In 29 days, I will be running the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. I read recently that iPods, or any headphones at all, are not allowed on any runner in the race. I freaked out. How can I run 26.2 miles with no music? And then I began to think about how many hours I spend a week connected to my iPod while running. For me, running and music have become more like cereal and milk: you can't have the first without the second. You can, but cereal without milk is just not as good, and same with running. Music has become something that I rely on to get me through the miles. Now I have to somehow re-establish my running style and gradually faze music out all together. Ten years ago, this would have not been a problem for me. I used to be able to run without music. What happened? In a world where we must always be entertained all the time, no matter what we are doing, I guess it is inevitable that I become addicted to music while I run. People today aren't able to sit and listen in class or even just quietly outside because we are so used to always being amused. I will eventually be able to run without music, but for now it will be very difficult. Without my iPod, maybe I will actually talk to people during the race and meet some really cool people. Or maybe I will run a lot faster because I won't be distracted. Who knows, but I only have 29 days to find out.