Listen to Music Safely on the Run

If you regularly run with music because you think it helps you run faster or longer, you're not fooling yourself. "Music can also help block out the little voice in your brain telling you its time to quit. Research shows that this dissociation effect results in a 10 percent reduction in perceived effort during treadmill running at a moderate intensity," according to a LiveScience article highlighting studies about the effect of music on exercise performance.

Although listening to music on the run can give you a much-needed boost, it can be dangerous when running outside. The music may block noise from oncoming cars, cyclists, other runners -- even unfriendly dogs. If you really need music for motivation (and there are lots of runners who do!), keep the volume low or leave one earbud out, so you can still hear what's going on around you.  

More:

• Running Music Playlists
• Share Your Favorite Running Songs
• Running Safety Tips