Runner Insight

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For the most part, I have my mp3 player with me on my runs.  It really depends upon my mood what I end up listening to.  If I want a fast upbeat run, I will grab my player that I have loaded with high energy songs, such as Shakira or Enigma to get kicked into high gear…or at least as high a gear as I can manage with my visual limits.  But if I’m out for a slow pace, casual kind of run, I’ll bring along a good book, maybe a Patricia Cornwell, John Grisham or Anita Shreve that I have downloaded onto my mp3 player. 

There are times, of course, when I prefer to go without: to just run with my thoughts enveloped in the sounds around me, especially when I’m on a back road, or a trail away from traffic noise.

Years ago I would routinely go without music because my tape player was too bulky and heavy to carry.  But since now they make small compact mp3 players that hold a lot of music and an entire book, I listen to stuff more often.

When it came to races though, I had always chosen not to use my mp3 player, even during the two half-marathons I ran.  I noticed that other half-marathon runners were using them, but I knew I wanted to revel in the full race experience: the cheering of the crowd, the connection with the energy of all the other half-marathon runners.

But as my marathon training schedule was proceeding according to plan and the marathon drawing near, I found myself putting together a marathon music playlist.  I guess I hadn’t quite made up my mind yet. 

All of my long marathon training runs had been done with my friend Vickie riding her bike along side me, so we had great conversation to hold my interest. Vickie would not be with me as I ran the marathon, so I was torn: what should I do? Should I take along my music? Or not?

So with a marathon playlist of high energy songs and a book by Nevada Barr, a recently-discovered author I really liked, loaded onto my mp3 player, I placed it in the pile with my other marathon race day things.

In bigger marathons they will often discourage the use of electronic devices such as mp3 player simply because there is so much going on, and the marathon runners need to be conscious of their surroundings. But I knew there were going to be places along the Missoula Marathon route that would be far between the cheering crowds and fellow runners.

As I climbed into the van on race day, and headed out to the starting line of the Missoula Marathon, I had my MP3 player with me.  But I decided once we arrived at the staging area that I wanted to experience the full 26.2 mile marathon in all its glory, so I didn’t bring my marathon music with me.

I am really glad I made that choice.  The raw energy from the starting line crowd in the quiet early morning, infused with the sounds of hundreds of running shoes hitting the road at the start of the marathon was exhilarating.  And as all the marathon runners thinned out, I enjoyed hearing the high powered agricultural sprinklers in the distant fields clicking away, and a lone meadowlark singing a song to cheer me along. 

Had I been listening to my mp3 player, I would have missed out on an unexpected visit from T at the 8 mile mark of my marathon.  We had planned that she would meet up with me at the 16 mile mark unless I called her on my cell phone to request assistance prior to that.  So to my great delight I heard her yelling my name, telling me my time and how well I was doing after about 8 miles.  It spurred me on, with an additional lifting of my spirits, tickled at the surprise personal support.

So for me, my decision not to use an mp3 player during the marathon was a good one.  From the encouragement of the marathon volunteers, to the clapping and cheers and “Nice job – You’re doing great!” support from people lining the streets, to the sounds and sporadic conversation with the other runners, I would have missed out on the energy and a palpable but indescribable connection with the entire event. I’m glad I didn’t choose to block it all out. That feeling will be a special part of my first marathon, etched into my memory to relive and enjoy for the rest of my life.

How ‘bout it?

-Vision Runner

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