There certainly seems to be quite the gap between those who believe the use of an I-Pod (or other music device) while running is acceptable or not. I am disheartened by this article in general and on several points.

First, I believe music during the workout is a fabulous way to get people who wouldn't normally get out there - out there. That should be encouraged wholeheartedly and I think we can all agree.

The writer tries to sound like he sort-of understands the use of music during running, yet he shuns under his breathe those of us that use the music to either detach from the strenuous exercise or motivate us. By the way, Mr. McGillivray, as to the comment that it was only "guys" that passed you on the trail running fast with wires hanging out of their ears, I'm pretty sure by your description of your heavy breathing while running, i.e; your out of shape status, that I would blow by you - oh, and I'm a WOMAN. Some of my fastest runs come out of running to loud rock music. That's what works for me. And even if I'm listening while on my easy run days, does that mean I'm not "working" in my head? No, it does not. You work your way and those of us that work our tails off all day and need to check out while running 8 miles at the end of the day, will work our way.

As to not paying attention while listening to music because you've lost your sense of hearing, any person who does not realize there are things to pay attention to while on a run is going to miss something, with or without music. Regulate the IQ of a person allowed to run, not their earphone habits (gosh, we couldn't do that...). There's always going to be that person - with or without the IPod - who is running in the middle of the trail, who crosses in front of traffic when they shouldn't or who is not bright enough to know that there are important instructions at the beginning of the race. As we all know, there are plenty of people that don't listen to those instructions - because they are talking to one another. Perhaps the USTAF should ban talking as well? I'm starting to feel like I'm back in grade school again.

Just because some people think music during a run is equivalent to blasphome doesn't mean they are right. It means they can't see any other perspective. That's fine. Hey, my RHR is 48. What's yours?