VLM - can I wear an earphone? - Spring Marathon

Keeley Howson

13/04/2012 at 16:21

Hi

I will be running VLM for first time this year. I've trained using a micoach device and iPod and would like to use them during the race. I only ever run with 1 earphone on anyway so will this be ok during the race. A lot of races I've been in before say earphones are banned.

TA MUCHLY

Tickled Pink

13/04/2012 at 17:01

You'll miss all the atmosphere if you do. Personally I wouldn't though I have done in other long races where the support is very thin on the ground so I am far from anti-ipod.

Keeley Howson

13/04/2012 at 17:18

I am worried about missing atmosphere but without the miCoach device I can't pace myself

Judy Lodge 2

13/04/2012 at 17:52

I have never run with earphones and have to say you will miss the atmosphere. Also I have found that having a quick comment to a other runner for suppot falls on deaf ears and they often are unaware of anyone around them but at the end of the day it is a personal prefernce. Good luck

RicF

13/04/2012 at 18:03

Lets hope you don't run out of battery power, you'll still be standing there when the course is being cleaned up.

MikeFrog

13/04/2012 at 18:07

The simple answer to your question is yes, you can, as long as you're not in any danger of being a prizewinner.

Keeley Howson

13/04/2012 at 19:11

I don't have a garmin I have a miCoach so yes I guess I risk batteries running out but not much choice

cougie

pirate

13/04/2012 at 20:01

Is micoach more accurate than the massive baloon arches they have every mile ?

Keeley Howson

13/04/2012 at 20:16

For my time given I'm unlikely to cross the red start line for quite a while yes as I imagine it will be for all those people using similar devices that are watch based

RicF

13/04/2012 at 20:28

I'm not sure if you are aware of how crowded the VLM is. Dare I say it, when I've looked across the barrier at around 21 miles and seen the masses at half way, what I see is a mass moving at a speed. If you are in amongst that lot then that's your speed, your chosen pace will be rendered irrelevant.

Nykie

13/04/2012 at 22:03

Have you thought about following one of the pacers, letting them do the pacing work?

cougie

pirate

13/04/2012 at 23:40

Stopwatch with a timer. If you want to run 10 min miles then set the repeating interval to 10 mins. Start it as you cross the start line. If it beeps before the mile marker you are running too fast and vice versa. 100% accurate.

Stephen E Forde

14/04/2012 at 00:14

Cougie are you mad!

Next you will be telling people to run by percieved effort!

Then what?

1000's running faster than they thought possible, first ignoring their Garmins then their ipods then, I can hardly bring myself to say it, just leaving the house and, oh god I feel sick, just running!

You Cougie are a dangerous man!

Dreaming Of Magic

14/04/2012 at 18:57

I ran 2010 VLM with an ipod shuffle. Took in the atmosphere when i wanted, went into my own world when i wanted. Best of both worlds. For me, running with music keeps me in the moment and positive. I had a very strong finish off of 5 weeks build up (base was 12-15 miles per week before), music picked me up after a bad patch at 20-22 miles. Golden rule No. 1 for marathons is go with what you do in training.

VMoxy

14/04/2012 at 19:05

Crikey, what's with the attitude from some of you lot!!??

Keeley - I'm with Philip Baker 7. If you've trained with headphones, have them with you so that you've got the comfort of familiarity. You can always take them out on the day. Being able to hear the crowd cheering you along is awesome though, so one ear in one out might be the best of both worlds.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

RicF

14/04/2012 at 19:47

Welcome to 'Club Rhetorical'

reikirabbit

15/04/2012 at 19:09

In my experience people who run with iPods etc can be dangerously oblivious to what is happening around them, so if you use one, be alert to the sudden and random behaviours of those around you.

I know I need all my senses to avoid taking dives.

cougie

pirate

15/04/2012 at 20:20

I'd definitely not use them at the start - there are speed bumps from one of the start and I've seen some nasty falls from people not paying attention to the marshals calls.

Johnny Blaze

15/04/2012 at 20:50

Here's the thing. You think you can't run without music?

You can.

Thassorl.

Joolska

15/04/2012 at 20:57

I'm not sure the OP is saying she needs it for the music - I'm assuming the micoach app tells her what pace she is running at? Don't bother with the music, because there's plenty of other music on the course; if you feel more confident with the micoach, then run with it, but maybe get a cheap 30 lap stopwatch instead.