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For what it's worth, I think iPods are great, and I often use one for training runs -- particularly longer ones. But in races? No.
I've stated my opinion on this issue several times here, and I won't repeat all the arguments. But I will say that I'm getting fed up with the point people make along the lines of "someone bumped into me in a race once and he wasn't wearing an iPod, so what difference does it make?" That's a bit like the people who used to argue that because they knew of a non-smoker who had lung cancer, then 'obviously' smoking didn't cause cancer.
iPods on training = your decision.
iPods in races = selfish, and should be banned.
I'm not sure I would use one in a race though - too much else to think about and pay attention to.
I've been running and racing since 1983, and I've been listening to music while training and racing for quite a lot of that time. You say "I've stated my opinion on this issue several times here" but I can only find one message from you on this thread, so I don't know what all your arguments are. Why you think racing with a personal music system (for your information an iPod is just a brand of MP3 player - I use a Sony MP3 player) is selfish I simply can't understand? Is it because you think we should all be able to hear you huffing and puffing as we pass you, rather than listening to Muse? Obviously any behaviour which adversely affects other people is reprehensible, but I can't think of a single possible result of using a music system that might adversely affect me as a runner. What gets my goat are people lining up in front of me who are obviously minutes a mile slower than me, around whom I have to weave. Now that's selfish.
Totally agree. Saying that women in particular shouldn't wear headphones sounds like another version of "she was asking for it" to me.
I listen to the radio or music 90% of the time when I train as it helps to relax and motivate me and I train alone. Like everyone else on here who uses a walkman/mp3 player, I do exercise some common sense about this. I ran my first 10-miler sans-phones because the route was on a country road without pavement and I realised that it wouldn't be safe. It felt harder than it otherwise might have done, but I'm guessing it would have felt hard anyway..
As a relative newbie to running (I've been training a while on my ownsome and am neither fast nor experienced) and occasional contributor to this forum, what really gets to me is the judgemental and exclusionary attitude of a minority of runners.
Most people here seem to be positive and encouraging but there always seems to be someone looking for a reason to "slam" someone for "not being a proper runner." It's a shame and doesn't say much for the mentality of runners.
For the record, I make the effort to nod and smile to other runners if I feel safe to do so, regardless of whether I've got my bins on. Does this accrue me any "proper runner" points?
This subject has been discussed a lot in different threads, and I've posted on the subject several times.
More generally, I can't believe many people care what others do in training. If you want to listen to music (as I do), then it's up to the individual to make that decision.
But I do have an opinion about people using iPods (etc) in races because I get pissed off with them veering in front of me, totally unaware that I'm there. Yes, there are other sorts of selfishness in races (like running across others to reach a water station, and starting too near the front if you're relatively slow) and these need to be addressed too, but because they exist, it doesn't mean we should turn a blind eye to another problem.
Trouble is, ipod racers agree that some users are careless, but never concede that they are the problem. It's always other people.
OJO - I'm not quite sure who you're responding to. Without re-reading the whole thread, I don't think anyone has talked about "real runners", whatever that means.
iPods are great -- I couldn't do without mine -- but in races they're a bad idea because they reduce awareness and cause collisions. Simple as that.
I don't know how many races you run a year, or what type of race you tend to go for, or what part of the race you normally end up in (sharp end, midfield, back-a-da-pack) but my experience is that I've never had any problems at all with people in headphones - at least none that I could attribute to them wearing headphones. I guess I race about every two weeks, and have done for the last 25 years, so I'm not a complete newbie. But, as they say, YMMV.
I'm not sure it's an issue worth getting so heated about.
I often run in the countryside, but when I work shifts I usually run in one of two public parks in my city. Both parks are full of runners. They are also full of hecklers, and they are really starting to wind me up. I am sick of being told to 'run f***ing faster' and other extremly rude things by pesky chavva teenagers, and to stop myself from hitting them, I crank my ipod up loud enough not to hear them. I sometimes run with the ipod on roads with a lot of traffic, but then I make sure I can hear background noises, and I am very aware of what's going on around me. The point is the Ipod has been a godsend for me - it cuts out the hecklers, so I can run whilst being totally ignorant of anything they say. Bliss!
