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Crossing Over to the Dark Side

Now I may be shunned from the blogger community for even writing this, but I have bucked the trend of ipods for a long time. I know, I know. It's the 21st century. Everyone and their dog has an ipod, but I have my reasons:

1. I rarely listen to music when I run. I believe that keeping myself company builds up mental toughness, especially since I won't get to wear music during races. When I'm really jonesing for some tunes, I bring along my discman (I know, I know - totally uncool).

2. It can be dangerous. I run in the middle of St. Paul, and though it's not a huge bustling metropolis, cars/bikers/other pedestrians aren't always watching for me. I need to be able to hear everything.

3. I sort of think it's impersonal. I live in a neighborhood where lots of people are out there running with me. It's not unusual to see people I recognize, and I think it's just plain polite to greet the people you are meeting on the sidewalk.

4. I get super annoyed by runners who have their music turned up so loud that they cannot hear my polite "on your left" while I'm biking. I don't want to be a hypocrite.

5. I am against people wearing them during races. First of all, it's usually against the rules. Also, it takes away from the experience - the people cheering, getting to meet another racer, etc. Finally, it's sort of cheating. I know how motivating having the music can be. I think it gives those who have portable music a slight edge over those who don't.


Well, I've officially crossed over to the dark side. I won an ipod shuffle at a meeting a couple of months ago, and I have been taking it on all of my runs recently. It's just a little extra motivator to get me out the door into the dark 10 degree weather. I keep the volume turned way down, so I can still hear everything, including the hellos from my neighbors. I love it. This is really dorky, but I love how light it is and how the music never skips like my CD player used to. Lately, I cannot get enough of Blue October or Breaking Benjamin. They're both great motivating music. I won't use it on the bike this summer, and I don't even know if I'll use it running in the summer (extra stuff on my head just adds to the feeling of overheating). But for now, I'm totally hooked.

10 comments:

E-Speed

oh no! I got the nike mp3 player but mostly for the foot pod which sadly I have since neglected completely.

I definitely agree that it is cheating in a race. If you need the music to run then maybe you aren't running right is kind of my view. But I will admit it has been a motivator on days when I REALLY didn't want to get out and hit the pavement.

to each her own I think. But I am glad I haven't forked over the cash for an i pod yet. Maybe when they become super cheap...

Lance Notstrong

I don't have an Ipod and I'm an IT guy.

Triteacher

Neither my dog nor I have an ipod. (For the record.)

greyhound

Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha. Don't understimate the power of the dark side . . . or the "Diary of Jane" for that matter. Love Breaking Benjamin.

RunBubbaRun

The "Dark Side" and technology is a beautiful thing. I like being brainwashed with goofy tunes in my head while I run and sometimes ride my bike. But I must admit I do not wear it my races.

:)

Yay, another convert!!! Woot. I love my shuffle too.

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny)

I don't train with an iPod, either. I just got my first one in November so I could watch movies on the plane to Florida. I do listen to the GYGO podcast while vaccuuming.... which is also only once a month like the podcast... ;-)

TriShannon

No ipod here and for all the same reasons you listed. Be careful over there on the dark side.

Lisa

I am with Flatman. I LOVE my shuffle. I used it during RNR Arizona to get me through the solitary miles. I had to use it sometimes to just keep my sanity, but I usually only had one earbud in, so I could hear my fellow racers. :)

Enjoy the shuffle. :)

marz_racer

I mostly use my ipod on dreadmill runs. Triathlon podcasts let me learn something while I suffer through indoor workouts.