I missed this last week, and maybe you did too:
USATF Amends Headphones Rule
Looks like it'll be up to race directors whether to allow participants to use headphones in all but championship competitions. Enforcement of the ban proved more difficult than expected -- maybe because there was so much non-compliance?!
13 comments:
okay.
I'll be honest.
This rule makes me crazy. When I ran NY my music was pretty low- and I could hear everything around me. The music was actually "tuned out"....HOWEVER, it kept me going.
I guess I see both sides, but I will have to say Adios to marathons if this ever becomes an issue that is heavily enforced.
I have to say I wish headphones could be banned completely. It will probably never be able to be enforced, and I mean no disrespect to those who race in headphones - but there is so much to hear and enjoy and experience (the cheers of the crowd, talking to fellow runners on longer races, race instructions) why would you want to block out all that good stuff!
AWESOME!!!!!!! I have been waiting for this. Honestly, i'm never out there to win prizes, unless it's to see how many people can BEAT ME?!!
I did run a marathon without music but it was because I ran it with my brother. There is NO WAY i could have done it on my own without him or without music. I love how the music helps me, and I DO pay attention to what is going on around me. I've been cut off by more people without headphones in races, than those with them!
and here's the thing - most of the races I end up runnign do not have wall to wall spectators like the boston marathon, etc., so for me it helps to keep going. I do make a point to thank people for cheering and volunteering, even when I have the music on.
Reminds me - I need to update my playlists : )
Oh good. It is an unenforceable rule anyway, and to be honest, I often feel like we're turning into this rule-driven society which dictates what should just be common sense. I don't always listen to music when I run, but for those really long runs, it certainly helps to have the diversion. When I run on city streets, I use only one headphone so that I can hear what's around me, and have the music on pretty low.
Thanks for the info! I only use headphones on the treadmill, so it doesn't make a lot of difference to me for races, but for my husband it's the thing that keeps him going to finish a race.
I've read several posts on this. The interesting question is what insurance issues arise if RDs release the ban on headphones. Many races get the benefit of reduced insurance rates if they ban the use of headphones in races.
I've never witnessed first hand the rule being enforced, and I do enjoy the option to wear headphones, however I did realize during my turkey trot this past November how some earbuds can *really* cancel out voices... my pals said they were yelling at me to tell me my DH was up on the bridge taking pictures. I had NO idea!! -- that kinda disturbed me.
It will be interesting to see what local races do. There is a marathon in are area that has been very strict about their no headphones policy and has lost some business because of it. I wonder if they'll be more leniant now. Happy New Year, Anne!
Your new years day run sounds awesome! Happy New Year!!
My running club has this insane obsession with ferreting out headphone runners and DQing them at club races. (I don't run with headphones and am on record as saying it's asinine. I also never bother to speak to fellow runners with headphones on, some of whom look very annoyed when they yank out their earpieces to see what the h... you want. Beyond that, I don't care about the controversy.) Yesterday I ran a club race on a bike trail where they gave out bib numbers, which they didn't record, to tell the race runners apart from other runners on the trail, they said. But I know it was just so their marshalls could report back to the finish line those racers who went by with headphones.
YIPPEE!!!!
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