I see your point,  I always train with one.  I don't run trails. I always run roads.  Up until now I have only done 5k's - except for maybe 2 that didn't allow Ipods.  I thought I was addicted to having one - but it really wasn't that big of a deal.   It turns out to just be background noise that afterwards,  I realize I really wasn't listening to. However, in a couple weeks I will be doing my 1st 10k and I thought an Ipod would be needed more with a longer run - But you may be right.

Lots of opinions on both sides of the fence. I personally don't race with them. Sometimes I like to chat a little, or listen to spectators encouraging words, or listen to the occasional band on the side of the road.

Here's the latest from USATF:

http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_1/usatf-amends-headphone-ru.shtml

Point well taken, we ALWAYS should be aware of our surroundings when training outside. That being said FIRST, I must also add that I just started running in Dec '08 and rely on my tunes to keep pace and to focus, I do however keep the volume very low so I can have a conversation, hear a car or a dog or other runners.

I know, it's a crutch, but I ran my first 5K without it, and I was a mess. I have my second coming up in a week... with my MP3, sorry to offend you seasoned runners.

Hi Rick. No, you're right, it's not a matter of moving to accommodate someone else. I won't speak for others but in my own post I meant that headphones could prevent me from knowing that someone is right behind me or next to me. I don't move OUT of their way, but I also don't cut over to the water station right then or slow down right in front of them. I would feed bad if I tripped someone because I failed to look over my shoulder.

I agree with your points, and in fact I made a very similar defense in a thread about 6 months ago. (That thread wasn't about headphones, it was about people/kids cutting others off in a race, etc.)  I said it's just part of the experience, you can't prevent it, people don't take the same path or run at exactly the same speed, and we have to choose a positive attitude, etc. Some guy chewed me up and said that nobody should ever have to expect another person to get in their way, and it was simply a matter of pointing out their error to them. He said he pointedly approaches people in races and tells them not to do that stuff (Mr. Race Policeman!), and by me not doing the same thing, I was the problem. I don't know what world he lives in, but I'm sure he has lots of friends.

i just had to get in on this couldnt help myself....when i hear other people whining that other people didnt "move?" out of there way weather it be on a crouded trail or on a freeway wide road i fail to c how at any time i should move over for you.  If your running a marathon and your worried about taken an extra step to get around someone then get over your self....sorry i missed u at the olympics last year....as u refere to racing every one is racing themselves....there time and u really think that after i've been running for an hour and a half that im going to move over and run in the woods so u can get by with out brakeing your stride...right come on think people...in nascar they dont hear the car coming up behind them and there goin a bit faster with alot less reaction time yet they still miss each other...(most of the time) they dont have blinkers no side mirrors...and some one yelling in there ears while driving 200mph....if you can rellize your aproaching a slower runner and spot the correct time to pass them thats UR! falt not the dude in front of you....to each there own...dont be such a hater!!!  sounds to me like some people are losing touch with the true spirit of the events.... 

"Sure they know how to run, but they don't know how to race." So what are you, the veteran racer doing to help the newbies, other than getting "p**sed" and frustrated at them? You were a newbie once too. It is entirely possible the problem had nothing to do with the MP3 player and everything to do with the person's inexperience. I am new to running but a long-time mountain biker where virtually no one uses MP3 players at race time (we shave weight off are bikes and aren't about to add it back just for music) but the same issues arise of newbies not being aware of the race "courtesies" that veterans take for granted like calling out passing and moving to the side of the trail when you are slow or broken down. The difference seems to be veteran racers I know tend to take newbies under their wing post-race to explain the difference between trail riding and racing in a friendly, non-preachy manner so they will have a more successful race next event. "Sure they know how to run, but they don't know how to race!" Well help them! If you aren't interested in being bothered by newbies making you brake stride why not choose races that segregate runners into classes. If you don't, then maybe the race organizers are hoping to foster a spirit of community where runners will help each other improve. Perish the thought.

As for the MP3 player specifically, I take issue with banning them outright. An MP3 player at a reasonable volume will no more prevent a person from hearing what is happening around them than will engaging in conversation. Next we will forbid conversation. The courtesy is to remain aware of your surroundings, whatever that means for you (whether that means no music, no talking or not only the individual knows.)

I will definitely keep my U2 to a very minimum roar, but Spencer, a 5K still feels like a small eternity to me!

I'm working on it!