Is it safe to run with headphones in?

czmiles926

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

Rosemary7391

I have just started running on pavements since it's dark and the park is closed. I keep the music quiet enough I can hear most other things going on anyway, and I make sure to look right around behind me at every junction before I cross. I also run at busy times so if something happens there will be help around!

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TonyB0588

Probably not safe, but it's what everybody is doing, so .............

cwolfman13

Most people I see out on the trail running are wearing ear buds...just don't crank them up so you can hear other things going on

jon2412

I wear them but low enough that I can hear and I’m really vigilant, looking behind me every-so-often and very careful near junctions. I stick to well lit pavements and on route that I know (save learning new route during the day).

TimothyFish

I see a lot of people doing it, but it isn't the best idea. On shared use trails they don't always hear cyclists coming from behind, even when they announce themselves loudly. On city streets they may be unaware of vehicles behind them or coming from a driveway.

megan_elizabeth8

I make sure I wear headphones which are NOT noise cancelling, and keep my music low enough that I can still hear what is going on around me. I also look around very carefully, particularly before crossing a road.

MeanderingMammal

czmiles926 wrote: »

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

Personally I don't listen to anything when I'm running, but there's not an issue.

Situational awareness and personal confidence are key to your safety. Your main risk is not being aware of a car.

Gisel2015

czmiles926 wrote: »

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

Your mother is not old school and paranoid. She is correct!. When you can't hear what or who is behind or next to you while running or walking, then you are prone to get run over by a bicycle, a car or what is worse harass by any human with bad intentions. You always have to be aware of your surroundings, especially as a woman.

I hope that you don't drive with two set of headphones on, because it is illegal.

mgalsf12

I personally would not do it. It's important to be aware of your surroundings.

jgnatca

A popular local musician died wearing earbuds. He noticed the first train but not the second.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/edmonton-musician-luke-jansen-named-as-victim-killed-by-lrt-train

jemhh

I wear ear buds but not so loud I can't hear what's going on around me.

Momepro

I only use one bud when I'm outside, or need to hear my child. Use the mono setting on your player, and let one side dangle.You can still hear music, but you also keep one ear open.

sarabushby

You can buy ‘ bone conduction headphones’ that you hear the sound through your bones just behind your ears thus leaving your actual ears open to hear other noise eg cars, marshals instructions etc. At some races that permit use of only this style of headphone. Of course at some you’re not allowed any headphones at all, but this could be a good compromise for you.

AfterShokz is the market leader brand.

Tacklewasher

I use mine, but I set the volume so I can still hear my footsteps.

I'm looking at the bone conduction ones though. More because I have weird ears and have trouble keeping mine in (even ones that go over my ear).

The_Enginerd

When I did listen to music while running, I would use Yurbuds. They are designed to allow ambient noise to still be heard and were inexpensive. The old style earbuds with foam work well at letting in ambient noise too. Many earbuds are the type that seal to your ear canal, so even with them on low they still tend to block too much ambient noise. Wearing just one, usually in your right ear so you can hear folks coming up to pass on your left, helps with this issue.

I've seen some folks with Beats over the ear headphones blissfully unaware of their surroundings or that someone was passing. I had to tap someone on the shoulder to pass on a narrow sidewalk because he never heard me behind even when I called out pretty loudly. I did have someone wear two earbuds in one of my 50k trail races on mostly single track. Even with the announcement about earphone use before the race, I practically had to shove him aside to pass.

milocamolly

I wear head phones but I also walk/run with my dog. If something odd happens he would react before I would have a chance to. He is also my guard dog so I feel safe goi f out with him and headphones in. We typically go out during the later evening when not to many people are out.

apullum

I wear one earbud. I still get my music and Runkeeper stats, but I can also hear things around me.

Shawshankcan

I wear them when I run, I just don't have noise cancelling ones or the music too long.

OregonRunner5

Where I live a lot of runners, including myself, run with one ear bud in, the other one out and carry a personal alarm. Click a button and an ear splitting noise blares.

Purplebunnysarah

I just make sure mine aren't noise cancelling and don't crank the volume too loud.

gearhead426hemi

It depends on where you are running. If you are running around town I wouldn't recommend it just because people are idiots and cant drive. Depending on where you live for trail running might want to hear what is going on around you. I have come up on a bear when I had ear buds in so now I just play my music through my phone speakers in my pocket so animals can hear me coming and I can hear what is going on around me.

Philtex

I listen to music on the treadmill, but not outside.

Sp1tfire

Depends on your environment/city/neighborhood I guess. If I run out in the country I'm perfectly fine having headphones. If I go into the city to run around my college campus/downtown I have them in to help me ignore people but on VERY low.

ICameToGetDown

I just play music through my phone on speaker while it’s in my armband. They take some getting used to, but I can hear everything

2run2ski

If you can learn to run without music, it's ultimately better. You're more aware of your body and you don't become dependent on a beat to motivate you to move. However, if you must have music, wear only one! It really is dangerous to not be aware of your surroundings. Although it was a freak attack, the recent New York terrorism took out a few bicyclists wearing buds.

TavistockToad

czmiles926 wrote: »

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

I dont run with music because with how low I would have to have the music to be aware of my surroundings, and the noise from cars, I wouldn't be able to hear it anyway.

Lean59man

czmiles926 wrote: »

Do people run on the pavements with headphones in?
I want to start running and I want to listen to music and use the C25K app but my mum always told me never to walk or run in public with headphones in because you can't hear whos behind you and you're generally less aware of your surroundings. Running without music sounds boring. I know my mum is a bit old school and paranoid about stuff like that but I just wondered what other people's opinions were.

I agree with your mother.

misskris78

I've been a runner and cyclist for over 25 years, and have come across some pretty terrifying situations. I've had encounters with wildlife as well as motor vehicles that could have ended very differently if I wasn't alert. It isn't until you put in a lot of miles - either on the bike or on foot - do you realize how many people text while they're driving; are impaired by alcohol or drugs; distracted by children or animals; or are just plain old nitwits. The number of people who have thrown glass bottles at me or "pretended" to swerve in my direction over the years is stunning.

While I suppose being attacked is a very real concern for some runners, this isn't a big concern of mine. I live in an area where virtually all of the crime is domestic or targeted drug related, not random. Yes - it's a possibility, but I'm way more concerned about being struck by a vehicle. Those claw things won't defend me against a turd sandwich driving a Suburban with his knee while eating a cheeseburger.

When I trained for my marathon a few years ago, I listened to podcasts through the speaker on my phone. I think headphones are bad news, except for short distances in a few specific areas. Yes, enjoy your life. But cranking Biggie (or Bieber?) with your noise cancelling headphones while running along a country road with low shoulders at dusk probably ain't a great idea.

Tacklewasher

misskris78 wrote: »

But cranking Biggie (or Bieber?) with your noise cancelling headphones while running along a country road with low shoulders at dusk probably ain't a great idea.

Before sun up, local, in town roads with non-noise cancelling headphones not blasting (I can hear my footsteps) and I've got no issues. I prefer to run with music and to use it to pace myself. I run much better and stay out of my head better that way.

OP, find what works for you and just make sure you can be aware of what's going on around you. If that means no music, then fine.