Yesterday's New York times had this article about the banning the use of headphones and portable audio players at the Marine Corps marathon. Marathon organizers threated to disqualify anyone found violating the rule, but, ultimately, did not.
The Marine Corps marathon organizers called for the ban after USA Track & Field, the national governing body for running, banned the use of headphones and portable audio players like iPods at its official races earlier this year.
They mostly site safety reasons for the ban.
I can honestly say that I've never seen a dangerous situation take place during a race because of someone wearing headphones, but...then, I'm one of those people wearing headphones so I suppose I might have been oblivious if there were safety violations caused by some iPod-wearing idiot.
I've run with music since the first day I ever went for a run. It's as important to my run as my shoes. Only recently, when I began running with other people, have I run without music. Whenever I run alone -- yes, even this morning and even in the dark -- I wear my iPod.
This year I did some smaller races without it -- preferring to concentrate on my breathing, form, etc. -- but I could not even imagine taking on a 1/2 marathon or a marathon without my iPod.
Some may call it a crutch, but I find that all I need is the right song to help me find my rhythm or calm down and settle into the right pace during a race.
I'll never, never, never forget the music that got me through the last miles of the Cleveland marathon. It was all so much more meaningful then.
Did you ever think that "St. Elmo's Fire" (yes, from the '80s movie) could be an inspiring song? It is if you're really listen to the lyrics -- which I was keenly tuned into during mile #25:
... Play the game You know you can't quit until it's won Soldier on Only you can do what must be done ...Burnin' up
Don't know just how far that I can go
Soon be home
Only just a few miles down the road
I can make it
I know I can
...Just once in his life
A man has his time
And my time is now
And I'm comin' alive
....I can hear the music playin'
I can see the banners fly
Feel like you're back again
And hope ridin' high
The final mile of the marathon brought the final song in my "running mix" which was, appropriately enough, Argent's "Hold Your Head Up."
"And if it's bad Don't let it get you down, you can take it And if it hurts Don't let them see you cry, you can take itHold your head up, hold your head up
Hold your head up, hold your head highAnd if they stare
Just let them burn their eyes on you moving
And if they shout
Don't let them change a thing what you're doingHold your head up, hold your head up
Hold your head up, hold your head high"
I also remember the song that was playing when I hit the wall -- "Love is Like Oxygen" by Queen -- and the song that I started the marathon with -- U2's "It's a Beautiful Day."
It's the soundtrack of my marathon and I shudder to think what might have occupied my mind if I didn't have my iPod to get me through.
I, for one, wouldn't even consider going the distance without it.