Is it safe to run with headphones in?

czmiles926
czmiles926 Posts: 130 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
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.
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Replies

  • Rosemary7391
    Rosemary7391 Posts: 232 Member
    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
    TonyB0588 Posts: 9,520 Member
    Probably not safe, but it's what everybody is doing, so .............
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    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
    jon2412 Posts: 61 Member
    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
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    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
    megan_elizabeth8 Posts: 216 Member
    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
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    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.
  • mgalsf12
    mgalsf12 Posts: 350 Member
    I personally would not do it. It's important to be aware of your surroundings.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    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
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I wear ear buds but not so loud I can't hear what's going on around me.
  • Momepro
    Momepro Posts: 1,509 Member
    edited November 2017
    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
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    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
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    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
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    edited November 2017
    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
    milocamolly Posts: 91 Member
    edited November 2017
    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
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    I wear one earbud. I still get my music and Runkeeper stats, but I can also hear things around me.
  • Shawshankcan
    Shawshankcan Posts: 900 Member
    I wear them when I run, I just don't have noise cancelling ones or the music too long.
  • OregonRunner5
    OregonRunner5 Posts: 404 Member
    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
    Purplebunnysarah Posts: 3,252 Member
    I just make sure mine aren't noise cancelling and don't crank the volume too loud.
  • gearhead426hemi
    gearhead426hemi Posts: 919 Member
    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
    Philtex Posts: 1,220 Member
    I listen to music on the treadmill, but not outside.
  • Sp1tfire
    Sp1tfire Posts: 1,120 Member
    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
    ICameToGetDown Posts: 958 Member
    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
    2run2ski Posts: 133 Member
    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
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    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
    Lean59man Posts: 714 Member
    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
    misskris78 Posts: 136 Member
    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
    Tacklewasher Posts: 7,122 Member
    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.

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