Ipod or no ipod (Page 2)

I'm in the pro-iPod crowd. I hate to run, and when I first started running I used what was then a brand new device - the Sony Walkman, which played an ancient form of musical technology (a "cassette tape".... I'm old). I've always used something to keep me going when I run.  But when I bike, no iPod (the speed keeps me happy, and I like to be more aware of traffic).  Swimming is repetitive and has no changes, so it becomes my time for reflection/mind clearing/problem solving.  I guess when I swim (compared to the run), I enter more of a "flow" state (ha ha).

When I race, obviously there is no iPod, but I have all the other racers to help me try to keep a pace going.

I use my iPod while running and biking... but for biking, I usually use just one headphone.  That way I can still hear my tunes, but I can also hear traffic and have conversations with others.  (I keep my volume pretty low.)

Like one of the other posters, I start to ween myself off my iPod about two weeks out from the event.  To be honest, I don't really notice not having it, as I'm concentrating on staying relaxed, breathing, etc.

-Joel

I'm with Bear on this one - if I'm training alone, I've got my iPOd on.  Nano w/armband on the run, shuffle on the bike.  With the running, I've found the music helps me ignore the fact that I hurt, and suck, on the run.  Don't miss it at race time because there's so much going on around you to keep you distracted.

Different strokes....and all that.

I don't use one.

"Train like you race ........"

I use mine about 50% of the time.  Sometimes music, sometimes podcasts, sometimes books on tape.  My latest favorite:  Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!  From NPR it's free & hillarious.  I love the looks on people's faces at the gym when I'm running on the treadmill & laughing at the jokes.

Sometimes, I find it's just time to zone out & run or bike w/o any distractions - just me & the world.

I don't use it when I'm practicing for a race.  In my recent events I haven't missed it at all.  I enjoy the environment of the event too much.

Does that mean I need to hire spectators to line my training routes to cheer me on?  :-)  Much more activity on a race course to engage your mind. 

Not much out on the lonely country roads I run on.  The problem with real life is there is no background music; my iPod helps.

~Mike

I've never used one, and am not planning on it, not so much because I think I'd miss it during a race, but more that if I didn't have it for a certain training session, I might be less inclined to do the training that particular day, if I was used to it.

I use mine for medium length, relatively slow runs, which I find to be mind-numbingly boring (but of course very important for training).  On fast runs, I can't stand the distraction, though -- I have to focus on running.  Same for long runs.  In a race, I'm running hard and don't miss it at all -- I have other things to focus on and the iPod (or rather, my cheapo knock-off) would just be ignored, or screw me up.

Running time is not reflection time for me.  It's running time.  I can't reflect while running.

Buy the ipod...it's worth it.

I use it during my runs, but never during a bike. And I don't miss it during a race. Way too much going on!

Good luck and happy training...

I used to use one whenever I ran, never biking, too dangerous.

My clip broke about 4-5 months ago and at first it was rough not having it but now I think my workouts are better, I focus more on what I am doing vs the music.

I don't train with music; no interest in doing so.

I have found that people who do not really enjoy running are the ones who tend to wear music.  This statement is neither praise nor condemnation.

 I recieved an Ipod and a bluetooth headset as gifts.  I felt obligated to wear it on my runs, since that it what they were bought for.   I didn't like it.  It made the runs last longer and  seemed to ruin the relaxation I get from running.  I just wasn't able to turn my brain off.  So I only use the Ipod for those wonderful indoor training sessions.

I'll bite and admit that you might be right...until about 4-6 weeks ago I would have said that the only people who should be made to run are criminals who have committed terrible crimes and it should be used as punishment for them.  The only reason I was running was because I wanted to do a tri and it was a necessary evil.  As I do it more I have started to "enjoy" it more, but still like the music to force my way through it.

To Scout 7 -- Not always true -- I know lots of people who love running but choose to run with music. 

I enjoy running.  I enjoy music.  Sometimes I enjoy them at the same time. 

Hence the reason I said "tend to be".