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MP3 when racing??
MG
Posts: 470
in General Chat
It came to my attention today that at Quelle Challenge Roth (an Ironman distance triathlon) you are allowed to use MP3 and listen to music whilst you are racing. A refreshing stance I think. Alot of people train with music, 220 even ran a poll a little while back.
So my question to the 220 massif is....................How many of you would race with MP3 if given the choice?
I for one probably would!!
So my question to the 220 massif is....................How many of you would race with MP3 if given the choice?
I for one probably would!!
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Interesting enough I always train with music and I'd thought I'd struggle when I had to compete without.. I seem to manage well enough though..
I think I'd definetly use music on the run.. probably for the cycle too...
Scotty
I guess what i'm saying is that because the MP3 isolates someone from the real world and their surroundings which can make them dangerous to themself and others - but maybe i am biased because of my experience.
i do wonder how sensible riding with music is, i tend to want all my senses working in my favour on the bike with traffic, road conditions etc. at the end of the day it's personal choice and unless someone on a bike takes me out because they are wired up then it's thier risk to take.
oddly though, i'm normally listening to something at work most of the time so i'm just a big hypocrite!
Ear-plugs (which is effectively what your ear-phones are) while running? Fine IF you're not crossing roads or other hazards. Great off road.
Ear-plugs while cycling. Fine IF you want to be an organ donor. Even on a closed circuit its damned inconsiderate to your fellow competitors: You know, they guy you knock off because you run wide without realising he was overtaking.
I tend to use all my senses while placing myself and others in danger, particularly hearing and sight. Can we have a discussion now about "Who runs/cycles with their eyes shut"?
Leave the iPod on the turbo trainer.
Not a wind up, just a few points of veiw thats all
I have absolutely NO BEEF whatsoeva with people who choose not to listen to music/podcasts when training but its strange that one company (quelle challenge) allow it and ITU bans it.
By the way, no one was injured through MP3 use at roth.....................
Obviously there is the safety thing..... then there is the extra faffing around in Transition to get hooked up etc... plus I would doubt an MP3 players battery would last 10-12 or maybe more hours it takes some people to do the bike/run part of an IM... I-pod maybe...
You miss out on the atmosphere and there is no substitute for the boost you get when you can hear someone cheering you on.
Instead of an MP3 player how about a 'team' radio??
If you are in with a chance of winning an event etc, could you get away with wearing a small radio and have your mates/WAT officer/coach etc radioing through tactical instructions?? Ie how far ahead the leader is, what pace you need run/cycle at to catch others??
Individual race,no outside assistance,keep the sport pure.
I think racing should be kept 'clean' ie no mp3s etc...
and keep the use of said equipment for training
Listening to a track that you've heard many times before doesn't require as much concentration as a phone call with your Aunty Irene... but still, your brain is still wasting time on working out whether Step's version of Tragedy is better than S Club's Reach for the Stars at getting your cadence up, so that reacting to that car pulling out of the side street in front of you, might just be a tad slower than otherwise.
How many people without MP3 got in my way and inconvenienced me on my last tri? plenty...
Anyhoo, it aint gonna happen over here cos of "elf n sayfteee guv" so it was a hypothetical point really. Personally I think some races it could be a bit dodgy, and some a blessing (anyone raced at Dorney???? zzzzzzz) but on some long distance races I would quite like the option to have MP3.
Seems like a bit of a Marmite kinda thing, love it or hate it.........
having run a marathon with my ipod with me, i would remove the earphones when there were people and support around - it is always great to soak in the encouragement of the crowd and the atmosphere - but at those long and lonely stretches where all i could hear would be my breathing and my footsteps and were no people around, having some kick ass tunes was the best push i could get to keep me going...! a good motivational tune coming in the right moment can work miracles..
Chrissie Wellington's race prep consists of (in part) riding the bike course with an MP3 player in one ear. She reckons it helps her when racing because she remembers what song was playing at certain points. If it's good enough for Chrissie...