Runner's Forum: [Sink] Running to Music

I prefer to run without listening to music, but I think it's a personal preference. I think if you do decide to wear them for a race, keep the music really low volume for the first few miles where it's crowded so that you can hear where other runners are around you, but after it thins out, you can probably turn it up a bit.

Hi TS...wow, if I ever get to mile 15...what I found interesting about the article is that it discussed all the people who hide their headphones. That's alot of training to undertake...just to get thrown out of a race.

I'd also like to ask the seasoned racers if they think the crowd noise, etc. is more motivating for them then music (which can isolate you from the outside world), or vice versa.

One major issue I noticed with people wearing iPods last weekend at MCM (where they are banned) was when wheelchair racers were passing the runners on downhills.  You could hear a few hundred yards back people shouting Make a Hole or Middle when a wheelchair was coming through and there were people with iPods who just didn't move and forced the crowd of runners to scramble to create a new path for the wheelchair.  I can definitely understand why they don't want iPods.  However, if people were smart about it and wanted to get lost in the music, they could run along the sides/edges of the course to stay out of the way.  But boy did I see some dirty looks from iPod-free runners towards the iPod-wearers. 

I wear one when I train, but like others have said, the sights and sounds of the race are so much more interesting and new.  I train with the iPod to keep me from getting bored, but it seems hard to get bored with thousands of people cheering and running in a pack of racers. 

By that logic they should ban runners who are hard of hearing.  Every big race will include some clueless and inconsiderate behavior.  Some of the offenders may even be wearing headphones. 

Put something in the race packet that explains some basic rules of etiquette and leave it at that.

This is a silly thing to turn into a big issue and codify into official race rules.  99+% of the people entering marathons are recreational runners and all this will accomplish is annoying people.  This is typical control freak behavior exhibited by too many runners.  These race directors need to lighten up.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

One major issue I noticed with people wearing iPods last weekend at MCM (where they are banned) was when wheelchair racers were passing the runners on downhills.  You could hear a few hundred yards back people shouting Make a Hole or Middle when a wheelchair was coming through and there were people with iPods who just didn't move and forced the crowd of runners to scramble to create a new path for the wheelchair.  I can definitely understand why they don't want iPods.  However, if people were smart about it and wanted to get lost in the music, they could run along the sides/edges of the course to stay out of the way.  But boy did I see some dirty looks from iPod-free runners towards the iPod-wearers. 

Does anyone know what the Walt Disney World Marathon rules are as far as earphones/ipod use?  I can't run without my ipod and am running the marathon in January.  If their rules are no earphones, how strict are they about enforcing them? 

Ok, I like to argue too.  Nothing personal.

You witnessed one case of someone with headphones causing a minor inconvenience because they were not staying aware of their surroundings.  Anyone can space out and not get out of the way if someone behind you yells "coming through" or whatever. 

I say any race with more than a couple dozen participants will have a few runners exhibiting some degree of clueless, rude or selfish behavior.  I'm not convinced folks wearing ipods are more likely to fall into this group. 

I would like to hear a compelling reason from race directors for a ban.  Give me an example of behavior that occurs among headphone wearers that non-wearers don't exhibit or real evidence of increased incidents of such behavior from the ipod people.  Until then I will assume these policies are the product of an anal retentive, busy body, meddling, controlling, elitist mindset.

If anything, races probably provide the safest conditions for blasting the tunes.  I don't like seeing people using them while running on busy roads or women in isolated areas.

I don't know why it bugs me so much.  I never wear headphones while running.

-------------------------------------------------------------

I think WDW says no earphones, but it is not enforced by anyone.  In regard to the example about people are hard of hearing, there is a major difference between having a hearing disability and creating a hearing disability.  There is no enforcement of these rules, but they are in place for a reason, to provide the best experience for everyone.  98% of entrants in races do not wear earphones because they respect the rules and respect the other runners.  I personally have not been inconvenienced by people wearing earphones in a race, and quite frankly I don't care if you do or don't wear them.  It's the end of the day and I like to argue :)  but what I'm saying is that from what I have seen, like at MCM, there is evidence to why the rules are in place and they could cause injury (like if a wheelchair cannot maneuver around the person who cannot hear them coming).

i run for fun and fitness, and don't compete (although i might as i get fitter), and having tried both with and without my iPod, find it very much easier running on my own to music. i run a variety of terrain from road sides to woodland, and am always aware of my surroundings visually, with loud noises coming through the music too, so if someone was shouting i would hear it...

i appreciate the issue raised re wheelchair racers, but unless someone has the volume up really high, they should be able to hear things... it smacks a little of people getting so wrapped up in themselves they are oblivious to their surroundings, and while yes, an MP3 player would contribute to this, i suspect it would be a combination of things... after all, if you are running alongside someone and hear a shout asking you to make way, would you not check those around you were doing the same, even if only to all move the same way...

you can always nudge someone who doesn't appear to have noticed, being polite, then gripe about it on the forums afterwards ;)