The iPod accessories market is full of gear to help workouts go more quickly with some audio inspiration. But there's a big debate in the running world over whether portable MP3 players are safe to use while training and whether they should be banned during road races.

USA Track & Field, which is competitive running's governing agency, decided in December that runners are prohibited from using headphones in any race it sanctions. So as more runners are incorporating music into their training routines, they are entering races that say they cannot use them while competing.

This Boston Globe story takes a look at the divergent views on MP3 players among running purists, who say they'd rather take in all the scenes and people around them in races, and runners who embrace music-to-go tech that is getting smaller and better every year.

It does strike me that tuning into music and out of environmental surroundings isn't the safest route for road runners. Same goes for cyclists—maybe more so. How can you be aware of vehicles around you if you're listening to the latest by Maroon5?

But I am not even going to pretend I'm running or riding on roads with regularity. So let's hear from true runners and cyclists. Would you never consider hitting the road without headphones and tunes, or do you think it's a better idea to leave them at home?

LINK: A running debate: Competitors split on headphone ban at road races [Boston Globe]