Should you be allow to wear i-pods when racing?

In my experience with Running races (the few that i have done) they (i-pods) have turned the field into a roller derby. Every 10 meters you get a virtually impenetrable wall of pod-zombies jamming to WHAM! You try to go left and they bee-bop left. You go right, they go-go right.

This is made even more problematic on multi-loop courses where the faster athletes have to close on slower ones. You might as well yell "On your left!" in Mandarin Chinese! You spend the first lap trying to nicely squeeze between wheezers and geezers. By the second, you've turned into a not-so-nice version of Jerome Bettis on the 3 yard line - delivering forearms to the backs of unsuspecting (and aurally challenged) athletes with those ubiquitous white wires streaming from their lobes.

So my vote is no. I don't see it as a safety concern (on the run) or as an advantage (other than making me go mental). But it is surely a pain the arse.

In my opinion race day should be you and your body and mind against the competitors and the elements. You can't get a full appreciation of the race and the crowds if you drown everything out with an ipod (the number of people wearing ipods in this years London Marathon was ridiculous - I refused to cheer them) - they somehow take away all those moments you would otherwise have savoured.

That said - I do use one in training (run only), to listen to various podcasts and/or music.

Does wearing your ipod give you an unfair advantage? I think it makes exercise more tolerable and improves your perception of exertion. There was a study done at Acadia University that demonstrated that athletes who ran while listening to music ran for a minute or two longer than those who didn't. When you listen to music your body wants to sync up with the rhythm and harmonic frequency (Pinkerton, The Sound of Healing, 1996. 16)Sports Psychologist Michelle Cleere notes in an LA Times article, “Although your brain is really high-tech, it can’t think about two things at one time. If you have a genre of music that really gets you pumped and keeps you focused, it will distract you from negative feelings.”

Should you be allow to wear i-pods when racing? I believe it's a personal choice. It's always going to be a slippery slope when you tell people they can't do something. Where do you draw the line? If it's dangerous to race with an ipod then it's dangerous to walk around a city with one. Do we ban the ipod in all public places?

If you absolutely can't race without it, at least turn the volume down a little so you can hear the crowds and the other athletes around you.

Another thing with the ipods and similar stuff, is that they take you away from what is happening around you. For me, part of the fun of participating in an endurance event, is the contact you have with fellow participants and with the spectators. Some of my fondest memories of a triathlon are the moments when someone grunts a funny comment when going up a hill, and the whole group of riders / runners around chuckle and comment back, ... that feeling of connection is priceless.

And the same thing goes for the spectators. I had a bad moment of stomach cramps at the Barcelona Marathon last March, I had to stop to retch on the side of the course, and therefore started to walk. The spectators around me cheered and applauded, and they gave me the strength to continue running (well, more like jogging by then ).

I think the ipods will rob us all of the connection that happens at races, and that they will be a sign of disrespect to the spectators. Why would they line for hours by a running course to cheer on people if they won't even listen to them? They are perfect for training, especially for the long base miles of winter (with a good couple of episodes of IM Talk, of course), but for races, just leave them home, and enjoy the experience fully.

I have too been debating about wether or not to use an ipod during a race. Since I started running as a pre-teen for freedom and quietness, then running high school cross country and track from 1989-1993,ipods really never crossed my mind. Even when I had several years of not running, still had plenty of walking, biking, roller blading, ice skating, water skiing, ect. which I didn't use an ipod for. I just started using an ipod about a year or two ago to train while indoors, during long car trips, or to clean house, mow 5 acres, ect. When I started running road races again a little over a year ago, I felt as if I would be cheating with the use of an ipod, or even gels before I really knew that I should use them for electrolytes. I also love the big races because of the fans and entertainment, so I don't prefer the use of ipods. However, I have two upcoming marathons, which will be my first two ever, so I have considered taking one for at least the middle part of the race where the fans and music sometimes fade. Since there won't be any chance of me being in the front of the pack, it shouldn't matter. For those who are aiming for a boston qualifying time, ect. ipods's should be out. They can be an advantage for many people, who can't find their "Zone." I have noticed that the people on my current fitness level or actually below mine have been able to keep the pace to make times even 20 minutes or more better than mine! Though I know I could probably go a few minutes faster with one, I have opted to leave the ipod in the car for seven of eight races. The One I used it for was when I was sick and just aimed to finish the race. It seems as if I just end up listening to the same song over and over again after a while anyway. I think that the ipod is great in the case of bringing more runners into races for charities, and for the sake of raising the levels of fitness of many people. Like I said before, if people have issues with ipods being used, it should really only be with the faster runners who are competing or trying to qualify for something. There are enough people who don't need them or don't want them to balance out those who could benefit from them.

