Run Naked

I ran naked. Okay so just without my headphones, I still wore running clothes. But without my headphones and iPhone, it felt like something was missing from my lunchtime run.
Yesterday, when dressing for my run, I realised I left my headphones at my desk and felt too lazy to go fetch them. I had recently read a Runners' World editorial about running without music and thought I should give it a go.
Heading out, I realised how distracting my iPhone can be, holding it the whole time, fussing with the playlist. Usually I flip through music when running, especially when my running playlist is getting old.
Besides not fiddling with music, I heard all the sounds that the music normally drowns out. I reached Westminster at noon and heard Big Ben chiming out twelve. I heard all the people talking to their companions, most often in a different language then English. As I came around St James Park, I could hear the band playing at the changing of the guard and then the insulated silence of trees in Green Park. I even heard my own footsteps!
As I ran, I thought of why I like to listen to music while running. It gives me a beat to follow and something to distract me during long runs. However, during that run, I remembered why running without music can be wonderful. I just might try it again. Just not during a long run.