Running with Music?

Recently I read a Runner's World Article about running with music. It was in essence a debate between two different people with similar backgrounds. They discussed the pros and cons of several different aspects of running with music.

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After reading through the article I can appreciate arguments for both sides. I agree that running without music is probably a little safer, since you can be more aware of your surroundings, but I am also one of those runners that benefits from the "distraction" that music provides.

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I have run sans music a handful of times...and I have to tell you, when I don't have music to distract me...all I can think about how bored I am...how tired my legs are...and every minute or so  I think to myself...is this over yet? Yes...I love running...but what I love most about it is the escape it allows me. I love being able to get outside and run out any stress from the day and just relax. However, I can't do this while having to listen to myself breathing like a dying buffalo.

This article also got me thinking about how people listened to music before iPods. Did people run with walkmans? Discmans? Boomboxes? What did they do? My mom ran a lot when I was younger, but she always ran with a friend and they talked the whole time (how in the world do people do that?!?) Luckily for me, I was never faced with this dilemma! Thank you, Steve Jobs!

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When I first started running I ran with an iPod touch (so I could use the Nike + app an the sensor in my shoes) and after a year or so of that I started using my iPhone and the RunKeeper app. Back in December I finally got a Garmin watch and that is when  I decided to get a smaller iPod (iPod Shuffle). I already have a million other things to carry with me (especially on long runs) the last thing I wanted to worry about was an arm band and a giant iPod! 

I have to say my system has been working out really well for me...except for the fact that I rarely update my playlist. I found myself skipping through songs left and right during last week's long run, and that is when I knew my Ipod needed an update! Luckily for me, while I was going through the junk drawer on Monday, I found an iTunes gift card that I had received from a student last year. That was all it took to get me to sit down and get to updating!

First, I pulled out all my old CD's (do people still buy these?) I don't remember the last time I bought a CD...but, I do have to say my collection is pretty brilliant and very outdated ;)

After going through my cd's and adding some oldies (but goodies) I decided it was time to spend some money!! I ended up spending $20 ($10 of the gift card and $10 of my own) and now I have a whole new playlist!! 

Here are the songs I bought today to add to my playlist.

Thanks to all of the suggestions on Instagram I now have some great new songs that I haven't heard of or listened to before. I mean...am I the only person who has no clue who Betty Who is? If you don't know her either...I suggest you look it up...I guarantee you will LOVE her...well, as long as 80's pop is your thing you will! ;)

I also stuck with some of my tried and true songs that were already on my iPod (Push It- Salt N' Pepa, the entire Foster the People album, etc) and I added some of the long lost songs from my CD's (Nelly, Michael Jackson, etc) and I even added a few 311 songs that I had purchased on iTunes 2 years ago when AJ and I first started dating and I was still trying to impress him by learning some of the songs by his favorite band ;)

Do you listen to music while you run?
What are some of your favorite songs to run or workout to?