This year will be the 32nd annual running of this incredible endurance event. It will host 12,600 Hood To Coast runners and 18,000 total participants. This does not even count the thousands of volunteers and race officials that make it all run as smoothly as possible.
A few years back, Nike took over the administration of the race. With new management came new rules which, in this case, meant no more headphones or sound producing devices of any kind worn above the shoulders. This is a commonly adopted race rule, especially for races that do not have closed courses. I'm not going to argue that this rule is stupid or unfair. I don't really think it is. I think it's the right thing to do when you manage an event that will see thousands of people running down the side of a dark highway in the middle of the night.
So what's a guy/gal to do? I'm not some Bowerman Running Club superman. I'm a regular guy in his 30s, glory days long faded. I'm happy to plug along at 9 minute miles for as long as it takes but while I'm at it, I like some music to keep me company and bounce me along. Any competitive advantage I might gain is erased by my aching back and car sickness.
2011 was my team's first exposure to the new rule and team members tried a variety of solutions. In the case of at least one other runner and myself, it meant directly flouting the rules.
2011 was my team's first exposure to the new rule and team members tried a variety of solutions. In the case of at least one other runner and myself, it meant directly flouting the rules.
So, what's available? What works? What would I recommend?
Safe Sound Sports: Safe Sound Personal Speakers (SSPS-1)
These swept across my team in 2011 and the verdict was disappointment across the board. The sound was tinny and too weak, the cords oddly over-long and tough to stow and the plastic clips weren't the most comfortable thing to have bouncing against skin for miles. I ditched mine before I even started the first leg and opted instead to wear my headphones around my neck turned up all the way (and to wear them on my ears when no one was looking or on a closed trail section). I do not know where my set of these are now and I do not care to know.
Road Noise: Sound Running Vest
http://www.roadnoise.com/vests/sound-running-vest-black-medium
My brother sent me this link as a suggestion for this year (we didn't make it in to the race in 2012). It looks like a fantastic system. It's especially good for Hood To Coast where you are obliged to wear a reflective vest and flashers for a good deal of the race. For $55 they had better have some damn fine sounding speakers.
This looks like a good solution but I just can't be bothered to spring for that much money for such a purpose built object. Especially when I have another running problem that needs a solution: the bouncing hydration belt issue.
Next time: I reveal my incredible genius so that you may bask in its radiance... or maybe I just show you how I bought a new hydration belt and stuffed a kick-ass speaker in it.
To be continued...
