The Accidental Joy of Running Without Headphones

I’m fuming. I rummage through my work tote, turn my workout bag inside out, lift every notebook on my desk, go through the pockets of every piece of clothing in my zone of vision, then my tote again… It’s 5 p.m. I’m standing in the middle of the office dressed for a run, but my AirPods are nowhere to be found—and I can’t possibly leave without them! Unless I join other people, you’ll not catch me running without headphones. I value my safety, so I keep the volume down and run on trails or sidewalks where I don’t have to be on high alert because of traffic, but I need the distraction. I will even wait around for my AirPods to charge if I must, or go old-school with a corded pair if time is against me. I hate the ways the cord pulls and tangles and twirls, but I hate the silence more. I could go home and find my AirPods, but by the time I do that, all I’ll think about is dinner, and I can’t run when I’m hungry. I’d have to wait to digest the food, and that wouldn’t happen until really late, which would be too close to bedtime. It’s obvious to me that it’s now or never. There is no helping it: I’m running without earbuds. [View in Browser]( [Runner's World Logo]( [SHOP]( [RW+ EXCLUSIVE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [The Accidental Joy of Running Without Headphones]( [The Accidental Joy of Running Without Headphones]( [The Accidental Joy of Running Without Headphones]( I’m fuming. I rummage through my work tote, turn my workout bag inside out, lift every notebook on my desk, go through the pockets of every piece of clothing in my zone of vision, then my tote again… It’s 5 p.m. I’m standing in the middle of the office dressed for a run, but my AirPods are nowhere to be found—and I can’t possibly leave without them! Unless I join other people, you’ll not catch me running without headphones. I value my safety, so I keep the volume down and run on trails or sidewalks where I don’t have to be on high alert because of traffic, but I need the distraction. I will even wait around for my AirPods to charge if I must, or go old-school with a corded pair if time is against me. I hate the ways the cord pulls and tangles and twirls, but I hate the silence more. I could go home and find my AirPods, but by the time I do that, all I’ll think about is dinner, and I can’t run when I’m hungry. I’d have to wait to digest the food, and that wouldn’t happen until really late, which would be too close to bedtime. It’s obvious to me that it’s now or never. There is no helping it: I’m running without earbuds. I’m fuming. I rummage through my work tote, turn my workout bag inside out, lift every notebook on my desk, go through the pockets of every piece of clothing in my zone of vision, then my tote again… It’s 5 p.m. I’m standing in the middle of the office dressed for a run, but my AirPods are nowhere to be found—and I can’t possibly leave without them! Unless I join other people, you’ll not catch me running without headphones. I value my safety, so I keep the volume down and run on trails or sidewalks where I don’t have to be on high alert because of traffic, but I need the distraction. I will even wait around for my AirPods to charge if I must, or go old-school with a corded pair if time is against me. I hate the ways the cord pulls and tangles and twirls, but I hate the silence more. I could go home and find my AirPods, but by the time I do that, all I’ll think about is dinner, and I can’t run when I’m hungry. I’d have to wait to digest the food, and that wouldn’t happen until really late, which would be too close to bedtime. It’s obvious to me that it’s now or never. There is no helping it: I’m running without earbuds. [Read More]( [Read More](     [Train With Runner’s World+]( [Train With Runner’s World+]( Enjoy free access to member-exclusive races and personalized training for select events. You’ll gain a virtual community to train with, access to our editors, and guidance to run your very best. Save this page to stay updated on our latest race offerings! [Read More](   [Coaches Reveal the Best Strategies to Improve Your Pace (Even on Easy Days!)]( [Coaches Reveal the Best Strategies to Improve Your Pace (Even on Easy Days!)]( Here’s how to find your easy running pace and the tips you need to improve that speed. [Read More](     [Hockey Legend Zdeno Chara Just Completed His First Ironman. Now He’s Thinking Even Bigger.]( [Hockey Legend Zdeno Chara Just Completed His First Ironman. Now He’s Thinking Even Bigger.]( The six-time NHL all-star and eight-time marathon finisher has found success and passion in endurance sports. [Read More](   [Science Says Eliud Kipchoge Could Technically Run a 1:14:12 Marathon]( [Science Says Eliud Kipchoge Could Technically Run a 1:14:12 Marathon]( It would require very specific conditions—but it’s possible. [Read More](     [Elise Cranny Takes Down the Oldest American Outdoor Record]( [Elise Cranny Takes Down the Oldest American Outdoor Record]( Mary Decker’s 38-year-old 3,000 meter record is no more, as of Thursday. [Read More](   [90-Day Transformation Challenge: Abs](   [LiveIntent Logo]( [AdChoices Logo]( [Need Assistance? Contact Us.](mailto:rwmembership@runnersworld.com) Follow Us [Unsubscribe]( | [Privacy Notice]( | [CA Notice at Collection]( Runner's World is a publication of Hearst Magazines. ©2024 Hearst Magazines, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This email was sent by Hearst Magazines, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019-3779