My Journey With Weight Loss – A New Safety Tip

Yesterday I did my long run. It was supposed to be 14k but ended up being 14.75k. The frustrating part for me is my pace is just not where I want it to be. So, took a step back and realized, I ran 14 k which included 3 sets of fartlek intervals. Seriously, regardless of the pace I am pretty fit. However, today the Fitbit said again I had over worked myself and recommended ‘restorative yoga’. Well, if you know me that is not going to happen so it was a brisk 45 minute walk later followed by a 1/2 hour walk with the dog.

I wanted to talk today about a safety issue that I realize I may have ignored, running/walking with headphones (or earbuds). I know this may seem like a strange topic but when you think about it really it becomes an important issue. To be clear I run/walk with Airpods in my ears listening usually to an audiobook because it can distract me for the hard work I do running. But I am still cognizant about being safe.

There are a couple reasons being cognizant about volume on your listening device is important. I want to start with the fact that if you have high volume you run the risk of hearing loss. I like to point to my sister who suffered hearing loss because her employer never thought the loud noises from the manufacturing plant that permeated the office would harm anyone. Yes, listening to your favourite song at full volume may get you pumped but doing that continuously damages your hearing ability so take it down a notch.

The second reason is safety. A few years ago a woman was crossing the railway tracks at our beach while doing a run and had her music so loud she didn’t hear a train coming. Let’s just say the train won which is absolutely so preventable. But I look at different concerns, I am a woman out running and often it is when it is dark out. I want to be able to hear if someone is approaching me so that if there is potential danger that I am prepared. I make sure the volume level that I listen to is such that I can hear footsteps behind me. Yes, that means that if there is noisy traffic I sometimes can’t hear the book I am listening to but what the hell, I would rather be safe.

So, I recommend if you run/walk while listening to music or a book you keep that volume to a level that will always keep you safe.