No real offense taken. After thinking about it, I was more sad that you can't revel in the accomplishments of others, even if they don't compare with yours. Must make it tough on those around you. My neighbor just completed the Ironman in Hawaii - and not once did she ever make me feel that my marathon completion time was any less worthy of congratulations than her top 15 (age group) finish in the Ironman. I even said at a party one night, "compared to you at the Ironman, my thing's nothing." And she said, "It's huge. Not one other person in this room would even sign-up for a marathon, much less finish it. I don't care if you crawled across the finish line, you did it."
I find motivation from within, from songs on my iPOD, from friends/family, and not from people who think saying, "it's just me, but I'm not proud of running a 9-minute pace" when really they mean, "I must have higher standards than you because what you did isn't much to be proud of." I know I'll never compete with runners like you - with our without music/headphones. I just want to get out there and do something better than I did the day before and stay active so I can hopefully see my young kids grow up. It was something I did to prove that turning 40 didn't mean I was too old to challenge myself. For me, the run is less about speed (although improvements there are always a secondary goal) - and more about getting out there and finishing. For some, that may not be good enough. For me, and the 30+ people since who said, "Holy $@#&!, you finished a MARATHON?!?!" it was good enough, an accomplishment to be proud of, and something that made me feel great. Not one of them asked me about my time. I've actually "inspired" (or suckered) seven other people to do the MC Half in May! Me! Slow runner who sometimes walks! Six of those people will probably cross the finish before me by a LOT.
BACK TO TOPIC: Unfortunately, my iPOD doesn't improve my running time (maybe I should put "the Chicken Dance" on it so I speed up with the song), it just helps me enjoy all this mediocrity I'm so darned proud of. So, I know using headphones is a rule infraction, but is it cheating if it gives you no discernable advantage? And, while everyone's at it: what is the meaning of life? Maybe a USATF person can chime-in and give a supportable reason for the rule. I'd love it if we could wear headphones legally, but until I'm the one making the rules. . .well. . .so be it. I'm typically a stickler for the rules, but this is one I've broken with some trepidation each time I start a race. Knowing this, if I were to be pulled off a course when wearing my iPOD, I wouldn't argue. My fault. Rules are rules.
