman

I really enjoy running in the evening and late night (2200-0000)

I will give yoga a try. I survived a spin class once so I will try yoga

Thanks all those of you who shared
38 miles a week I was never but I had a guy who ran ultras. He would literally run and shrink when he trained. God bless him
He got out and his focus shifted as life often does

 

Years ago, if I was running solo I would listen to music most of the time. It got me more pumped and I was slightly faster without realizing it. Group runs I wouldn't. It was nice to have some variety. I'm just now getting back into running and I'm not listening to anything except my wheezing lol.

I don't eat anything specific before a run. After a run, I aim for a small amount of sugar - like fruit or agave, a Nuun electrolyte tablet if I sweat a lot, and then carbs and protein like JRS said. Yoga is great, I get a lot of benefit from it. Just don't force things and learn where you are more flexible and more tight.

 

So I normally walk my dog and use that time to just decompress and reset, so no music or anything. Phone is not in use, and I'm just out and enjoying the day and fresh air and not being on a screen.

I've been trying to run more just for some obstacle course races I've signed up for to help motivate my fitness, and definitely knew I needed to run for those. Texas being Texas, and I work evenings it basically 90F out when I get up and close to 100F when I get off work. Not temps I'm wanting to really deal with for building my running endurance. The wife was wanting to run and improve her cardio too, so we did get the Peloton tread (base model) and i was very reluctant to use it because I've hated most treadmills in the past. Finally tried it, and man its been game changer. I have really enjoyed certain instructors and I take the classes with music I enjoy, they have definitely pushed me both in distance and speed and they motivate you as well. Really got me off my no music while running mindset.

@JRS the Shokz are nice, you can hear your music and your surroundings. I've used them outside a few times and can still hear when a vehicle approaches and when indoors I can monitor if the dog is taking my distraction with a workout to try and cause trouble

 

i use the RunKeeper app but sometimes i am wanting an update immediately
and thus i speed up because the faster I go the faster I finish the sooner the pain stops..lol

 

Noobie run info:

Salt intake helps with long run (5+ miles) and on hot days

Find a running store and have them record tour run, match you up with shoes.

Shoes can look good but be completely worn out - yes shoes have a max running life.

1-2 miles more often is better than 5-10 miles once in a while.

Creatine daily.

Listen to your body. Sometimes it'll tell you not to run, listen to it. It's not about how long or how fast you run all the time it's about how healthy you stay and injury free you are.

Warming up is important in the cold.

Cooling down is important in the heat.

Find a groove and stick to it, change as necessary.

Tracking apps are good, make a game out of it.

Podcasts generally work well, an hour podcast is a decent run/walk each day.

 

Weird that this thread popped up. I’m not looking forward to this weekend where I might be doing my pt test for the navy or just wait a bit till it’s cooler