Active Community: Message List - No ipod enforcement

Re: No ipod enforcement

ORBrewDad — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:34:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by kristine25:

I think it's totally appropriate to question authority. And us pro headphone wearers have every right to question why it's so important that we not use them so we can argue the other side. However, if what people are saying here and it's the insurance companies making the rules, than these arguements need to be sent to the insurance companies, not necessarilly the RD.

And why is it that those who are anti-headphones think we are all jerks and shouldn't be able to race when us pro-headphones think it's fine for you to race without them? I have been pushed and shoved by people not wearing headphones because they are in their own zone (and I always start in a race where I am suppose to start). I have had water cups thrown at me by people not wearing headphones, and I have had cars enter a closed course because a volunteer wasn't paying attention. Racing is a semi dangerous sport in and of itself, headphones or not.

[http://This message has been edited by kristine25 (edited Nov-06-2007).|http://This message has been edited by kristine25 (edited Nov-06-2007).]

You have every right to question authority. The RD has every right to DQ or penalize you for not following the rules of the race. If you'd like to see the rules changed, then work with USATF to change the policy, but don't think that you can just ignore any rule that you don't like. In the end, it is every competitor's decision to make, but you can't complain when there are consequences for not following the rules.

Would you wear a wetsuit in a race that wasn't wetsuit legal just because you'd rather be more bouyant?

Re: No ipod enforcement

tdiana — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:28:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by kristine25:

I think it's totally appropriate to question authority. And us pro headphone wearers have every right to question why it's so important that we not use them so we can argue the other side. However, if what people are saying here and it's the insurance companies making the rules, than these arguements need to be sent to the insurance companies, not necessarilly the RD.

And why is it that those who are anti-headphones think we are all jerks and shouldn't be able to race when us pro-headphones think it's fine for you to race without them? I have been pushed and shoved by people not wearing headphones because they are in their own zone (and I always start in a race where I am suppose to start). I have had water cups thrown at me by people not wearing headphones, and I have had cars enter a closed course because a volunteer wasn't paying attention. Racing is a semi dangerous sport in and of itself, headphones or not.

[http://This message has been edited by kristine25 (edited Nov-06-2007).|http://This message has been edited by kristine25 (edited Nov-06-2007).]

Amen! I have never had an issue with someone wearing headphones. I've had lots of issues with people not wearing headphones. They should ban people not wearing headphones!

Re: No ipod enforcement

kristine25 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 06:02:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by nmironman:
Not trying to be a jerk here, but if it is against the rules of the race then it should not matter how they enforce it because you have no business doing it. If you don't like the rules of the race, then it is probably in your best interest to find another race.

Drafting is against the rules, but what if I don't get caught..is it okay then?

I think it's totally appropriate to question authority. And us pro headphone wearers have every right to question why it's so important that we not use them so we can argue the other side. However, if what people are saying here and it's the insurance companies making the rules, than these arguements need to be sent to the insurance companies, not necessarilly the RD.

And why is it that those who are anti-headphones think we are all jerks and shouldn't be able to race when us pro-headphones think it's fine for you to race without them? I have been pushed and shoved by people not wearing headphones because they are in their own zone (and I always start in a race where I am suppose to start). I have had water cups thrown at me by people not wearing headphones, and I have had cars enter a closed course because a volunteer wasn't paying attention. Racing is a semi dangerous sport in and of itself, headphones or not.

[http://This message has been edited by kristine25 (edited Nov-06-2007).|http://This message has been edited by kristine25 (edited Nov-06-2007).]

Re: No ipod enforcement

txdave13 — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 21:29:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by dg12:
Make an effort to do without the mp3 and absorb the whole experience, this coming from a non tree hugger.

Huh? Are you saying that tree huggers take off their mp3 players when running? Brilliant insight, sir.

For me, it depends. Usually do not race with the iPod, too much to see, too much going on - and if they are against the rules, I leave it at home, period. However, if I've got a 20 mile training run coming up, over the same course I've run a hundred times before, I'm gonna want the iPod. I can do it without it, but what's the purpose.

And though I haven't seen it in this edition of "To mp3 or not to mp3," it drives me crazy when the "purists" say "you should listen to your body." I don't care if I've got Mozart playing at a fairly low level or I'm cranking the Pantera, I don't need my ears to "listen to my body." OK, end of pointless rant.

