I can't make it more than a few miles without some driving tunes in my ear, so running a 25 mile race sans iPod would be out of the question. Thankfully, I'm not looking to win a marathon anytime soon, but if I was, I'd know that running with an iPod is a dangerous move if I want to take home the gold. Take for example, the winner of the recent Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon winner, Jennifer Goebel, who was disqualified after being photographed during the race with an iPod in her pocket.
The racer says she only listened to her playlist during the latter part of the race (you know, when you hit the proverbial "wall"), and although the rules of the marathon state that the judges have a choice to ignore the "no iPod rule" of the traditional race, this group took her medal and sent her packing. It's true — most marathon races do have a ban on MP3 players during the race, but if the judges don't have to acknowledge it, why would they?
Do you run marathons? If so, have you strapped on your MP3 player for the race?
Fantasie
Zoppini
Betty Barclay
Ouch! They say running, especially distance races, is 90 percent mental. I feel for her though, but rule are rules especially in competition.
1Yep, I agree with Fit. And if she "won" she knew the rules.
I train without music now and I find it more motivating sans music.
2I MUST have my music! It seems like a silly rule. Why?
3Not safe. You're distracted and you can't hear what's going on around you, according to the rulemakers that is...
4I use music during training, but on race day I don't use it. It gets too distracting when you're trying to keep an eye on the course, aid stations, keeping an eye on whats going on. I like taking in my surroundings. I only use ipods during a race if I really need it, like hitting the wall after mile 20.
5I don't know. Running without an iPod is also a skill. The Greeks didn't have them. I think she got cold-busted.
6She knew the rule and she broke it. tough tiddleywinks.
7How harsh, but she knew the rule. I could never run long distances w/o music, it's too boring. w/o the music I am constantly thinking, I dont want anymore I want to stop...but with music I am distracted from such thoughts.
8A marathon is 26.2 miles -- not 25. Check your facts before publishing.
9good catch, Anon.
10and trust me, those last 1.2 miles are loooooong.
The whole point of athletic competitions if that everyone competes under the same set of rules, so, even if the judges could have ignored the rule, I'm glad they didn't. I understand the argument that this is a silly rule (though I'm not sure I agree with it), but rules are rules.
11I ran the LA marathon and used my ipod to track the distance and my pace with Nike+. It was really helpful, not to mention motivating. I think that while the ban for elite athletes is understandable, I think the average "pack" runner should be allowed the use of music. Because at that point, your only "competition" is yourself.
12Not to mention that the pack runners are running sometimes for two to three times the time period as elite athletes.
13i ran a half marathon and didn't bring my ipod because the rules banned it but then i saw all those people running with it and was mad. i was running solo and really needed my playlists to get me through the last four miles. it sucked! i would never do it again without music unless i ran with friends.
14Anyone who "needs" music to run is really missing the point.
15I don't know, when I race I am competing even though I am not an elite runner by any means, I'm still competing against everyone out there, not just myself.
16I always check the rules when I run a race to see if they specifically prohibit headphones. The last one I did actually said it did not allow headphones, but there were two pictures of runners wearing them in the promotional materials!
I used to not wear mine, but I agree with the above comment that unless you actually think you're going to win, it's not a big deal. I mean, if I was aiming to come in first I definitely wouldn't wear mine, but since I'm just out there for fun and not to compete I don't see what the big deal is.
If I do listen to music or anything else I only put it on one ear and keep the volume low. If the spirit of the rule is safety, then there should be no issue.
"Anyone who "needs" music to run is really missing the point."
Whatever. My guess is anyone who says they need music to run is using hyperbole. There's nothing wrong with preferring to listen to music. I like listening to music while I do housework. House still gets clean, even if I'm not having a zen moment.
17What a stupid rule.
18It's not a stupid idea, Anon. A lot of people jack up the volume on their headphones and become oblivious to everything going on around them. They need to hear people passing them and be aware of medical emergencies.
On an un-safety related note -- you miss a lot of the race atmosphere while running with headphones, IMO
19Not all marathons have the "no iPod" rule. I ran the Portland Marathon last weekend and they are openly iPod friendly. I have no idea what I would have done without my Nano.
20But marathon runners, especially competative ones, know to check the rules before the race. So I can't say I feel too bad for that runner.
Wow! I'm not a runner (obviously), and never knew of such a rule. That's awful for your runners/marathoners!
21Well stated T S
22What's even more interesting in this case is that Jennifer was actually the 2nd place finisher - until she was disqualified. The 1st place finisher had been disqualified, too, because she took a sip of water from a friend's water bottle between aide stations. SO, the double disqualification made the 3rd place finisher the winner. And, I'm not sure about this, BUT, I beleive that the "winner" had won the event in the two previous years. Hmmmm.
23You,re not allowed water between stations? Or from someone else? Man, I bet a lot of people pile get their race tshirts taken if they enforced that one.
24T S: you aren't allowed "outside support" in many races. I know that for tris you cannot have friends/ family members help, say, change a flat tire.
25TW: "Whatever." Nice comeback. And you know what? Your comparing the sport of running with HOUSEHOLD CHORES pretty much says it all. I stand by my original sentiment: If you "need" music to "get through" a run -- if running is that much of a drag -- then you absolutely are missing the point. And you'll never "get it" unless or until you unplug one day and push through whatever it is you're dreading. Beyond that place is something better. Not that you would know or care. Enjoy your music.
26I don't know who TW is, but T S, I agree with you. I'm sure people don't "need" music to run, but they find it more enjoyable with music. I know music actually helps me keep pace. I've run without music many times, but when I think it's more enjoyable to run with music.
And I like the household chores analogy. It makes perfect sense to me.
27"You,re not allowed water between stations? Or from someone else? Man, I bet a lot of people pile get their race tshirts taken if they enforced that one."
Um, sorry. I was posting from my phone, those typos are awful!
Runningesq, thanks! That makes sense. I hadn't considered it as outside aid. It seems like there's a huge difference between having someone change your flat and taking a sip of a friend's water, but just like with the headphones, if I were seriously competing to win I'd be careful to follow the rules to the letter.
Anonymous, I have run without music. I have run with music, and sometimes I run with podcasts. My preference is to run with music. I haven't the faintest idea why you care.
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