posted Sep-13-2006 02:47 PM            

Will ya huh?

And my but you're taking this far too personally.

------------------
"All I know is that we've seriously lowered the bar for qualifying as elitist." - Jim Sullivan 9/13/2006

IP: Logged

posted Sep-13-2006 02:59 PM               

The other day I was doing my long run and the batteries on my Ipod DIED. And I was five. miles. from. the. house. I had to call my DH to come pick me up.

IP: Logged

posted Sep-13-2006 03:36 PM            

Are you going to violate the rules and use an MP3 player during the race?

IP: Logged

posted Sep-13-2006 04:24 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Grizzly:
Come up with a definition of elitist and determine how it applies to my expressing an opinion that an earphone malfunction is a poor excuse for cutting a long run short.

---

I’m kind of surprised that you need it spelled out, since you took originally considered such a label as “name calling”.

But I’m a good sport and it’s a slow day. I’ll even spell it out in detail. Here you go:

Elitist/Elitism - the selectivity of the elite; especially : SNOBBERY
Snobbery - snobbish conduct or character
Snobbish - being, characteristic of, or befitting a snob
Snob – a : one who tends to rebuff, avoid, or ignore those regarded as inferior b : one who has an offensive air of superiority in matters of knowledge or taste

Someone with an admitted bias against headphone usage comes into a thread clearly labeled as “earphones” and comments that the OP’s reason for cutting a long run short is a “poor excuse”.

OP didn’t ask about people’s thoughts regarding bagging the run, and even specifically stated that it wasn’t any of their business. Yet you (and others) felt the need to make derogatory comments without even the courtesy of offering suggestions to the OP’s original question.

That fits the mold of having an offensive air of superiority and rebuffing those regarded as inferior. Thus the comment(s) are snobbish and elitist.

quote:

---

And my but you're taking this far too personally.

---

Nah, don’t worry. Debates such as this are kind of fun, really. I’m actually rather amused that it’s gone on this long.

IP: Logged

posted Sep-13-2006 05:50 PM            

IP: Logged

posted Sep-13-2006 06:05 PM            

Lew, I've been around here since 1999 and let me say that you are the first to label me elitist or a snob. But hey... I'll wear them proudly.

I don't like earphones. I have a hearing disability that according to my MD diminishes my hearing to the point that a person who is wearing earphones at a low to moderate level is impaired. When I take my hearing aid out I think I can hear, but I can't... it is a safety hazard. So I have personal evidence of their ability to be a safety hazard. But if people want to wear them fine.

I find that a number of people who run with earphones get very defensive about them. Hey, I prefer running without because wat I can hear is something that energizes me. I can understand earphones for treadmill users... and as I've said, it's your dime. And guess what? This snob actually *gasp* has friends who run with them, and he even runs with them when they wear them. Say it ain't so!

Just don't link earphones to the ability to run. There is no bio-mechanical link between the ear and the feet that I can see. If you use them to help you pace yourself... FINE. But come on Lew, even you can see that bailing because of an earphone problem is not akin to bailing because you're sick or injured.

I've given enough lame excuses to see one and name it. "It takes one to know one." And I'm not backing down from the claim.

What are some of the lame excuses I've used?

Ummm... my dog was tired. (Why couldn't I have dropped her off and continued?)

I wore mismatched shoes. (Don't ask... and I'd made it 3 miles before noticing)

I really want to run for an hour and I only have 50 minutes (so don't run at all?)

My elbow hurt.

And I'll state my other biases out in the open here so that others can point to my snobbery:

I will never run shirtless. I admire those that do, but hey I'd scare the little children.

I think that the barefoot runners are insane, but, they are right, all we need are our feet.

I hate the treadmill. I use it once a week, but I've found it can screw up my gait. Great for speed work, but I'd prefer to be outside in -40 temps.

I will not Gallowalk. Tried it, and while I will take walk breaks at aid stations I'd prefer to train to run the whole thing. They want to walk... fine, just don't block my way.

So... you wanna call me elite and a snob, so be it. I happen to think we're all runners... those who lace up and head out the door or onto the treadmill, those who Gallowalk and those who use earphones. But I know a lame excuse when I see one.

And for the record, I piped in only because of the accusations of elitism and snobbery flying around. Someone posts here or anywhere on these fora and they are open to comment. As I said, not trying to pick a fight... but perhaps others were.

You want to continue it to prove a point about us elitist snobs you are free to, but it'll be without me, I'm done.

------------------
"All I know is that we've seriously lowered the bar for qualifying as elitist." - Jim Sullivan 9/13/2006

[This message has been edited by Grizzly (edited Sep-13-2006).]

IP: Logged

posted Sep-13-2006 06:18 PM               

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

IP: Logged

posted Sep-14-2006 08:05 AM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Grizzly:
I happen to think we're all runners...

---

And that, in the end, really is the point.

Cheers.

-- Lew

IP: Logged

posted Sep-14-2006 07:33 PM            

IP: Logged

posted Sep-15-2006 01:36 PM               

I like the "You can't race with your IPOD, so you shouldn't train with it either" comment. I usually get that from people behind me at the finish.

I think I might call it a day if my earphone broke in the middle of a run. Actually I might have done that already.

------------------
My User Profile

IP: Logged

posted Sep-16-2006 02:50 PM            

IP: Logged

posted Sep-18-2006 02:14 PM               

Um, carry on.

IP: Logged

posted Sep-19-2006 04:32 PM               

I think some people's inner "voices" just aren't as entertaining as music. I've been bitten by the music bug and don't plan on running the marathon without my MP3 player. But to respect those who think we'll [trample over them if we have music playing in our ears], I will kindly leave one ear open. But they are not BANNED from marathons, they are strongly discouraged.

