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    For those that have run in 5k races...

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    • Posts: 297 Member

      *Disclaimer: I LOVE loud music.

      Agreed. Loud music while running is the best.

      I've only run one timed 5k before, and I did listen to music. It keeps me going.
    • Posts: 1,462 Member
      I bought a Blue Ant just for this purpose. After 2hrs it's dead, and I'll listen to my tunes aloud on my phone.
      I run 5K races with it as long as I'm not coaching--they have a rule against this--whatever!
    • Posts: 8,281 Member
      There will always be runners wearing headphones pushing a double wide baby stroller and two dogs at a 14 min per mile pace who lines up in the front row.

      You'll fit right in.
    • Posts: 154
      i didnt do my 5ks with music cuz the army said it was against the rules. but for my 10 miler they let me. music helps alot
    • Posts: 3,237 Member
      Double post
    • Posts: 4,716 Member
      Nothing but the sound of me sucking wind baby!
    • Posts: 16,414 Member
      I've always run with friends, so no music. But I always see a lot of people running with it.

      Just keep it low enough (or only one headphone) that you can hear people coming behind you and follow directions.
    • Posts: 426 Member
      I don't like to listen to other people struggling to breathe so i wear mine
    • Posts: 9,026 Member
      personally, i've never found a set of headphones that i'm fully comfortable with running. so i tend to go without.
      show previous quotes

      Unless you are in the money, this doesn't matter. In over 30 contests, I've never seen anyone get disqualified, spoken too, chastised or anything else about having headphone on during a race.

      this.

      in my first triathlon i saw people breaking all kinds of rules. ppl on the bike without a helmet and with headphones on, running with headphones.

      i have the worst luck, so i always follow the rules, because i know i'd be the person the tackle and throw out of the race because my shoelace isn't tied in the proper way.
    • Posts: 3,237 Member
      There will always be runners wearing headphones pushing a double wide baby stroller and two dogs at a 14 min per mile pace who lines up in the front row.

      You'll fit right in.

      That made me lol. I saw a dude line up on the front row with his dog and a double-wide stroller and thought "how rude"-until he came in second overall (28min for a 5 mile race). Technically, the dog was second, the stroller was third and he was fourth, but he's the one who got the $. In my opinion, the dog got totally ripped off.
    • Posts: 1,067 Member
      I usually run with my headphones. I don't really run competitively, just to beat my personal bests so I'm not charging the front of the line where there are more people. I just keep it at a volume where I can still hear what going on around me.
    • Posts: 1,158 Member
      I think the last race I did last summer discouraged them as well, but I still had mine and no one said anything. But I usually use just 1 earbud so I can still hear what's going on around me.
    • Posts: 721 Member
      I have run quite a few 5ks. They always say that and I always use my Ipod, Iphone, earbuds, etc. I make a playlist of about 4-5 songs with differnetn tempos to help me keep pace or speed up at times. Try making some and run with them to see how you do. Also, Rock My Run is a great website that allows you to download mix playists based on all sorts of criteria(tempo, style of music, Beats per minute, etc) You will love the race and have fun!! Thats what its all about =)
    • Posts: 95 Member
      All the races I've run have discouraged them, but no one was out there stopping people from using them. I would say half of the runners had them in.

      I, for one, don't like listening to music. I find getting lost in my own thoughts a much better way to pass the time!
    • Posts: 1,309 Member
      I never run with music.

      If you insist on using music in a race, only put one ear bud in. You need to be able to hear what is going on around you, like the emergency crew trying to get by you to the runner that had a heart attack up ahead, or the police officer warning you about something in the road ahead.

      There is so much going on in a race, I think it's a shame to shut yourself off from the sights and sounds by sticking those earphones in.

      I totally agree. I never run with music--even my half marathon. I love getting lost in my own thoughts.
    • Posts: 434 Member
      I haven't run a race without music. For me...I envision the time that I'd like to get and then I structure a playlist that's total duration is right around that time. When that final song comes on I know it's time to get a move on.
    • Posts: 1,555 Member
      Some races won't let you run with ear buds/head phones - so make sure you check first.

      When I can, I run with music - My first 5k I ran to Rage Against The Machine heh, got a pretty good time.

      My 10.6K - Skrillex... holy heck, I done gun tuckered myself out too early that day...

      When I run on my own - I like intrumental - I just zone out and let my body do what it needs to do :)
    • Posts: 1,915 Member
      If I do the race with a friend I don't listen to music. If I do it by myself, I'll put one earbud in so I can still hear what's going on around me in case I need to get out of the way.
    • Posts: 17
      I've done 3 5k's and I don't use headphones, but a lot of people do.
    • Posts: 1,453 Member
      Nothing but the sound of me sucking wind baby!

