If you can't hit the road without a tracker strapped to your arm, headphones plugged into your ears, and an app streaming on your phone, then you're definitely not running "naked"—a newly coined phrase that refers to running with nothing more high-tech than the kicks on your feet. These days, with so much gear available to help runners monitor their performance, there's a growing movement in the opposite direction—back to an old-school, device-free run.
For starters, when you're not distracted by tracking numbers, ear buds that won't stay put, or (let's be honest) glancing at texts, you're better able to tune in to your body and focus on rhythm and pacing. "Runners with devices are less likely to recognize how they feel—if the pace is too fast or slow for them—because they're too busy keeping tabs on a monitor," says exercise physiologist Susan Paul, Ph.D., program director for the Orlando Track Shack Foundation. "With no distractions, you pay attention to your body and follow your breathing, your foot falls, and your heart beat. You learn to pace yourself."
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Going gadget-free also helps you know when you may be risking an injury. "While running, you need to turn inward and think, 'Is today easy or hard? Do I have any aches and pains?'" says Paul. When you're caught up in an app or the numbers on a screen, you won't notice when something in your body is off and you need to ease up (or, by the same token, when you feel great and can go at top speed). And if you run outside, glancing at gadgets or getting lost in your playlist can be dangerous, blinding you to traffic signals or a car coming your way.
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We're not saying you should become a running Luddite; tech gadgets definitely have their place, especially if you're training for a race or need a kick to your mojo. "Knowing your exact mileage can help you reach a goal, and tracking progress is a huge motivator to keep you going," says Paul. "But when gear distracts you from the dangers of the road or stresses you out [remember, running is supposed to be a stress reliever!], you may want to kick it old school and leave the devices at home."
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