Park Run - earphones in or more sociable?

[PamJK]

Planning on going to my first Park Run this Saturday - eek! Question is do I stick my earphones in and listen to my own music or is it better/more fun/more sociable to be sans music at these events? Don't want to get the ettiquette wrong on my first time out!

[TJFlute]

I believe that they mostly request that you run without earphones, so that you can hear the marshalls and be aware of other park users etc (health and safety!) You'll find in races you have to run without earphones too, so it's worth experiencing this and isn't as bad as it sounds.

[crox Graduate]

No body has given me grief about wearing headphones. I ran my first parkrun without, but now I run with them.

[Khrissy Graduate]

I was wondering about this as well. I hate running without some music, listening to my laboured breathing is the gremlins favourite pastime and he points out how hard I'm finding it and tells me I should stop and walk for a bit....I drown him out with tracks that match my pace...including Maroon 5's 'Harder and Harder to Breathe'!

[avensis Graduate]

A friend advised me to try without and then stick your music on if you are struggling- it gives you a bit of a lift and gets my pace back under control

[tantrumbean Graduate]

The website does state they prefer you not to use them and 99% of people at ours don't seem to...

[Cazvs Graduate]

I always wear them and I've seen quite a few other people wearing them. I just have my music really quiet so I can hear other people coming up behind me (I also stick to the side of the path instead of running right down the middle) or chat to someone if I happen to run next to them for a bit.

[pinkhat Graduate]

I wear them but have the volume lower, or even have one ear out, so I can still be sociable!

[PamJK Graduate]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll try it without tomorrow as I don't really know what to expect and will need to keep my wits about me. It'll give me the chance to see what others are doing too! Wish me luck!

[nonrunner_for_30_years]

Hey Pam how did you do without headphones? I used my headphones as I didn't think I could do it without support - I was so behind people though I didn't have to worry about being anti-social! (I did talk to people before and after though)

I am not sure if I could do it without headphones and would be interested to know how you found it.

[PamJK Graduate]

Hi, Nonrunner. It was ok actually. I think I was concentrating so hard on keeping going, keeping ahead of anyone, missing the puddles and keeping breathing that I didn't miss the music. But it was my first time and I was soaking in the atmosphere and what was happening around me but I'd be quite happy to stick some headphones in next time.

I didn't really talk to many people but then I didn't have the breath anyway on the way round. I don't see how wearing earphones would be a problem if you feel more comfortable with them in.

Go for it!