Renee, I would love to be running somewhere that shorts are even an option this time of year. I'm wearing tights, a long sleeve shirt, a warm jacket, a rain jacket, gloves and a hat. I'd probably contract hypothermia trying to wear shorts.

Did you guys see this article in the NYT today? Comments?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/sp...ZMKubAF8VMGpbg

Baffled, I wouldn't dare wear shorts in the morning, but it's not so bad in the afternoon here. I would really like to try some compression shorts.

Interesting article. I thought it was a good point about how they might as well ban deaf people too. I like to occasionally run without music, it's nice just to look at nature or people and animals while I run. I don't know about on a longer run though.

I can look without having to hear myself breathe.

That's how I feel too.

I liked the point that many people who are not fitness professionals are now taking part in marathons, and casual runners who don't train with trainers and teams are more likely to want to run with music. It's a democratization thing, and really, I think the more people who get into running, or exercising generally, the better, and that the diversity ought to be encouraged. That said, I've never run in a race or a marathon of any sort, so I don't know how important it is to be able to hear what's going on. But I do know that music really does help me to get through my runs.

When I started running, I listened to the C25K podcasts just so I would know when the intervals started and stopped. Now I run without music. My problem is that the music I pick doesn't seem to have the right uumph to really motivate me! I've put together workout playlists and I get bored listening to them. Now if someone were to give me a playlist, then I'd listen to it. I know, I'm weird. I also make my own jewelry but I don't like to wear it--I give it away because if I wear it, I notice every little imperfection.

Link to two of my playlists here.

I ran about 2.5 miles today and I had a little bit of pain in my leg but not much. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do about that...

I have FABULOUS news about my cross country team, though! We placed 3rd in the region yesterday at the regional meet and we're going to the state meet next Saturday! Woohoo! (The boys' team, not the girls' -- but I'm determined to get the girls to really improve next year). Our school's cross country team hasn't gone to state in something like 20 years, so this is a really big deal for us, especially with it being my husband's first year as head coach and my first year coaching. The kids worked really really hard this year, so we're sooooo proud! Yay!

As for listening to music, I usually listen to it while I run, but I generally don't want to during a race. I like to hear people cheering, hear bands if they're there, and just be fully attuned to what's going on. I did, however, turn my iPod on really low volume during my half marathon, just because that playlist got me through all that training and I just felt like I needed it!