Usually don't comment here - but I just finished my sixth marathon two weeks ago. Music is most definitely a performance enhancer after 20 miles. It aids you in forgetting any pain you may have, and its beat can help you keep a steady pace. And water outside an aid station is unfair too - not everyone can have a crew to aid them the whole way. That helps maintain a level playing field.
Not to mention, all those douchebags with earbuds in never move when I approach and call "on your right!" I would like to see iPods banned across the line for all racers. I am glad they got DQ'd.
And before you also say that shoes are performance enhancers, there are shoes banned by the USATF. Spira Stinger racing flats have springs in the soles and give unfair advantage.
Shoes should be banned as well? They are scientifically engineered to enhance performance, no? I hear people all the time talking about using gels and what not for marathons. What about those? Also, sunglasses need to be banned, as blocking the sun from your eyes might help you concentrate better on your pace. Some people might have clothing that is better at moisture management than others. That seems to be an unfair advantage.
While I agree that rule are rules, the logic for having this particular rule is pretty weak.
The way I see it, everyone should be equipped identically for the results to be truly reliable.
Yep, rules are rules when it comes to doing this on a professional level. If you're an average joe like me and run for fun, they don't mind if you have an iPod on (though I have been asked by a race official once to remove mine) but if you're good enough to actually win one of these races, then you should know the rules. It most certainly can provide an advantage, look at what the runner involved said:
"If you're bored, it pumps you up a little bit."
Anyone who has run a long-distance race like this knows that half the battle is mental, breaking through that 20-mile wall. In post-race comments, she said she only used the device between miles 19-21. There is a well-documented mental wall around mile 20 for marathon runners, and it would seem to be that the iPod helped get her through that, which is certainly an unfair advantage.
For the rest of us, the main concern is for safety, you have to be able to hear instructions from race officials for emergencies and not be lost in your music.
So - doing this for healthy and fun, iPod's generally overlooked. Doing this for competitive sanctioned races where there's money on the line, no electronic devices. Not rocket science.
Training is also grounds for DQ. I heard it's invaluable among the pros. Sheesh, everyone's so uptight about something that is supposed to be healthy and fun.
I participate in a marathon rollerblade race every year, I would love to listen to music while I raced, because it would help me keep a better pace, and that's why I also know it as common sense that you can't listen to music during an actual race, no one in the marathon listens to music, even the amature catagory of racers who don't get prizes, simply put, if your in the race, you should understand the rules, and yes even for a little bit, music is a boost to your performance, and yes I agree the race gets boring after a while, but then you knew that before you ran.
@dropdeadseven: Reading the rule, to which a link was posted in the article:
"(f) The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in Championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices."
I would say probably not. Unless your pacemaker or insulin pump plays audio, video, or enables you to communicate any more than talking.
@Purple Dave: I considered this as I typed my original post, and I came to the conclusion that the USATF would probably not consider that "communication" as enforced. I mean, maybe if you had a pacemaker installed, and your physician was also your coach wirelessly downloading data about your exertion level and coaching you accordingly, then maybe that would be considered bending/breaking the rules. But as far as receiving data about your status of being alive/not being alive, I don't think there'd be a problem.
Using an iPod in a race has become a symbol for a deeper culture war between serious runners and what they consider to be"enthusiasts." A lot more people have taken up running lately (perhaps in part due to the iPod) and the old-school competitors don't like their field being crowded by all the n00bz.
So, while there are legitimate concerns about safety and awareness (and maybe to a lesser degree the "metronome" effect), I think this story carries the connotation that elite runners are responsible for keeping the sport pure and have no business running with iPods. That said, rules are rules.
@TheZolf: You win. I've run a lot, sparing everyone the details. I've only run with an iPod once; in a half marathon I really only did for fun, and only because a friend offered it to me in a particularly shitty part of the race. I handed it back to him a mile later because the cable was frozen and stiff (+2*F outside). Had I been competing to win, however, I would never have considered listening to an iPod mid race.
I will say, in 6 years of track, and 5 years of cross country, the OHSAA rules are WAY more strict than USATF. No jewelry of any type, whatsoever. Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, visible piercings are all illegal, in any condition. You are allowed to wear a watch, and a headband. Headbands, must be manufactured, ie, Nike or somebody has to have made it. You can't take yarn and tie it around your head. Bobby pins and any other metal hairpieces are illegal. Including bungees with metal ties. Your uniform top must be tucked into your uniform shorts at the beginning of the race. If you're on a relay team, you may have Under Armour, etc under your uniform of any length as long as everyone on your relay team is wearing the same color. Your spandex may display one logo, and one logo only. So, if you have a logo on your Under Armour collar showing, you must cover up the one on the back of the shirt, and the one on your shorts/pants. You wouldn't even get to the start line carrying/wearing an iPod, etc.
It's to the point where you're just best off wearing your uniform exactly as they want, and only wearing spandex if all your logos are covered.
