I mentioned a few times that I’ve been listening to “The Help” on my long runs and bike rides. I never thought I would be able to listen to audiobooks on runs. I always listened to music, thinking I needed it to get my energy up.
I started out listening to This American Life on the stationary bike a few months back. The time flew by. Then, I tried a few runs with half music and half This American Life. I liked it, but This American Life has bad episodes which made me want to shoot myself.
It turns out, listening to a good book rocks. It’s kind of like running with a friend who does all the talking. When my runs get tough it distracts me with a good story.
The best part of these audiobooks – they are FREE from the DC Public Library! I am guessing a lot of other libraries do this, so be sure to check it out (if not for your run, for your commute). I’ve always been a big library fan because I hate cluttering up my house with books I’ll only read once. They also have free e-book downloads for your iPad or kindle. So this is just another reason for me to love the library.
Of course, they don’t have every book on tape and some of them have a wait. After I finish The Help, I’m planning on checking out The Time Traveler’s Wife since I’ve heard so much about it.
Maybe one day I’ll get into non-fiction so I can get smarter AND stronger on my long runs.
Have you ever listened to a book on tape while working out?
When I trained for my first marathon, I used to listen to books on tape all the time during long runs and cross training days. It made the workout go by so quickly – as long as the story was entertaining. I find that I do much better with something that is suspenseful or just has a very engaging story, rather than a book with really flowery descriptive language, etc. I don’t know why I stopped listening to books on my runs, though. Thanks for the reminder – it’s something I should get back into!
Wow that’s such an awesome idea Liz! I have never listened to a book on tape before, while working out or otherwise. I have to get on that train!
Wow I am signing up for this now. I never ever thought to do this. what a great concept. i agree i thought i needed the music but you make an awesome point. ooo such a good book time traveler’s note of caution don’t read it in public because i sob when i read it and uh i was on the T
I tried to do this, but my stupid iPod kept losing my place and then I’d have to remember what hour and minute mark I left off at and then fast forward to that point. It was so irritating that I vowed to never do it again.
um, the time traveler’s wife is one of my fave books of all time! love.
I was so worried when I downloaded an audiobook that I would totally zone out during my runs the way I do when I listen to music. I’m surprised that I’ve been able to pay attention to it while running
I’m addicted to This American Life podcasts—mostly for the stationary bike, as I listen to gangsta rap or nothing at all on runs. You’re going to love Time Traveler’s Wife. It’s one of the loveliest books I’ve ever read, and is actually a perfect analogy for deployment (though that’s another story for another blog post … ).
Oooh, I’ll have to try that! I used to listen to TAL during runs too, but I found the same thing you did – the good ones were good, but the bad episodes made for really long runs. Though I don’t think they have too many actual “bad” episodes, just bad for running episodes. But I digress. I will have to look into the library/audiobook thing. How are you liking The Help? It’s one of my favorites. Just a warning, Time Traveler’s Wife is a tearjerker… might not be best for long runs
I got so sick of my music playlist last year I only run to podcasts now. I have a sick obsession with all things NPR, so This American Life and Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me are my all time go-tos. Haven’t thought to try the audiobooks yet. Definitely going to get on that now!
I’ve always wanted to listen to a book during a long run and I keep forgetting to actually do it. I’m definitely going to have to add to my download list. Such a good idea!
I’ve never listened to audiobooks on a run, I’m just afraid it wouldn’t be as entertaining as my music, but maybe it’s worth a shot.