Never worn mp3 player in a race though, I prefer to absorb the race atmosphere.. but each to their own!
and there's the rub, Edward.
I agree with you.
I don't see much, if any, call for stopping people training with an MP3-type device, despite which, nearly all the posters are arguing in favour of using one for training. No problem. That's really not an issue. Up to the individual runner to gauge safety etc.
It's races that's the problem. This is where I've seen other people "directly affected" by iPod users, and this is what I've heard race organisers frequently complain about. It affects other people.
But a bit like bad drivers, we complain about them and agree that 'something should be done' but none of us ever admits to being one him/herself.
Unless you p1ss people off, by starting too near the front of a race for instance, you shouldn't have any worries. Better to be doing some exercise than festering on the couch. GOod luck.
Perhaps I've just had the misfortune to lurk on some of the less well tempered threads on this board. In my limited real-life contact with faster runners they've always been fine.
Back on topic, I can see why wearing headphones might cause problems in a race - but if you alwaystrain with them, it's difficult to do without. The music becomes part of what you do when you run.
Perhaps someone earlier in the thread objected to people trianing with an iPod, sorry if I missed that message. But I think very very few people care if people train with an iPod or not. I use an iPod in training, and enjoy it.
The big issue is using iPods in races. I did the Oxford 10K today, and I can't tell you how many iPod zombies there were in this race. must have been hundreds. A total of 3-4,000 prople running round urban, often narrow streets. Using an iPod in this situation is madness. I saw several things today that just confirmed what I've said so far on this thread. It's just not acceptable.
Here's a message I received on my website today from an Australian friend:
Actually, your warning about running with an ipod was almost bizarrely rammed home today, with one guy nearly run over by of all things, an ambulance. Unfortunately for him, he stopped for a walk right in the middle of the road, blissfully unaware of the ambulance right on his heels and the rest of the crowd peeling away to let it pass. Just as well the ambo driver had spotted the earpieces and hit the brakes.
(Ref:)
http://www.runningcommentary.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=11738&postcount=29
In races, I'd ban them though. You aren't allowed them in Ironman marathons and people seem to make it through those, so why the hell do you 'need' it for a 10k ?
It's like a comforter and because there are stupid people out there who dont realise what a sensible level is, I'd happily ban them for races.
1 When I was running across the fields I was blanking out the sound of mother nature, which didn't seem right
2 When I got to the street section of the run I felt more nervous about being hit by something, and was much more wary.
For instance, running across people's drives I was very watchful as I knew I couldn't hear cars pulling out as well as I normally would.
Ipod trainers who don't admit this are either truly oblivious to the impact of running with music on (not good) or are being a teensy disingenuous.
However I cannot deny that wearing my Ipod made the run pass by more pleasantly, so it seems to me it is all down to balancing the risks - we are all adults.
In races, should they be banned - well no.
But I would never wear one in a race. You frequently see people lined up at the start of a race with headphones in and they seem quite detached from the chatter and fun going on.
The headphones also rather seem to say "Listening to music, don't bother me". Runners - you may not think it means that at all but it does!
As we are all sociable animals I think this is also one of the reasons why non-Ipod wearers get antsy about runners wearing them in races.
Just my tuppence on the argument. This is a recurring argument on the RW forum and people have entrenched positions on this issue like no other (except possibly cars vs cyclists - see last nights thread).
I realise the dangers and normally wont wear headphones but i know the benefit and especially if i'm running alone - i want to have something to keep me company.
I often wear one earpiece with no music, so that l can hear the electronic voice counting off the km on a long run. You get the benefits of motivation without the potential distraction of the music.
I agree that in race conditions, there should be enough going on around you to keep you on track without having to rely on pumping music.