Parkrun..

robinph · 05-09-2016 03:16PM

muddypaws wrote: »

Quite funny really, an English park run has banned dogs, as they have got so many people running now, they feel they are a hazard on the narrow paths they have to use for that particular run. A lot of people have said they wish they would ban headphones, as they feel they are more dangerous than dogs.

Headphones were not banned, then they were banned, then they were kind of banned, now they are maybe banned.

UKA, who provide the insurance cover to UK parkruns, finally came out and said that headphones were banned in races, but they didn't really. It's only in road races, and only in ones where the road is not fully closed to traffic, otherwise it's at the race directors descicion. Was a bit of a pointless statement they came out with in the end and they chickened out of actually banning headphones.
From that though, a bunch of parkruns then said that headphones were therefore also banned at parkruns. A couple of weeks later they changed the hard ruling and just hoped nobody noticed or were equally confused and would just stop asking about it.

edisonolmy · 05-09-2016 03:27PM

Why do people run with headphones? I'm genuinely interested to know. Is it to distract? Do you find it makes it easier? I used to use them years ago but only improved when I ditched them.

Sunny Dayz · 05-09-2016 03:46PM

I often wear headphone when I'm running. I don't have a running watch so I get an update on my strava through the headphone on each km. But I find I don't really bother with the headphones as much as I used to for my parkrun runs. I know by now where each km is (course isn't marked out). But on a different parkrun course or when I do want to hear my splits as I'm running I just stick one earbud in.

muddypaws · 05-09-2016 04:01PM

I'm a complete menace, as I run with a dog and earphones, although I only have one in and have the volume down very low. I haven't found my running zen yet, so use it to distract myself from the fact that I am actually running, and the beat of the songs to keep me going. I really struggled last Saturday on the park run after doing my first spin class on the Friday night, Born to Run came on as I was considering walking, then Courage by Tragically Hip, but then even my music admitted defeat and Creep by Radiohead kept me going slowly to the finish line

I also have Endomondo on, and so know when I've covered each km, and what pace I'm doing.

RentDayBlues · 05-09-2016 04:38PM

I've always ran with earphones too but the last 2 the rain has been so bad I didn't bring my phone, so no music! Now I have my heavy breathing and internal discussion on stopping to listen to instead, its not quite the same

ionapaul · 05-09-2016 04:46PM

I almost always run with earphones in, either listening to a podcast (mid-week slow run) or a playlist designed to get me moving faster (Parkruns) - would find it fairly hard to enjoy the slog unless I was able to listen to something or other. Obviously many others don't find running that much of a slog, but I'm not sure I'm designed for running past 3km or so, so really need the distraction for the last two km!

mel.b · 05-09-2016 06:27PM

I used to run with music but not headphones. I'd just put my phone in the holder, crank up the volume and off i'd go

It meant i still had situational awareness of the country roads i was on, but music to distract myself and the runkeeper app telling me paces etc. Downside was anybody going past me got an earful of my very mainstream taste in music

However since getting my polar watch i have ditched the music and find i really don't miss it now, even on those long runs by myself. i stopped the music as i couldn't hear my watch beep for the km splits (no vibrate function on the polar). I did consider last weekend just gone about putting some music on as i had a long run(24km) and i wasn't sure how i would manage after a crappy week of runs but i was fine without it.

The Muppet · 05-09-2016 07:47PM

I used to always run with headphones not always music though sometimes talk radio but was advised to ditch them when trianing for the Marathon, I wasnt keen on the idea at first but I did ditch them and now I don't miss them even on the long runs.

I do believed they helped me when I started running though becaus, (A) I used couch 2 5 k podcasts and (B) the content took my mind off how difficult I found it to run. I still would use them on runs if I was in the mood to listen to something when out.

BTW A dog on a lead is more of a danger than people wearing headphone in a park run IMO so i agree that ban, those retractabel leads are a menace, I've nearly come a cropper a could of times to those, I'd ban those all together.

Shedite27 · 05-09-2016 08:04PM

I usually run with music/podcasts to beat the boredom.

My one worry, is I find it hides my bad breathing techniques. I notice on runs without music that I am a panter, and it definitely hampers my energy levels. Without music it's more obvious and I concentrate on breathing. Definitely helps me go longer/faster. If you train with music the whole time, you'll only notice the breathing in a race so I definitely advise doing a run every so often without music

edisonolmy · 06-09-2016 09:26AM

I can't disassociate myself with running, nor do I want to. Music, I agree, would distract you, but I like to think about exactly where I am, exactly what pace I'm doing, what I need to do to get faster, go slower etc.

Someone mentioned a playlist designed to make you run faster - this might also hold you back. The best thing to listen to is your body. It'll tell you if you can push on further whereas a track with a specific BPM will keep you plodding along at that pace.

