Running Music

JAMES � ( Sit Down Lyrics )

I know that runners are not supposed to listen to music while running. You are supposed to be able to hear cars and bikes passing you, you are supposed to regulate your breathing and you are supposed to enjoy the silence. I know all of this and I try to mitigate the risks, but I still love the music. I run on a trail, so I don’t really have to worry about cars. I also use headphones that let in a lot of sound (which of course means I have to have regular headphones and running headphones). I keep the volume pretty low; to start with at least. And I don’t listen to music at all when I am traveling and have to run along a street in a different town. But I refuse to give up my music.

My music is my running partner. It helps me keep my mind off the boredom. It distracts me from my fatigue. Most importantly there is no gel, energy bar or sports drink that can give you the boost that a perfectly timed peppy song can.

On Sunday, I ran my first long run since coming back from my stress fracture. I started really early in the day, so the weather was perfect. I had planned to run only 8 miles but everything was going well, and I was so happy to be able to do the sport that I love that I continued on a little further before my turn around point. When I finally started to tire and bore during my return trip James’ Sit Down came on and it was all I could do not to sing aloud:

Those who feel the breath of sadness
Sit down next to me
Those who find they’re touched by madness
Sit down next to me
Those who find themselves ridiculous
Sit down next to me
Love, in fear, in hate, in tears

Today’s Mileage: 9.4 Week to date: 23 Month to date: 32