Music is scientifically proven to make you exercise harder. I often run with my mp3 player on solo runs because it takes your mind off that bloody great hill you're running up!
but surely the whole point of fell running is to enjoy those ruddy great hills without all the distractions of modern life??
Simon Blease
Monmouth
Depends on whether you're training on the fells for enjoyment of nature or to get faster I suppose. Obviously, some people do both but I'm sure you get what I mean.
Because of my back, I can't do much fell running so have to make do with trails and canal towpaths a lot of the time. I find it quite useful to run with an mp3 player to break up the monotony of the run and I definitely find that it makes me run quicker.
For some reason, despite being a totally mild mannered sort of guy, whenever I see anyone running on tarmac I want to shout "Get some mud on yer trainers".
Easy tigers... each to their own surely? Deluded as they might be, they equally probably can't see the appeal of running up and down bloody great hills, through bogs and in mist, rain, sleet or snow.
Also if people want to use MP3's, as long as they're not endangering themselves or others, surely that's their call. I won't use one when I'm out on the hills but, if I'm struggling through an interval set, some good tunes are vital and, for mindless slow plods when I'm down in London, a good audiobook or podcast is essential.
Live and let live. Surely road-running is better than no running or doing no sport, isn't it?
Jeez. Do you all get a kick out of feeling so superior?