If you're going to Grandma's, leave your iPod at home

[cameron]

admittedly i'm a part-time ipod user.  normally i use it for those g0d-awful training runs in the de@d of winter here in WI.  on occasion i've raced with it as well.  i can see both sides of it...the safety issue and the personal liberty to do so.

to me, if someone races in a USATF race with them...they shouldn't be covered under the race insurance...and the race mgmt shouldn't be held responsible for their well being.

[GTF]

to me, if someone races in a USATF race with them...they shouldn't be covered under the race insurance...and the race mgmt shouldn't be held responsible for their well being.

Except that when entrants sign their name to the waiver, they are agreeing to not only abide by race rules and instructions given by race officials but also to release the race and its sponsors from liability regarding circumstances and incidents while on the race course that the race officials have paid the local municipality/ies to use.  The USATF insurance is not for the coverage or safety of the entrants, it is to cover/protect/minimize the liability of the race organizers and sponsors.  Signing that waiver is an agreement to restriction of "personal liberty."  If they are unwilling to play by the rules (all of them, not just the ones they like) that the race organizers set forth then they should not enter the race, period.  Those who sign their name (or the electronic equivalent online) at the time of registration and agree to abide by the rules (which may or may not include a headphone ban) and then knowingly and willfully break the rules are, in effect, liars.  Most of the people who enter races, like the ones quoted in the articles posted on this thread, are supposed to be adults -- it is time they figured out how to act like adults.

[Ryan]

Not only are they liars, they signed what is considered a legal contract when they want to sue the race about something. They are in breach of contract.

Besides, the problem is that it's not just themselves that are being harmed by their use of headphones. Sure, it's fine to say that they shouldn't be covered by the race's insurance but what about when their negligence results in someone else being hurt?

If they violate the agreement that they signed on to, they should be kicked out. Bottom line, they shouldn't be allowed to enter the course in the first place. Whatever RDs do to keep them off the course, whether not allowing them on the course with headphones or disqualifying them later if evidence of headphone use is found, is perfectly warranted.

[sueruns]

I use an ipod on many training runs, I'm responsible for my own safety.   But rules are rules...I'd never wear them in a race.   

As I watched our local marathon last year, I couldn't believe the women's winner was crossing the line wearing her headphones.  I'm further discouraged that the race is using her photo finish in their advertisement for this year's race.

 I have to wonder in what direction we are going with what we allow.  Years ago I ran a half that I almost got DQ'd because I accepted water from someone that wasn't a volunteer.  I assumed the person was, as he was handing bottles to anyone that wanted one, not just me.   I was told that I should know the course and aid stations are a part of knowing it.   This was a mere 10 years ago.  Now I see friends on bikes pacing, headphones, friends hanging gu, etc.  and RD will say "well, no one issued a complaint.

[cameron]

my father had a rule...only two cookies for dessert.  as an adult, i willfully disregard that rule at each and every opportunity...especially if he's having dinner with us.   

[sueruns]

you only eat one, right?   

[GTF]

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=504849

[RB]

I use an ipod on many training runs, I'm responsible for my own safety.   But rules are rules...I'd never wear them in a race.   

As I watched our local marathon last year, I couldn't believe the women's winner was crossing the line wearing her headphones.  I'm further discouraged that the race is using her photo finish in their advertisement for this year's race.

 I have to wonder in what direction we are going with what we allow.  Years ago I ran a half that I almost got DQ'd because I accepted water from someone that wasn't a volunteer.  I assumed the person was, as he was handing bottles to anyone that wanted one, not just me.   I was told that I should know the course and aid stations are a part of knowing it.   This was a mere 10 years ago.  Now I see friends on bikes pacing, headphones, friends hanging gu, etc.  and RD will say "well, no one issued a complaint.

A couple of years a go I got blasted on a message board because I thought runners that peed in peoples yards along a marathon course we breaking the rules (which they were). Other runners seemed to think that was ok, and also hard to enforce....

[sueruns]

I use an ipod on many training runs, I'm responsible for my own safety.   But rules are rules...I'd never wear them in a race.   

As I watched our local marathon last year, I couldn't believe the women's winner was crossing the line wearing her headphones.  I'm further discouraged that the race is using her photo finish in their advertisement for this year's race.

 I have to wonder in what direction we are going with what we allow.  Years ago I ran a half that I almost got DQ'd because I accepted water from someone that wasn't a volunteer.  I assumed the person was, as he was handing bottles to anyone that wanted one, not just me.   I was told that I should know the course and aid stations are a part of knowing it.   This was a mere 10 years ago.  Now I see friends on bikes pacing, headphones, friends hanging gu, etc.  and RD will say "well, no one issued a complaint.

A couple of years a go I got blasted on a message board because I thought runners that peed in peoples yards along a marathon course we breaking the rules (which they were). Other runners seemed to think that was ok, and also hard to enforce....

I just found out that in triathlons, you can't pee on the course.    what do you do when there's no port o potties.  The answer was "pee on yourself".   sorry i asked. 

[Ryan]

Sue, that's not as abnormal as one would think. I had a friend quite a while ago who was a budding elite runner. He asked an elite runner from Wisconsin (whose name will not be mentioned in case someone would think differently of him due to this) what to do if running a race and feeling the urge. The response: grab a cup of water from an aid station, pour it out on your shorts and legs, and let it fly. People will think you're just cooling your legs off and won't have any idea what's actually going on.

Next time you see an elite pouring a cup of water over his or her shorts/legs...well, let's just say you'll never watch a race the same way after finding out about this tidbit.

[GTF]

grab a cup of water from an aid station, pour it out on your shorts and legs, and let it fly. People will think you're just cooling your legs off and won't have any idea what's actually going on.

Indeed, this is an old strategy among marathon runners.  It is likely that nobody would be watching you when you do this, anyway.  I would only stop for a toilet break during a race if I had to throw a deuce.

[Ryan]

Likewise, I wouldn't stop during a race for nearly anything. I'd take that advice if I had to go during a race (though I never have had to...yet). Of course, I sweat heavily enough that I could probably pull it off without the cup of water.

Have we hit the TMI stage with this topic yet?