Additions and Disagreements with "The Book"

[Brandon Hough]

If you are on this site, and haven't read the book, don't post on this thread, forum, or site again until you have.

wearenotjoggers.com

I want to know what you guys think is right about the book, or wrong.

I have one disagreement. The whole "iPod" thing. A quotation from the Book.

"These days you'll see alot of people out there with their mp3 players. Blasting some indie rock to make the miles go by faster. Everyone of these peoples is a jogger..."

I strongly disagree with this. I'm a runner, and I love my iPod when I run.

And if you want some more proof of "real runners" who use their iPod...i'll name drop

Joshua Cox
Dan Brown
Ryan Hall
Meb Keflezighi

All of those pro's have videos up on godtube you can watch where they are rocking iPods while they run, and htose are the best runners in the nation. If they can be pro and listen to an iPod so can all runners.

Pearl Izumi got that wrong.

Just a thought.

Anyothers?

[Pablo]

Actually i think that PI got the ipod thing right but for a different reason. Unless you're on a treadmill I figure you shouldn't wear one. I ALWAYS encounter people with their freakin ipods while running trails and when I come up behind them and yell that I want to pass they can't hear a damn thing I'm saying. So, after yelling at the top of my lungs that I'm behind them and want to pass people get startled, turn around, and give me dirty looks. But I guess if one is going to where an ipod at least keep it down a notch to hear what's going on or, in the spirit of the book pick up the pace so I can't catch you. Just my $.02.

[Brandon Hough]

I like that point of view, I think the problem is alot of Joggers wear them, my dad lives over in Tampa and I see all to many moms and fathers jogging around with iPods then they swing into the local starbucks as I run by them, then 45 minutes later i'm still running and they're just getting up to jog home after a nice mocha latte frappa crappacino thingy majigger with their iPods ready to go.

I personally wear mine rather loudly but am very aware of what's going on...my breathing, my arm motion, cars driving by. In fact a car almost hit me the other day while I was running as he tried to pull into a parking spot completely oblivious to my running and I had to smack his hood, I wanted to cuss up a storm. Me the runner with an iPod and garmin watch on who is hooked into technology to focus on all aspects of my run can pay more attention to my surroundings than the damn guy driving???

Idiots. But good call. If you're going to wear the iPod, I guess you should indeed run fast.

[Heather!]

i agree with pretty much everything the book says. i thought it was hilarious and was glad to see i'm not the only one who thinks along those lines.

as far as the iPod thing... i guess i don't really give shit what other people do with them (however! i do agree that it's a pain in the ass to pass someone who's wearing one... they can't hear a damn thing and most i've come across to seem to be paying too great of attention). but i wouldn't wear one when running... i just got hit by a bike and i can't imagine how much worse it would've been if i didn't hear the guy coming up behind me. plus listening to music can screw up your pace and breathing...

the thing that kind of made me feel like a loser though was all the talk about running fast... i think i have a pretty solid pace for the most part. but on longer runs (like 13 to 17 miles) i don't exactly haul ass. and ya know, some days (especially during 60+ mile weeks) you just don't have it in you. maybe i'm just a wuss sometimes, though...!

[Brandon Hough]

Don't worry, the thing about pace was also slightly off too, there are real runners who run 70 miles a week but never run fast in their life. But that doesn't change the fact they are a runner. As long as they run in bad weather and can pronounce haile gebrselassie first try they are a real runner ; ] lol.

As for the iPod throwing off your pace and breathing... i'd say that's a beginner mistake. I've spent the last week running in my dads Garmin 405 which monitors distance, pace, and heart rate and I have a very upbeat rock mix, which I refer to as my "5 star mix" because it's all my favorite songs, and listening to that does not alter my pace. I sit very consistently within +- 5 seconds of goal pace. And my heart race is even more consistent.

An example yesterday I ran very easy, because my coach gave me an off day and I couldn't help but run so I ran 5 miles very easy with iPod on. my splits? 8:20, 8:20, 8:20, 8:24, 8:16...That's with the Garmin on, so no lies.

iPods will only mess you up if you run to the cadence of the guitar solo. ; ]

[Jay Silvio]

Remember, the quote says that they are using iPods to make the miles go by faster. If you are listening to music so that you can zone out and avoid thinking about the run (essentially disassociating), then PI says you are jogging.

[Adam]

On the iPod: I think listening to music while running on the road or trail is a safety hazard. Also, when I'm running I tend to reflect a lot and listening to music is a distraction. In any case, if you are at a race and have an iPod on, I will look down on you. Your head is not in the game and it just means you're not serious about that race. I've never seen the elite runner win the race with headphones in his ears.

[Tommy Heikkinen]

Well, I think it's safe to say that even without his Ipod Brandon is a jogger :]

Also, "The Book" is 100% accurate and it makes any runner who reads it feel like a badass.

[Ryan]

Well...........I have gone around and around in my head about this one. I agree with a lot of what "The Book" says. There is a definite difference between a jogger and a runner. Joggers wear all the latest gear that keeps them dry and cool, but they never break a sweat. They jog a mile in 15 minutes and call it good. Some will jog a lap on the track, get in everyones way, then act like they just finished 20 miles. Definetly a difference in joggers and runners. However....to say that someone is a jogger just because they listen to an Ipod is...........well......dumb. I run with my Ipod. Not all the time, I certainly don't race with it, But I do listen to it occaisionaly. The majority of the runners that I know run with their Ipod. Most of them only listen to it sometimes. None race with it. 4 of them have won marathons and half marathons. Are they joggers? Because they can kick my butt. I would love to see someone call them joggers. (talk about a butt whoopin someone would get) Anyhow.......This debate has been going on for some time and will continue to on until both sides concede a little. People who listen to Ipods should turn their music down so they can hear whats going on around them and they should be more aware. People who don't listen to music should yell a little louder when they are passing, use a little more caution when around an Ipod listener, and they should be more aware.
Just my opinion.

[bryan]

i personally do not use any music player but don't see it as a bad thing if you do.
i enjoy being able to hear myself and listen to the sounds of the world,

[joey l.]

Off the subject of I pods, what are the two species that can run further than humans?

[Adam]

I don't know. Enlighten me.

[Tommy Heikkinen]

My guess is the horse and the wolf.

All the other animals are sprinters, even hippo's can run faster than humans. how pathetic does that make Usain Bolts accomplishments seem!