Our new couch to 5k programme starts next week and I'm already looking forward to telling people to ditch the headphones.

edisonolmy · 06-09-2016 09:27AM

Shedite27 wrote: »

I usually run with music/podcasts to beat the boredom.

My one worry, is I find it hides my bad breathing techniques. I notice on runs without music that I am a panter, and it definitely hampers my energy levels. Without music it's more obvious and I concentrate on breathing. Definitely helps me go longer/faster. If you train with music the whole time, you'll only notice the breathing in a race so I definitely advise doing a run every so often without music

Do you count out a rhythm with your breathing - one, two, three, breathe etc? As you say, much easier to do/notice when you can hear it

edisonolmy · 06-09-2016 09:34AM

The Muppet wrote: »

I used to always run with headphones not always music though sometimes talk radio but was advised to ditch them when trianing for the Marathon, I wasnt keen on the idea at first but I did ditch them and now I don't miss them even on the long runs.

I do believed they helped me when I started running though becaus, (A) I used couch 2 5 k podcasts and (B) the content took my mind off how difficult I found it to run. I still would use them on runs if I was in the mood to listen to something when out.

BTW A dog on a lead is more of a danger than people wearing headphone in a park run IMO so i agree that ban, those retractabel leads are a menace, I've nearly come a cropper a could of times to those, I'd ban those all together.

the rules in parkrun are - one dog per runner, and on a short lead

Mr Bloat · 06-09-2016 09:45AM

I used to think I couldn't run without music, a podcast or an audiobook to distract me but while training for a half marathon a couple of years ago, I wanted to run without these, as I had seen that headphones weren't allowed in the marathon. It was one of the best things I ever did, not only did it help me concentrate better on what my messages my body was sending me during a run, it also gave me a better feeling of freedom and headspace.

Similarly (but a bit tangentially), I recently got a Forerunner 25 GPS watch - prior to that, I had been bringing my phone on every run to track myself but with the watch, I can leave the phone at home and still have tracking. I cannot describe the feeling of freedom I experience every time I leave the house without a phone! It's glued to me pretty much all day every day so making the decision to abandon it, even for half hour, is liberating.

Sorry for the OT chat but if you are running with music, I would urge you to try a few sessions without it to see how you get on.

edisonolmy · 06-09-2016 10:02AM

I am a big fan of running without a phone too.

ionapaul · 06-09-2016 10:15AM

I did two Parkruns without music, as my wireless headphones lost connection near the start in Shanganagh (probably as a consequence of the very heavy foliage nearby during the first 1km lap) - found those two runs extremely tough to get through! My body's continual messages of 'stop running, this isn't fun, our legs are feckin' tired, why not walk for a while?' are much harder to ignore if I'm not being pleasantly distracted in some way

positron · 06-09-2016 10:19AM

edisonolmy wrote: »

Our new couch to 5k programme starts next week and I'm already looking forward to telling people to ditch the headphones.

Mrs Positron is on W2 of her C25K and she's using NHS podcasts to know when to start running / stop etc - she's is not super keen on wearing the headphones herself, but need it now to know the intervals. Any other headphone-less way of doing this - any recommendations? Thanks!

edisonolmy · 06-09-2016 10:58AM

I suppose if you are doing a podcast C25K, then there's no real way to avoid headphones. We take about 100 people 3 times a year and there are seriously people wearing headphones who can't hear what we are asking them to do.

Pawwed Rig · 06-09-2016 10:59AM

edisonolmy wrote: »

The best thing to listen to is your body. It'll tell you if you can push on further .

If I listened to my body I would be staying in bed on a Saturday morning.
What is this 'push on' concept you speak of?

muddypaws · 06-09-2016 11:41AM

edisonolmy wrote: »

the rules in parkrun are - one dog per runner, and on a short lead

I've done three different park runs, in two we were the only dog runners, but at Lough Key there were a few others, all on retractable leads. They did keep them short though.

I wear a canicross belt, the dog is on a lead, which I pull in if necessary, so he is right beside me. I believe the rule is a lead of less than 1.8m when fully extended, as some canicross equipment makers are making park run specific leads. However I think that is only for canicross, rather than leads that you hold? Although I've just had a look, and can't see that it says maximum length of lead anywhere, so that may just be some clever marketing.

robinph · 06-09-2016 11:56AM

In my limited doggy running I was sometimes presented with the dog and a canicross lead, not being used to it though I never used it in the tying it around me manner and just limited how much of the lead he got to run with. This dog is very experienced in running within packs of runners and whilst he obviously runs off like a loon at the start didn't try and fit through gaps in the pack of runners that there wasn't room for the runner he was towing to get through as well.

rainbow kirby · 06-09-2016 03:43PM

positron wrote: »

Mrs Positron is on W2 of her C25K and she's using NHS podcasts to know when to start running / stop etc - she's is not super keen on wearing the headphones herself, but need it now to know the intervals. Any other headphone-less way of doing this - any recommendations? Thanks!

