I’ll be honest. I fundamentally disagree with Jim’s stance on this issue. But he does bring up some valid points, so I thought it would be good to throw it out there and see what all of you think. So give it a read and let us know which camp you’re in.
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Guest post from Jim Hodgson, reluctant runner since 2007.
There really is nothing more helpful to a reluctant runner than a kickass playlist. Once your body has responded to the punishment it is enduring with a cocktail of endorphins and adrenaline, the right song at the right time can make the slowest beginner feel like a wing-footed demigod.
Speaking of which, if you want to make your training runs super epic, I recommend Hans Zimmer’s score from the movie Inception. The thunderous brass blasts in Zimmer’s soundtrack are modeled after the horn in God’s own Porsche. True story.
That said, as with all things, there is an etiquette to iPod running. There’s one rule, and it is simple. Don’t race with an iPod. It’s only marginally less rude than answering a phone call at dinner…with your buttcheeks.
Now, some of you might be thinking “But Jim, why would I leave my iPod at home when I need it the most?” For the same reason this site exists: because the best running is social running. If you think that your favorite song can lift you up, just wait until a kind word from a stranger at mile 22 changes your life. It’ll happen. Trust me.
I can’t count the number of times I have run up alongside someone and attempted to start a conversation, only to notice their white earbuds at the last minute. They’re jamming to Bieber, and I’m realizing I might as well have been chatting with my nipple tape.
Hey, I didn’t sign up for this race to shuffle along like a deaf mute zombie in a sea of other deaf mute zombies. Ok, truth be told, I signed up so that I can mow down a cheeseburger later guilt free, but I still want to have a laugh.
I say let’s leave the iPods at home on race day and put these miles to bed together.
Agree or disagree? Let us know in the comments.
I’m disgusted by this. Everyone knows God doesn’t drive a Porsche. It’s obviously a BMW or His 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback for when he feels adventurous. OBVIOUSLY.
That….that’s what we’re talking about, right?
No, He does. And he pronounces it properly too: POR SHUH
I wear my iPod, but for the sake of safety (AND being able to carry on a brief convo or joke with other runners), I keep the volume down so I can hear it but also hear other runners approaching from behind me. (Actually, everyone is usually well ahead of me, but still…)
I have run races each way, and you know what I do now? One earbud. I love the social aspect of race day. Encouraging strangers. High fiving random people at the water stations, etc. But I love my playlist. So the compromise is one ear bud. Sure it looks ridiculous in those official race photos, but so do those short running shorts and headbands people are rocking. You aren’t Paulie Bleaker. Besides, I have started singing as I run and have had people join me and we run together doing the song. Boom. Best of both worlds.
Sorry but, like most things, there’s just not a definitive do/don’t in this area. I mean, sure, Jim doesn’t run to be “a deaf mute zombie in a sea of other deaf mute zombies,” and I think that’s fantastic. But there’s this other breed of people (my tribe) who actually enjoy the deaf muteness and zombie-like euphoria of running. It’s my preference actually. Call it reprieve from children and mindless conversation, or just a time to meditate, but I love to zone with music in my ears, or an audio book (yep, I’m a nerd) during those long runs. No disrespect to chattier runners or cheerleaders along the way. Just different strokes… in a big, reluctant runner painting. :)
I have to agree with the one ear bud. That is how I train and race. That way if the convo lapses I have my music to lead me along. Just keep the music down low and you can still talk without yelling.
I have run with and without and I would say that common sense is needed if you’re going to run with. Keep the volume down or a bud out – case in point – I followed a man during the Oklahoma City Marathon, his music was loud enough for me to listen while running at a slight distance. That is too loud.
If you cannot stand running without headphones find a pace group, if you are running alone, you get conversation and a pacer which is often what music is used for – motivation.
The other option is to find someone carrying a mini sound system, the Philadelphia marathon there is a man who runs with little speakers and a pretty awesome mix. It’s the best of everything – music, social interaction and the spontaneity of a running mix you haven’t heard a million times over on your long runs.
Jenn, was it this guy: http://www2.brightroom.com/email/78992/526/109637337
Couldn’t even take his headphones out for the dang picture.
The only way I can run any distance is with the help of my iPod. If I’m rude for ignoring strangers whilst I try and better my time… So be it. Plus.. Any real reluctant runner can’t talk and run at the same time. At least without getting major side cramp.
