This wasn’t an easy blog for me to write because up until recently I always listened to music while running.

For years, I was one of those people who couldn’t leave the house for a run without my iPod. I spent hours updating playlists before important runs, and I would get upset if my earphones stopped working mid-run.

If you ran along the beach in Port Melbourne you probably would have seen me head down and mouthing the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off. Once on my way to a run with friends, I drove out of the way to stop at a service station to buy new earphones. Put simply; I was dependent on running with music. It seems I wasn’t alone: A Runner’s World survey of 3,523 runners revealed that 75 per cent of respondents listen to music while running.

Then something shifted. A few months ago I left home without my music and ran anyway. It was a turning point for me and since that day I haven’t looked back. I now really enjoy running without music. Sure, some days I’m tempted to pick-up my iPod before a run, but I’ve found there’s a lot to be gained from being in tune with your body rather than the phat beats of a Ministry of Sound track.

Running without music has allowed me to be more in tune with my body.

Of course there are times when music would be a handy motivator – like when I’m running up a steep hill or in between sprint sessions. It’s also a great tool for reducing boredom during long runs. Studies have found that music reduces a runner’s perception of how hard they are training by around 10 per cent. Music can also block some of the internal stimuli such as fatigue-related messages from muscles and organs. When these messages are blocked, this reduces a runner’s perception of effort, so you feel like you can run farther, faster.

Music also makes you happier. Just two weeks ago during the Run for the Kids in Melbourne I got a huge lift when I passed the Nova 100 stand with music blaring. It put a massive smile on my face and put an extra bounce in each stride.

Despite the benefits, running purists say that the sound of your feet hitting the ground should be all the music you need, and I think they’re right. Running without music has helped me become a more mindful runner. Instead of being distracted by my pumping tunes, I am able to observe the way my body feels during a run and monitor any niggles that I’m feeling. I’m also paying more attention to my breath and I’m listening to how my feet land to help me prevent heel strike and potential injury.

Then there’s the added bonus of being in touch with my surroundings. Without music I’m more likely to hear a cyclist whizzing past or a car turning left, and I’ve come to love just letting my thoughts wash over me instead of fluffing around trying to hit the next song button.
My running pals like the change too. Now we can chat away instead of having to raise our voices over the sound of music.

So nowadays if you spot me running along the beach I’ll probably give you a wave or a summer’s nod instead of humming to Sia song.