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25 Replies Last post: Aug 17, 2006 12:06 AM by DDX Go to original post 1 2 Previous Next

IceStorm213

354 posts since
Nov 1, 2005

15. Aug 10, 2006 9:11 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

I'm no speed demon but tend to finish in the top 30% wearing headphones. No music, just headphones. I suspect that you're right, though. As a trend, people looking to enjoy the run and finish seem more likely to wear the 'phones, whereas the hard-core crowd will eschew them. The really slow folks are listening to Manilow.

GoRonGo

11 posts since
Nov 28, 2005

16. Aug 10, 2006 11:20 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

quote:<HR>Originally posted by martinjames:
The really slow folks are listening to Manilow.<HR>

Yeah, and I bet they run slow too.

runlifer08

178 posts since
Mar 1, 2005

17. Aug 10, 2006 7:07 PM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

he's not saying headphones are bad....just that elite/faster/serious runners don't 'need' them because they are mentally stronger

at least that is my opinion!

Depeche

2 posts since
Aug 2, 2006

18. Aug 11, 2006 9:13 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

I think we would all need to see some evidence of your original statement. If you run in many races at all and have never lost to someone listening to music then you are really moving.

So if I beat you wearing my headphones then it's like tying one hand behind my back? That makes it more of a challenge so count me in!

AMINAL

25 posts since
Apr 14, 2006

19. Aug 11, 2006 10:11 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

I agree that I did not phrase my original post very well, but did clarify it in my second.

If I get beat by someone listening to Manilow I will quit racing.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by GoRonGo:
[b]
Originally posted by AMINAL:
I never said anyone was inferior to me. I have just noticed that the top runners in races do not wear headphones and was wondering if anyone else had noticed this.
.<HR>
That isn't at all what you said in your first post. You stated no one who wears headphones has ever beaten you in a race. That is much, much different from the statement quoted above. Your original post took on an "I'm superior to headphone wearers" feel to it. If the quote above is what you meant then it's going to be hard to disagree because elite runners are in races to win and obviously aren't going to wear headphones during races.

So which one is what you meant the original post or the one quoted above?

[/B]

loves2run063

19 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

20. Aug 12, 2006 3:07 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

Who cares? Is it really that important? If you are beating all these headphone-wearing runners, and it concerns you so much....why don't you start a new trend & wear the headphones yourself

That way you can no longer say that slow people wear them.

maryt091

806 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

21. Aug 12, 2006 8:33 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

I've helped out at quite a few races where I could see all the finishers in addition to looking at lots of race photos and my impression is that in our area (I'm in Massachusetts) well fewer than 10% wear them overall, and those who do are primarily in the lower half of finishers. I was looking at some pictures recently of the SugarBowl - a big Boston race with lots of slow finishers and more headphone wearers than would be in the more typical local race. In 24 pages of photos at the start of the race, there are very few headphones if any at all in the first 7 pages of the top 20-25% of runners (I didn't look in detail at every single picture); then you start to see a few headphone wearers after that - maybe 1 in 50 by page 15, and 1 in 10, even as high as 1 in 5 in a few pictures by the time you get the back-of the packers and stragglers.

The only exception I ever noted was about 4-5 years back when there was one young kid (looked about 12, but must have been closer to 20) who came in close to the top in at least one race wearing headphones. The past couple of years, he has ditched the headphones, gotten faster, and qualified for the Olympic Trials with a 2:15 at the Austin marathon.

witeowl

32 posts since
May 12, 2005

22. Aug 12, 2006 10:51 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

quote:<HR>Originally posted by NYCross:
...Music gets you in a rhythm and running against that rhythm would probably make you feel out of sync. <HR>

This is where I totally did not see a correlation. Even after years of being a "band geek" in high school, and continuing to walk to the beat, I run to a completely different rhythm than my music.

After thinking a bit, I could see that the truly elite are so fine-tuned into their bodies that they need full concentration to make those 'slight' adjustments that add up to significant improvement. They're probably able to run at a greater variety of stride lengths and cadences, also, making the chance of music messing with them more significant.

Me? I'm just trying not to pass out. (A slight hyperbole). And, since I'll never be in the upper running echelon, music will always have its role in my training. I run for pleasure and personal gains, so music sometimes amplifies that - so to speak.

And no, my change in tone has absolutely nothing to do with this:

quote:<HR>Originally posted by AMINAL:
... Although I saw your profile and you do have excellent taste in music.<HR>

(OK, maybe a little...)

------------------
"It's been agreed. The whole world stinks / so no one's taking showers anymore."- Modest Mouse
My Blog/Journal: Fat Athlete[/URL" target="_blank">

scottNY

116 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

23. Aug 13, 2006 7:47 PM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ColoTrailGirl:
I like to run with a boom box on my shoulder. Since I started doing this my mile time went from an 18 minute mile to a 2 minute mile. Seriously. Boom boxes are far superior to headsets and running with no music at all. Oh, and "so and so" can pee farther than "what's his name". Case and point. <HR>

I think this is a good thread...cause CTG made me lol...

JaiRunner

107 posts since
Mar 8, 2005

24. Aug 16, 2006 8:37 PM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

OK so many of you think that this is a bogus post, but here are some observations:

1. It is true that most (not all) 'fast' (Say sub 16 for a 5k) runners don't run with head phones. It may be because, there is an image thing about being a 'real' runner. It may be because they just enjoy running and don't feel the need to pre-occupy themselves with something on a run. Its probably a bit of both.

2. There is some correlation between competive endurance events and being able to concentrate, without distractions, for long periods of time. I've met psychologists who've argued that distance training with music, tv, or other distractions, may constitue a hinderance to your training. Not saying its been proven, I'm just saying that there are qualified researchers out there that are beginning to think it might be.

3. Who cares? If you're a headphones person or not, Enjoy you're run any way you know how. Please be safe, but don't worry about what other people think.

PS The one place where headphones should not be worn is on the track. This is a no-no for a number of reasons.

DDX

108 posts since
Apr 23, 2005

25. Aug 17, 2006 12:06 AM

in response to: AMINAL

Re: runners with headphones

Just wondering, why no headphones on the track?

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