Most of us can’t imagine a world where we aren’t within arm’s reach of our phones at all times. Yours is likely with you when you’re at work, when you’re lounging on the couch, and yes, even in the bathroom. So when you’re heading out the door for a run, there’s a good chance you’ve got your phone either in one hand or strapped around your waist.
But consider for a moment what it would be like to leave that phone behind when you’re out running. No distracting news alerts, no social media updates, no reminders of photos taken five years ago. “Your phone can definitely be a distraction when you’re on a run, especially if you find yourself looking at social media notifications, which can put you in a negative headspace,” notes Laura Norris, a coach in Boulder, Colorado.
And these days, venturing out without a phone doesn’t mean you have to lose all the advantages technology has to offer, like running with music playing in your ears, chatting with a friend via call or text, or the peace of mind of having a way to reach help in an emergency. With Verizon and its connected smartwatches (and a smartwatch data plan), you can leave your phone behind so you’re free to focus without distraction—and still stay connected on your terms. Looking to combine the freedom of movement with peace of mind? Here’s how and why you might want to try it.
Why Leave Your Phone at Home?
There are many benefits to stepping out for a run with your mobile still on the kitchen counter:
Your form may benefit. “Phones don’t weigh a lot, but if you think about it, you’re swinging your arms many times each minute, and any extra weight at the end is like a pendulum,” says Norris. “So it can lead to muscle aches in your arms and shoulders, and even load your muscles farther down the kinetic chain, especially over longer distances.”
You’ll be more in tune with your effort level. Whether you’re training for a specific race or just out for an easy jog, going without a device keeps you focused on how you’re feeling and on a consistent pace. “We want our easy runs to feel slow and easy, and hard workouts to be hard but not raced,” Norris points out. “When you are distracted by a device, you’re prone to speeding up more than you should.”
You’re more likely to notice potential warning signs. When you’re focusing on how you feel, you also have a better chance of sensing a slight ache in your knee or discomfort in your hip. “It’s important to pay attention to these signals, so you can adjust your workout accordingly,” Norris says.
Your nutrition plan can benefit. Norris notes that “when athletes are distracted during their workout, it can derail their fueling and hydration strategies, especially on a long run. You can forget to drink water or take a gel, and become dehydrated or hit a wall—and then your run is less productive.”
Making Your Run More Mindful
Want to get into a good flow on your run, now that your phone is no longer a distraction? These strategies can help.
Assess your form: To stay on point, Norris recommends doing regular body scans from top to bottom. “Check your breathing to see how you’re feeling, and try to smooth it out,” she says. And as you run, think about staying upright through your chest, with your shoulders over your hips and your feet in front of you.
Tune into some jams: Research has shown that music can have a positive effect on running performance, with one small study showing subjects got about 10 percent farther when they ran with music than when they did not. Or maybe you’d rather listen to a podcast or audiobook to make the miles pass by quicker. You can still do all of that on a Verizon connected smartwatch and data plan: Simply download or stream your playlists or other audio selections just like you would on a phone. Right now, the provider is also offering a three-year price lock with Verizon myPlan—meaning you get reliable service and Verizon’s Best Value Guarantee.
Focus on your surroundings. Use this time to practice mindfulness. Notice how the light is passing through the trees, or how the wind feels on your skin. This can also be a chance to introduce the practice of gratitude into your run.
Try some post-run journaling. You have apps that can help keep tabs on your physical performance, but try taking a few moments after each run to record notes on how things went. What was your effort level? How did you feel? “It’s often easy to forget when you’re done,” says Norris. “Taking time to write it down can help you stay on top of your effort, so you continue to get the most out of every workout.”
Leave your phone behind on your next run: Connect your smartwatch for as low as $7.50/mo on select Verizon plans.
