quote:<HR>Rayther than making life harder on the rest of us, how about you gotta learn to deal with headphones ban, guy, and learn to run headphone free?<HR>

If they are BANNED then I would of course follow that rule and never take it with me. But you have to know by now that lots of races allow headphones. That one poster just said a headphone wearer won a race and it was in the paper.

If they are allowed you better believe i'll be wearing it. It helps me, and anything that helps me and is within the rules I will definitely take advantage of. I'm running my first official race in a week, and headphones are allowed. So guess what i'll be wearing

As I said earlier though, I won't be a dick about it. I am aware of my surroundings, the volume is low, and the off button is one click away so when going to congested areas of course it will be shut off in .01 seconds.

Who would of thought, a volume control and an On / Off button in the same gadget... the marvels of technology

quote:<HR>Originally posted by maryt:
[b] QUOTEOriginally posted by Streetlife:
If they are BANNED then I would of course follow that rule and never take it with me. But you have to know by now that lots of races allow headphones. That one poster just said a headphone wearer won a race and it was in the paper.

If they are allowed you better believe i'll be wearing it. It helps me, and anything that helps me and is within the rules I will definitely take advantage of. I'm running my first official race in a week, and headphones are allowed. So guess what i'll be wearing

As I said earlier though, I won't be a dick about it. I am aware of my surroundings, the volume is low, and the off button is one click away so when going to congested areas of course it will be shut off in .01 seconds.

Who would of thought, a volume control and an On / Off button in the same gadget... the marvels of technology

<HR>

quote:<HR>Oh, great. Your first official race. You've never run on a course with a lot of other people; you have no clue what's it's like; it's your first, so instead of taking it all in, enjoying the whole race atmosphere, you're going to wear your headphones and diminish one of your senses so it will be just like a training run????

Why bother?? Do the other people on the course a favor and just go run your training route.<HR>

Apparently I couldn't resist one more look at this thread. Shame on me.

Just wondering, maryt, why you are always so negative? Is there anything about running or runners that puts you in a good mood? Or gives you anything positive to say? How is it "just anothr training run" for someone who regularly uses an i-pod but something else for someone who doesn't? So streetlife is just paying someone to train? But the guy next ot him who doesn't use an i-pod ever paid the same entry fee. He doesn't ever use the i-pod while running. So can't this race be "just a training run" for him too? It's no different than any other day except he paid a fee and he will try running faster. Our friend streetlife is doing the same. Both will be trying hard to run their best but only the non-ipodder is really racing? Sorry, I don't buy it. No two people experience a race the same way. Don't the experienced among us always say don't try something different at a race?

Good luck, streetlife, on your first race! Enjoy it! And look out for maryt! Stay out of her way.

------------------
Kris
I run like a girl!

http://This message has been edited by kcarmike (edited Dec-07-2007).

Helllooooooo Earth to kcarmike. How many times do I have to say this for you to understand. I'm negative about the use of iPods in races because I've both seen and experienced so many problems with those wearing them both on the organization/volunteer side and as a runner myself. I've seen problems from being injured myself twice by the oblivious in headphones (and lost training and racing time as a result) to multiple problems on the course and in finishing areaa as a volunteer.

I'm negative about headphone use in races because I've seen so many problems caused by them - way way more than I have ever seen problems caused by the headphone -free in my experience on both sides in over 1000 races. Is my neagativity towards headphone use so hard to understand? Do I need to say it again?

I LOVE running and I love races, and I ecourage everyone to join in on the sport and to race, so long as they do not interfere with other runners ability to perform and run their race without interference or the organizers ability to direct the race in a safe and efficient manner for all. I used to also enjoy being a volunteer - but not so much any more because of runners wearing headphones who may think they are aware, but really are not.

So now you have a total novice who has never run a race before, never had to deal to trying to be aware of what might be going on out on a race course, never had the experience of running in crowded conditions with hundreds of other runners in close proximity, saying he's aware of his surrounding (like he would know if he weren't ) and he's going to wear headphones.

Not only do I think he is going to be missing out on the whole race atmosphere by diminishing his ability to take it all in, but I think a Newbie who hasn't a clue what being in a big race entails is much more likely to cause problems for other runenrs by not going with the flow of a crowded race, and also for the race officials by not being as aware of instructions both at the start and finish and if necesssary out on the course itself.

There, now, does that help to explain why I am so negative about seeing a Newbie post about doing a first race with headphones?




http://This message has been edited by maryt (edited Dec-07-2007).

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Streetlife:
Ya seriously, I don't care one bit about people like him who just can't see anything except what THEY do. I love running. Just because I have yet to run an official race doesn't mean I like to run any less then anyone else on this forum. Just because I listen to music when I run doesn't mean I enjoy running less then those who don't. And as long as I am following the rules of the race, it doesn't mean that I have any less right to be on the course either.

Not only would I stay away from someone like him on race day, but I really wouldn't want anything to do with him period. I just couldn't imagine the stupidity of someone who doesn't understand the very simple concept that everyone gets enjoyment out of different things. Is there anything easier to understand then preferences?

I would never drink a coke or eat a hot dog on the golf course. Does that mean anyone who does should just stay home because they are obviously not "real golfers"?

