No headphones on race day?

katiefridley

I am running this race in ten weeks! http://www.kent.edu/recservices/blacksquirrel/index.cfm

I officially sign up last night, but havee been training since November. It is my first ever race and I NEVER thought I could do this.So... I just read the you can't wear headphones. This is totally bumming me out as music is really a huge boost for me during my training.

Has anyone else been in this position? How did it go? Thoughts?

DavPul

No worries. Just hire this guy to drive in front of you for the entire race

MB_Positif

No headphones stay in or on my ears anyway so I've never worn them for a race...not worth all the fidgeting.

mgmlap

Its for safety reasons..but it is only a 5K...i ran one without music..got to appreciate my surroundings and all the people I was ahead of..

Take it with you and see...if others are listening..or just put one headphone in..

AllTehBeers

Wear a bluetooth and say its for work emergencies.

fjrandol

Good for you for signing up and best of luck with your training! You shouldn't worry about not having your headphones. One of the great things about races is the comraderie with the rest of the runners, especially when they find out it's your first time! This is something you'd miss out on wearing headphones, so enjoy your run; it'll go so fast you won't even notice them missing.

jonesin_am

I just wear them. I think that you might be disqualified from "winning" if they catch you with them on. But I'm not in it to win it...I'm in it to run it so I don't care about the disqulalification part.

majope

It's only a 5K. You'll be fine. Chances are, with the excitement of the race and all the people around you, you won't need the extra stimulation anyway.

And because you'll come up against this in other races, it's a good idea to train at least occasionally without music.

Best of luck!

aamtodd

If it is your first race then don't wear headphones as you will be soooo fired up with the atmosphere and the crowd support you will not need them. You will love it and it is great to hear all the shouts from the crowd - whether or not they are for you doesn't matter. Enjoy.

wolfchild59

Being a 5K, it will probably be over before you even have time to miss the headphones. I only ever run half marathons with headphones. All of my shorter distances races have been without and it didn't bother me.

And I'm speaking as someone that NEVER runs without them otherwise.

crobl

I used to think this would be terrible - then accidentally went on a run without my headphones - literally just forgot them. Didn't think about it until about 2 miles in and heard someone yell my name...insert confusion on how I heard them. Funny thing is - my time was actually faster than average!

ECatherineS

In the gym, it really sucks not having head phones because the scenery doesn't change. Running a race outside with out head phones is bearable because there's a change in scenery and you have the other runners around you to help you keep going. You'll be fine! It's stinks, but you got this! =]

treagal

most races you can't listen to any music...it boosts your mood, which boosts your time. I read an article that said it improves your time by 10% or something like that.

whatjesseats

I am running this race in ten weeks! http://www.kent.edu/recservices/blacksquirrel/index.cfm

I officially sign up last night, but havee been training since November. It is my first ever race and I NEVER thought I could do this.So... I just read the you can't wear headphones. This is totally bumming me out as music is really a huge boost for me during my training.

Has anyone else been in this position? How did it go? Thoughts?

I often train with my iPod but don't like to race with it.

I doubt you'll miss your headphones--the excitement of your very first race will carry you through just fine.

KendraElmendorf

I just signed up for a race that says the same

timeasterday

I did my first 5k two weeks ago with the same rule. For two weeks before the race I ran without headphones to get used to it. Now I actually enjoy it.

Dezmodus

I always have headphones on when i run alone, but you really don't want them when other people are around, it's a safety risk (people coming up behind you have no way of telling you to move or get run over) and races are exciting and you'll want to keep your eyes and ears open

Congrats and good luck on race day!

chubbygirl253

I hate running without my tunes. I prolly wouldn't do a race that didnt allow me to wear my earbuds. I dont see the reasoning behind it, I'm safe and stay out of traffic. So I would either break the rule and wear them anyway (because it's a free country dammit) or would find a non-music-nazi race instead.

wolfchild59

I hate running without my tunes. I prolly wouldn't do a race that didnt allow me to wear my earbuds. I dont see the reasoning behind it, I'm safe and stay out of traffic. So I would either break the rule and wear them anyway (because it's a free country dammit) or would find a non-music-nazi race instead.

Some non-headphones allowed races state that they will pull you from the race if you're seen with them on. So I wouldn't risk that after paying and training for a race.

It's not just so you can hear the other racers around you and be out of their way if needed, often times races have announcements that they need to make sure that people hear. And since they can't control the volume that people listen to music on their headphones, they just make it so they aren't allowed.

katiefridley

Thanks guys! Any more opinions?

jjlibunao

I have ran my share of half marathons and wore my iPod every time, but the races I ran did not have head phone restrictions. I also do my training runs with music and use it at the gym. I can't imagine working out without one! Especially if the run or workout is longer than an hour. I have done runs without music and psychologically (to me) it makes the run seem longer. However, running a 5K without head phones is totally do able. I've done it before. I don't prefer it, but a 5K goes so fast - I think you will be fine.

tcatcarson

Earphones ARE dangerous in a race. You need to hear what's going on around you, that's why deaf people aren't allowed to take part. **Inflammatory Sarcasm Alert**

Seriously, I've run with earphones in and out, or sometimes started with them in but they end up getting annoying. On training runs they are good for motivation, but in races you'll usually find the spectators, and other runners, are motivation enough.

Maybe you could bring them in your bag and towards the start see how many other people are using them too, then make a decision?

Hbazzell

I stick my iphone in my bra and blast it. lol. But I dont do this runing with other people. No on probably wants to hear eye of the tiger 600 times.

ashlinmarie

I wore headphones for my first race, but ended up turning the music off. The race itself pumped me up and I hadn't run more than 2.5 miles before and finished without walking. I agree...take em...but I bet you won't need em.