Running without an iPod?

When I started running almost two years ago, I would strap on my iPod touch and go for a jog. When I finished, I would use mapmyrun to calculate how far I ran. Sometimes I ran with my iPod, but I quickly fell out of that habit because I didn't need the music. Last year for Christmas I got one of those Nike+ chips to put in my shoe. It's pretty much a pedometer that communicates with your iPod while you run. It keeps track of the distances for you. I used that for a few months, but the problem is that you have to take your iPod with you when you run. I had become accustomed to leaving that at home since I realized I didn't really need it. I started running with my iPod strapped to my arm again so I could use the Nike+, but I didn't listen to music. When I finally got an iPhone this February, I downloaded the mapmyrun app since that was the website I had been keeping track of all my running on. I started running with my phone. I still wouldn't listen to music, and I'm not really sure why I was bringing my phone to keep track of the distance. That fad wore off and now I don't bring anything with me when I run.

These days I call myself a minimalist runner. Why do I say that? Well, it's because I don't really take anything with me when I go out for a run, and I even ditch the running shoes. I don't need my iPod, smart phone, or GPS to guide me. I actually prefer to run without music, and something in my hands or strapped to my upper arm is rather uncomfortable, not to mention making sure the ear buds stay in my ears while I'm running. Instead of listening to music, I let my mind be free from whatever has been consuming it. I can observe my surroundings and I notice what is going on all around me. Yes, sometimes I talk to myself (silently) while I'm running, but other times there is absolutely nothing going through my mind. It is quite a relieving experience. If you haven't had the opportunity to let yourself do it, I would recommend it. Next time you go for a run, leave your ipod at home. Don't worry about having your GPS or phone with you to keep track of your distance. You can do that pretty easy with mapmyrun when you're done. All I wear when I run is a watch, my roadID bracelet (for safety), and my Vibram Five Fingers . About a year ago I decided to try out the barefoot running fad. I purchased a pair of Vibram Five Fingers and I rarely run in anything but them now.

Who needs anything else?

Let your mind be free to enjoy what's going on around you.