[http://This message has been edited by txdave13 (edited Nov-06-2007).|http://This message has been edited by txdave13 (edited Nov-06-2007).]

Re: No ipod enforcement

NHSenior — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:41:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by imfl03:
Cars drive with the radio on so loud I can hear it in my car or on my bike cruising down the highway, and it may a be a miracle, but I don't see them piled up along the roadside.

Let's be real here. The only danger someone has wearing a headphone is they may not hear the idiot weaving through the crowd to gain 3 seconds at the end of a 5 hour thon.

Sheldon

I am specifically not saying that headphone problems are anywhere near the level of auto accidents but I will use auto accidents to show how your "I haven't seen or hear it" logic is ridiculously flawed.

How many auto accidents and deaths and injuries do you think occur in the USA during a day, week, month or year?

Would you agree that it is an enormous number and that it is a huge huge problem? I'll assume you've answered in the affirmative.

How many of these occurrences did you personally observe today, this week, this month.

How many of these occurrences did you even read about or see on TV?

Not many at all, is it?

Yet, they do exist.

So, your method of fact gather (your personal knowledge here on this subject) is certainly foolish and worse, it really bad to form opinions on.

Would you expect me to keep you in my employ if that is the logic you would use to help me run my business?

I don't know the numbers the insurance companies use to base their level of go/no go decisions to cover this stuff but I'm certainly sure they are based on very sound numbers for their business.

Some might want to say the insurance companies are greedy and want to make more money. The truth probably is that they want to maintain a level that they deemed profitable in order to justify investing capital in the business. A level that absolutely has to be eroding based on IPOD use.

[http://This message has been edited by NHSenior (edited Nov-06-2007).|http://This message has been edited by NHSenior (edited Nov-06-2007).]

Re: No ipod enforcement

jroden — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:52:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by LeftRightRepeat:

Just to clarify, it's not the promoters. The USATF, the sanctioning body for most running races in the US, this year revised rule 144.3(b) to read: "The visible possession or use by athletes of video or audio cassette recorders or players, TV's, CD or DVD players, radio transmitters or receivers, mobile phones, computers, or any similar devices in the competition area shall not be permitted."

USAT's rules 5.8 (bike) and 6.3 (run) are similar: "Any participants who any time uses, wears or carries a headset, radio, headphones, personal audio device, or any other item described in Section 3.4(i) shall be assessed a variable time penalty."

[http://This message has been edited by LeftRightRepeat (edited Nov-06-2007).|http://This message has been edited by LeftRightRepeat (edited Nov-06-2007).]

That's pretty clear. So, where does this RRCA fit in the whole picture of sanctioned road races? When I was running a lot in the late 1980's it was pretty rare for a road event to require TAC membership and Columbus OH marathon was one of the few to require this, to some consternation.

Is RRCA defunct or do I not understand their role?

I'm all for santioning bodies, our state championship cyclocross race just got cancelled an hour ago by the cycling santioning body due to non-payment of the permit fee, which is just fine with me. I'm glad someone is making sure there is insurance and proper controls in place before the gun goes off.

Re: No ipod enforcement

tdiana — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:50:00 GMT

It is a funny argument! Everytime I have ever been cut off in a race it is by a person w/o headphones, never once had a problem with a person wearing headphones. So I don't understand the safety issue at all. A far bigger issue is the size of these races, a lot more dangerous than listening to music. Also why do so many people feel the need to get water from the 1st table I can't tell how many times I have cut off by that! End of Rant!

Also don't understand how music is distracting? Do you lose all sense of how your body feels because music is playing? I don't need to hear anything to know how my body feels during a run

[http://This message has been edited by tdiana (edited Nov-06-2007).|http://This message has been edited by tdiana (edited Nov-06-2007).]

Re: No ipod enforcement

LeftRightRepeat — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:29:00 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by jroden:
Athletes need to understand the rules that govern their sport and follow the special prohibitions that promoters may put in place for an event.

Re: No ipod enforcement

clasko2596 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:49:00 GMT

I just run with a boom-box on my shoulder.

Re: No ipod enforcement

FSMITH3 — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:41:00 GMT

so is it a hearing issue????? then should you DQ def people as well?