When walking with a friend I enjoy their conversation rather than music. But when walking alone I take along an audiobook or an audiotape of music specific to walking my goal pace. I walk with an MP3 player and download books from Audible.com.
Review: Audible.com
Music has deep effects on the human mood. It can soothe, it can excite, it can depress, it can energize. Choose your walking music to enhance the mood you want to carry with you for the rest of the day. Careful, though, you may appear silly singing along to your headphones as you jaunt along your route - but not as silly as laughing out loud at the talk jock or deejay.
Music Made for Walking
Tapes specifically for walking can be found at running/walking and fitness stores and by mail order. Some tapes include tips for good walking form. Others set a beat to match your pace - beginner, intermediate, advanced. Specific pacing tapes for walkers and runners can be found on the web.Walking Audio Players
Selecting a good CD/tape player, radio or MP3 player and comfortable headphones are essential. Try a variety of combinations - tiny earphones, lightweight headphones, larger headphones. Try a variety of methods to secure the radio/tape/MP3 player - a special tune belt, carrying in a breast pocket, attached to your waist pack belt, etc. Consider the climate and whether you will need a waterproof player. Even the best compact disk players have trouble with skipping when worn walking or jogging. The technology is improving but is not yet perfected.Audio Players for Walkers
Safety
Are headphones a safety hazard? Public safety folks can always point out people hit by trains while wearing headphones. The common-sensical folks point out that unless you have the volume cranked to a deafening level you should be able to hear the outside environment, and walkers with good form should be walking with chin up and eyes able to spot potential hazards and threats. The sillier folks cautioned against listening to loud flute music while walking in the park lest you end up parading in front of a column of rodents ala the Pied Piper.Headphones are not allowed at most competitive walking events. Of the racewalkers on the Racewalk mailgroup, some always listened to music or books while training, either to set a pace or to distract from long hours on long trails or circles around the track. A couple were emphatic about listening only to your body or talking to your body to encourage good form.
One walker said the Chinese National Championships played marching music over the PA throughout the 50K. While bracing, it got on the nerves. Marching music may be too much for the march!
Fun
Walkers sent me titles of songs that include the word Walking or have a theme about walking. See the results:Walking in Song
