in case you were wondering

Cait and I are still alive and well. Actually, we're both slightly more alive than we are well, as we both suffered from something of a cold this past week. (Yes, shortly after Cait published her previous post describing her ailments, I began to experience similar symptoms. We're mostly better now.) This put a slight damper on my training because there are few things less enjoyable than plowing through a 5-mile while unable to breathe. So I kept at it with the shorter runs and trimmed down some of the longer ones, all while pumping my nasal passages with decongestant. I anticipate a full recovery by tomorrow.

Now while I'm listing excuses for why I've potentially fallen behind in my training, let me tell you why I've also fallen behind in my posting. I'm going to go right ahead and blame it on my other blog, "Lollipops & Crisps." (See screenshot.) While my updating in that blog is semi-frequent at best, it's notably more consistent than my work in this one. I apologize, but L&C is for class and "class comes first" is a policy I live by. But hey! Here I am, and posting, so give me some semblance of love.

Now let's take a look at something that popped up in Christine Luff's About.com running blog. Last Friday, she wrote a little piece on the way music affects exercise titled, "Study: Listening to Music Increases Endurance." I think this brings an interesting perspective to counter Cait's from two posts ago. While Luff emphasizes the importance of listening with care while running outdoors (please turn the volume down or remove one earbud), she does highlight a fact discovered at London's Brunel University: music can increase one's endurance by 15 percent. According to the study, music affects the mood of runners, helping them remain positive. While this certainly depends on the music, I tend to agree with what they're saying. A poll to the right of the article asks visitors: "Does music help you run longer?" Out of the 75 responses, including one from yours truly, 70 percent chose the response: "Absolutely," 9 percent said "Sometimes," and the remaining 20 percent do not listen to music while running.

Below the article, Luff presents links to a series of recommended playlists for runners who desire certain soundtracks to their exercise. These lists, also compiled by Luff, include genres like Top 40, hip-hop and power songs. Several of the songs, including Kanye's "Stronger," are staples in my running playlists. And I've tried to use my Genius Sidebar to combine similarly inspiring tracks, all to no avail. So I guess I'm going to open this up: any suggestions for running music? Music for a long, slow jog? How about for a short, quick run? I'm willing to purchase, so don't you even hold back.