If you run in Canada, you know the ritual: the watch charges overnight, the playlist downloads, the route is mapped, and the pace goals are set before you even lace up. For many of us, GPS has become the real running partner—steady, reliable, and sometimes bossy. But what happens when you run without it? No splits. No pace alerts. No data to upload. Just you, your breath, and the pavement. Welcome to naked running - a growing trend that asks runners to ditch the tech and reconnect with what their body is doing, not what their screen says.
Why Runners Are Going Naked
We’re a data-driven generation. Garmin, Strava, and every running app on the planet have trained us to chase metrics like they matter more than the run itself. But many runners (including elites) are stepping back and asking: Is all this data making me better or just more anxious? Dropping the tech can create a surprising sense of freedom. Without constant feedback, runners report feeling less pressure to perform and more willing to tune into effort, mood, and terrain. Instead of running to hit a number, you run because you want to.
And in a city like Toronto—where you can go from the Martin Goodman Trail to the Don Valley trails in minutes—there’s something grounding about actually feeling your surroundings without the background of beeps and buzzes.
Listening to Your Body Is a Skill (And We’re Losing It)
When you run naked, you start to notice things you usually ignore: how your breathing changes on a long steady climb, whether your stride feels light or heavy, or when your body is telling you it’s time to push or pull back. This internal pacing system—often known as the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)—is a runner’s sixth sense. But it needs practice. The more we outsource pacing to technology, the duller that sense becomes. Running without GPS helps retrain your ability to:
- Feel instead of measure your effort
- Notice early signs of fatigue or niggles
- Stay present instead of worrying about whether our pace is 'good enough'
- Develop pacing instincts that translate to race day - even with a watch
When you run naked, you start to notice things you usually ignore: how your breathing changes on a long steady climb, whether your stride feels light or heavy, or when your body is telling you it’s time to push or pull back. This internal pacing system—often known as the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)—is a runner’s sixth sense. But it needs practice. The more we outsource pacing to technology, the duller that sense becomes.
The Mental Benefits Are Real
There’s something inherently meditative about a tech-free run. Without the constant checking, comparing, or judging, many runners report:
- Less performance anxiety
- More relaxed runs
- Better flow state
- A stronger sense of enjoyment
Your run becomes more about the experience and less about the outcome. It’s the difference between asking “How fast did I go?” and “How did that feel?” One connects you to the sport; the other connects you to yourself.
Can Naked Running Make You Faster?
Surprisingly—yes, for some runners. When you learn to pace by feel, you stop burning matches early. You run more consistently. You shift your focus to mechanics, breathing, and rhythm. You develop a natural sense of your gears. Even some elites use it regularly to prevent over-training and keep their intuition sharp. Many coaches recommend naked running for:
- Long runs
- Early base-building phases
- Returning from injury
- Mental reset weeks
How to Start (Without Panic)
If the thought of running without a watch gives you heart palpitations, you’re not alone. Believe it or not, your run counts even not on Strava. If you’re really losing it, you can upload it manually after (without the gps file). You might be surprised by how good your running feels when it’s not being graded. Start with something simple:
- Run a familiar route where distance doesn't matter
- Cover the watch face with tape
- Turn off pace alerts
- Try one naked run a week
- End with few minutes of reflection: How did that feel? What did I notice?
Toronto Is the Perfect Naked-Running City
We have route variety, soft-surface trails, low-pressure park loops, and epic waterfront stretches that demand to be felt, not measured. Naked running is easier when the environment is worth paying attention to—and Toronto’s running landscape delivers. Try:
- Taylor Creek
- Humber River Loops
- Mt.Pleasant Cemetery's quiet roads
- The beaches boardwalk at sunrise
The Takeaway
Technology can make running better. But it can also make it noisier. Naked running isn’t about rejecting data, it’s about remembering you don’t need it to run well. Sometimes the simplest way to improve your running is to take everything off. Except your clothes.
Lauren Roberts has trained the staff at Athlete’s Care with her running program. To find the Athlete’s Care location closest to you, see athletescare.com
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