Headphones or no headphones, that is the question

seif0068

Advice, ye good people of MFP!

I am running my first half marathon on Saturday (EEK!!!) and can't decide whether to listen to music. I have an iPod shuffle and Yurbuds that I have used for basically every run during my training. On the one hand, they say not to try anything new on race day so I feel like I should have my music. On the other hand, I've heard a lot of people say the race is more enjoyable without music; plus, while the Yurbuds are pretty good, they can sometimes drive me bonkers and I spend my whole run fiddling with them (or giving up entirely and yanking them out).

I think I am leaning towards going without them so I am not distracted by sweaty falling out or painful earbuds and I can hear all the cheers I am sure to garner with my custom t-shirt that says "It's my birthday and I'll run 13.1 miles if I want to!" (I turn 29 on race day).

I appreciate advice from folks who have done long races before, thanks in advance!

seif0068

bump

omma_to_3

I always run with my Yurbuds. Never had any issue with them.

I've never run in a race without headphones. I need to concentrate on my running - I don't really chit chat and socialize with other runners.

seif0068

Thanks for your input! I suppose I can take them out if they are causing issues. The capris I am wearing do have a zippered pocket, have to bring a photo ID to pick up my stuff at the end of the race but I could jam the ipod in there if need be.

Big_Bad

With racing, I don't really think you need headphones. The adrenaline will keep you going. I kinda just see that as antisocial. You want to build off of people near you and the cheers of the crowd. You really do miss a lot when you put headphones in.

quiksylver296

I have to have the music to keep my feet moving. I've only run one 10K, but I wore my iPod.

Edit: I always run with just one earbud in, tho. For safety...

marinegirl92

Do what you know and are comfortable.

FYI - I like doing both - so I customized a pair of ear buds... I cut one of the ear bud wires off ...so I run with one in my ear and the other ear is free to pick up cheers/cars or barking dogs (better safety plan than running with both ear buds in

Good luck!

RGv2

You will go crazy without headphones.

I quit running the TC Marathon because they didn't allow headphones.

morkiemama

You will go crazy without headphones.

I quit running the TC Marathon because they didn't allow headphones.

Out of curiosity, do you know why they banned headphones? It seems odd to me that they would do that.

Masq

I always run with one bud in and the other one tucked around the strap of my bra. That way I have my music AND I can still hear what's going on around me... ie. the cheers

Congrats on doing 13.1 on your Birthday. :flowerforyou:

RGv2

You will go crazy without headphones.

I quit running the TC Marathon because they didn't allow headphones.

Out of curiosity, do you know why they banned headphones? It seems odd to me that they would do that.

It was a "safety issue". They deemed it unsafe to wear headphones because (they claim) you couldn't hear emergency vehicles. Pretty dumb. I always loved listening to football games while running fall races. I guess they allow them now again.

jacksonpt

I generally train with music, but have never raced with it (generally not allowed during the races I do). I don't find it difficult to get through a race without music at all.

That said, how hard is it to bring it, then tuck it in your pocket or whatever if you don't want to use it?

lawkat

I only wear one headphone when I run. either during races or on my morning runs. It is so I can hear the world around me. Personally, it is best to just wear one headphone, even during a race. I can't tell you how many times during a race where I come upon someone with the music jacked up so high that they can't hear me coming when they decide to weave my way. Plus there have been races where the police or ambulance needs to get through and someone with their headphones on can't hear them, even with everyone screaming for them to get over. If you are going to wear them, just wear one for yours and everyone's safety.

I bought a pair or Yurbuds but I need to get the proper size since they fall out. I won't wear them because it is too much of a distraction. I have the ones that go over my ears.

jacksonpt

You will go crazy without headphones.

I quit running the TC Marathon because they didn't allow headphones.

Not true. At least not necessarily.

ironmonkeystyle

For CYCLING, I do 1-ear-in, 1-ear-out, with the latter being the ear that's on the road-side.
For RUNNING, both ears in, but i'm cautious and make sure to be very aware of my surroundings if I'm going to shift direction or move laterally.

Best earbuds EVER: Shure E215s:

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/earphones-headphones/se-earphones/se215-sound-isolating-earphones

seif0068

You will go crazy without headphones.

I quit running the TC Marathon because they didn't allow headphones.

They're allowed, just strongly discouraged, in the TC Marathon. https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_twin_cities_marathon_weekend/marathon/race_information/

This is what my race website says:

At its annual meeting in December 2008, USA Track & Field (USATF) amended rule 144.3(f) effectively lifting its previously imposed ban on headphones and other similar devices on USATF-certified courses. Because of this change, participants will be able to use headphones and similar devices during Grandma's Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K, but they do so at their own risk.

RobynLB83

If you're used to running with music, run with music.

pjp1125

I've run 4 marathons and 7 halfs headphone free. There is something to be said about the camaraderie and crowd enthusiasm you get on the course- it is quite a motivator. When I train, however, I wear headphones.

RGv2

You will go crazy without headphones.

I quit running the TC Marathon because they didn't allow headphones.

