I always run with music. My handy-dandy original iPod shuffle and my trusty run tunes have been with me on every kilometre of every run since the beginning of last year's training season. I know some of the so-called "purists" out there disparage the deep meditative aura that envelopes a runner as he or she cranks up the tunes and drowns out the traffic. Something about not hearing your breathing, zoning out of traffic, ignoring your body's signals. I always have permitted them their view and I've permitted me mine: running with the rhythm of inspiring instruments, melodic vocals, deep, and regular beats helps me apply myself to the pavement and gives me some of the lift I need to get a move on.
Tonight was different. Steph's friend Tanya is visiting from Ottawa with her fiancee Aaron and he was game to join me for my run. We logged a quick 5km completely unplugged. (Ok, maybe not quick in absolute terms...it was clear Aaron was capable of a far faster pace...but that's another story for another day.) Nothing but the sounds of traffic, the rasp of breathing, and intermittent conversation. Let it be said that I've always thought I could keep up a conversation while running...I mean, after all how hard could it be? Well, tonight I found out that keeping up one's end of a conversation while running, mine a careful orchestration of phrases on the out breath, is a good test of fitness. As Aaron comfortably chatted away about breathe-right strips, nose breathing, and barefoot marathoners, I discovered it was a test I'll need to take again.
But in the meantime, while I'm glad to have had tonight's company on my run, I'm looking forward to sinking into those hundred or so songs on shuffle that help me get my arse in gear.
More later, but for now, I gotta run.
--Brian
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