Don’t get us wrong, listening to tunes through headphones can make a long, grueling run much more pleasant. We’d lose our minds if we were forced to run on a treadmill without some music to relieve the boredom.
However, headphones in races is more popular than ever, and it amazes us how many people have to run with headphones in short (5K-5 mile) races and beyond. Training with tunes is one thing, but it can be downright dangerous for you and others when you can’t hear the rest of the race pack around you. The New York Road Runners ‘strongly discourages’ headphones, and makes you sign a waiver acknowledging this (and other things) when signing up for their races.
That said, the USATF (USA Track and Field) organization has just banned headphones in all USATF-sanctioned events. That includes a few marathons and smaller races; in any case, those of you who wear headphones and need to hear the theme to ‘Rocky’ played over and over again during a race may need to start getting used to racing without, before other organizations follow suit. Besides, you might make a new friend running in a race, enjoy the scenery more, or perhaps be able to concentrate a little harder on that race PR. So save your tunes for that lonely training run, and put them away for that important race.
(USATF Press Release)
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2 comments:
I hear ya, Brother, Satan-wearing headphones in the company of others is just poor running etiquette. I have one running buddy who usually needs a wake up call from me before our morning runs together, and still shows up late half dressed, mooches water and gateraide and recently asked, "hey, you mind if I wear headphones on some of our runs?". Of course, my reply was, "hell yah, I mind!!!!" Buddy, if you're out there, "you still owe me some fringin Gateraide"
Yes, wearing headphones says 'my music is more important to me than listening to you'. Rude. I love listening to music, but the ipod gets put away as soon as company shows up, and usually before.
Good for you for being honest with your running buddy!
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