5K and no electronics

DebLee

I like to run with a bluetooth cordless headset. My iphone is strapped to my arm. I run to the beat of the music. I have just entered a 5K race that doesn't allow electronics. Any tips on how to maintain a good pace? Any tips on how to ignore all the panting people around me? Any tips on how to stay focused?

Thank you for any tips and suggestions.

_Zardoz_

Just run. I never run with anything bar a hrm. I must admit I don't understand people who do as part of running to me is taking in what's around me. Once you get into the rhythm of your breathing just go with it. I find my mind goes through lots of stages from compiling shopping lists to planning things. Run your own race and start training now without a headset so you are used to it that way you'll be more able to judge your pace.

timeasterday

Every race I go to says the same thing but there are always tons of people with headphones. I usually train with my MP3 player but never wear one to a race. I like to hear what's going on around me. I try to pace by feel (perceived exertion) but I also wear a Garmin so I can check once in a while. In the weeks leading up to the race do some short intervals at your goal race pace just to get a better feel for it. I actually don't mind the sounds of people around me - it usually motivates me to keep going. I try to pick a point in the distance like a stop sign, traffic signal, tree, etc. and focus on getting there. Then, pick another point and so on. Sometimes I pick a runner up ahead and focus on passing them if they look a little slower. Then pick another, kind of making a game of it.

jimmmer

I like to run with a bluetooth cordless headset. My iphone is strapped to my arm. I run to the beat of the music. I have just entered a 5K race that doesn't allow electronics. Any tips on how to maintain a good pace? Any tips on how to ignore all the panting people around me? Any tips on how to stay focused?

Thank you for any tips and suggestions.

Become one with the rhythm of your breath.

I'd suggest ditching your tunes for all the runs from now on out so that you can judge your pace by the sound of your breath. Provides feedback and a focal point.

froeschli

Become one with the rhythm of your breath.

I'd suggest ditching your tunes for all the runs from now on out so that you can judge your pace by the sound of your breath. Provides feedback and a focal point.

I always found music messes up my pace. So I don't run with any 'distractions'. When i need something to focus on, I count how many steps per breath I take, and that tells me when I am overdoing it....

ETA: I'd personally love to run without any gadgets, but being 15km from home and not able to call for an emergency pick up, seems like a bad idea....

scorpio516

Any tips on how to maintain a good pace?

Since your not going to buy a GPS watch before then, Relative Perceived Exertion (RPE). You know how it feels to run hard, too hard, or not hard enough. Just go with it.
I personally set my watch to auto lap every 500 meters. The math's a whole lot easier to figure my goal pace that way vs. half or quarter miles.

Any tips on how to ignore all the panting people around me?

Go faster than them .
I like to know when people are gaining on me. A little incentive to pick up the pace

Any tips on how to stay focused?

Your racing, you should need help to focus . You'll have hundreds or thousands of people around you that you are competing with. Ain't no walk in the park.

Azdak

Find a nice butt to follow.

twinmom_112002

I agree with the fact that most races say this but I have never been to a race where people were having their headphone confiscated. I have a hard time being in my own head and there is no way I can run without music or a podcast.

omma_to_3

Lots of music haters on this thread LOL. Or maybe I'll call them "purists". I always run with music. Always. It allows me to ignore the noise and (with races anyway) chaos around me and lose myself in my run. A nice fast paced song also provides a great wake up call during the middle/end of a long run when I'm getting tired.

Does the race actually ban electronics, or just headphones? I wear my phone on my arm, and if I turn it up sufficiently loud, I can hear it without headphones while running. Is that an option?

DebLee

It is the Edison Festival of Lights 5K. My understanding this race actually counts towards marathon qualifications. So the rules are no electronics and cannot carry any objects. I don't recall seeing many with headsets in past races that I have watched. There are at least 1600 people registered each year. I don't know the chances of someone pointing it out to me if I wear my bluetooth wireless headset and phone arm band.
I'll have to start to train myself not to use music. I have to admit, listening to Talking Heads and Dead or Alive help maintain a steady fast pace. Music seems to help me stay focused on what is ahead of me. Plus I know it takes about 2 1/2 songs to run a mile.
I ran my first 5K last Monday night. (usually I walk). My time was 24:40. But I was listening to Queen most of the time. Luck had it that "We are the Champions" was my finish line song. Made me laugh as I crossed the line.
Thank you everyone for your suggestions.

Mr_Knight

Become one with the rhythm of your breath.

This is what I do, too. There is a natural cadence to breathing at any given exertion level - pay attention to it, become familiar with it, and you can nail pretty much any pace by controlling your breathing, and moving your feet in sync.