Pry My iPod From My Cold, Dead Armband

It used to be that running races with music was prohibited, but USA Track & Field quickly recognized the impossibility of enforcing such a widely-disregarded rule.  The powers-that-be relented and left the issue up to individual race directors.  Some purists (Circle City Runner included) still feel that racing with headphones detracts from the experience, provides an advantage, and diminishes the social aspects of the race.  But I don’t feel that way about long training runs, which I do mostly solo, on painfully familiar routes protected from traffic.  There, I rely on the serendipity of radio, the predictability of playlists, and a fresh supply of podcasts, some even about running.

According to the New York Times (States’ lawmakers Turn Attention to the Dangers of Distracted Pedestrians), legislatures in several states are considering bans on the use of electronic devices while riding bicycles, walking, or running.  New York’s bill would prohibit a runner from crossing a street while using an MP3 player.  A violation would bring a $100 fine.  In Arkansas, a bill to prohibit pedestrians from wearing headphones in both ears was withdrawn.  These were in response to an uptick in pedestrian deaths.

“They” used to say that we shouldn’t run with headphones because we couldn’t hear the bad guys sneaking up on us.  Now we shouldn’t wear them because they might make us forget to look both ways.

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Tags: indianapolis running, iPod, New York Times, running, running with music