Do I really really need the tech

When I go running I normally have pulse meter around my chest and wrist, iPod on one arm, GPS smart phone on the other.
The other day I reached for my tech and the iPod was flat. No matter I thought as I can use the phone for both GPS and tunes, but the phone was on its last drips of battery juice also! I sat there staring at my useless items and  decided there would be no run tonight!
Then I heard myself and was shocked at what I had muttered. Before the iPod there were walkman's and before that there was nothing and it didn't stop me from going out for a run then.
So after a rarely short debate I decided to go it alone.
As I ran along and passed some walkers they said something and I answered politely back and this went on as I ran my familiar route. Normally I would have just nodded or not even noticed the activity around me.
Actually it was a very nice run meeting some nice folks on the way and I did it in the same time I would have normally.
So really I didn't need the tech, I just want it, and on this occasion it was actually fun and social. Think I'll do it again.
I wander how often we find ways of forcing the tech when really simpler might be better. (Sometimes)