Neonjade

I used to refuse to carry a music device. Besides driving laws and insurance policies enforcing the idea that they are a safety hazard, I thought taking noise with me would counter the purpose of the walk: to relax my mind and exercise my body.

My husband contested my logic for several years on the issue. He insisted that I should at least take my iPhone with me for safety (call in an emergency) and distance measurement. I bowed to his logic in carrying the phone, but didn’t use it for anything but path tracking and the occasional picture until this past week.

Then I went nuts. By yesterday, I had three podcasts to listen to, that I continually popped in and out of to take a picture; or make a voice memo of a song title I wanted to remember, an idea I had for site layout (this one isn’t final), a couple of story ideas, and some logo design notes; in between bouncing and squeezing this tennis ball I had found abandoned just off the trail.

I kept my earphone volume at a level where I could hear what’s playing and have a normal conversation with someone near me, and I had no problems hearing traffic and other walkers and runners around me. My walk time was the regular 40+ minutes but the time flew. I felt more productive, too.

I normally get a few ideas during my walks, but my steel sieve of a brain releases most of them before I get home to write them down, and my attempt at carrying a notebook failed miserably. I maintain as fast of a walking pace as I can. To write something down, I had to stop and scribble with hands that were swollen and shaky. Besides being a pain and a delay, the visual proof of how out of shape I am was uncalled for. Using the voice memo app on the iPhone, I retain all of my ideas, painlessly.

I think I got a better workout too, with the tennis ball. I never could get in the habit of closed fist arm pumping while walking. Alternating squeezing the ball with each hand and randomly bouncing and catching it as I walked was kind of fun, though.

The only drawback is not missing the quiet. I should, shouldn’t I? Shouldn’t I miss the peaceful time for reflective moments? I felt refreshed when I completed my round, after maintaining the multitasking and continuous information input. That’s my major goal, but it still seems wrong somehow: like I’m cheating on nature or something.

Does anyone have a comparable quandary? Are you pro multi-tasking or pro au naturale? Is there something I just have to listen to, or add to my routine, to make it an even better experience? Please share with a comment.