When it comes to running gear, we all have our must-haves: the shoes that feel just right, the leggings with the perfect pockets, the water bottle that doesn’t leak. But what about the one thing we can live without?
For me, that’s easy: earbuds.
I used to be all about running with music or true crime podcasts blasting through every mile. I had carefully curated playlists, motivational beats, and a few backup podcasts for the longer runs. But somewhere along the line, I realized that I didn’t need that constant soundtrack, and honestly, I’m better off without it.
Safety First
Running without earbuds means I can actually hear what’s going on around me. Cars, cyclists, dogs, other runners: I’m more aware of everything. It’s especially important when running early in the morning or on quiet roads. Yes, there are options like wearing only one device or bone conduction with lots of ambient sound, but I like knowing I can hear footsteps behind me, or someone calling out, or a car turning a little too close. It’s one less distraction and one more layer of safety, and that peace of mind is worth it.
Less Overstimulation
As I get older, I learned that too much noises stresses me out. Between traffic, crowds, and everything else happening around me, adding music or a podcast on top of it all feels like sensory overload.
Running is my chance to quiet things down. When I leave the earbuds at home, I can finally breathe. The steady rhythm of my footsteps and the sounds of nature are enough for me: simple, peaceful, and calm.
Mindful Miles
Running without sound lets me check in with myself through my breathing, my effort, how my body feels. It’s a good reminder that running isn’t just physical; it’s mental, too. Some of my best ideas and clearest thoughts happen when I’m running in silence.
Connection to the Moment
Without earbuds, I feel more connected to my surroundings: the sunrise, the changing seasons, the people dogs I pass who want to say hi. It makes the run feel more relatable. It’s just me, the road, and whatever the day brings.
Will I Ever Go Back?
Probably not. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with running with music (it can be fun and motivating, and I’ll sometimes just play my Spotify quietly) but for me, running without it has become part of the experience. It’s quiet, it’s calming, and it reminds me why I fell in love with running in the first place.
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Link Up With Tuesday Topics
Welcome back to Tuesday Topics, as Jenny, from Runners Fly joins Jenn at Runs With Pugs to co-host this link-up! Please join us every week for a new topic! Write on our weekly prompt or choose your own topic! Make sure to add your post to the link up, link back to your hosts, and comment on the other shared posts!
Oh, I love this, Jenn!
I totally agree with you, but I could never have worded it this well. You captured exactly what I feel about running without earbuds. The quiet miles, the rhythm of your own breath, the sense of being in the world instead of tuned out – yes to all of it. I ditched music a while ago for the same reasons, and now I can’t imagine going back. Do you ever find that silent runs help you solve problems, too?
I mean. Mine is a little more wheezing and a little less rhythm, but the point stands lol.
I use the time to do a lot in my head. ill plan out work strategies, create menus and schedules for the week, work through plans and issues… it’s really the only time when I can totally hone in on what’s going on. The minute I get home and the pugs start barking and the family starts in with chatter it’s really hard to recapture that focused time.
Your point for running without music or books on tape is very well stated! I trained for and ran 39 of my 40 marathons without music because I didn’t have an iPod (or the cassette/CD predecessors). Now I listen to music or podcasts with only my right AirPod in so I can hear what’s going on around me.
I think I started racing with friends so we would talk while running. And then I would kind of get bored of listening to things. Or I would get distracted and not enjoy the run as much. I have the option to go back at any time, but for right now, this works.
Yes, everything you said is very true. I used to only run with podcasts/music on long runs, but now I have my earbuds for almost every run. It’s interesting because if I don’t have them, I miss it in the very beginning of the run and feel kind of lonely, but then I stop thinking about it. I should challenge myself to run podcast-free a couple times a week. It really is good for your mental health!
Everyone is so different, but I just can’t stand all the noise anymore. I feel like the Grinch lol! I was driving in some traffic the other day and the car behind me had his music and bass turned all the way up. I could feel it in my cells and I felt like I was going to have an anxiety attack or throw up. I almost just put my car in park and walked away because I couldn’t stand it. I blame perimenopause, of course, but I take noise breaks whenever possible.
I got used to running with other people and stopped wearing headphones for most runs as well. Now, I just am not in the habit anymore of using them. When I go for walks however, I do like to listen to podcasts or peloton classes