MP3 players in Connemara??

stevieward

Hi

Im running the half marathon out in Connemara and saw this notice on the website.

Yes, all personal music devices are banned for safety reasons.
Our race vehicles and ambulances must use the course, and must be able to alert participants of their presence.
A ban means that anyone using a device during the event will be disqualified from our results and will not be registered as a Connemarathon finisher

Im just wondering if this is enforced? I have only ever ran with music playing in my ears and find it very difficult to do otherwise.

mloc123

I wish all races banned them tbh

asimonov

If they don't enforce it this year I'll be disappointed.

I'm not the greatest fan of mp3s during any race but in connemara especially. Chances are you'll probably have faster marathoner and ultra runners at the top end of their field coming through behind you (a few of them will be posters here). Out of courtesy to them, its good to have your wits about you, so you'll hear the occasional "excuse me" or "ahem". Do your best to leave the mp3 at home for that one day.

stevieward

asimonov wrote: »

If they don't enforce it this year I'll be disappointed.

I'm not the greatest fan of mp3s during any race but in connemara especially. Chances are you'll probably have faster marathoner and ultra runners at the top end of their field coming through behind you (a few of them will be posters here). Out of courtesy to them, its good to have your wits about you, so you'll hear the occasional "excuse me" or "ahem". Do your best to leave the mp3 at home for that one day.

well id prefer not to but if its against the rules i will.. As i said iv only ever ran with them and spend most of my runs glancing over my shoulder because of it :-)

Sub430

stevieward wrote: »

Im just wondering if this is enforced? I have only ever ran with music playing in my ears and find it very difficult to do otherwise.

I was the exact same as you stevie but now cannot run WITH music. You have two weeks to wean yourself off it. I will be surprised if you ever go back. Good luck.

RoyMcC

Not knocking the OP (or anybody) but it does seem that many of the newer runners to the sport find it difficult to do without music/podcasts etc. This is a huge pity as I think you miss out on a lot such as engaging with your body and the world about you. Also you never have that opportunity to drift away into your own world where memories reawaken and problems are often solved.

Personally I listen to podcasts and music on some long training runs, but I can't imagine ever wanting to not experience the uniqueness that the Conn races offer.

As to enforcement this is easier said than done. You can't expect your volunteer stewards to start wading in. And the race director has got 1,000 other things to do. Hopefully the runners will just follow the rules which are for good safety reasons.

griffin100

Last year lots of people in the half wore earphones. I always though it was no big deal until the ultra and the full marathin guys were trying to make their way through the pack and people couldn't hear them coming. A couple of miles into the half an ambulance came up the outside of the road and I ended up almost running into the guy beside me who hadn't heard it due to his earphones. He started having a go at me when I yanked him out of the way of the ambulance, at which point he looked very sheepish.

Personally I listen to music if I'm running during the day - if I'm running at night or early in the morning i dont, its really enjoyable when the only sound you can hear is your feet and the animals in the fields (I live in a very rural area:))

catweazle

I have the ipod on for all the runs i do in training but I am happy enough not to wear them during races. Sometimes the person that is running beside you might make conversation and if I am not too wasted I will happily chat away.

Often I have seen friends of people roaring out encouragement to a runner and the runner is oblivious to this as the techno is blaring. You wont miss the ipod in big races like Connemara there will be plenty going on that will keep you from boredom

thirtyfoot

I would be in favour of MP3 being allowed in races if the following steps were followed:

-When you enter you tick "I want to use MP3 Player" box.
-On race day, you enter the Connemarathon Download Tent and download the Connemarathon Podcast but can't listen until race starts.
-Race starts and Podcast will direct you on the course.
-However, after 1 mile it will direct you up a grass centred lane and to a large field with a huge hole and a JCB parked beside the hole.
-The podcast will direct all users to lie in this hole and remain still until all users have arrived, kind of like Simon says vibe.
-The JCB will then cover in the hole.
-There will be no problem with MP3 users on the course then.

I can see it working quite well.

