Neighbors probably think I’m the crazy running lady.

Toward the end of my long runs I pop on my Ipod and begin listening to music. I generally wait until the last four miles because these are the miles I hate the most-the busy street, the stoplights, the exhaust fumes.

In an effort to make this part of the run better I listen to great music. Lately i’ve been uploading songs from online that I can listen to while I run the marathon, because I’m sure that sometime after mile 14 or so I will want to listen to music.

So far I’ve added Love Stinks, Everlong and the Toadies Possum Kingdom.

But I don’t just listen to music; music moves me, much like my shoes.   When J Geils starts out I can’ t help but toss my fist in the air and shake it along with Love Stinks. “Love stinks, ya ya, love stinks . . . ” I mean, how can you not?

I sometimes wonder what people driving by happen to think about the woman who is out there running along the street at 7 AM shaking her fist and singing along to her music.

Do they say wow, she’s a happy runner? Do they think i’ve only done one mile? How could I be coming off of 14 if I’m still happily singing a tune?

Music – that’s how.

I can’t listen to it for all of my runs. I reserve the beginning part  of each run for figuring things out. Right now I”m working on how to make my mother better.  But at some point, my mind becomes free of all clutter and the day is bright and crisp and suddenly the need to dance a little while I run hits me. I put on my Ipod, turn up the volume and the music takes me home.