Enough music for 1/2 mary !!!!!!

Audio books. Get them on MP3 and you can burn through stuff like Golden Compass, Stephen king books, twilight, etc. Or comedy shows in audio like chappel, russel peters, or chris rock. I don't recommend visual comedians though.

I second the idea of audio books or podcasts (news, comedy, educational - might as well learn something if you have to grind out miles).  I'm a huge music lover, but when I would go on long drives or runs, audio books or podcasts really helped.  I found that having something that I needed to pay attention to (as opposed to music where I could kind of tune out) was great.

I don't use music, books or anything else. I just run. Done a couple half marathons and a HIM, along with no music for training. It works well.

I don't use music either.  I used to but I was like you - some of the music I didn't want to listen on that particular day and it annoyed me.  Now, I just run, enjoy the sounds and sights around me.  I enjoy (I use that term loosely ) it so much more now than before.

Is there a place where I can find Audio books for downloading cheaply?

Is there a website or downloading software that I can download for free?

Check your library.  Mine has a great downloadable selection.

Here's a link to a bunch of free/open source audio books:

http://www.archive.org/details/audio_bookspoetry

I'll second the vote for your library though.  Man y of the free audio books out there are low quality audio and/or read by computerized voices which is annoying to listen to before long.  Personally, I'm in the train without any audio camp.  I've learned to enjoy the quiet.

Try winter up here when you have to do 30-75 laps around the track. :P Some consider it cruel and unusual punishment.

And music is going to make it better??  Not buying that ........... running that much on a track sucks no matter what ....

Yes, but there's sucking and there's not sucking as much.  Running that far on a track would not suck as much with some music to keep your company. 

Run without music and you will focus better on your running which is kind of the point, no?

I ditched the music then started listening again and now ditched it. My runs are better and I find this great peace while running. Honestly I did my 3 hour run without music or talking and just listened to nature and the quiet sound of my footsteps, saw a bald eagle and enjoyed myself.

I find music is like covering up what we are doing instead of being in the moment of what we are doing running.

Edited by KathyG 2009-07-12 9:21 AM

Training for my first marathon I tried to go without on my long runs. I did, for a lot of them. But for a few (winter training), it was 20 degrees out with a 20mph wind and I really had to dig deep to even get out there. Certain music really motivated me to keep going at points. Music has it's place for some as a valid training tool... for others it can be a complete crutch.

Most races ban headphones; some allow them.

My marathon allowed them, and I donned it with a 7-hour playlist. I ran with a girlfriend for the first 8 miles until the Half course she was running split off. Put the headphones on and listened to my 4 "pump up" songs at the beginning of the playlist over and over until I hit mile 13, where I found a running buddy for the rest of the race. Didn't put them back on for the remaining 13 miles.

I guess you could say I replaced the music with a talking/running buddy. Both would have served the same purpose for me.

If I have someone to run with, I talk. If I'm running with my dogs, there's only so much to say. 

I love podrunner: www.djsteveboy.com/podrunner.html
Free workout mixes set at a specific BPM, which was really helpful to get my running cadence up. I tend to favor the really fast mixes. They're about an hour long.

I didn't use music for the last couple half-marathons, although it helps me keep on pace when I train.

emusic.com is a good source for older music and great for newer books. I get an audio once a month for 10 bux..they usally run around 35.

Also, I have loaded all of my german language tracks on my iPod, and listen to that as I run. I still can't speak a word of german but I am starting to understand when people talk to me.

I cannot wait to be able to get out and just run. I am lucky, there are running/biking paths all across this country, and though I am going to miss them when we go back state side, I am going to enjoy using them to learn to run.

I hear ya! I ran 20k on the track in January when it was just IMPOSSIBLE to get outside...... talk about a hamster on a wheel. Yes.......I needed the tunes.

 I usually do my long runs with a friend and just talk about nothing for 2 hours. Thats fun !  

Not sure if I can help you much since I love running, and I enjoy running with and without music.  If I am doing a long run on my own, I often start out without my music turned on.  It gives me time to warm up and settle into what I am doing.  Then after a couple miles I may turn on the music to get me pumped up and pick up the pace.  Or I may not listed to it at all during the entire run.  My running playlist is always changing and evolving -- and I don't mind hearing the same song twice during a run. 

I think its important to get out of the idea of "needing" music.  Almost all tris do not allow mp3 players.  If you are listening to music and get to a song you don't want to listen to, just take your headphones off for that song.  Its an easy way to wean yourself off the ipod.

Gee, I can do both: listen to music and be aware of my surroundings. Guess I have mad skillz!

Seriously, one can listed to music (or spoken word podcasts/books) at appropriate volumes, not zone out, and still hear cars and birds and your feet striking the pavement and your breathing, if that kind of stuff gets you going.

Personally, I never bring my Ipod to a race, plenty there to entertain me. But I have no porblem with those who do, provided the rules allow it and they don't make themselves a hazard or nuisance.

To the OP, try some music podcasts to give you the variety and interest you need for over two hours. I could give you a list, not sure they would match your taste though.

I appreciate the info/ideas and shared experiences !  I was so happy to have done that tri and no longer be a rookie, however now looking at this 1/2 mary I am back at being a rookie ! lol
I'll take a look at the sites suggested ! thanks all !

You always crack me up !  I love to read your posts !
list of podcasts ?.....hmmm sure hit me with em ! thanks

Search for these on itunes, all free:

Coverville: covers of songs that may or may not familiar, along with interesting bacground and trivia

The Best Radio You Never Heard: mostly classic rock, live versions, alternative takes and obscure stuff.

Indie Soup Runner: indie music specifically for working out

KEXP Music that Matters: primarily alternative music from the Seattle radio station. Several of the excellent DJs to a rotation so there's always good variety

Indie Feed Alternative and Pop:  on song each day per podcast. Same with KEXP Song of the Day

NPR: All Songs Considered and Live Concerts from ASC

Spoken word:

Phedippitations:  one of the first and still the best running podcast

This American Life: podcast version of the radio and television show

The Moth Podcast: stories told live on stage without notes

Tri Talk: triathlon specific

Stuff You Should Know and Stuff from the B Side: disect and provide research findings on weird topics

That will give you a start.