Ear Phones... Distraction? Deterrent?

I've always been accustomed to distraction while running. Plugging noise into my ears was a way of helping the time go by a little faster. Audiobooks, not music, has been that interference of choice, but things have changed since running near barefoot. I've pulled the plug, or rather earplugs, on extra auditory stimulation while running for the following reasons:

1) Sensitivity to Surroundings

FiveFinger running is a step towards increased sensitivity to the environment around you. Terrain comes to life as your feet describe nearly every detail, temperature, texture, topography, etc. A lot of this added external stimulation happens simply through the sense of touch that comes with unshodding your feet. Imagine adding sound to that picture. With both sight, touch, smell, and sound the outdoors becomes the distraction to the running process, chasing away the monotony that creeps up as the miles go by. Sunrises, mountain-scapes, foothills, clouds, breezes, bird song, and everything else that's going on helps to stir up feelings of being alive and excited to be out running.

2) Sensitivity to Self

The benefits to near barefoot running include not only increased awareness of your surroundings but also increased awareness of yourself. Muscles and ligaments that haven't been used since childhood are developing and strengthening, meaning aches and pains that have to be stretched out or soaked. Paying more attention to feet can't be helped. In fact, increased attention is required. I have pulled out my headphones out of necessity to hear my footfalls as I run. Miles of heavy footfalls can cause unnecessary pain. Keeping my ears open has helped me to hear and likewise adjust my footfalls when they get a little slothful.

3) Therapy

Ever heard of 'running in the zone?' The 'zone' is a place of efficiency, almost effortlessness, of movement. It is both being aware of surroundings and self, being engaged, living in the moment. Miles seem to fly by as the enjoyment of the experience increases. The body relaxes. The mind both clears and sharpens. It is simply rejuvenating, and I haven't experienced it easily with headphones in. Audio seems to be a barrier to slipping into the 'zone.' Miles can still slip by when listening to music, but those miles are often forgotten and not counted as enjoyable. When I can more intimately focus on myself and my running, without something or someone in my ear, the experience is far more rewarding.

Music or other background noise can help many push through training miles or long races. I have found more satisfaction, however, in going unplugged. Music may have helped me to be distracted from the process and frequent pain of running when I put many miles on runners, but I have learned that the process can be enlightening, and the pain can be averted as I learn to listen more closely to my body while mimicking barefoot running.