live and let live.....

for myself, the focus is on the race and ipod is distracting so I don't use it. Only on Sunday's long long solitary trail long long run :)

But I don't see a problem for other people if that help them get thru a race .. I am usually in the front coral anyway so I don't need to dodge them, if I had, I would certainly find the "walls of walkers" more annoying than the occasional ipod user. Now to say that this is an advantage I think is a little extreme. I have more issues with the one who pops 3 ibuprofen before a race .. that to me is lite doping.

Having just finished a Rock n Roll half marathon a few hours ago... Sorry folks, I am not a fan of wearing an ipod while running in an event. For one, it's a safety issue. Many events take place on public roads open to traffic. I ran Sacramento's Cowtown half marathon in 2007. I was at about mile 8 out on the bike path along the river. The leading marathoner was approaching. There was a guy in the path of the leading marathoner wearing an iPod. There was a race official directly behind him yelling for him to move to the right, naturally he could not hear because his iPod was blasting. I personally think that it shuts you off from those around you, I like to talk to people and people always talk to me and I don't want to close myself off. At the Rock n Roll events an iPod is not necessary but I see people wear them anyway. Most events clearly state no iPods, they announce it at the start line but people wear them anyway and they don't hear the announcement because their iPod is blasting. That's my humble opinion. I once dated at TNT coach and since I started running it was drilled in my head why iPods are unsafe for events as TNT discourages them. That's my humble opinion. It's one thing when it's stated iPods are allowed, but when the rules clearly state no iPods, I think all those wearing iPods should be DQ'd. I know I am in the minority.

I think it should be a personal choice because there are people who like to block out the thought of working out but then again I find that you can easily loose focus during workout and loose perception of the pace you are running at.

Ipods, Mp3s, radios, cassettes should be allowed. I have already seen a Connecticut Race Director who prohibits them take a beating in entrants. He started to DQ people and now his races are not attended. I think he will rethink it. People know that there is no real danger. The problem is with those who are agaisnt them making it seem like they are a problem. I have raced pllenty of times with and without. I have never seen a person harmed or harming another. The so called "Purists" have a hang up. Can I wear ear muffs? What if my music is so low that I can have a conversation with the person next to me? Running is about freedom. What about deaf people? Old people can't hear well. Can they run? They can't hear you as you come upon them and ask them to move over. BTW, who does that? If you are behind someone you should have the obligation to run around them. (Oh, I know. I have done the Turket Trot with the 15 minute milers up front. They don't have an MP3 but are in the way none the less)

Race popularity = more races. Be careful what you wish for.

Let's all use commmon sense.

Obviously for training it's an individual choice; I've run for over 30 years and have never once listened to anything while running, other than the ambient sounds (or lack thereof) of my surroundings. I've known a couple of people who have been killed because they WERE listening to music, didn't hear a car coming, and stepped off the curb at the wrong time. As for races, it's the race director's call either way.

No, I do not think it should ever be allowed to listen to an I-pod while racing. It is a safety hazard to the person listening and a safety hazard to the people racing near that person. If you need music to get you through a race, then you are racing for the wrong reasons. All your attention and focus should be on yourself, your body and the people around you.

No.

Just listen to it while training when they're not bothering anyone. But not in a race. There's so much going on anyway that I really don't see the need of distracting yourself from the race. Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of racing?

I like to listen to music while I'm running, so I signed up for a Rock'n'Roll Marathon. Should be a lot more fun than wearing ear-plugs and disconnecting yourself from what's going on around you.