Lastly, is there a big difference between running a quiet trail with music on and running a marathon with thousands of screaming fans and bands? Why not train with music on! I think you'd be better prepared!!

IP: Logged

posted Sep-19-2006 05:28 PM            

quote:

---

But they are not BANNED from marathons, they are strongly discouraged.

---

Hmm, I'll have to check my dictionary again to see where "Prohibited" means "strongly discouraged".

Check out the 7th bullet below in the below link for the OFFICIAL RULES of the Chicago Marathon.

http://www.chicagomarathon.com/page_L2.aspx?subMenu=&Page_ID=938&Nav_2_ID=549&Page_Title=Official%20Rules

IP: Logged

posted Sep-19-2006 05:34 PM            

Chicago outright prohibits them... NYC strongly discourages them... Houston and Austin don't even mention them.

It's all a to-do about nothing.

The anti-headphone facists always come up with anecdotal evidence about how they've seen someone with headphones in a race cause problems, but never mention the people without headphones who cause problems... certainly had more non-headphone wearers stopping right in front of me at water stops than headphone wearers.

If you wear them in a race, just make sure you pay attention to your surroundings.

Seems to me all these people paying so much attention to their breathing and heartbeat are probably just as oblivious to their surroundings as the headphone wearers.

And usually, the people that are causing the biggest issues during races are the socialites who are in a big pack yapping away not noticing that they are blocking a large section of the road, and definitely not noticing when people are trying to pass them.

IP: Logged

posted Sep-19-2006 05:42 PM            

IP: Logged

posted Sep-19-2006 06:17 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by 91Aggie:
Depends on the marathon.

Chicago outright prohibits them... NYC strongly discourages them... Houston and Austin don't even mention them.

It's all a to-do about nothing.

The anti-headphone facists always come up with anecdotal evidence about how they've seen someone with headphones in a race cause problems, but never mention the people without headphones who cause problems... certainly had more non-headphone wearers stopping right in front of me at water stops than headphone wearers.

If you wear them in a race, just make sure you pay attention to your surroundings.

Seems to me all these people paying so much attention to their breathing and heartbeat are probably just as oblivious to their surroundings as the headphone wearers.
.

---

We certainly agree on its being lame to bag a run to bag a run because your headphones died, but please.... those who are anti-headphones are Fascists??? If it were really all to do about nothing, do you think there would be so many people who are against headphones? Why would anyone care?

I have NEVER had a problem in a race with anyone who was not wearing headphones, but have seen MANY problems with those who do wear them. I've probably had a lot more experience than most of the posters. I've run over 700 races over the years. How many have you run?

Although most headphone wearers don't cause problems, I certainly have seen problems caused by many - and way more than I have ever seen caused by runners who do not wear headphones. Two women wearing headphones stopped short right in front of me just this past Sunday - and there were less than 10% of the runners wearing headphones if that, and no problems with anyone else.

I remember one race when a volunteer had to physically yank a headphone wearer who was totally oblivious to the fact an ambulance was trying to come through, so I can understand very well the safety issues that have many races banning them. I've never seen anything like that with anyone not wearing headphones.

I was talking with a race director recently who has been having a lot of problems this year with finishing chutes because of the oblivious in headphones not paying attention. Last fall I was at a finishing chute myself when a headphone wearing just cruised on by on the left - totally oblivious to the fact that everyone else was going into the chute on the right hand side of the road. A volunteer had to chase her down. (Personally, I would have let her keep going into the next state!)

It's not primarily hearing that's an issue. I've seen occasions when people wearing headphones have been distracted, so concentranted on their music, they didn't realize turns or water stops were coming up, and switched sides of the road at the last second into the path of other runners, causing other runners to stop short to avoid bumping into each other. Much of the time the inconsiderate are oblivious and aren't even aware enough to realize they have caused any problems! You don't have to actually make contact to disrupt another runner's race. Although I've had that happen, too, for example when a headphone wearer cut across my heels making a mad dash to change course after realizing she was heading straight and everyone else was turning right. I've never had anyone make contact who was not wearing headphones.

Is it reallly any wonder that so many experienced racers and race directors cringe when they see people at races wearing headphones?

IP: Logged

posted Sep-20-2006 07:31 AM            

I got them from the local Academy (sporting goods store) for $10.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000092YR6/ref=pd_cp_e_title/104-9220421-4842304?ie=UTF8

IP: Logged

posted Sep-20-2006 07:44 AM               

http://www.sportsgeezer.com/sportsgeezer/2005/07/music_improves_.html

I'm sure a quick google search could bring you a wealth more information on the subject -

Now who is serious about their training? ^__^

IP: Logged

posted Sep-21-2006 10:37 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by 91Aggie:
Oh, and it's still lame to bag a run because your headphones died.

---

Stupid elitist.

IP: Logged

posted Sep-21-2006 11:04 PM            

Thank you to those of you who offered advice. And please accept my apologies for bringing up such a debate.

Yeah, you're right - it was "lame" to cut the run short. The earphones were the icing on the cake to why I ended my run. Usually, I don't. I made it up the next day because I was mad that I hadn't finished it. My long runs aren't that long yet, so it wasn't THAT big of a deal. But many other reasons led to me ending my run, the earphone emphasis was a reaction to my anger.

We're runners and therefor by default, elitists. But I don't appreciate the comments about the dedication to my trainging. While I may not have explained myself well in the post, I didn't ask for your opinion on a subject completely off topic.

So again, thank you for those few who offered suggestions. I did find a pair that works. I miss my old ones though... For those of you who do train with music, I hope it's good music. For those of you who don't, I hope that you enjoy your runs just as much.

Happy Running.

IP: Logged