LAist: I'm Training for the Los Angeles Marathon

Caroline on Crack

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:46:16 -0800

I was concerned about not being aware of my surroundings either when listening to my iPod so I just make sure I keep it at a low volume. I use the iPod Nano with the Nike sports kit so it's really cool to have a power song at the ready as well as a voice telling me I have 10 miles left to go. I'm training for the marathon, too, and it's great to know that someone is going through the exact trials and anxieties I'm going through, too. So thanks for posting this. Congrats for getting this far and good luck with the marathon!

Adam Rose

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:58:19 -0800

Kick butt, Sarah! Congrats on your first big race!

raul

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 09:02:58 -0800

Sarah--Here's a great tool for creating a course for and measuring your runs. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/ It is basically Google maps except you can trace a trail and it will tell you the distance. Start at your home for example, and then the create a trail. It's pretty easy to use but it requires some patience too. I run on trails, so I have to click several times to follow a curving trail.

Sarah Ardalani

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:12:05 -0800

Sloane - My iPod lasts for 6 hours. God willing, I plan to run the marathon under 5. Re: tracking my trips, I use Mapquest. =) For instance, I had my mom drive me 7 miles away from home, and I'd run back. Blazing & Pin - I plan to take off my headphones throughout the race. I won't be in an iPod zone the whole run. I understand wanting to take in the complete experience, but listening to music helps me out.

iamrob

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:10:22 -0800

Running with music is as dangerous as (shriek!) driving your car with music. If you remain aware of your surroundings, you'll be fine. The benefits are great - As mentioned above, it can help keep you going when your body doesn't want to, it also can help with pacing. i use my shure e3's all the time. Some days it helps get me out of the door. Of course you have to watch it in traffic. But most of my running is in griffith park, where there is no traffic. as for the "danger" of runner's passing you, there is none, unless you run zig-zag. or, hey - maybe you should try not to let people pass you! GO GO GO!

raul

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:29:16 -0800

Adam might recommend running with an iPod, but I say no! http://raulisrunning.blogspot.com/search/label/the%20runner%20says Truthfully, if you're used to running with an iPod then do so, but as you mentioned, what made you want to run the marathon was to "join in the triumph," but with an iPod you're closing yourself off from that experience. You're basically ignoring everyone around you. It might take some getting used to, but I've never been bored on my long runs running without an iPod. It clears my thoughts and I focus on my breathing and running. Race day you can bask in the crowds and the other runners around you. Those 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 (and so on) will fly by.

RedMercury

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:19:04 -0800

Good luck with the marathon! Personally, I'm doing the Bike ride. 26 miles, plus 30 miles back and forth should make for a good ride...

runchadrun

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:42:50 -0800

This will be my 6th LA Marathon and 10th marathon overall. I use the Sennheiser PMX70 around the neck headphones with my iPod. They are a little pricey, about $50, but worth it. Just make sure you keep the volume low enough so you can hear your surroundings. The iPod nano battery will definitly last an entire marathon unless you're an 8+ hour marathoner. I also keep a "mile 23" playlist with music that keeps me going. I also have a "power song" playlist for the last mile or so since there's always 1 or 2 songs that will give me that extra push. As an aside, the guy who took the middle picture is a friend of mine who I got started running marathons a few years back.

hipsterorbum

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:40:20 -0800

Runners have great legs.

Stick

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:07:59 -0800

P.S. Good luck!

Stick

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:06:58 -0800

I can't stand the pauses between songs while I'm running, so I download the free hour-long mixes at http://www.djsteveboy.com/podrunner.html. He posts a new one every Friday. The tunes are very electronic/house-based, which is my favorite genre with which to work out, but even if techno ain't your scene, the contant BPM really helps maintain your speed. Just a suggestion!

Ali Miller

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:20:21 -0800

dude, that photo totally trips me out because i have that exact same outfit and i kind of look like that.

PinLA

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:58:07 -0800

Although I don't even run alone with music, you will me missing out on a whole sound experience as you run alongside 20k+ others throughout this city for three-four hors.

blazingshark

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:31:59 -0800

I think running w/ headphones is very dangerous. You're less aware of your surroundings (cars & other runners trying to pass). It not only impacts your own safety, but those around you. I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about this in your post.

Sloane Berrent

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:57:39 -0800

Thanks so awesome you're running the marathon, congrats! Will your ipod battery last for the enture marathon? I have tried all of the earbuds you mentioned above and I like the Nike ones but really - you're right - they all slip out if you go far enough, sweat enough, bounce enough. I'd be interested to read about how you track your trips, online? Do you use a system while you run?