Highway_To_Hell

I like a lot of people use a MP3 player when out on solo training runs but never use them in races, I think part of the enjoyment of a race is the support you get from the crowd and the bit of banter with other participants.

I was surprised to see that the great Limerick run are using a runner with an MP3 player in their advertisement pictures.

stevieward

Tingle wrote: »

I would be in favour of MP3 being allowed in races if the following steps were followed:

-When you enter you tick "I want to use MP3 Player" box.
-On race day, you enter the Connemarathon Download Tent and download the Connemarathon Podcast but can't listen until race starts.
-Race starts and Podcast will direct you on the course.
-However, after 1 mile it will direct you up a grass centred lane and to a large field with a huge hole and a JCB parked beside the hole.
-The podcast will direct all users to lie in this hole and remain still until all users have arrived, kind of like Simon says vibe.
-The JCB will then cover in the hole.
-There will be no problem with MP3 users on the course then.

I can see it working quite well.

wow... that seems a bit harsh..

do you over take that many people that they are that big a hassle to you?

RoyMcC

stevieward wrote: »

do you over take that many people that they are that big a hassle to you?

He would if he could keep going for more than 400m...

thirtyfoot

RoyMcC wrote: »

He would if he could keep going for more than 400m...

My threshold is about 385m, after that its the new born foal bandy legs look.

Willie Banks does have a lot to answer for, he started all this back in the '80s.

Krusty_Clown

Is this your first Connemara Half marathon? You won't need the mp3 player. There'll be plenty to keep your mind occupied during the race. Look out for the Boards AC singlets, and say hello.

Cartman78

This is normally a very thorny issue on running forums - personally I would be against them during races for safety reasons. Also find running amongst a bunch of people with headphones on very dystopian and impersonal.

The day I see Haile Gebrselassie crossing the line in victory with his iPod at full blast I might reconsider my stance

RoyMcC

Cartman78 wrote: »

dystopian

Love it, I'm going to try and use it in every sentence over the weekend, especially when passing runners with mp3s

Krusty_Clown

Cartman78 wrote: »

The day I see Haile Gebrselassie crossing the line in victory with his iPod at full blast I might reconsider my stance

Why would Haile Gebrselassie need an iPod, when he has a car in front of him, never more than a few feet away, sending him messages via an LED scrolling screen? Sure he could read a book on his lap of Berlin. I'm sure the Connemarathon committee would have safety concerns if we all had a lead car with us on the course.

Pisco Sour

4 hours is a long time to run without something to listen to. There can be many parts of the course where there is not a supporter in sight. My plan is to listen to my IPod, and when i come to certain areas where there are a lot of supporters then I simply pause the music for awhile. Best of both worlds that way!

One thing which I cant do though, and something that is suggested a lot here, is banter away with other runners during a race. Each to their own but I find running and talking simultaneously to be a VERY exhausting process. A marathon is tough enough as it is without expending unneccesary extra energy.

I'll save my banter for when I cross the finish line!

eliwallach

04072511 wrote: »

A marathon is tough enough as it is without expending unneccesary extra energy.

I'll save my banter for when I cross the finish line!

Good luck with that ;)!

Krusty_Clown

Youth of today. :rolleyes:

It's not about crossing the finish line as quickly as possible, it's about the journey that takes you to that finish line. You don't train for 3-4 months, just so you can enjoy that split-second moment when the timing mat goes beep and you look up to see the digits on the clock. You train for 3-4 months so that you can enjoy every moment of the race...even the painful moments. The tiredness and pain is an indication that you're running to your limits, and the finish line is drawing closer. Those crowds are cheering for you. Those bands are playing music for you. Those around you are fellow warriors challenging the lazy and fearful. Remember the journey. For when the technical t-short is beginning to smell, when the medal is lost in the dusty attic, when the online photos have been deleted, it's the journey that will remain.

Listen not to your radio or your mp3 player. Embrace the moment. Embrace the race.

I type an awful lot of sh1te.

Condo131

Anytime I've come across runners wearing earphones, in a race or training, they always appear to be in another planet - like 'zombie-land' and not aware of what's going on around them.

