Staying Focused on a run

The theme for TOTR this week is favorite warm weather gear. My sister and I have a great piece of gear that we think is quickly going to become one of our favorites this summer but to be fair, we haven't had the chance to test it out completely so it wouldn't be right to write about it yet, right? So, we will hold off on that for now. 

Even though it's been Spring, there are still days where it is cool, windy or rainy. Not the ideal for the perfect run outside. Last year I had purchased a treadmill and I really got my use out of it. I used it for when I couldn't get up early enough to get my run in before the sun came up and also on those brutal winter days when I couldn't step foot outdoors. 

Now that Spring is here I have to stay I have been so used to staying in to do my runs on the treadmill. It is just so convenient.  While on the treadmill I usually do a run/walk since I could not continously run on a treadmill for X miles. My television shows really help pass the time. And I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my phone next to me the whole time checking emails, twitter, or blogging.  Needless to say I am not the most focused when doing my runs on the treadmill. 

When I heard about the Log Off Shut Down Go Run Virtual Race from Gone For A Run my next thought was sign me up.
 

I thought this would be the perfect time to be disconnected and just go run. When I was getting my gear around I was debating what fuel belt to take and then I thought to myself, heck I don't need any because I don't need a place to even put my phone.

So I started running with only my GPS watch and my Ipod. I couldn't tell you how much lighter I felt with no excess belts weighing me done. 

During my run I was only focused on my running and enjoying the weather. Even though it was the end of April I have still only done a handful of runs outside. I kept looking at my Garmin wondering why the mileage was not going up faster.  I thought to myself well heck I could be watching my shows right now and checking my phone (because you know you always think you will get an important call/text when you don't have it on you). Why was it that this run felt harder to me? I think it was because I haven't run that distance outside by myself since last fall. Running consistently was alot different than what I was doing all winter long on the treadmill.  I was happy when I had to wait for a train and a few red lights throughout the run. 

By the second half of my run I was finally in my groove feeling good. I didn't even think about not having my phone on me. I arrived back home refreshed and ready to eat dinner. But I'm sure you can guess what I did before starting dinner.
 
Do you ever feel like you are addicting to your phone? Do you run with it?
 
-L

I received this complimentary race registration for being a Gone For A Run Ambassador.
 

22 comments:

  1. I do run with my phone for safety of course, but I also listen to music.

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  2. I run with my phone for safety and I take a pic or 2, but I do not allow myself to check emails/internet etc.

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  3. My phone is with me when I run, but stays in a belt the whole time. I listen to music on a shuffle unless I am with my group. The Garmin is always with me to keep track of my workouts.

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  4. Love virtual runs they have no pressure! I'm not even convinced it's actually spring much less summer so I haven't even pulled out my summer gear yet!

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  5. I am totally addicted to my phone! I definitely run with it- I use the activity tracker. Also, you never know when the perfect Instagram pic will come along! Lol! ;)

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  6. I use my phone as my iPod, but I do that so I can have the phone with me for safety. When my phone and iPod were separate, it was difficult to juggle holding both. I turn the ringer off and just focus on the music.

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  7. I'm definitely addicted to my phone! I never check it while running but I use it for music and have a hard time running without music. It's also a nice little safety blanket to know I have it in case something goes wrong.

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  8. I do run with my phone and my Garmin even gets notifications on it when I get a text or an e-mail. It is a bit crazy to be so connected to it!

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  9. I run with my phone in my Flipbelt but I have to squeeze it in, so it doesn't ever come out until the ride home....
    I keep my Nike GPS watch for the mileage... I had to laugh, I had on my Nike watch, my Polar watch & 2 fitness trackers the other day. Overkill much?

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  10. Definitely addicted to my phone! I've never done a virtual run before! I did see someone wearing the bib for this run at my 10 miles race this weekend though!

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  11. I usually dont run with my phone as it is a bit big and is distracting. I use my garmin for mileage and my ipod for music. I am trying to not be addicted to my phone and try and keep it away from me most of the time so I am not always checking it

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  12. Great topic! I used to only run with music. I felt like it would be torturous to run in silence. But then, after hearing some suggestions about safety concerns and/or using music as a booster during the final stretch of a run, I decided to try it. Lo and behold - I love it! It really gives me time to just reflect on everything that is going on. It's nice to not have to carry anything, either!

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  13. Oh, I run with my phone. And tweet when I'm bored. Could explain a lot of things. ;) Great post this week!

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  14. Of all my faults, this is one I am actually good at. I will rarely take anything with me on a run, I prefer the less is more on a run.

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  15. I almost always run with my phone. I gotta have my music!

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  16. It's so hard to keep the phone at home when I go for a run, so I understand where you're coming from. Then again, all of my music is on my phone. :) Treadmill running is so...dang...boring...lol

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  17. I usually put the phone in the back of my pack, where I cannot reach it to play with, but it is there for an emergency.

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  18. Yes, and I only have a dumb phone not a smart phone. I can be addicted to the texting or just checking if someone called for the job that I do. It's kind of stressful though to be addicted, so sometimes I just stick it in my drawer and leave it for a couple hours. And surprise, my world still goes on without it. ;-)

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  19. Very occasionally, say in a very large race or running in a strange place, I'll take my phone. On my normal training runs, I do not. I stay in my neighborhood and only have my Garmin and shuffle on me. It's freeing.

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  20. I keep my phone with me on runs or rides for safety reasons but I turn the ringer off so I don't get distracted. I used the treadmill most of the winter and am still using it for weekday speedwork just out of logistics...I'm finding I've made big improvements in running recently so I'm thinking the convenience of having a treadmill = more workouts done, therefore outweighs any incremental benefits of outdoor runs.

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  21. Haha, I struggle with this, too. I'm always desperate for ANY kind of distraction during a run (and I never run on treadmills for that exact reason, haha) so I definitely have that compulsion to reach for my phone to check in on any "important" calls or texts I am undoubtedly receiving while I'm running, lol.

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  22. I do run with my phone, but usually it's tucked away in a pocket, just there for the occasional snake photo (they've been showing up along my run routes lately) or emergency. I tend to just run with that and my garmin (and my mace).

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.