How did people pre-2000 do it? I can't run without my phone and/or stopwatch. Can't. I literally have my phone app set to yell at me every five minutes to tell me how long it's been (e.g. "5:00"), how far I've gone ("0.5 miles"), average pace ("10:00 per mile"), and current pace ("9:45 per mile"). I feel naked without it, and it's gotten to the point that I don't have "easy" runs, per se, because I'm so obsessed with making sure I meet a certain threshold (speed, distance, etc.).
Tonight, I threw it all out the window. I went out for a run (healthy, yay!) without my phone or watch. All I had was my iShuffle, my ID bracelet, and a hat. Well, clothes on too - you probably would have heard of me on the news if I hadn't (THE NAKED RUNNER!!!). I went at a casual pace, probably around 10:00/mile, ran what I guessed to be about four miles, and even took a break after 5K to walk, recoup, and then continue.
Guess what? I DIDN'T DIE like I thought I would. It was definitely disconcerting at the start - am I going to slow? Too fast? Something should be yelling at me right about now! Oh no, I'm WALKING, how is that going to figure into my overall time?!? But, after mile 2, I realized how freeing it was. I could just enjoy my music, enjoy life around me, and run. No, it wasn't fast. No, I don't know how long it took me to do that run. No, it wasn't exactly four miles (3.9 is close, right?). However, the freedom I felt from being free of technology was great.
I'm definitely going to do this again on short runs!
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