When you are racing there are just too many things that you have to pay attention to. It would be disrespectful and bush-league to ignore fellow racers and volunteers. Part of racing is absorbing the environment around you and that should fuel your desire to push on. Racing is not about being entertained by your iPod. It is about RACING and feeding off other competitors and pushing each other beyond your limits. Unfair advantage? I think not. Those who race with musical devices are never in the lead pack.

The Ipod ban made headlines last year as 29 people were DQ'ed at Grandma's Marathon in Minnesota, while the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon blackballed 156 runners caught using MP3 players and cell phones.

Nice Article on US marathons and the ipod ban:

I have used my MP3 player for longer training runs for several years, and I actually wore mine in the Las Vegas Marathon two years ago however I have complied with the requests since then NOT to wear them in the races. I agree with those who complain about many people wearing them being completely oblivious to anyone around them. That is a problem. I generally keep the volume very low. Often I can hear the other runner's MP3 player over my own. I like wearing it when I run alone and, as I said, for the longer runs. I have run 5 marathons or half marathons since Las Vegas and I have not missed it. I would not be advocating for the ban to be lifted.

I think the people that are serious racers would NOT wear an ipod. I think its dangerous to be out of sync with whats going on around you. Racing is such a mental game, i do not think wearing one is an advantage at all...more like a way to escape the race..and that defeats the purpose...as soon as i see someone wearing one in a race..i know i am going to beat them!

I wore one in a half-marathon this past year (was 10th overall - best ever finish), but the course was entirely on the beach and closed off to traffic. The field was generally smaller too. I would not wear one on road running race events (and certainly not on ANY triathlon). You have to use good judgment. Some smaller running events ignore the MP3 issue, but they do discourage it if you read the registration packets. The bigger events, like the Houston Marathon and the running series leading up to the marathon, forbid it.

It has been very interesting reading all of the opinions regarding this issue. Up until yesterday, I had been a "purist" and had never worn an ipod for training or races (mostly because of the danger that results when you loose touch with your surroundings). But yesterday I ran the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, OK and the race director specifically stated that ipods were allowed on the course since every road would be closed to traffic. So I figured that this would be a great opportunity to try it out. I kept the volume low enough so that I could hear the cheers but the constant music allowed me to get into the "zone" and run my best ever. I still don't think I will run with an ipod during training runs because the people and vehicles that I come across aren't expecting me so I have to be on the defensive. But in future races, I hope to rock out to my own selection of hits!

I wear my pod on long bike rides when I am out on my own. I almost never wear it on runs. That being said, I live in a rural area and don't have to worry too much about trafic. But I would never consider wearing one during a race. People are already zoned out enough during a race, I want to be more aware of those people around me than not. That beeing said, I don't have a problem with other athletes wanting to wear them but I can definatly see the issue of a lot of runners not being aware of there suroundings. I've seen it first hand on aa pick up training run a few weeks past. it was a forested area...nice and quiet. There was a walker up ahead and I anounced myself several time before blowing by her. She was wearing earphones and had no idea I was coming up on her, she freaked out and made a hugh deal... yelling and screeming and wailing her arms cursing me for running by her like that. Never mind if she was paying attention she would have known I was there.

Race organizers are entitled to ban such devices if they want. I can understand it.

If there is no rule against them, I don't care.

I've personally decided I don't want to use my racing time to do something else.

Runners need to concentrate on the race and the fellow competitors around them. Wear them on a treadmill and not during a race.

Ever since the ipod came out I have been wearing one when I ran. It was like a security blanket that I also needed when racing. Somewhere along the line I realized that I was missing something as I ran past big crowds and all I head was the same music that I trained to. This year I started running races without the ipod and I don’t miss it at all. I still use it on training runs (on the treadmill only) but not in races.

That said I don’t think that there should be restrictions for those that want to run with one but I would suggest to anyone that feels that they “need it” to run one race without it.

Absolutely, unequivocally NO! I have had way too many experiences with people who are tuned into their tunes, totally oblivious to the thousands of racers (NYC marathon, Marine Corps marathon etc. etc.). IN a crowded race, it is dangerous to have contestants who cannot hear emergency instructions. That's the big reason. Also, it is very annoying to have somebody blocking passage, unaware of passing racers (especially on the bike!), because they're into their tunes.

