Question: I like listening to music while running. Will this put me at a disadvantage during a race if they do not allow headphones? -Stacey
You’re not alone, Stacey. There are a host of runners that love to listen to music while running to their favorite mix, so much so that there are even running music apps for doing just that. On the “pro-music” side, listening to music while running has been shown in some research to enhance performance for some runners by making it feel easier, which helps you feel like you can run faster, farther and leap tall buildings in a single bound. It’s personal, as you can create a mix of music that invigorates and keeps you motivated during the run. And it is a mood-enhancer, which can be used as a secret weapon to get you out the door on those low motivation days.
That said, I’m ad advocate of tuning into your body when you run, as it allows you to run in the optimal zone on the given day. When we tune into music while running, we tend to tune out from our body, which can lead to running too hard much of the time. This is especially true when you listen to your “power songs.” You know, the songs that make you feel good and push hard. Another negative, is that is distracts you from your surroundings, and if you’re running outside alone, this can put you in a higher risk environment. Whether it be cars, buses, bikes or people, when you’re not aware of your surroundings, it puts you at risk.
This is also why some race directors have banned headphones in races. Initially, they ruled them out thinking the elite runners would use them to communicate with their coaches to cheat. And, there was a significant backlash from the running community when they were banned in some races, causing many of them to remove the ban. Regardless of whether a race may or may not allow the use of headphones, it’s important to abide by the rules of the race out of respect for the organization.
The good news is you have options. I’d recommend training with and without your headphones to better simulate the conditions. Use your long runs as a dress rehearsal and instead of tuning into your music while running, tune into your body and listen to the intensity along the way.
A great way to keep your mind active during the race is to break the distance up into smaller bits and pieces so you can digest them more easily. For instance, break the race distance into one mile increments (or one kilometer) and then dedicate every mile to someone special in your life. This is a great substitute for music as it allows you to think of something emotionally stimulating and motivating, but won’t distract you from being able to listen to your body. You may even find that you enjoy running without music along the way.
Happy Trails.
Coach Jenny Hadfield
Coach Jenny Hadfield is a published author, writer, coach, public speaker and endurance athlete. To find out more, visit our Meet Our Writers page or visit Coach Jenny’s website.
Leave a Reply