Use a watch - the pattern in the early weeks is relatively simple.

mel.b · 06-09-2016 03:52PM

positron wrote: »

Mrs Positron is on W2 of her C25K and she's using NHS podcasts to know when to start running / stop etc - she's is not super keen on wearing the headphones herself, but need it now to know the intervals. Any other headphone-less way of doing this - any recommendations? Thanks!

get a phone holder (armband etc) and put it in that with the volume turned all the way up. that's what I did.

HelenAnne · 06-09-2016 03:58PM

I always used to listen to music when I first started running -- I liked listening to songs that mentioned running in the lyrics and had a whole playlist of them. I think I listened to music in my first race or two too (not my first Womens' Mini M, as I was running with a friend, but my first other 5k and 10ks). Then I had a terrible 10k in Manorhamilton where I got a stitch and was too hot and the headphone wires were annoying and none of my songs were right, so I just took my headphones out and carried them. I haven't run a race with them since. Now that I'm a bit more experienced / try to race a bit harder, I can't imagine trying to focus on racing with music on. I would never wear them during any hard or fast run, and I have no problem doing any kind of run with no distractions. However, I love running, and I love music so sometimes I really look forward to going out on a training run with a new playlist or a new album - when I'm running easy, I love combining two things I enjoy so much. Similarly, I sometimes save a good podcast to listen to on my run-commute.
I used to feel a bit self-conscious doing training runs with headphones as the consensus often seems to be that real runners don't, and maybe they don't, but I keep headphones for my easy days and enjoy them!
I don't think this makes me more of a menace than a pedestrian listening to headphones, and I still enjoy the run - I can concentrate on easy running / nice scenery etc as well as whatever I'm listening to, but I definitely couldn't concentrate on a race or session with headphones.

Firedance · 06-09-2016 04:05PM

mel.b wrote: »

get a phone holder (armband etc) and put it in that with the volume turned all the way up. that's what I did.

Eh, no, please don't, then the rest of us have to listen too

you can always listen through one earphone or keep the volume low enough that you can hear your prompts but still here race/run/parkrun instructions.

+1 to HelenAnne's post although I rarely bring them on any runs now even easy ones, just the odd time and even then it usually reminds me why I prefer to run without them now

hot buttered scones · 06-09-2016 08:15PM

positron wrote: »

Mrs Positron is on W2 of her C25K and she's using NHS podcasts to know when to start running / stop etc - she's is not super keen on wearing the headphones herself, but need it now to know the intervals. Any other headphone-less way of doing this - any recommendations? Thanks!

By a decent enough GPS watch. Most Garmin watches enable you to programme and load workouts onto to the watch, which then beeps and vibrates at the start of each interval.

edisonolmy · 07-09-2016 09:02AM

I'm sure my garmin does a lot more than I realise - I only use it to tell me how fast each K split is

RentDayBlues · 10-09-2016 01:56PM

So today was my 4th park run since I started 6 weeks ago, and I've managed to knock 2 mins off my original time this morning! Very happy with myself, really working on getting sub 30 by year end, which I know for a lot of people is a walk in the park but not me! Also very happy that I've not yet been defeated by those hills in cabinteely!

Firedance · 10-09-2016 07:43PM

RentDayBlues wrote: »

So today was my 4th park run since I started 6 weeks ago, and I've managed to knock 2 mins off my original time this morning! Very happy with myself, really working on getting sub 30 by year end, which I know for a lot of people is a walk in the park but not me! Also very happy that I've not yet been defeated by those hills in cabinteely!

Well done!!! I wasn't there this morning, lovely day for it though. Olwyn or Joe often pace 30 mins so you won't be long getting your target and then on to the next one

quad_red · 12-09-2016 10:28AM

A question about Parkrun's and distance.

I did my 11th Parkrun at the weekend (go me!). I've got TomTom Runner 2 GPS watch thing.

I start it as soon as I cross the start line and I turn it off as a come over the finishing line. I stick to the course, middle of path all the time. No shortcuts!

But my watch has never shown me covering more than 4.8km.

Anyone else do this run and wear a GPS watch?

Downtime · 12-09-2016 10:34AM

quad_red wrote: »

A question about Parkrun's and distance.

I did my 11th Parkrun at the weekend (go me!). I've got TomTom Runner 2 GPS watch thing.

I start it as soon as I cross the start line and I turn it off as a come over the finishing line. I stick to the course, middle of path all the time. No shortcuts!

But my watch has never shown me covering more than 4.8km.

Anyone else do this run and wear a GPS watch?

Here is an excellent article GPS watches and accuracy - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/the-running-blog/2016/apr/15/course-accuracy-why-your-gps-watch-isnt-infallible

Mine never shows up the full 5k and I try and stick to the racing line as much as possible but then there are trees, people I pass out, not running the racing line etc etc but I am sure Killerz has measured my parkrun accurately.

Parkrun..

Comments