Headphones are discouraged

[verticalchaos]

I used to freak out about my breathing when I started running. But then I started focusing on it, and it actually has helped me a lot. If I focus on calming/regulating my breathing (and not puffing too much) it seems like it's easier. I also like to listen to my footfalls--if I sound like a clomping horse, I adjust my stride (it hurts less the next day that way!) So no music has really helped me to improve!

I definitely agree about listening to your breathing. For me, that can be the difference between needing my inhaler and not needing my inhaler. If I'm listening to my breath and timing it to my steps (usually 2 steps in, 2 steps out works for me), I'm far less likely to need to use the inhaler. Doesn't always work, but having that established pattern helps - with pacing as well.

 

[faith-hope-joy]

I always ran with music because I couldn't bear to listen to my own breathing. Then I started to do some of my runs in the dark. I wanted to be aware of what was happening around me so I didn't use the music. I was surprised that I could actually get through 8 miles of no music. I also found that I loved running in the dark under the moon and stars. It was so peaceful. I haven't abandoned music completely, but I can go with or without and be happy.

During the Princess I did use my music. More than I thought I would. It got hot and after mile 8 the sun was making it more difficult for me. I paused it whenever there was entertainment. I didn't want to miss out on the fun. One thing I did miss was people cheering. Though I never heard anyone cheer specifically for me. **Note to self: put my name BIG on my tshirt for the Savannah HM.** I also thought the amount of spectators was a lot smaller than the two January fulls that I was a spectator at. Kind of sad for my Princess run. Also, like someone else mentioned: I didn't find the runners to be especially friendly on the course. At the beginning everyone was very chatty, but once we were off and running, it seemed to be every girl/man for themselves (or the group they were with).

 

[verticalchaos]

I always ran with music because I couldn't bear to listen to my own breathing. Then I started to do some of my runs in the dark. I wanted to be aware of what was happening around me so I didn't use the music. I was surprised that I could actually get through 8 miles of no music. I also found that I loved running in the dark under the moon and stars. It was so peaceful. I haven't abandoned music completely, but I can go with or without and be happy.

During the Princess I did use my music. More than I thought I would. It got hot and after mile 8 the sun was making it more difficult for me. I paused it whenever there was entertainment. I didn't want to miss out on the fun. One thing I did miss was people cheering. Though I never heard anyone cheer specifically for me. **Note to self: put my name BIG on my tshirt for the Savannah HM.** I also thought the amount of spectators was a lot smaller than the two January fulls that I was a spectator at. Kind of sad for my Princess run. Also, like someone else mentioned: I didn't find the runners to be especially friendly on the course. At the beginning everyone was very chatty, but once we were off and running, it seemed to be every girl/man for themselves (or the group they were with).

I will talk to people in the starting corral, but I'm not a talker while running. Personally I don't find it necessary. I'm there to run a race and do the best I can, not make best friends with everyone running by.

 

[faith-hope-joy]

I will talk to people in the starting corral, but I'm not a talker while running. Personally I don't find it necessary. I'm there to run a race and do the best I can, not make best friends with everyone running by.

I agree vertical. That's why I didn't feel terribly guilty about running w/ headphones. I chatted a couple of times with ladies that I saw were struggling.

Sorry if I sound like I'm contradicting myself. I had two wisdom teeth removed today (cracked one a week before the Princess) and the Vicodin has me a bit loopy.

 

[Minnie Lor]

Great tips and info. I train with music because it really kicks up my pace. NOW I'm definitely using it because I'm doing C25K with a podcast. Jeff Galloway is about to launch a podcast for training and I'll listen to that too.

BUT I need to start training without music and soon. I had to sign a waiver for a race in June that I wouldn't wear earphones. I wish I could wear one ear bud but don't want to be disqualified.

 

[FFigawi]

I will talk to people in the starting corral, but I'm not a talker while running. Personally I don't find it necessary. I'm there to run a race and do the best I can, not make best friends with everyone running by.

Oddly, I'm just the opposite. I do much better in a race when I've got people to talk to and run with. Talking and joking and laughing makes the miles pass much faster than if I'm slogging along all by myself. All of my PRs for the half, full, or ultra have come with a group of two or three of us pacing each other for most or all of the distance. In the Disney races, since I'm just out there to have fun and don't really care about my time, I'm always finding people to talk to and run with.

I especially like running with someone if I can tell that they're struggling and having a partner helps them forget about their troubles. This year, I started running with a guy around mile 15 after I heard him telling his TnT coach that he was having a hard time getting into a groove and maintain a good pace. I paced him until mile 25 when he had to make a bathroom break in Epcot. We had a great time together, and it made me feel good to know that I helped get him to the finish line strong.

 

[DisneyParrothead]

I will talk to people in the starting corral, but I'm not a talker while running. Personally I don't find it necessary. I'm there to run a race and do the best I can, not make best friends with everyone running by.

I'm not a talker either but part of that is because, no matter my training, my breathing gets out of pattern and I get cramps in my sides if I talk. If people want to talk to me, I tell them up front, I'm listening but I won't really respond. I'm not being rude to them, but I can't carry a conversation.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I can make small talk in the corrals, but once the gun goes off, it's me, my music, and my two feet.

 

[Dolce27]

I had dinner with one of my DISboard friends the night of the half-marathon this past January. She was telling me how that morning during the race an ambulance came out onto the course for an emergency (It must have been the ambulance going out for the man who collapsed at -what? Mile 9? - and people were preforming CPR on). One woman on the course was in the way of the ambulance and wouldn't move. People were yelling and screaming at her to get out of the way. I will assume that the ambulance lights/sound was on. Finally my friend darted over and shoved the woman off the road and out of the way of the ambulance so that the paramedics could get through. It was then that my friend realized that the woman had earphones in and was lost in her own little world. She never heard a thing: the siren or the yells from people telling her to move. That's why they discourage earphones on the course.

I've only ran the Disney marathon twice but Disney is pretty good with course entertainment. My first year I didn't miss music at all and enjoyed the course. However, this past January I would have given anything for some music between Miles 21 - 23/4. For the most part, I run without music even in training.

 

[verticalchaos]

I had dinner with one of my DISboard friends the night of the half-marathon this past January. She was telling me how that morning during the race an ambulance came out onto the course for an emergency (It must have been the ambulance going out for the man who collapsed at -what? Mile 9? - and people were preforming CPR on). One woman on the course was in the way of the ambulance and wouldn't move. People were yelling and screaming at her to get out of the way. I will assume that the ambulance lights/sound was on. Finally my friend darted over and shoved the woman off the road and out of the way of the ambulance so that the paramedics could get through. It was then that my friend realized that the woman had earphones in and was lost in her own little world. She never heard a thing: the siren or the yells from people telling her to move. That's why they discourage earphones on the course.

x 1,000,000,000

And THAT it the best reason to NOT wear them in a race.