@shenanigans61: All of this is somewhat hilarious because the OHSAA is trying to make it "more like" higher levels of competition, ie the olympics and crap. When in the olympics, pretty much all of that stuff besides iPods is legal.
@shenanigans61:
No, the logo thing is probably meant to keep the top competitors from wearing running outfits that look like they'd be better suited to NASCAR.
@Purple Dave: Well, the thing is, olympic runners can be sponsored, meaning they'll have clothes/shoes/accesories all from one company. Colleges are usually sponsored, meaning they'll have clothes etc all from the same company. But high school? You aren't even allowed to have a sponsor.
I didn't see it anywhere in the comments so I'll say it here for you guys. The USATF does not allow listening devises because they feel some people might use them to listen to pace setting information like staggered beeps (think metronome) or messages to increase or decrease your running speed. For pros, this would invaluable to have. My girlfriend ran the Chicago marathon last year and it's listed clearly in the rules. RTFM, Jennifer.
@N@tedog: i think the officials are worried that someone could be listening to cumbia music, which i hear is very powerful, it gives you el poder de la cumbia!
muevele muevele la cintura mami! mami, muevele la cintura!
There was an article in the NY times about a jogger that was struck and killed by a large tree branch that fell in central park. When the medics arrived the ipod was still blasting music.
I've been running for over 19 years and have tried to running with headphones on a tread mill. You can just zone out when the music is on. On the road however, I never wear headphones.
I run these races all the time. Rules are rules. USATF states for their races no ipods for elite runners. Also about the water bottle incident, there is a rule about no outside help, which includes friends handing you water bottles. Seriously, most marathons have an aid station (water/gatorade) every mile.
@Yuppers: I love you: I'm surprised the top two runners didn't know/abide by the rules. I thought anyone who was competitive enough to finish in the top of the race would know the rules of the game.
come on, guys. this is a gadget/tech blog. if anything, you guys should be maligning the fact that marathons even exist.
marathons are a direct slap in the face to the innovators of transportation. we invented the automobile so you wouldn't have to run that distance.
you there, jennifer goebel: your crime wasn't listening to an ipod. nay, your crime was running 26.2 miles instead of driving it. you're just spitting in the face of karl benz. you should be ashamed of yourself. ASHAMED!
@OMG! Ponies!: That sounds awesome. My mother sings ..genesis and celine dion loudly and badly while mowing the lawn. Metallica would be a nice change.
@Ajh: dude, you make your mom mow the lawn? not cool, guy. unless mowing the lawn is your euphemism for the euphemism of trimming the hedges, which is also not cool.
@Ajh: *slips into smooth seductive mode upon hearing that Ajh is a woman*
oh my bad, dude, i didn't realize you weren't a guy because your user name doesn't have "I'M A GIRL!! TEE HEE!!" in it. also, your avatar does not have hearts. also, what other yardwork is there besides mowing the lawn? unless you're physically incapable of mowing the lawn due to extremely short arms or because one leg is backwards and covered in warts, why would you make your mom do it? unless she is built like an ox, but if that's the case, why wouldn't you yoke her and use her to till the lands beyond where the eye can see?
you're probably wondering where the "smooth seductive mode" is going to set in. what you don't realize is this whole time i've been dancing. and you've been mesmerized by my gyrations. they're really rather hypnotic. now i have you under my full control. and the first thing i make you do? well, that's to mow your lawn instead of your mother.
@Anonymoose: ...interesting. And There's the hedge trimming along the house and the trees. And the weeding of the flower beds. And we have a tractor lawn mower so all mom does is drive in circles singing while I do the manual labor thanks.
anyway, i was just busting your balls. i mean your absence of balls. i mean, ok, i'm trying to be delicate, because busting your ovaries could be construed as inappropriate. how about this.
@Ajh: i think you meant breath-takingly beautiful. my dancing is breath-takingly beautiful. sir michael flatley once watched me dance and had to go to the hospital to be treated for dehydration because he cried so much. i once danced in front of a beggar who begged no more for he had received such wealth from the vision of my movements as to sustain him for three lifetimes.
well, it depends on what she was listening to, doesnt it? there's no way you can listen to "danger zone" and not be pumped up big time. i could listen to that song and run a marathon in 10 minutes. 10 MINUTES.
@OMG! Ponies!: the problem with "i'm holding out for a hero" is that whenever i hear the opening verses, i scream "i'm right here!" and then i collapse dramatically to my knees while the music plays, crying that i'm the hero you're looking for, bonnie tyler, i'm the hero you're looking for *wracking sobs* i'm the white knight...wait...i'm not white..what is this??? WHAT IS THIS, BONNIE TYLER??? DO YOU NOT WANT ME BECAUSE I'M NOT WHITE???
10/15/09
Not to mention, all those douchebags with earbuds in never move when I approach and call "on your right!" I would like to see iPods banned across the line for all racers. I am glad they got DQ'd.
