Let the Music Move You

I finally read the "final" race instructions and it states unequivocally that no IPods or MP3 players are permitted during the race. I'm a little distressed about this as I was planning on using my music player during the race. I use it all the time for my treadmill runs (I would be very bored otherwise) and the music really helps me keep moving. I haven't used the music player as much for my long runs because I can't hear people talking to me (huh, that could be why they don't want us to use them during the race....). We actually have conversations on the long runs on the trail and it makes the run go by much easier.

So I really hope that I have someone to talk to during the race. I have one woman that I have been running with lately and she and I have a pretty good pace going. She teaches middle school Spanish. Doesn't have kids. I keep her amused with my family stories about excrement (hey, when you have a 6 year old that thinks the word "poopyhead" is the funniest thing ever, and a 2 year old who really wants to be like his big brother and use the potty, but isn't quite there yet, you can't help but get caught up in the poopy madness of it all.)

It's too bad, 'cause I just downloaded some more music for my music player from Amazon, and I'm really enjoying it. Amazon's MP3 download service is great. It uses existing account information, and you can play the music in windows media player and add the songs to playlists - which is important for those of us that did not jump on the Apple bandwagon but bought a practical, inexpensive music player instead. I only downloaded 2 songs: Intergalactic and Sabatoge from the Beastie Boys. I also added from our existing CD catalogue what I think is by far the best running song - Running Down a Dream by Tom Petty. Other songs I enjoy while running include:

• It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine) - R.E.M.
• Paint it Black - Rolling Stones
• Respect - Aretha Franklin
• Body Movin' - Beastie Boys
• Blitzkrieg Bop & Rock -n- Roll High School - Ramones
• My Generation - The Who
• ReHumanize Yourself - The Police
• Welcome to the Jungle - Guns n Roses
• Good Pain - Live

I guess I'll have to keep the music in my head since I won't be able to use the music player at the race. As long as I don't start singing out loud, I think I'll be fine!