| Author |
Topic: no headphones in marathon - help! |
curlyd
Member |
 posted May-08-2007 01:31 PM
   
I ALWAYS jog with headphones on. I just registered for the Chicago marathon (it's not too late if you go through a charity). I read the official rules and saw that you're prohibited from wearing headphones. What am I going to do?Freakin out -
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dhuey
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 01:37 PM
I wonder if this is a real rule, or a rule that lawyers drafted just to protect the marathon from liability. Perhaps others here have some direct experience with whether this is really being enforced.
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brandyk
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 01:38 PM
you have a lot of time to adjust to running without. ------------------
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curlyd
Member |
posted May-08-2007 02:05 PM
Anyone out there know if they enforce this?Will I be bored during the marathon. It's going to take me at least 4 hours.
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Docster
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 03:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by curlyd:
I ALWAYS jog with headphones on. I just registered for the Chicago marathon (it's not too late if you go through a charity). I read the official rules and saw that you're prohibited from wearing headphones. What am I going to do?Freakin out -
I run with headphones a lot, but during races have never needed them, or wanted them. The Chicago has fantastic fan support....I think you'll be surprised at how much you won't miss them to be honest.
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srlopez
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 03:30 PM
Oh, it's a real rule alright... and there's a thread in newbie or basic training every couple weeks where people duke it out regarding whether it should be.But it is. There's a long list of safety reasons why. And I have lots of personal experience with person-in-headphones doing something that just-almost hurts them or others (including me). However, there are 100s if not 1000s of others in headphones who do just fine. As with many things, it is the unfortunate actions of a few who mess it up for a much bigger group of people. Basically, it's like cell phones. Listening to music *can* (not "will") decrease your situational awareness and cause you to do weird things in the middle of a group of people that puts others or you at risk. At risk of being annoying (by drifting in front of people trying to pass) or being dangerous (not getting out of the way of an aid vehicle or a wheelchair athlete... something I saw at the pig on sunday). But just like w/ cell phones, most people handle it fine. Will they enforce it at Chicago? The sheer number of runners makes this unlikely. Then again, the sheer number of runners is a tip for you, the headphone wearer, to be extra extra EXTRA careful. I train with music sometimes. I never race with music. Too much other cool stuff to keep me occupied. Incidentally, someone will say "yeahbut, lots of other things cause runners to lose situational awareness, headphone wearers are getting the shaft". This may be true. And it IS true that most headphone wearers do just fine. But it is also true that a small minority has really hosed it up. I see them every weekend.
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dhuey
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 04:01 PM
Good points, srlopez. Regardless of what one feels about this issue, it is plainly true that the slower the runner, the less danger there is for him/her to wear headphones in a race. Here, curlyd is talking about a 4+ hour marathon time, so the risk of a nasty collision is diminished.My advice, curlyd, is to be very cautious near the aid stations and on turns. Consider removing an ear plug in those situations.
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srlopez
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 07:46 PM
quote:
Here, curlyd is talking about a 4+ hour marathon time, so the risk of a nasty collision is diminished.
Why specifically?Note that this is the midpack, where the crowds are the biggest. This means that the chances are biggest for the 1 out of very-large-x people-w-headphones to cause a problem. Both because there's a lot more folks with headphones here (just by sheer number and also because the fastest fast people aren't wearing them), so there's a bigger chance that the 1 person is in the group... AND because there is the largest number of innocent bystanders with which to interact. It has basically nothing at all to do with two 6:00-per-mile people hitting each other. This 9:00/mile person (I'm a midpacker) has had to play matador with headphone guy. A lot. Again, most folks with headphones are fine. But there's always at least one who isn't. So there's a rule. Follow it or not. But don't be freaked out that your race will go poorly without music. Tons to experience on race day that makes it different from a training run. [This message has been edited by srlopez (edited May-08-2007).]
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dhuey
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 08:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by srlopez:
Why specifically?...
Physics. If you bump into someone while walking, it's less of an impact than if jogging. Likewise, it's worse if you're running, and still worse if you're running fast. Yes, it might be more crowded at the slower paces, but it just doesn't seem to me to be much of a risk.
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PacerChris
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 08:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by dhuey:
Physics. If you bump into someone while walking, it's less of an impact than if jogging. Likewise, it's worse if you're running, and still worse if you're running fast.Yes, it might be more crowded at the slower paces, but it just doesn't seem to me to be much of a risk.
Gotta totally disagree with you here. No offense intended to the midpack runner, but the faster runners tend to understand how to hold a line better, not stop at a water station but instead drink on the fly, and there's fewer folks up front . Plus there's fewer people to dodge so less likelihood of weaving. And if you get your feet tangled and trip at 10:00/mile, it'll hurt probably as much as tripping at 6:00/mile pace - not that I'm going to conduct experiments to see if this theory is true! But - as srlopez says - Chicago is MASSIVE and I'll bet 10-20% if not more of the people will be listening to tunes. Just keep the volume reasonable, run a straight line, and if you need to weave check your rear view mirror before doing so.
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srlopez
Cool Runner |
posted May-08-2007 08:27 PM
I missed the part where anyone mentioned "walking". But hoookay.I stand behind what I wrote in any case. The biggest likelihood for the one-bad-person-in-headphones to cause a problem is in the midpack... folks in the 4-4:30 range.
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TD Runner
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 04:00 AM
quote:
Originally posted by curlyd:
Anyone out there know if they enforce this?Will I be bored during the marathon. It's going to take me at least 4 hours.
NO! 45,000 runners and more than a million spectators, why would you be bored? Trust me, this will be my 6th Chicago and you will be missing out on the greatest entertainment of your life if you wear those headphones (bands, fans, cheerleaders, guys dressed in drag, 26 jokes about marathoners, your fellow jogger - your word not mine - vomiting in the street, the national anthem, the roar as you go under Wacker, etc etc etc).
