Sir, Please Put Down the iPod and No One Will Get Hurt

Went out for my run yesterday. Really needed it too. Needed to sort out some things out and decompress from a funky day. 4.7 miles. Again, I reflected on how anything over 4 miles was a pipe dream 2 years ago. Now, it's a Monday run.

When I run after school, I obviously have to pack my gear. 34 degree day and I had ALLLLLL the gear for it....except for gloves. I thought it wouldn't be a big deal, but it turned out that it kinda was. North wind on the out route, so I was really missing them then. Not so bad on the way back.

That's my running report. Nothing spectacular. And do you know why???? I'm blaming it on my iPod.

If you type "Should I Run with My iPod" on any running message board, two things will happen:

1. You'll get a minimum of about 4000 responses.
2. The responses will be about 50/50.

By no means am I anti-iPod when it comes to running. Hell, I have 3 of them (one's a loaner). I even think that the iPod is the main reason for the current resurgence in running. If an iPod gets you out on the road or in the gym, then use it by all means. Just as long as you are aware of your surroundings (almost learned that the hard way).

When I started running, I had to bring it with me. It helped me block out the fact that I was gasping for air. One morning, though, I left my iPod at school. It was probably one of the best runs I've had. I got to think about my day, reflect on the previous day, and get some things done mentally.

I'll go back and forth on bringing the iPod. I have to find a happy medium. I have to use it for treadmill runs and I might be able to do without it for the long runs. Although, at some point it might dawn on me that I've been running for over an hour.

So, my conundrum continues.