Radio during run at Ironman? - Triathlon Week

04-03-2005, 10:17 PM

Yes, the rules do state that headphones or headsets are not allowed. I
can certainly understand that for the bike on roads partially open to
the public. But what about the run? It is on a closed route on sidewalk
some of the time, run path others.

How strict is IMNA about this on the run? I have seen people with then
at IM 1/2 CAL. in the past on the run, but don;t know what the reality
is.

04-03-2005, 10:26 PM

In article <1112588245.603120.87760@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups. com>,
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:

> Yes, the rules do state that headphones or headsets are not allowed. I
> can certainly understand that for the bike on roads partially open to
> the public. But what about the run? It is on a closed route on sidewalk
> some of the time, run path others.
>
> How strict is IMNA about this on the run? I have seen people with then
> at IM 1/2 CAL. in the past on the run, but don't know what the reality
> is.

Do you want to risk a DQ to find out?

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

04-04-2005, 09:57 AM

I bike/run/swim run so I don't have to listen to anything...
Eric

Harold Buck wrote:
> In article <1112588245.603120.87760@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups. com>,
> [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
>
>
>>Yes, the rules do state that headphones or headsets are not allowed. I
>>can certainly understand that for the bike on roads partially open to
>>the public. But what about the run? It is on a closed route on sidewalk
>>some of the time, run path others.
>>
>>How strict is IMNA about this on the run? I have seen people with then
>>at IM 1/2 CAL. in the past on the run, but don't know what the reality
>>is.
>
>
>
> Do you want to risk a DQ to find out?
>
> --Harold Buck
>
>
> "I used to rock and roll all night,
> and party every day.
> Then it was every other day. . . ."
> -Homer J. Simpson

04-05-2005, 06:57 AM

Why do you want to cheat?

<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1112588245.603120.87760@f14g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> Yes, the rules do state that headphones or headsets are not allowed. I
> can certainly understand that for the bike on roads partially open to
> the public. But what about the run? It is on a closed route on sidewalk
> some of the time, run path others.
>
> How strict is IMNA about this on the run? I have seen people with then
> at IM 1/2 CAL. in the past on the run, but don;t know what the reality
> is.
>

04-05-2005, 11:58 AM

In article <YWv4e.19299$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].prodigy.com> ,
"HamFree" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Why do you want to cheat?
>

Well, I think "cheat" is a bit harsh, since I don't think anyone
believes listening to the radio confers a competitive advantage (studies
show people do better when they focus on their activitiy rather than
when they try to distract themselves with music).

I think a better phrasing is "Why do you want to circumvent the safety
regulations?" This is the same question I'd ask someone who wanted to
get away without end-plugs on their handlebars.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

04-05-2005, 02:45 PM

On 4/4/05 12:17 AM, in article, "[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> Yes, the rules do state that headphones or headsets are not allowed. I
> can certainly understand that for the bike on roads partially open to
> the public. But what about the run? It is on a closed route on sidewalk
> some of the time, run path others.
>
> How strict is IMNA about this on the run? I have seen people with then
> at IM 1/2 CAL. in the past on the run, but don;t know what the reality
> is.

This reminded me of a similar thought process I went through before the Blue
Devil last year. Leading up to the race, I thought about taking my iPod for
use during the run. I had used it all summer during training and although I
knew it wasn't technically allowed, I figured the Blue Devil was a low-key
"people's race" (certainly less intense than an MDOT race anyway). If I
could get away with it anywhere, it just might be there I thought. Besides
the ENTIRE run was on closed park roads, what's the safety issue?

My wife even had what seemed at the time like a decent suggestion: "give it
to me", she said, "if you get through the first lap (of the 5 lap course)
and see other people doing it, I'll hand it to you".

In the end, I opted not to do it for all the reasons Harold Buck stated in
his reply. (breaking the rules, risking a DQ, safety, etc). But here's the
funny part: I NEVER EVEN MISSED IT. I saw absolutely NO ONE with earphones
on during the event. During the run I never ONCE thought "man I wished I
had my iPod".

Turned out, the experience was more than enough to keep my brain busy.

It wasn't until the week after the race, when I got back home and saw my
iPod on the desk, that I even realized I had run 26.2 without it.

Bottom line: forget it. You don't need it.

John

04-06-2005, 09:49 AM

John, actually if your wife had have given you the iPod you could have
technically fallen foul of another rule, outside assistance.

I can see that having your coach recorded on your iPod or some positive
thinking e-book, it could indeed be a competitive advantage, while
listening to something like Back Street Boys could even be a
disadvantage... ++Mark.