If you pay your fees and follow all the rules, do whatever the F... you want out there.<HR>

It's not a just matter of preference. It's a matter of safety and truly being aware of your surroundings and not interfering with others out on the course by not being aware as you should be, for example by zoning out to your music and not being as aware as soon as everyone else when turns come up or there's a water stop or if there are officials directing you out on the course.. Do you know that old saying?.. Your right to swing your fist ends where my face begins.

Wearing headphones can cause problems for others and your being distracted can interfere with both the officials and the ability of other runners to get the most out of their race. That's why the USATF bans headphones in USATF-sanctioned races. Read the OP's original post. Even people who think they are aware find once they remove their headphones, that they weren't nearly as aware of what was going on around them as they thought they were.

There is a lot going on in a race situation and when you have music in your ears there is just no way you are as aware of it all. For your first race, take in the race atmosphere. Most headphone wearers who go headphone free find they can enjoy the whole atmosphere, interact with the other runners a whole lot better, and enjoy the whole race more without their iPods anyway, and it makes it a whole lot more likely you won't interfere with anyone else and make life easier for the officials as well.

At the very least leave them off when you start the race where it is most crowded and as you approach the finish area. There may be some important announcements you really should hear at the start, so leave them off then as well. While it's not a safety issue I have seen some very rude behaviour from headphone wearers at the start as well - talking loudly amongst themselves so they dan hear over their music while eveyone else is silent for the national anthem or yakking it up during what is supposed to be a moment of silence for a deceased runner, for example. Just be aware.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Streetlife:
Well you obviously haven't read any of my posts on the ipod subject because I have mentioned at least 4 or 5 times now in various threads how I will always be careful when running with my music. And being that it is my first race and I am of course not fully aware of how they operate, I will set some rules for myself so I limit my interference as much as possible.

1) Volume low at all times
2) Music off at the start and first mile or so of the race
3) Music off when passing any refreshment areas
4) Music off in any high traffic area's
5) Music off the last mile or so of the race

Come on dude, it's not like you have to turn it on and leave it that way until the battery dies. Maybe you have never seen an ipod before, but let me tell you something super cool about them. They have this neat little function that you can actually shut off the music in the push of a button. Imagine that... <HR>

Streetlife
If you and everyone really did follow all 5 of your rules, it would help minimize headphone problems a lot!

The only other problem I have seen recently is a dangling cord actually lassooing another runner's arm so make sure that's not a possibility.

Really, I don't have issues with people wanting music while they run; it's when being too tuned in to their music makes them unaware of and interferes with other's ability to run their own race that it's a problem, and it is a problem way more than most headphone wearers realize.

Who knows. Maybe you'll be so caught up in the whole race atmosphere, you won't even feel the need to turn on your music on after you pass the first mile or so!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Streetlife:
Well fortunetely I can't imagine running with a dangling cord either, that would just be way too annoying. Mine goes from my left shoulder to my ears directly. If someone were to get tangled in it, it would mean they probably took a swing at my neck. I hope nobody takes a swing at me during the race

And it's not like I don't understand where you're coming from. You obviously know more about the subject then I do. I'm far from a newbie runner, but I am new to races so of course i'm not suggesting that I actually know as much as you.

But the reason some of your comments are upsetting is you seem to be ignoring the one universal fact about all activities:

Everyone starts from the beginning. It's great you are a veteran runner and you know everything about it. But not everyone is like you. That's why there are race rules. The rules aren't for people like you. I'm sure you already know and follow them all. The rules are for people like me who are less experienced.

I feel like instead of being so absolute and down right rude towards ipod wearers, it seems to me your energy would be better spent "educating" people on proper music listening courtesy. Telling someone like me to do everyone a favour and stay home is quite extreme don't you think?

<HR>

Extreme yes, but if you had seen or experienced all the problems I have seen caused by people wearing headphones in races, I think you would understand why I believe it would much better if no one, especially inexperienced racers, wore them in races, and it would much better for the other races if those who feel they just can't run without them stuck to running by themselves and stayed out of races entirely. That's why the USATF has the total ban, not guidelines on use in their races. Yes, everyone starts from the beginning, but there is no need for anyone to start racing with headphones. Frankly, although I think your own rules would help a lot if people followed them, I think the truly "proper music listening courtesy" for races is leaving the headphones at home even if the race does not have a specific ban against them.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by qtownrunner:
Jeez, someone call the WAAAAAAAHmbulance for maryt.

Someone stepped on your heel once when they were wearing an iPod... get over it.<HR>

Uh huh. Listen clueless one. If it were a one time deal, yes, I would get over it. But it's not a one time deal, and it's not just me. I've seen clueless oblivious headphone wearers need to be physically dragged off the course because they were blocking amubulances or firetrucks trying to get through; had my own blood drawn not once, but twice, in separate incidents, one time of which cost me quite a bit of training time from the incident; in addition to the many many problems from minor annoyances to more serious issues, impeding and blocking other runners, not paying attention and going the wrong way at course intersections, messing up finish area chutes by going into the wrong one or passing in line, even to Thanksgiving's headphone wearer getting another runner tangled up in her dangling cord. It's not a one time thing and unfortunately the problem is getting bigger.

Do you really think the USATF and the people at races like Grandma's marathon would be starting to try to get bans enforced if it weren't for the fact that headphone use is a real problem?

Talk about waahhmbulances - how about those who say they just can't possibley run a race at all without their music. Those are the people who need WAAAAAAAHmbulances!