Hi all,
I'm about to run my full marathon. I've been training with headphones as music is a great motivating force for me. However, headphones are banned at my event. I got the idea of getting X-minis and running with them - this way I'll also provide a soundtrack to my fellow runners and won't have anything in my ears to compromise safety.
Common sense dictates that these should be allowed, it's not a hazard after all - but does anyone have such an experience? It looks like many events have banned headphones and include more or less the same wording:
As per BARR and UKA guidelines, IPod and MP3 players will be banned. Do not enter the race with headphones or earphones – you may be disqualified
I couldn't find the specific wording of these guidelines, however. Does anyone know more about this?
Thanks
Comments
I don't know if it's allowed but it sounds really really irritating. Only do it if you want everyone else in the race to hate you. Your fellow runners do not want a soundtrack, especially not a poor-quality tinny one with your choice of music.
No idea about the rules on these but I'm pretty sure your fellow runners won't want to be subject to your choice of music.
Leave them at home.
Agree with Literatin
Several people at an event I was at recently were running with their smart phones playing without earphones. Numerous comments in the feedback about how annoying this was.
Thanks for being so considerate to your fellow runners.
Just wondering if this is a wind-up??
I thought that too, Millsy. But just in case, here is that thread where we all talked about how annoying it is/would be:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/forum/general-running/anti-social-music-broadcasting-runners/278192.html
No just no.... It's utterly ridiculous, if kids did it you would say no it's just noise pollution, and forcing your music on everyone else....
can you imagine if everyone did it.... Just man up and run!!!
i'd probably tie your shoe laces together secretly at the start line in case we happened to be on the same mile at some point.
Grrrrr!
People who subject other people to their music in public via tinny portable speakers invariably have really shit taste in music. Does my head in.
Not enough prog, Phil?
Actually that would be my worst nightmare. You'd never be able to appreciate the full symphonic sound of the Mellotron, and trying to run to a 7/4 beat would get you into a right pickle.
If you're really worried about not being able to run without music, do some training runs or maybe a parkrun without. You'll find it very easy.
Did a half marathon early this year where headphones were banned. I was really dreading it, but actually enjoyed running without music. To the point every event I've done since I don't wear headphones even if they are allowed.
"Common sense dictates that these should be allowed,"
If you have the common sense of a bell-end, then yes.
surely this is a wind up?
X-Mini's are anything but tinny and actually produce a really strong sound for their size. However, to the question in hand, as others have said; don't be a dick.
I suspect that this is indeed a wind up.
Clearly the poster hasn't considered own safety. Or anything between his ears.
🙂
Makes you wonder why someone would open this debate and then contribute nothing to it.
It's Karen!
I assumed it was a wind-up when he said ' this way I'll also provide a soundtrack to my fellow runners' but now he hasn't come back to stir it up I think it is real and he has slunk off in shame to weep in a corner.
I concur. Maybe we could find out which marathon it is and intercept the interloper.
I like running to music. However if I found myself point of running behind someone like this they could, conceivably, kind of end up getting you know, sorta 'tripped up'
No guys, not a wind-up, and sorry for not showing up - I thought I'd get email notifications if someone is replying, which I didn't. It's a serious question and I really didn't expect such a negative reaction - I'll reconsider, although I'm not completely sold yet I'm surprised that hearing someone else's music selection can be such a dreadful experience.
My reasoning is that even if someone doesn't like my taste of music - it's highly unlikely that they'll spend more than 10 minutes within hearing distance. Also, I've run at events where there's been bands playing around the road, people blasting music from their homes at the London marathon, etc - and I've always found it cool and motivating, even if it's not my favourite music - and I have a pretty narrow taste.
Anyway, thanks for the honest opinions, please share further trhoughts, especially if you've seen someone doing it - was it really that annoying? As for the threats - you'll need to catch me first to tie my shoelaces or whatever - if you hear the annoying guy with the two xminis - try to get me, I dare you
He's planning to run with portable mini speakers, Millsy. I think it's a fairly safe bet you could already catch up without the extra training.