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altair
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 07:58 AM
Most marathons have this rule. I've never seen it enforced. BUT... The USATF recently banned headphones and major marathons are now strengthening their language around their own rules. E.g., Grandma's is saying that headphones could be confiscated or a runner disqualified for using them. So things could be changing and I wouldn't make any assumptions about how the rule will be enforced based on prior experience.
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curlyd
Member |
posted May-09-2007 10:40 AM
Thanks for all the feedback out there. I didn't realize this was such a debated topic - I didn't mean to cause any fighting!So - if I'm getting this right. I could probably bring my ipod and just use it if I need it. On the other hand, I'll be very entertained and probably won't need them. Have I got this straight?
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PacerChris
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 10:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by curlyd:
Thanks for all the feedback out there. I didn't realize this was such a debated topic - I didn't mean to cause any fighting!So - if I'm getting this right. I could probably bring my ipod and just use it if I need it. On the other hand, I'll be very entertained and probably won't need them. Have I got this straight?
Sounds about right to me - I love running with music, but during a race like Chicago, I doubt you'll need it. Be aware of your surroundings and you'll have a great day. And wear sunscreen - my co-worker has an iPod tan on her arm from this weekend!
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ToddDubya
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 02:19 PM
When I run by myself I wear headphones. Any other time I go without.But, regardless of that, what's wrong with just following the rules? Saying "Oh, but I'm careful" doesn't mean the rules don't apply to you. I understand people like to run to music, but it just seems to me that things go more smoothly if people also follow the rules. No headphones, no strollers, no dogs, no firearms... whatever the rule why not abide? Whether or not they enforce them shouldn't even play into your decision to follow them. End of sermon  ------------------
-Todd
Check Me Out
There's plenty of time for rest when you're dead.
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Docster
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 03:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by curlyd:
Thanks for all the feedback out there. I didn't realize this was such a debated topic - I didn't mean to cause any fighting!So - if I'm getting this right. I could probably bring my ipod and just use it if I need it. On the other hand, I'll be very entertained and probably won't need them. Have I got this straight?
Sounds about right to me. With the crowd cheering you on (loudly at times) are you going to keep turning your IPOD up louder and louder to drown them out? Or....perhaps you will be going, "this ipod is nothing but extra weight to me" half way through. Seriously, try the race without it. Music isn't anywhere near the motivator that cheering fans are. Of that much I'm certain. 
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figbash
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 03:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by curlyd:
Thanks for all the feedback out there. I didn't realize this was such a debated topic - I didn't mean to cause any fighting!So - if I'm getting this right. I could probably bring my ipod and just use it if I need it. On the other hand, I'll be very entertained and probably won't need them. Have I got this straight?
I'm just curious as to why would you take your iPod if the rules specifically prohibit headphones? A rule is a rule whether it is enforced or not. Tom ------------------
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My Running Log
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runningINnyc
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 04:02 PM
Curlyd - I listen to music on most training runs and am a big fan but believe me, you won't need it come race day. Esp. in a race like Chicago. I found that running with music during a race throws off my pace - too many ups and downs along with the beat of the song. My 2 cents.
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dhuey
Cool Runner |
posted May-09-2007 05:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by curlyd:
...I didn't mean to cause any fighting!...
Nah, it's just a civil debate. I strongly agree with others about why you shouldn't want your iPod for the Chicago Marathon -- it's a huge social event. Spectators will cheer you on, and you might find yourself chatting with other runners. An iPod puts a wall between you and all this great interaction.
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jakey
Cool Runner |
posted May-11-2007 10:29 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Docster:
Seriously, try the race without it. Music isn't anywhere near the motivator that cheering fans are. Of that much I'm certain.
Amen to that!
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PacerChris
Cool Runner |
posted May-11-2007 10:54 AM
To get used to it, arrange to have 200,000 fans cheering you on during your training run. If your tunes are more motivational than that, then run with the iPod.Do you have 200,000 friends you can call to set that up?
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curlyd
Member |
posted May-11-2007 11:11 AM
I appreciate all the feedback. I still haven't decided if I'll bring the ipod or not, but I will definitely try not to use it. I might carry it in my little pouchy as a security blanket.Perhaps I'm just a warm and fuzzy person, but I feel like some of you out there are a little mean! I'm not some professional runner - I'm just a regular schoolteacher who wants to run her first marathon. Please cut me a little slack and remember to be nice when you post - or I'll make you stay in from recess! I'm definitely not one to break rules, I am however worried about my sanity and jogging for 4 hours with nothing to distract me. I agree with most of you out there that I won't need music. I look forward to chatting with people and listening to the cheers.
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770
Cool Runner |
posted May-11-2007 07:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by curlyd:
I'm definitely not one to break rules, I am however worried about my sanity and jogging for 4 hours with nothing to distract me. I agree with most of you out there that I won't need music. I look forward to chatting with people and listening to the cheers.
False statement on its face (sorry, some of us are mean ). You fully intend to break the rules unless someone enforces it or if you simply feel you need the music. Grandma's and Napa have both announced they will be enforcing the rule. Just have to wait and see how many other marathons/races decide to follow suit. I used to get hot under the collar about this subject but so many runners in races do break the rule on headphones I generally don't bother debating it anymore. However, if the races start enforcing the USATF reg, I'm all for the ban.
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jackpiner
Cool Runner |
posted May-11-2007 08:33 PM
I have to agree. false statement. take it for what it is and enjoy the race and all its glory!!! So as far as breaking the headphone rule. is it ok for me or any parent to tell a child to blow the teacher off use a "white lie" if its convenent for them?
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