Music Soothes the Savage Beast

According to Runner's World, there is a lot of controversy in the running community about the use of personal music devices.  There are those that think running with an ipod or similar device poses risks to the runner, and to others who share the road with them.  Loud music distracts the listener from her surroundings and increases the chance of a runner vs. bike or runner vs. car scenario.  Or so the critics say.  Proponents of the practice cite increased motivation and decreased boredom while on the road.  Personally, I'm a music junkie.  I love working out to music, even if it's the blaring, distorted hip hop or wailing alternative my local gym enjoys cranking out of tinny speakers.  There are aspects of silent running I enjoy, however...the way my thoughts can float through my mind in a free fall of consciousness.  I believe, though, that there is nothing like running along a trail on a cool, misty morning with your favorite music swirling in your head.

As with most people, music tends to mark specific times in life.  Of course there's the pop culture tunes that most of us grow up listening to.  In my case, along with U2, it was Paula Abdul, Sting, Bon Jovi, Madonna, and various soundtracks.  I can remember the song I danced my first slow dance to, or the song they played for years on network TV during April and May, at the height of high school graduation..."This is the tiiiime to remember, 'cause it will not last forever."

Music, for me, helps me move my feet.  Although I do enjoy the occasional jaunt without my ipod, for the most part I'm always listening to something.  On one of my gym workouts last month I geared myself up for a long (for me) run.  I changed, made sure I had water bottle, wallet, and hair tie, dropped off the girls at grandma's, drove to the gym, and climbed on the treadmill.  But when I pushed the play button on the ipod strapped to my arm...nothing.  Battery dead.  Completely dead.  I think I stood there for about thirty seconds wondering what to do, and even considered asking someone if I could borrow theirs for a short while (I know, preposterous, but I was almost desperate.)  I ended up doing the run anyway, listening to the distorted hip hop blaring from the tinny speakers overhead.  I ended up running to several worship songs playing in my head.  I help lead worship at our Wednesday evening service so I'm able to keep up with a lot of the Christian music trends.  It helped.  But it wasn't the same.

My half marathon anthem is "I'm Gonna Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight".  Don't let the title mislead you.  It's an up tempo declaration of persistence, of encouragement.  It's an artistic melody of change.  

"It's not a hill, it's a mountain, as you start out the climb.  Listen for me I'll be shouting...but we're gonna make it all the way to the light..." or in my case, "line", as in finish line.  Although I still have my doubts about that.  Because in the end, I know it'll be me WITHOUT my ipod, as I believe they're "illegal" in the Two Cities race.  I'll puff through the race in the cool mist of the early morning, and my music will still be swirling around in my head.  After all, it's really a "mental game", isn't it?  And the music in my head will help me as much as the music in my ears.  

Music can soothe the savage beast, praise God, and keep the tired runner from falling.  

In my case, it will help get me through. And I know I'll need all the help I can get.