WHAT?!?OK, OK, some of the races I have run so far have had similar messages, but I (like everyone else) ignored them and they were not enforced. This one is just worded with such strong, angry language, in red, and with a vivid graphic, no less!! (Insert a big long whine here.)
To be completely honest, I view my ipod as an appendage, delivering motivation via an umbilical cord with earbuds on the end. I need it. I have never run outdoors without it.
Until today. I bit the bullet and ran my prescribed 3 miles sans earbuds and it did not kill me. But, it wasn't what I would characterize as fun, either. I need fun. I need external motivation. And, while chirping birds and buzzing bees might get me outdoors, they do not make me want to run - or keep running for miles and miles and miles.
So, as I do with any moral dilemma, I turned to the blogosphere for answers. And, as usual, I found way too many conflicting opinions to actually be helpful, but I am more informed. I learned, for instance, that REAL runners NEVER run with music, but that many other so-called "runners" also admit to regularly breaking no-headphones bans in races.
What to do, what to do? I think I have come to a decision, but I don't want to jinx myself, so I will not share it until the race is done. I can disclose that I will be wearing my new magic compression socks (and yes they are magic), and my new Nathan running belt with my own supply of water and Shot Bloks. Along with my ball cap and sunglasses, I'm thinking the look will be aging softball player meets crazed tourist. Whether or not that crazed softball-playing tourist is enjoying some renegade tunes, yet to be seen.
By the way - the full marathon, that is 8 days away, has no policy on headphone use. And I fully plan to rock out the entire 26.2, thank you very much.
If you are running a 1/2 marathon, you're a real runner. Other, pretentious, all-I-need-is the-rhythm-of-my-feet-and-the-sound-of-my-own-breathing "real runners" can suck it. If you are going to sneak in your music, I would only wear it in one ear though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kel. Good tip. Music or no, I think I might entertain myself by counting the number of "real runners" in the race who ARE wearing headphones - and see if any of them get reprimanded.
ReplyDeletePost race update - I did only count a handful of "runners" ignoring the headphone ban. And, without incriminating anyone, I will say I was aware of a certain someone who put in one earbud after the start and discretely concealed it when nearing water stands and the finish line. She seemed to have done pretty well. ;-)
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