16 March 2007

Books & Running

I’ve started listening to audio books while I’m running. Let me tell you, this is one of the better decisions I’ve made. Not only do I get more “reading” in, but I’m motivated to get those sneakers on. Once I start running, I enjoy it, but getting out the door is sometimes like hacking through the thorny vines to get to Sleeping Beauty. But knowing I have a story to listen to, I have my shoes tied before you can say “on your mark.” Here’s the catch: I only let myself listen to the book while I’m running or doing a little Pilates and stretching at the end. No other time. (Okay, just one more Pilates exercise…) Over the past two weeks, I listened to Tiger Lillie. Maybe because I was into the book over a longer period of time (coupled with Lisa Samson’s amazing characterization), I am now going through Lillie withdrawal. I almost cried yesterday when the voice on my iPod said, “The end.” (And let me tell you, crying and running do not go together.)
Today I’ll start Dickens’ Bleak House. We’ll see how conducive this one is to running. But who doesn’t love Charles’ characters?

12 comments:

Jeanne Damoff said...

Sounds like a great way to motivate and multi-task. I'm still jumping rope and listening to the stories in my head. Sometimes they make me laugh or cry, too. Pathetic, isn't it?

Erin said...

I loved Bleak House!
Giving yourself a carrot-on-a-string so you'll actually exercise is a great motivation. I have to do the same thing.

Unknown said...

I've had to give up running but I've fallen in love with the elliptical trainer. I've always listened to books or writing conferences while I exercise, especially when I exercise just before writing. Seems to prime the pump or something.

Mary DeMuth said...

OK, Heather. I didn't know you ran. Will you join me in doing the danskin triathlon this year??? I tried to connive Jeanne into doing it, but she said no. Meanie.

Heather said...

So here's the thing, Mary. I would love to do a triathlon, truly I would. I could build up my running and swimming, I think to not die in the middle.
But I can't ride a bike. No kidding. You know that saying about as easy as riding a bike? Not true at all for me.
Let me relate my two bike riding experiences of the past 15 yrs: (1) San Francisco. Never give in to peer pressure when it involves bikes and San Francisco. My knuckles remained white for two weeks afterwards and my thighs are still not on speaking terms with me, and that was almost ten years ago.
(2) For one mile on our honeymoon. One single mile. I thought I was going to die when a truck started my rambling up the very narrow dirt road, so I scraped against the trees, barely staying on the bike. My hubby, side-straddled and doing tricks on his bike, laughed and took pictures.

Anonymous said...

ohh that sounds like a wonderful idea i might have to try that

Gina Conroy said...

I'm asking for an ipod for Mother's day! I usually read on the elliptical machine, but I've had a hard time finding books on tapes and CD's.

Friends keep telling me about downloading books on their ipods and I'm sold. Now I just have to "sell" the hubby on the idea!

This might be a great way to get him to start listening to books.

Unknown said...

Yes, I use my ipod while cleaning and running errands in the car, and I'm much more willing to do those things with an audio book going. From where do you download your books? I use audible.net. You can get a great deal for the first 3 months, but now I have to decide if I want to keep on. Also, I've found that I LOVE memoirs in my earbuds. Something about someone just telling me their story is very cozy.

Heather said...

Jennifer - I've just started doing this and have used audible, although right now I'm frustrated with them. On my iPod shuffle, it always starts the story about 5 minutes after I stopped it, and since I can't see where I am (no screen), it takes a while to find my place again. Once, I hit the button wrong, and it took me all the way to the beginning. Ooh! I spent an hour getting myself to the right spot again (shuffles don't ff or rew quickly at all). But back to my frustration with audible - they won't let me use a program to break up the book into smaller chunks, like half hour chunks instead of 8 hours. So if anyone knows any other places, I'd love to hear about them.

Dineen A. Miller said...

Cool idea, girl. I may have to try that.

Anonymous said...

Maybe THIS is what I've needed for a little exercise motivation. Ummm, this and the thought of swimsuit weather approaching at the speed of light :/.

Heather said...

swimsuits will do it every time!