Does anyone know if mp3 players are allowed in the run portion of IM races?
http://www.ironman.ca/RaceRules.pdf
‘Illegal equipment includes headphones, headsets and glass containers.’
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It is against USAT rules and in the packet we received for IM AZ it said no headphones. USA Track and Field also prohibits the use of headphones in races (including marathons) but obviously it is not enforced. I don’t know if USAT enforces the rule.
Is it something you can actually get DQ’d for?
Is it something you can actually get DQ’d for?
Definitely. It’s a variable time penalty but every time you get written up that’s one more on the way to your third strike and a DQ. Were I officiating I might give you a chance to hand it off to someone or put it completely away and just take the first time penalty, but if you didn’t comply immediately you’d rapidly be assessed #2 and #3 and game over.
A friend of mine did IM Florida in 2004 and asked if they could be used for the run, they said no but if you were caught wearing them you’d get a 4-minute penalty. He decided to use them since the 4-minute penalty was less that the benefit he’d get from having them on for the run. He never did get penalized.
There usually are not many officials on the run, so it probably easy to get away with. Racing is the only time I do not wear headphones and even though I do all my training with them it isn’t that bad without them…the rules are set in place and by using something that is banned you are getting an advantage to others that are following the rules. It isn’t fair.
‘Illegal equipment includes headphones, headsets and glass containers.’
does that mean you can use the ipod with the portable speakers!!!
I saw two guys at IMAZ running with the new Oakley-MP3 player combo.
one of them was clearly listening to music. it was loud enough I could hear the music when he went by on the run…
If you want to be a “TRUE IRONMAN”, then you will not wear headphones and abide by the USAT rules and regulations. Everyone else is not wearing them and wouldn’t YOU FEEL a little bit OUT OF PLACE wearing headphones, or carrying an MP3 or iPod around?
When you do Ironman, it’s all about you being out there to test yourself physically and mentally. To have an eletronic device when say for instance you are running on a trail path or through a scenic part of the Ironman course, just seems to not mix and take away from the whole experience.
Yeah I know… and I totally agree with you. I just figured that a carefully picked playlist could really help with pacing on the run (easy listening calming music in the beginning so I don’t go out too fast) and then hardcore beat pumping music towards the end to keep focus.
At the pre race meeting in CDA last year the head ref said they would be taking a close look at “anything that looked like a MP3 and to even be careful with GPS systems on your arm”. I noticed a lot of refs on the run but a road that ran along the run course made it easy for refs on bikes to moniter the run. With 2000 people packed onto a run course it isn’t safe. Also to block out the sound of the race and all the people would take a lot out of the experence for me.
Dave
Speaking as a USAT Head Referee
On the bike I consider the wearing of headphones to be endangerment as you are impeding the ability to hear warnings fom course workers or fellow athletes and that constitutes a DQ, on the run its a variable time penalty
and I do assign referee’s on bikes to monitor the run to watch for outside assistance, course cutting and the use of illegal equipment.
Eric
GPS is illegal?
No,not at all but the arm band type units look like MP3 players and could get mistaken. He was just saying be careful so they don’t confused.
There were way more than two. We commented on how many people we saw running with them (close to 10 maybe?).
I was blown away by the number of runners I saw wearing MP3’s/ipods etc - easily counted over 15 on athletes at IMAZ
So much for rule enforcement!!
That was the only complaint I have about IMAZ
I suppose that one of the advantages of 12 years of competitive swimming, where you see the same 25 yards hundreds of times a day, is that running and biking are so much more interesting landscape-wise that I have never felt much need for a walkman or one of these newfangled MP3 players or whatever.
But, in all seriousness, you should try to run without one. I think you will end up being a better runner if you focus on your running instead of listening to music during a run. (I better duck now).
I agree, I rarely use any music while I run. The only time I do is when I know I am “over analyzing” every step I take, being hard on myself. Then I use it as a distraction.
I saw a guy wearing one on his arm and wondered if he was going to get tagged for it. 15 minutes later I saw him stopped by an official who was taking his name and number. I guess they were calling people on it where possible.