I'm back in the saddle again!

I looked on SGmarathon website and yep no headphones! bummer:(

My hubby and I were talking about that and I think I'm gonna see about some wireless ones. If not, I plan on running with Julie the whole time anyway so hopefully we can chat but I like to have one of them in even when I am chatting. Oh well. I'll let you know if I find any cool, cheap, wireless.

The lawyer in me is coming out. Taken from the St. George website,

The USA Track and Field Association, the governing body for running in the United States, has passed the following “Rules of Competition”

Article IV Rule #144 entitled Assistance to Athletes: “The following shall be considered assistance and therefore NOT allowed.

(Section F)

the visible possession or use by athletes of video or audio cassette recorders or players, TV’s, CD or DVD players, radio transmitters or receivers, mobile phones or computers or any similar devices in the competition area. The St George Marathon staff asks for your assistance in maintaining a safe environment for all runners. Please abide by this rule.

Note it says visible possession or use, so technically, wireless makes no difference. Don't worry, I won't turn you in whatever your decision.

I actually did read that the other day and that is why I thought that I'd have to purchase some wireless (if they are small enough to hide). Although, I ran up until this year without headphones so I'm sure I could go back. It just sucks though. Do they think that we are going to have our coach chanting in our ear. Actually, that is probably exactly what they think.

My understanding is that the theory behind the rule is that the rule helps with safety issues, for the runner and for other runners, being able to hear I suppose (although I have not read of many deaf runners who run into others). I don't have strong feelings about it, but just my two cents.

Why do you suppose they call it an assistance to athletes?

You know they tried doing that at Moab half marathon also and look how many people finished with them on! When we see the top 20 runners at SGM come in with their Ipods then I think it would be an issue. I think you will kill a marathons reputation if you start pressing rules like that. Funny. What about taking your shirt off? I think that would be a bigger issue to a marathons integrity than having an IPOD. Expecially if your a girl. lol

I haven't looked at the website, but what Riverton Paul quoted said "please abide by this rule." It sounds like they're just requesting you to not have IPOD's, there's no threat of being disqualified if you do have them. What do you think? Kind of like what happened at Moab, there was just a request but nothing was done to those who had the IPOD's.

At Hobble Creek they said that if you were wearing head phones and they saw them, they took down your number and were going to send it to the USATF and if you were seen at another USATF race with them that they would disqualify you. That would suck if you're like me and are trying to qualify for Boston.

I still do not get how it is considered assistance. And so what if you have your coach chanting in your ear? Some people have their coach run by their side, or pacers, or whatever. Look at Lance Armstrong? He had what I would consider major assistance when he ran. He had several "coaches" pacing him, keeping him on target, giving him GU, you name it. That is far more assistance than and iPod could ever be. I think it is flat out ridiculous---it does not create any more of a risk than running (many people get injured and even die while running---but they are not standing there telling you not to do it). We enter the race at our own risk, so if we choose to listen to music, let us do it at our own risk. As a matter of fact, I think the crowds should be outlawed because they yell way too loud and I might not hear something and get hurt.

Sorry, my rant for the day. I, for one, just really enjoy running more with some music. I do not care if it is an iPod or blasting out of speakers as I run by. heck, I do not care if it is just someone singing! I just like running and working out to music. I like running and talking, too, but then I have to run slower. AHHHH---I am really quite annoyed by all of it.

I hear ya Kelli! I feel the same way.

I dont think Boston is associated with USATF. But that is harsh to say they will take your big number down. There are not enough people over the hobble creek race to write down peoples numbers. If they did that they know they would lose interest in their races. Its so ridiculous. Maybe if you sing out loud that would distract other runners? lol

I was thinking the same thing---WHO wrote down my number???

I could dance, too. That will distract everyone.