In races, they appear to be oblivious to other runners, don't/can't hear warning calls regarding obstacles and, in general, are a nuisance taking the racing line, i.e. generally don't. In short they are a hazard to other participants.

This report shows that at least one recent earphone wearer not only couldn't hear a hazard in a wide open area, but also *FAILED TO EVEN SEE* a FATAL hazard.

Be aware of your surroundings at all times!!

donothoponpop

04072511 wrote: »

4 hours is a long time to run without something to listen to. There can be many parts of the course where there is not a supporter in sight. My plan is to listen to my IPod, and when i come to certain areas where there are a lot of supporters then I simply pause the music for awhile. Best of both worlds that way!

Unbelievable. What is it about running marathons that make a select few think the rules are for other people?

Pisco Sour

donothoponpop wrote: »

Unbelievable. What is it about running marathons that make a select few think the rules are for other people?

Whats your problem? I'm not breaking any rules. Please point out to me where I said I was running in Connemara?

The marathon I'm running has no such rules against using IPods!

If there is a rule in place then I will abide by it (TriAthlone, TriAthy). If not, then I will wear my IPod all I like! Simple really!

donothoponpop

04072511 wrote: »

Whats your problem? I'm not breaking any rules. Please point out to me where I said I was running in Connemara?

The marathon I'm running has no such rules against using IPods!

If there is a rule in place then I will abide by it (TriAthlone, TriAthy). If not, then I will wear my IPod all I like! Simple really!

Check the thread title.

Pisco Sour

donothoponpop wrote: »

Check the thread title.

The topic had turned into a general pro's and cons of wearing IPods during any race to be honest.

Alicano

mod edit: removing personal abuse

Condo131

04072511 wrote: »

Whats your problem? I'm not breaking any rules. Please point out to me where I said I was running in Connemara?

The marathon I'm running has no such rules against using IPods!

If there is a rule in place then I will abide by it (TriAthlone, TriAthy). If not, then I will wear my IPod all I like! Simple really!

TriAthlone, TriAthy

Really?? Think again The ITA Manual of Guidance and the ITU Competition Rules both prohibit the use of headphones. I think that people in running (only) events are at the very least unsafe and a hazard. Wearing them in a Tri event is absolute and utter madness and downright dangerous!

Hard Worker

Headphones are also prohibited in running events under IAAF rules. Generally, rules are a bit more lenient for down the field runners. In my own opinion, I think people who wear them are being irresponsible.

robinph

The effort I've had to go to in some BHAA races in order to be able to sneak up quietly behind someone when nearing the finish so that I can then time the move to overtake them so that they cannot respnd back and beat me to the line, I think I'd be disapointed if I then noticed that they were wearing headphones all along anyway and I'd not needed to try and breath quieter.

I can't understand why people wear headphones whilst out running, and especially for in races. Being able to notice what is going on around you is so much better, and especially if there is nothing going on around you aat the time, you then you get to notice the world.

Pisco Sour

Condo131 wrote: »

TriAthlone, TriAthy

Really?? Think again The ITA Manual of Guidance and the ITU Competition Rules both prohibit the use of headphones. I think that people in running (only) events are at the very least unsafe and a hazard. Wearing them in a Tri event is absolute and utter madness and downright dangerous!

I know that! I did both races. Am very aware of the rules and as I said I abided by them.

The Rook

If it helps put your mind at rest, I did the Dungarvan 10 miler earlier this year. Before I did it I hadn't done a single run without my headphones. I was so worried about how I'd get on in the run without music but on the day it didn't even occur to me. I ran a PB and was delighted with how it all turned out. Not having music also saved me from being run over by two motorbikes that came along the course, so that was nice too!!

Also ran the Barcelona marathon earlier this month and ran it with music (as I'd done all my long runs with music) and I have to be honest and say that I felt I kind of missed out on some of the atmosphere by not hearing everything that was going on around me. Yes there were some places that didn't have much (any) support, but I didn't realise how much I was missing where there was support. It was only as I was walking back along some of the route on the way back to the hotel and I heard the crowds cheering and shouting that I realised what I was missing while I was listening to my music.