They're allowed, just strongly discouraged, in the TC Marathon. https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_twin_cities_marathon_weekend/marathon/race_information/

This is what my race website says:

At its annual meeting in December 2008, USA Track & Field (USATF) amended rule 144.3(f) effectively lifting its previously imposed ban on headphones and other similar devices on USATF-certified courses. Because of this change, participants will be able to use headphones and similar devices during Grandma's Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K, but they do so at their own risk.

I know they allow them again, as stated above.

It's up to you, but I would get bored and slow down without them.

RichOC

I trained for my first half this year and wore my headphones for every single training run. I got to race day and ran without my headphones and loved every minute of it. Sometimes interacting with the people around you can be a fun experience. I also found that it helped me focus on my breathing and keeping that under control. I haven't worn headphones on a single run since.

DavidMartinez2

Out of curiosity, do you know why they banned headphones? It seems odd to me that they would do that.

For a while it was in the USATF rules that you could not run with headphones because of the concern they could be used for coaching on course. That rule was changed a 2-3 years ago but there are races out there that continue to enforce the rule.

If am I going to a race were I intend to run hard and try to set a PR I will wear headphones. If it is going to be a more relaxed atmosphere I will go without.

mlclarke22

I did my half with them..but I took them out at certain points to chat with the people I was running with. Check the rules first though because some races dont allow headphones as a safety precaution. Good luck!!

beckyboop712

Last year was supposed to be the first half-marathon I ever ran with them and I left my iPod in the hotel room. But I was fine with that because then I could chat with other people running the same pace as me (hey when you're two goals are to run the whole way and finish under three hours, you can chit chat). I'll probably still train this summer with my headphones but I do enjoy not having them in for race day :-)

RGv2

Out of curiosity, do you know why they banned headphones? It seems odd to me that they would do that.

For a while it was in the USATF rules that you could not run with headphones because of the concern they could be used for coaching on course. That rule was changed a 2-3 years ago but there are races out there that continue to enforce the rule.

If am I going to a race were I intend to run hard and try to set a PR I will wear headphones. If it is going to be a more relaxed atmosphere I will go without.

TC Marathon also called them a "safety issue"

seif0068

You will go crazy without headphones.

I quit running the TC Marathon because they didn't allow headphones.

They're allowed, just strongly discouraged, in the TC Marathon. https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic_twin_cities_marathon_weekend/marathon/race_information/

This is what my race website says:

At its annual meeting in December 2008, USA Track & Field (USATF) amended rule 144.3(f) effectively lifting its previously imposed ban on headphones and other similar devices on USATF-certified courses. Because of this change, participants will be able to use headphones and similar devices during Grandma's Marathon, the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon and William A. Irvin 5K, but they do so at their own risk.

I know they allow them again, as stated above.

It's up to you, but I would get bored and slow down without them.

We were typing at the same time. You're a little bit like Goldilocks when it comes to races, eh? The Grandma's course is too boring, TC Marathon stopped allowing headphones for a little while... :P

bannedword

I always bring my headphones and iPod with me when I race, but I don't always use them.

I try to run at least the first half without music, to talk to folks around me, the spectators, and to take in the race, and then, if I need them, I'll put the headphones in.

seif0068

I always bring my headphones and iPod with me when I race, but I don't always use them.

I try to run at least the first half without music, to talk to folks around me, the spectators, and to take in the race, and then, if I need them, I'll put the headphones in.

That's a good idea, I was thinking of the opposite - starting with, and then removing. Hadn't thought of doing it the other way around!

amyx593

I don't listen to music when I run or work out, but during training I always listened to Howard Stern. Anyhow, on race day I didn't listen to anything. It's just so fun to hear the crowd cheering, talk to people here and there and just really take in the whole experience. I also ran the Rock n Roll HM though, so there were bands about every mile on the course. Like someone else said, I'd bring them just incase!

seif0068

Thanks for the advice, everyone!

ahmadfahmy

Advice, ye good people of MFP!

I am running my first half marathon on Saturday (EEK!!!) and can't decide whether to listen to music. I have an iPod shuffle and Yurbuds that I have used for basically every run during my training. On the one hand, they say not to try anything new on race day so I feel like I should have my music. On the other hand, I've heard a lot of people say the race is more enjoyable without music; plus, while the Yurbuds are pretty good, they can sometimes drive me bonkers and I spend my whole run fiddling with them (or giving up entirely and yanking them out).

I think I am leaning towards going without them so I am not distracted by sweaty falling out or painful earbuds and I can hear all the cheers I am sure to garner with my custom t-shirt that says "It's my birthday and I'll run 13.1 miles if I want to!" (I turn 29 on race day).

I appreciate advice from folks who have done long races before, thanks in advance!

I usually like to listen to something just to tune everything else out around me..i use IE2 earbuds as those are the only things i've found that will stay in my ear while im active..the sound quality is a little lacking for the price though.

SonicDeathMonkey80

I rock out with a pair of Rocketfish Bluetooth headphones so I'm not futzing around with a cord. They also have buttons on them which are handy so I don't have to mess around with my smartphone screen. You might want to check with the coordinators about headphones too, but unless you're planning on placing I wouldn't worry too much about it.