      ^
      ^
      same for me
    • Posts: 1,432 Member
      I've worn mine but kept the volume really really low.
    • Posts: 501 Member
      Did you use your music?

      I am new to it all and planning on targeting my first 5k in April, so was looking at local ones...and noticed they said for safety reasons headphones/earbuds are not recommended but not restricted..

      So is that just to cover their butts against morons suing....or do people typically really not use them...

      I just cant imagine doing the run without some tunes..even in one ear so I can still pay attention...but something...

      So what has been your experience?

      I always wear music, no matter what. I have done races before where it's outlawed.... being the ridiculous person I am, I rigged a headband with my headphones so no one could see them and still listened to my music. Many other people wore headphones as well, though it was technically not allowed. I guess I don't officially advice breaking any rules, but I personally can only run effectively with music. Perhaps this is a sign I'm not actually a good runner, but I am not willing to give that up.

      Edited to say... this is a rule that varies by 5k. Headphones/music have been allowed in most that I've done. The only race I've done that specifically did not allow them was a nighttime road race (traffic was not allowed on the course, but I guess they did that as a precaution?). I was pretty annoyed that they only mentioned this rule AFTER I signed up and paid, though.
    • Posts: 1,172 Member
      I've done both. For longer races I've started with some tunes, but the music eventually starts to irritate me. Any more for 5k races I don't bother. My goal is to be done in 25 min or less, so I can easily do that without tunes.

      And, if a race prohibits headphones, and I agree to the terms and sign up. . .I follow their rules. Even if I don't like 'em. Their event. . .their liability insurance. . their rules.

      Good luck at the race. They become addicting after awhile!!

      :-)
    • Posts: 538 Member
      Did you use your music?

      I am new to it all and planning on targeting my first 5k in April, so was looking at local ones...and noticed they said for safety reasons headphones/earbuds are not recommended but not restricted..

      So is that just to cover their butts against morons suing....or do people typically really not use them...

      I just cant imagine doing the run without some tunes..even in one ear so I can still pay attention...but something...

      So what has been your experience?

      they do it as a precaution - there have been too many runners who have died being hit by cars, not able to hear marshals etc. its a liablity thing. Best advice is focus on your run, or in the race on those around you - once you hit the runners high you will lose yourself and wont hear the tunes anyway! I dont even bother with headphones even on training runs, i love the isolation andablity to be with my own thoughts - i guess running is my yoga!

      Enjoy - its addictive!
    • Posts: 17,689 Member
      I always run with music. Although my last race I made it a mile before I realized I hadn't turned my ipod on!
    • Posts: 100
      I have been running since the late 60's and of course the only way to hear music then was to take a long extension cord with you and listen to AM radio....then progressed to boom boxes, cd players that skipped from your hands moving, to ear phones that made you look like a martian, to ear buds.....actually never wore them because the one time I did, I got so into the music I lost my focus. I really enjoy the mental as well as physical aspect of running races and try to out think some of the people on when to make moves etc. Music just adds a distraction for me.
    • Posts: 135 Member
      Did you use your music?

      I am new to it all and planning on targeting my first 5k in April, so was looking at local ones...and noticed they said for safety reasons headphones/earbuds are not recommended but not restricted..

      So is that just to cover their butts against morons suing....or do people typically really not use them...

      I just cant imagine doing the run without some tunes..even in one ear so I can still pay attention...but something...

      So what has been your experience?

      Almost always wear my bluetooth headset. Now, when I ran the Mackinac Bridge, they are not permitted for safety reasons though I see people wearing them and no one stopping them. I can understand that one since the traffic is still crossing the bridge in the other lanes.

      I would suggest that you keep them at a level you can hear people running up behind you and wanting to pass. Nothing more difficult than trying to get around others that are running 4 wide and not paying attention. Other than that, I can't imagine not listening to music during my run.
    • Posts: 5 Member
      When I train, I always use music. I am very aware of my surroundings and don't have it TOO loud. I can always hear cars and people.
      When I race, I never bring music, unless it's a longer event, like a half or full marathon (though, I have raced a half w/out music).
      Good luck and have fun!
    • Posts: 26 Member
      They are right about not using headphones or earphones in the race. If there is an emergency you can not listen what is happening or if the security people have to talk to you it would be difficult to them. Also in a race like a 5K, a fast race, is difficult also for the other runners if they want to pass you etc...
      I've run 5K's, 10K's, 21K's and never used headphones. I want my concentration on the race and the people around me. Trust me about the security. In a half marathon I was running, a policeman in a bike almost crush me because he was following an ambulance. I would not have listened if I had headphones. He was not using the siren. So don't use them while running in a race or in the streets.
    • Posts: 1,045 Member
      I didn't for my first 3 and then when I did for my 4th, it made a huge difference. Helps to motivate me and also to not
      be able to hear my own panting!:noway:
    This discussion has been closed.

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