WHY THE HATRED FOR HEADPHONES?

Nah dude, I don't think it's for recreational joggers. I recently got an ipod nano as a gift and also use it for my easy runs. It works well for my early morning runs when it's just me and the cold. By the way, I consider myself relatively quick (13:40s 5k).

because your gay.

You're soft.

In the Knw wrote:

Nah dude, I don't think it's for recreational joggers. I recently got an ipod nano as a gift and also use it for my easy runs. It works well for my early morning runs when it's just me and the cold. By the way, I consider myself relatively quick (13:40s 5k).

Well I think they're gay and I've ran a 13.20 5k.

(look how easy it is to lie about your times)

6/10

You can't really be that insecure, but still pretty good and you could draw a lot of response.

Soft?! I work as hard as almost anyone I've met in workouts. But when I'm doing easy runs at 1:00/mile slower than marathon pace, I like to have some tunes to move the time along. Nobody has explained the actual problem with headphones yet...

Ultimately, it is not being aware of what is going on around you. I have seen runners (and joggers) nearly hit by cars in intersections because they could not hear a car coming.

I have approached so many wearing headphones without knowing I was approaching. This is really true of women.

The funniest thing I see on my morning run is these two women almost shouting at one another. Both are wearing headphones, but also trying to carry on a conversation.

stupid letsrunners wrote:

... Nobody has explained the actual problem with headphones yet...

If you have to ask, you'll never know. Or should if be IF YOU HAVE TO ASK, YOU'LL NEVER KNOW.

mike_old_fart wrote:

Ultimately, it is not being aware of what is going on around you. I have seen runners (and joggers) nearly hit by cars in intersections because they could not hear a car coming.

I have approached so many wearing headphones without knowing I was approaching. This is really true of women.

The funniest thing I see on my morning run is these two women almost shouting at one another. Both are wearing headphones, but also trying to carry on a conversation.

This is the real problem that I can see. I love when I go to pass someone and they don't hear me coming and give me a pissed off look when they're startled by me as if I did something wrong.

I really see no problem with headphones as long as you have the volume at a level that allows you to hear what's going on around you. If I wore them, I'd probably only use them on trails and such and not for urban or highway running where I'm running through traffic and crowds.

I think that the reason many letsrun posters voice such disdain for headphones is this: It gives them a reason to feel like a more serious runner than some group of people for reasons that have nothing to do with actual running. I don't even have to run more miles than you to be able to look at your headphones and call you a jogger. I can feel good about myself and consider myself a hardcore runner with no effort. I just leave my iPod at home and I'm better than you. This appeals to some people.

Harry Kooter wrote:

I really see no problem with headphones as long as you have the volume at a level that allows you to hear what's going on around you.

No such thing. If you have the volume loud enough to hear the music at all, that sound is obscuring other sounds. Try this sometime. Have your car stereo at a low level, just high enough to make out the tune and lyrics. Keep it on for a while as you're driving. Then turn the stereo off. You'll notice that you hear a lot more road noises at that point. Think about when you're running on a windy day. The wind isn't that loud, but it's still hard to hear someone talking as they run with you. Just because you can hear some of the things around you with the music playing doesn't mean that you're hearing everything or all that you need to hear to be safe both to yourself and others. All that said, I don't have a problem with it (except in race situations sometimes) and I figure evolution will eventually take care of it.

I know pro athletes that run with them! Honestly can you expect some of the guys that do 110+ week after week alone to not need some tunes to stay motivated some times?? They probably dont use them every single run but when they feel like crap and music is the only way to get them out the door isnt that better then just scrapping a run because you dont feel like going and doing a 2hr long run by yourself? Both the gouchers use them sometimes, meb and I know several other do too. Why dont you call them fake runners cause they sure as hell cant lie about their times here!

Why do you care what others think of you? If you like running with headphone, go a head and do it.

how about the females???? wrote:

...pro athletes that run with them! They probably dont use them every single run but when they feel like crap and music is the only way to get them out the door

excellent argument. i bet meb can't count the times that he's said, "Sorry coach, I just can't take this beautiful mountain scenery and soothing sounds of nature anymore. If I'm going to run, I need some tunes! iTunes that is!!!!"

Give me a break. Isn't this practically the definition of a rec runner? If you need music to get you out the door you've got some serious motivation issues. I don't give a crap if you run 110 or 160 miles per week, if you're good enough to be pro, I think motivation doesn't come in the form of the newest Nelly Furtado album.

While I agree that occasional music is nice, it is never motivation, just something to ease the boredom.

For an earlier poster, I also love seeing two chicks running together with headphones. LOL. Nothing says "I really don't even like you" like running in pairs in your own world. Has anyone ever seen two dudes doing this?

stupid letsrunners wrote:

-- what's the problem?

It's dangerous.

I don't care what volume level they are on, you are not as aware of your surroundings as you would be without them. Other runners, walkers, cyclists and cars suffer as you make erratic movements, or none at all when appropriate. Share the road/trail/sidewalk etc.

If you are in a car wreck while talking on the phone insurance docks you because you were not fully paying attention. Same here. Except I don't have insurance for falling on the singletrack because you're ignorant to the presence of others.

Ahh, but part of the joy of running while listening to music is pissing off all the people who consider themselves "serious" runners.

I'll run the way I want to run, and if it pisses you off, sounds like YOU have a problem.

ughhh ... wrote:

Ahh, but part of the joy of running while listening to music is pissing off all the people who consider themselves "serious" runners.

I'll run the way I want to run, and if it pisses you off, sounds like YOU have a problem.

I'm not a serious runner. Just one that wants to avoid unnecessary injury. Do you like hurting other people? Who has the problem?

Right, endangering others' safety is no big deal, they actually deserve it.

Headphones + no watch + cell phone in hand = jogger

I'm going to rig up an old 8-track tape player to my ass with some big f-ing headphones and beat all you assholes.

I'll be listening to some Isley Brothers. "Fight The Power"

:)