I've promised myself that all my training for the next one (Dublin) will be done with no music and I'll run the whole thing (hopefully!) without any music and soak up the atmosphere

sideswipe

I had the same dilemma as you OP, before last years DCM. Here’s the thread from then-
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055660246

Would not use mp3 for a race now as you are really missing out with one of you major senses not in use, from both a safety and enjoyment perspective.

robinph

The wall of sound that you get when running through one of the change over points in the Cork marathon is something not to be missed by listening to some mp3 at the time.

Pisco Sour

Good arguments for and against the use of Ipods during races (that allows the use of them of course).

My opinion is: If there is no rule against the use of IPods, and they are not turned up too loud then I see no problem. It's not that difficult to press the pause button when entering an area of the course where there is lots of support. Similarily it's not too taxing to press the play button when you are entering that long 3-4 mile stretch with about 3 men and a dog supporting you!

Its not a black or white issue, provided they aren't turned up too loud that is!

--amadeus--

04072511 wrote: »

Its not a black or white issue, provided they aren't turned up too loud that is!

No, it's not:

Hard Worker wrote: »

Headphones are also prohibited in running events under IAAF rules. Generally, rules are a bit more lenient for down the field runners. In my own opinion, I think people who wear them are being irresponsible.

Health and Safety gets a bad reputation but this is a fairly clear cut case, whether it's Conn with cars and emergency vehicles or a big city marathon with thousands of runners or even somewhere like Dublin last year with all the bikes, MP3 players can be very dangerous. And that is why they are banned. Organisers have been lenient up to now but with more and more people doing wearing them it has to be cracked down on.

Mullaghteelin

--amadeus-- wrote: »

No, it's not:

To be fair to the previous poster, his point is valid.
MP3 players are only dangerous because most people use them at irresponsibly high volume levels. Of course, there is no real way of enforcing people to keep volumes at safe levels, so banning them outright becomes necessary. If volume levels were kept low enough to hear ambient noise, then they wouldn't be a problem.

I do a lot of running on narrow, potentially dangerous, rural roads, and its possible to wear earphones if you keep volume levels low enough, and stay fully focussed on whats going on around you.
I actually have to put the volume UP when traffic is passing because the traffic noise actually drowns out what Im listening to, but the volume comes down again immediately afterwards. I do so much fiddling with the volume controls during a run, that I don't even realize I'm doing it. It becomes a habit.

hot to trot

Haile isnt out ther for over 4 hours! I wouldnt bother for a 2 hour run either:cool:.

I hate this debate , as an ipod user , for the simple reason that the presumption is that the volume is SOOOOO high that the wearer cant hear what coming. I set my volume while indoors and it is not loud. Often I cant even hear whats playing due to the noises around me. I dont see why I should be penalised when I am not putting anyone else at risk or inconvenience. Somtimes non ipod runners can be as much a pain.

I do accept however that some people do use them too loudly and not only are they putting themselves at risk they are annoying to others.
It is why I wont enter Connemara. I will do the full course after the race is finished on another day so I have the satisfaction of doing it without harrassment from others.

So , go make the most out of it and try to enjoy it as best you can. There wont be many runs where you have to go without.

robinph

There is a big difference between having the volume low enough to be able to hear the truck that is driving down the road behind you on a training run and being able to hear the other runners that are around you during a race and not tripping over each other. However much you think you are aware of what is going on around you, it's never enough.

Condo131

Sometimes I tend to reply from the runner's point of view, forgetting my RD hat - this topic is one.

Apart from the SAFETY issues previously raised by myself and others, another good reason for banning headphones is that headphone wearers simply DO NOT hear instructions from stewards/officials on the course.

In the finish area, they cause absolute mayhem - skipping queues, going the wrong way, etc. Very often they have to be physically manhandled and, in doing so, divert one or more officials from critical finish area duties. This last point has safety implications also.

