Thread: USAT Ipod Rule?

This is the "standing" rule in WTC (M-DOT|Ironman) & USAT events. The stated reason is "safety". I don't buy that 100%. There is a "distraction" effect which may lead to an unfair advantage and it doesn't look very good in the pictures for which companies pay big $ to take & sell at these events.

Bottom line is it is against the rules. 1st & 2nd infractions = variable time penalty. 3rd = DQ. You can get penalized three times before you can stow them in your singlet so forget it.

Use your tunes to train away. Use the strength you build in training to get your through you longer races. You'll make the distance and you'll be fine. After all, you're a Triathlete!

See? I wasn't the only one! I just wish they'd change the rule for the run portion.

Heather

Yeah, I've always thought the rule was BS. Heather, as you know, I did a 70.3 with phones on in '05. My knee was in such bad shape, I didn't care if I was penalized, hence my distraction comment. In retrospect, I shouldn't have done it and won't ever again.

:) Are you any good? Maybe others would enjoy it as well! At the Indianapolis half marathon, they have about 100 entertainers along the route. Its great and it passes the time and the miles faster!

Heather

As long as you sing in your head. Not because others wouldn't like to hear it, but because if you can breathe, you're not running fast enough!!!

If you want to listen to the radio, sit in your car. If you are running, enjoy your surroundings. :)

I don't run slow enough for the surroundings to be enough to keep me motivated. I'm usually concentrating on what i'm doing. Do i need to speed up slow down etc? And i need some motivation to push harder during a race. I can't just look around for 10 mile runs and enjoy the scenery

I know. I was just joking. I don't think they really enforce the no ipod,etc. at running events, but I'm pretty sure triathlons are more strict with penalties.
The distraction of a bike computer or a watch is a little different from a safety perspective. Someone could yell at you and you would be aware. Some people are completely oblivious to everything when they have earphones on and it would be extremely difficult to enforce a rule that allowed a earphone in one ear. You are right that it is more dangerous in training, but the USAT can't really follow everyone around making them be safe during training.

I somewhat agree however, the "why's" dont really matter. USAT says wear 'em and find a DQ next to your name when you're done. You can lobby them and I'll support you.

Originally Posted by ballyard7

I just don't get it, how do they expect you to run for 26 miles and bike for 112 with nothing to do or listen to except your own thoughts?

Lee Iococa once said. "If you think you can, you're right. If you think you CAN'T you're right". It can be done and more easily than you'd think, trust me. Just believe you can and have fun at it! You'll wan't to hear them say "ballyard7, YOU ARE AN IRONMAN" when you cross the line. And with those words, the whole world becomes "right as rain"!!!

I like to do math in my head, but that is just me. You could read half of a novel and think through what is going to happen at the end.

You could focus on the horizon and then try to catch it. Before you know it you will be finished.

Maybe someone in the USAT thinks that it minimizes triathlon as a sport if people are wearing headphones. You don't see basketball players wearing headphones or even golfers. If you are hanging out listening to tunes then it kind of turns it into a leisure activity. Maybe they just want their athletes to be mentally tougher.

I don't really care either way. I'm just throwing out some of the reasoning or thought process that may be behind the ruling. I for one (maybe the only one) enjoy my thoughts and they pass the time just fine for me.