Headphones during the Marathon?

[disney_mommy]

Okay, oldies (is that what we call people who aren't newbies?!), I have a question: do people really use their iPods during the marathons? I know technically they're banned, but does anyone still use theirs? I've signed up for my first half in January, and I would like to know whether I should be getting used to running without mine.

 

[Kira G.]

I always train with an I-pod, and brought it for the Disney half, but didn't take it out of my fanny pack at all. There was so much to see, and so many people to talk to that I didn't use it, and didn't miss it.

On the other hand, I did use it during the Philadelphia Distance Run last September. That was my first half, and there is a pretty long stretch with no crowd support, and the music really got me through it.

Hmmm . . . maybe this wasn't very helpful! I guess what I would say is that I have no plans to stop using my i-pod during training runs. In fact, it makes a huge difference to me to have music for those long runs! But race day is really different than a training run. I think I will continue to bring my i-pod with me to any race 10K or longer, and will use it only if I really need it to get me through. I have learned to just put in one earpiece so that I can still hear what is going on around me.

 

[Duanerice]

I train with music. Every single run. But, I rarely use music during a race. The last 2 Disney marathons and the "extra" half this year I wore my ear buds but never turned on the IPod. Just too much going on.

I did use them this last weekend in a local 1/2. I'd say I used them about 20% of the time just to break things up a bit.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[RebeccaDreamsDisney]

My brother in law used his during the goofy challenge last year and said lots of people were using them. I know it says on the website they're banned but that rule doesn't seem to be enforced. I know I will be using mine during the Goofy challenge in 2010!

 

[SAHDad]

iPods and other mp3 players are no longer banned, just strongly discouraged. (The USA&F took a lot of flak from the marathoning community over this - and a lot of RDs disagreed with the ban.) Just FYI - wearing one can keep you out the running for an award, but for most people, that isn't an issue.

I used to wear mine on all my dreadmill runs, but not on my LSD runs. I have been trying to wean myself off them for the treadmill - mainly because I have been trying to work on focus and form, and listening to my playlist doesn't help.

For the half, there weren't too many places where I would have been tempted to use one. I'm a pretty chatty runner, and have no problems starting random conversations with other runners, so YMMV.

 

[scoolover]

You can wear it. Many people do. Just don't miss the race because of it.