In addition, most headphone wearers react badly to being physically manhandled, particularly as they often appear to be TOTALLY oblivious to what is happening around them. Men sometimes react aggressively to being physically manhandled, and I think you can imagine how women react when they are grabbed by a steward (mostly men).

umpire bat

Its even crazier when you se the mp3 brigade on bikes. An important part of these races is interacting and having the crack

Pisco Sour

umpire bat wrote: »

Its even crazier when you se the mp3 brigade on bikes. An important part of these races is interacting and having the crack

I can never understand this. The reason people enter races like this is to push themselves to the limit and to run to the maximum of their ability, leaving nothing in the tank come the finish. My thoughts are that if somebody is having a chat and a bit of banter with some random Argentinian or Australian then they aren't pushing themselves to the limit. Imagine running 3:30:01 after spending 15 minutes chatting about the weekends premiership results with some lad from Bradford.

The only way to get the best out of yourself is to concentrate on your running. Sonia O'Sullivan didnt chat away to Gabriela Szabo during races. It doesnt matter what level the person is at, the goal remains the same - to perform to your best. Chatting to people doesnt help achieve this.

I can accept peoples opinions on Ipods with regard safety, but not with regards "having the craic". Plenty of craic to be had in the pubs afterwards!

Krusty_Clown

04072511 wrote: »

I can never understand this. The reason people enter races like this is to push themselves to the limit and to run to the maximum of their ability, leaving nothing in the tank come the finish. My thoughts are that if somebody is having a chat and a bit of banter with some random Argentinian or Australian then they aren't pushing themselves to the limit. Imagine running 3:30:01 after spending 15 minutes chatting about the weekends premiership results with some lad from Bradford.

The only way to get the best out of yourself is to concentrate on your running. Sonia O'Sullivan didnt chat away to Gabriela Szabo during races. It doesnt matter what level the person is at, the goal remains the same - to perform to your best. Chatting to people doesnt help achieve this.

I can accept peoples opinions on Ipods with regard safety, but not with regards "having the craic". Plenty of craic to be had in the pubs afterwards!

Neither Sonia O'Sullivan nor Gabriela Szabo were lost in their own world listening to an mp3 player during their races either. As you head into your first marathon in a couple of weeks time, it could be those few words of encouragement from a passing runner that will make the difference between pushing yourself harder to finish the race in a time you can be proud of, and struggling across the finish line with just your music for company.

I'm of the view that as long as your sticking to the race rules and have a level of courtesy to to other runners that's fine. Juggle spoons if you think it will make you happier. But what your getting is advice based on experience. I wore an mp3 player for my first marathon in Longford '08, and have never worn one since. I always use one in training.

MrCreosote

What about the supporters? Nobody thinks of them.

Picture it- you've made the motivational sign, bought the airhorn, put together the Borat or Devil costume, set the alarm for 6 oclock to get the best place, and stand at the side of the road for 5 hours and what do you get?!

Everybody in their own world listening to power ballads on MP3s?

How will you even hear us shout "run, forrest, run!"

InTheTrees

RoyMcC wrote: »

Not knocking the OP (or anybody) but it does seem that many of the newer runners to the sport find it difficult to do without music/podcasts etc. This is a huge pity as I think you miss out on a lot such as engaging with your body and the world about you. Also you never have that opportunity to drift away into your own world where memories reawaken and problems are often solved.

Yup. I'm a newbie and am completly dependant on the ipod.

I fully expect that with more experience I'll be able to ditch it, and even now when I pick up the pace I'll pull the earbuds out.

But Its been an invaulable aid to getting myself disiplined. I can block out all distractions and be in my own little world.

But as reagrds the OP, i'm in agreement. Just wanted to give the positive side.

--amadeus--

04072511 wrote: »

I can never understand this. The reason people enter races like this is to push themselves to the limit and to run to the maximum of their ability, leaving nothing in the tank come the finish. My thoughts are that if somebody is having a chat and a bit of banter with some random Argentinian or Australian then they aren't pushing themselves to the limit. Imagine running 3:30:01 after spending 15 minutes chatting about the weekends premiership results with some lad from Bradford.