And before you also say that shoes are performance enhancers, there are shoes banned by the USATF. Spira Stinger racing flats have springs in the soles and give unfair advantage.
10/14/09
While I agree that rule are rules, the logic for having this particular rule is pretty weak.
The way I see it, everyone should be equipped identically for the results to be truly reliable.
10/14/09
I don't see how using and iPod would get in the way of judging her athletic abilities.
The water still has a bit of sense because the water could have some illegal substance in it, thus giving an unfair advantage.
But an iPod, unless they really managed to recreate drug effects by using songs, is just bs.
10/14/09
"If you're bored, it pumps you up a little bit."
Anyone who has run a long-distance race like this knows that half the battle is mental, breaking through that 20-mile wall. In post-race comments, she said she only used the device between miles 19-21. There is a well-documented mental wall around mile 20 for marathon runners, and it would seem to be that the iPod helped get her through that, which is certainly an unfair advantage.
For the rest of us, the main concern is for safety, you have to be able to hear instructions from race officials for emergencies and not be lost in your music.
So - doing this for healthy and fun, iPod's generally overlooked. Doing this for competitive sanctioned races where there's money on the line, no electronic devices. Not rocket science.
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"(f) The visible possession or use by athletes of video, audio, or communications devices in the competition area. The Games Committee for an LDR event may allow the use of portable listening devices not capable of receiving communication; however, those competing in Championships for awards, medals, or prize money may not use such devices."
I would say probably not. Unless your pacemaker or insulin pump plays audio, video, or enables you to communicate any more than talking.
10/14/09
So wait...what does that mean for people who have pacemakers that are set up to wirelessly transmit data to their physicians?
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10/14/09
So, while there are legitimate concerns about safety and awareness (and maybe to a lesser degree the "metronome" effect), I think this story carries the connotation that elite runners are responsible for keeping the sport pure and have no business running with iPods. That said, rules are rules.
10/14/09
I will say, in 6 years of track, and 5 years of cross country, the OHSAA rules are WAY more strict than USATF. No jewelry of any type, whatsoever. Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, visible piercings are all illegal, in any condition. You are allowed to wear a watch, and a headband. Headbands, must be manufactured, ie, Nike or somebody has to have made it. You can't take yarn and tie it around your head. Bobby pins and any other metal hairpieces are illegal. Including bungees with metal ties. Your uniform top must be tucked into your uniform shorts at the beginning of the race. If you're on a relay team, you may have Under Armour, etc under your uniform of any length as long as everyone on your relay team is wearing the same color. Your spandex may display one logo, and one logo only. So, if you have a logo on your Under Armour collar showing, you must cover up the one on the back of the shirt, and the one on your shorts/pants. You wouldn't even get to the start line carrying/wearing an iPod, etc.
It's to the point where you're just best off wearing your uniform exactly as they want, and only wearing spandex if all your logos are covered.
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10/14/09
No, the logo thing is probably meant to keep the top competitors from wearing running outfits that look like they'd be better suited to NASCAR.
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10/15/09
You're just in the wrong sport:
[highschool.rivals.com]
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muevele muevele la cintura mami! mami, muevele la cintura!
10/14/09
I've been running for over 19 years and have tried to running with headphones on a tread mill. You can just zone out when the music is on. On the road however, I never wear headphones.
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10/15/09
#ILoveYou #performanceenhancingipodgetsmarathonwinn...
10/14/09
marathons are a direct slap in the face to the innovators of transportation. we invented the automobile so you wouldn't have to run that distance.
you there, jennifer goebel: your crime wasn't listening to an ipod. nay, your crime was running 26.2 miles instead of driving it. you're just spitting in the face of karl benz. you should be ashamed of yourself. ASHAMED!
10/14/09
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10/14/09
oh my bad, dude, i didn't realize you weren't a guy because your user name doesn't have "I'M A GIRL!! TEE HEE!!" in it. also, your avatar does not have hearts. also, what other yardwork is there besides mowing the lawn? unless you're physically incapable of mowing the lawn due to extremely short arms or because one leg is backwards and covered in warts, why would you make your mom do it? unless she is built like an ox, but if that's the case, why wouldn't you yoke her and use her to till the lands beyond where the eye can see?
you're probably wondering where the "smooth seductive mode" is going to set in. what you don't realize is this whole time i've been dancing. and you've been mesmerized by my gyrations. they're really rather hypnotic. now i have you under my full control. and the first thing i make you do? well, that's to mow your lawn instead of your mother.
10/14/09
10/14/09
anyway, i was just busting your balls. i mean your absence of balls. i mean, ok, i'm trying to be delicate, because busting your ovaries could be construed as inappropriate. how about this.
i put on my robe and wizard hat...
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You're not running to win - you're running to rebel against John Lithgow.
10/14/09
well, yeah, it goes something like that.
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