Agreed.
I could not be MORE antisocial when I run. I prefer to run where it’s 50/50 that I might get mugged. Why? Because running, for me, is a purely solo thing and I don’t want to encounter other humans.
For me, it’s rude if you try to talk to me while I’m running because in my mind, you are infringing on my time to myself. If I wanted to be social, I’d go to the mall or a furniture store where the salespeople work off commission. But I’m not. I’m running and I’d prefer to be left alone.
For me, talking to me while I’m running is like someone trying to talk to me while I’m BMing at work. It just feels invasive.
That’s just my journey though. Doesn’t make it right or the universal standard.
I think one earbud in is a good policy. That way, if you feel the need to chat with someone, you can.
I also don’t want to be social while running. Typically I’m too tired or in too much pain or too winded to care at all about the strangers I encounter on my run. I’d rather they not try to talk to me because I can’t really respond between my gasps for air. I like my music – even on race day.
Jim – if you ran up beside me and tried to strike up a conversation mid-run, I’d probably hit you…or maybe just look at you like you’re insane and slow down until you were sufficiently ahead of me. I bet you even smile when you’re running, don’t you?
The exception to this is when I’m running with a friend. If I’m running with someone I know (and like) then I want to be social, I want to talk and get caught up on each other’s business.
When I was doing Ironman, my legs locked up solid with cramps. I was okay on the swim and the bike, but by the time the run came around I was in bad shape. I still had eight hours of time left, but I was walking an entire marathon, getting slower every mile.
A random guy said “Cheer up, buddy. You’ll be an Ironman today” and I broke down. I still get misty thinking about it.
I made the time cutoff that night by about 20 minutes.
Take a swing if you like, I’m still gonna say something.
That’s beautiful. And I agree with your article.
I think this is a great general rule. During races I usually leave the headphones at home. Definitely, if running with a pace team, I do not rock the tunes. And I don’t bring headphones on group long runs or when I ask a buddy to run with me.
But like all general rules, there are exceptions. One of those would be the Silver Comet Half Marathon. It’s done as an out-and-back on a rails-to-trails course, about as wide as a double sidewalk. This means that cheering sections are basically nonexistent, and there’s not much socialization along the course, because it’s not very wide.
So I ran the Silver Comet with ‘phones and cranked out a PR. Wouldn’t have had it any other way.
I agree with Jim, in that’s it’s a no-no. Like wearing the shirt for the race, while running that race. But, frankly, at this point, is I want my music to zone out to, so I can make it through the distance, and keep myself focused on breathing, ignoring the pain, and pushing myself through, then I’m going to use it. And I’m sorry if my non-conversing with you bothers you. The road is big, and there’s room on it for both of us. Train on!
Actually, realrkennedy, the road often isn’t big enough for runners with ipods/mp3s in races. Most of them are totally zoned out to their surroundings, and oblivious to other runners & road users. Many races, for safety reasons – ie. so that runners can hear vehicles if the road isn’t closed, or instructions from the marshalls, state clearly ‘no ipods/mp3 players’. A rule which is flagrantly ignored by many entrants. Some races now disqualify those who ignore the race rule. More ought to. If you don’t want to run headphone free, then don’t enter races which ask you not to wear them.
For the record, I wear an ipod for training on the treadmill. Outside I leave it behind, & have never worn once in a race.
In the Army, the saying was, “Train as you fight so you fight like you trained.”
If you train with music, race with music. If you gab with a running partner when you train, talk with your buddy when you race.
But don’t change it up on race day. You won’t be doing yourself any favors.
I keep one bud in, for safety, and to talk to people. I’m always talking to people. If I have nothing to say, I sing to them, from my iPod. Maybe that’s why people around me have both in, and the volume turned up.
My playlist is getting boring and there are ladies to flirt with. It may be time to give the iPod a break.
Hey,you guys see where the marathon rules say “no Headphones”? I’m pretty disturbed by this. I’ve been training with music. Nothing is a better motivator than a good play list. It also tunes out the sound of me wheezing while I’m running. I haven’t run without tunes since I was in high school, and those were just 5ks. Anyone got any advice? Humming in my head won’t do it for 26 miles.