The only way to get the best out of yourself is to concentrate on your running. Sonia O'Sullivan didnt chat away to Gabriela Szabo during races. It doesnt matter what level the person is at, the goal remains the same - to perform to your best. Chatting to people doesnt help achieve this.

I can accept peoples opinions on Ipods with regard safety, but not with regards "having the craic". Plenty of craic to be had in the pubs afterwards!

I'm sorry but that is complete bolloc*s

If you are running to the maximum of your ability and pushing yourself to the limit right from the start then you'll never get past the 18 mile mark.

nerraw1111

If you use an iPod in a marathon then you're not getting the best from the marathon.

Anyone I spoke to, aswell as posters here, said one of the highlights of Dublin marathon was the crowd. No better feeling at 20 miles than a random person cheering you on.

robinph

04072511 wrote: »

It's not that difficult to press the pause button when entering an area of the course where there is lots of support. Similarily it's not too taxing to press the play button when you are entering that long 3-4 mile stretch with about 3 men and a dog supporting you!

It might seem worth putting the tunes back on for the quiet stretch, but other than the dog then wondering why you totally blanked his barks of support, it does make the sections when the support is then more numerous that much more useful to you after having gone through the rest of the race without the tunes they give you even more of a lift.

It sounds daft, but try it. It's part of the journey.

Although I'd probably speed up a bit more actually going past the lonely dog just to get away from him. If I had tunes on and then didn't notice until I was right by him I'd probably have a heart attack.

hot to trot

It would be a very interesting experiment for diehard ipod/mp3 player users to volunteer to not run the marathon with their gadget and see what the opinion is afterwards?

Any takers? Mite start a thread to see if there is any interest.:rolleyes:

Aimman

hot to trot wrote: »

It would be a very interesting experiment for diehard ipod/mp3 player users to volunteer to not run the marathon with their gadget and see what the opinion is afterwards?

Any takers? Mite start a thread to see if there is any interest.:rolleyes:

Do you mean not run the marathon? or run the marathon without the ipod, lol.

I've often done training runs with one headphone in, so I could hear whats going on around me, bit like the old days when radios only came with one earpiece (you try telling the kids today how lucky they are!:))

Anyway, I drove the route last week and the scenery is amazing. I could think of a lot of inspiring music you could have on every now and again with all that landscape to absorb, something to give you a motivational boost when needed.

Having said that, I am one of the people who converted from depending on an ipod to doing without it for the majority of my runs. I use it for the odd training run just when I fancy a bit of music.

I can see the points for and against and I'd like to sit on the fence and say it would be great to allow people have the ipod on at a reasonable volume that they can hear the music, but also be aware of whats going on around them too, for safety. But alas, its not possible to police. So for that reason, I'd end up falling off the fence into the garden that doesnt allow ipods for safety reasons.

earnyourturns

Apart from when I'm doing speedwork I ALWAYS train with music and would no sooner head out for an LSR without my iPod than I would my running shoes. I find that when I'm running for a long time or even at tempo pace for a shorter time it's a case of mind-over-matter and music definitely helps me dissociate from the discomfort and approach a more zen-like state.

I did a half-marathon last year when I was trying to hit a certain time target and ran at - for me- a horribly uncomfortable pace for the 13.1 miles. I had the iPod cranking and listening to the songs definitely helped me stay on pace and zone out from my legs saying "please stop. Please stop now".

But for the Dublin Marathon last year the iPod stayed firmly at home. There was such a sense of camaraderie and the crowds were so amazing that there was simply no need for it.

I'll be running the half in Connemara next week and once again it'll be without music.

rainbow kirby

hot to trot wrote: »

It would be a very interesting experiment for diehard ipod/mp3 player users to volunteer to not run the marathon with their gadget and see what the opinion is afterwards?

Any takers? Mite start a thread to see if there is any interest.:rolleyes:

I am a diehard MP3 player user in training, but didn't use it at all for DCM, and I'm glad I left it at home. I would have felt like I was missing out so much in terms of crowd support and camaraderie if I'd used it during the race.