Use 'em when training, but stow 'em in the race.

No I-Pods

NO WAY! While I too can say that my experience is perceivably more positive when I have an iPod plugged in my ear, it is unsafe and has an overall negative impact on the purity of the event - i.e. a competition that is man on man.

That said, and not to sounds like a total hypocrite, I have worn one during some of my longer and more challenging events - a 50 mile run - but the batteries died....

I think for shorter races, 5K's to 10K's, they should not be allowed for anyone.

But for half and full marathons plus, I think non elites, should be allowed to wear them. I do think for safety sake, no devices should be of the hand held variety. And, since alot of runners will probably sneak them in even if told not to. I say aknowledge the use of ipods and remind/encourage runners to keep volume low and be aware of their surroundings...and, in the "buyer beware" idea...warn runners if they are not fully aware they could be in danger of being touched by runners behind them as they are passed by.

No. Running is about get outside away from all the laptops, cell phones, and other junk and listening to the outdoors and your body

I think that it should be up to the runner. I personally love running with my ipod during races but i am also aware that others around me dont like the idea so I make sure to keep the volume low enough so that I can hear what is going on around me, I have it down to a science that I can hear my music and the person that is approaching from behind. But for the runners that blast it so loud that the next runner can hear it, they should learn proper ipod running etiquette.

Yes! if you train with them then you should be able to race with them. Only running, not cycling. Running is different for different people, for triathlons, running may not be our first sport and having an ipod helps us get through it, especially at the end when you can use a little boost. put in only one ear bud and keep it down for safety sake, but always good to have a little extra motivation on your side...

I only used them once in a race and I took them off after mile one. I enjoy the whole race idea from registering to the awards ceremony and everything in between. I'm new to racing but even in training I don't wear my mp3 because of where I live with all the traffic around where I run. I think it's safer to wear them in a race than out on the streets where you can't hear that car . I don't wear them but I don't see anything wrong with wearing them in a race but I just choose not to and should be up to the person to wear or not wear an i-pod or mp3.

I think it really is a broader issue than just the iPod. Similiar to the "driving while distracted" laws that supercede the "hand held devices" laws I think it is more of a "running while distracted" or even a running etiquette ignorance issue rather than merely just an iPod use issue. I think there are many who run just fine with great tact in a race while using an iPod, but what about Joe Blow who zooms across the street in front of everyone to slap high five with his family? What about mommy or daddy with their stroller who starts in the middle of a thousand people? Or the guy with the dog on the leash? Or the lady at the Disney marathon who dropped her iPod and ran back through the crowd to find it who ironically got a knee to the head by another ususpecting earbud wearer who didn't see her or hear everyone around saying "look out"!

I personally don't really care if they are worn or not, my personal preference is without, I am perfectly happy in my own head! But I think we need to collectively, as a running society, help to educate people on the proper etiquette. I am lucky enough to have a wife who has been racing since she was 8 and helped me out with what to do and what not to do.

Here is my one suggestion to help start the ball rolling: Race directors should have every online race entrant answer 5 etiquette questions while signing up about the dos and don'ts. If you get it wrong you can just tell them the right answer. It would have no effect on their sign up but at least get them thinking about it since they won't hear you tell them at the race because they will have their music on!

Shawn, I like your idea! Indeed nothing mandatory, but just a good reminder for everyone to race smart.

btw, I'm running Disney in January......I hope that lady isn't in the race!

Great times on your 1/2's, buddy. I started way too late in life to clock times like that. I'm chasing 3:54:59 at Disney. (my PR is 3:55)

If you wear I'POD while competing you will never run fast cause you are not concetrating with your running rythym! even if you are training it will be still the same, the only place you can wear an I'POD is when you are jogging only...

I don't race with an ipod, but several of my friends do. IN fact, they may not race if they can't listen. Conclusion: I would rather get more people interested in participating than maintain a pure environment for purists like me.

USATF amends headphone rule

I used the ipod for my first marathon and it didn't make me run any faster! Though there were several other factors as to why I had such a slow time, I actually ran better with the ipod when I kept playing the same song over again. I will run The Austin 26.2 in Feb. w/out the IPOD.