Music: Do or Dont?

     Music during a run can either help or hinder your workout. What you listen to is determined by your age, pace, and music style preference.
     If you were to ask my cross country coach, he would tell you that he is one hundred percent against running and music combinations. During optional practice before the season starts in the summer, the girls are allowed to bring their ipods or phones to listen to music while on a long run. However, he gradually encourages our team to find our ways off the music on runs, and by the first day of practice, all music is not allowed while running.
     I've been on the border for some time as to whether running with music is okay or not. I'll admit, I do have a running playlist on my phone just so that I don't have to listen to music that isn't exactly upbeat or sad and slow. It's a fifty fifty chance you will see me on a run (outside of practice) with my earbuds in.
    When running while listening to music, I've found that I rely on it. I'm sure it's not this way for every runner, but if the beat of the song is slower, my pace will unconciously become slower. The same goes for faster music, and if the beat of the song is faster my pace will increase with the music. This is the con of running with music for myself.
    The pro of running with music is that I can turn the music up so loud that I can't hear myself breathe. This works especially well for me if I'm running fast paced. Yes, it can be dangerous if you're out in public and are running along with traffic, cars, other runners, or bikers. If you just pay attention to your surroundings you should be just fine.
    So what about music before a race? This deal is also a make or break situation for me. Music can either wind me up and get me ready to race, or make me very nervous.
    If I am in the mood for music, which is often when I'm looking to kick some booty at the race, I prefer a lot of Eminem songs, which is strange for me because I only listen to country when I'm not doing anything athletic. If you're looking to find a good song before a race, I recommend Til I Collapse by Eminem. This song gets me every time, maybe because I'm injured all the time!
     Sometimes I prefer to not listen to any music before a race, usually if I'm nervous. Sometimes sorting your own thoughts out can do enough for you before a race.