To music or not to music, that is the question. (Page 2)

I always listen to music on my runs, indoors or out. I'll also listen on trainer rides in my garage. Never in the pool. I prefer hard rock. The Offspring is awsome running music!

I don't find I miss it when I'm racing though. Seems I always have some tune playing in my head when I run without the I-pod so I guess I have the music there either way. At least with the headphones I can control the tune. Nothing worse than running along with a crappy tune stuck in my head

I agree completely!  

This is the point I was trying to get at earlier.

I used to listen to music while running, but got sick of dealing with sweaty headphones falling out (yurbuds worked only semi-successfully) and ipod armbands chaffing/falling down and just ditched it altogether.

Since then, I have found I enjoy my long runs a LOT more. My focus rotates through a number of things, like thinking about my form/breathing/heart rate, thinking about my training/race goals, checking out the various pace booty in sight, visualizing finishing chutes of various races (mostly IMWI), and planning what I am going to eat after (the latter taking up much more brain space as the run progresses). All of these things seem to lead to more productive workouts - with the exception of checking my form/exertion level, all of these are "carrots;" music is more of a "stick." Carrots work better IMO.

some people absolutely love music when running, biking, etc.

opposite for me, peace and quiet in my head, and being aware of the surroundings. Especially trail running, or biking. Having to deal with music, playlists, charging, earbuds falling out, etc...no thanks!

The other day I was trail running, and came up behind a biker on a hill, and didn't want to scare him so, I called out "passing on your right" (since he was hogging the left)..He didn't hear me AT ALL, because of the earbuds so jammed up his ears. I think he was pretty surprised when I buzzed past him, since not too many people go on this path.

I believe this is also accurate. There have been times during important or hard effort runs when I've noticed I havent been paying attention to the music. As an example, on my last hill repeat workout I brought along the ipod. I was stoked about playing a mix I'd never heard. Then about half way through the workout I take a short water break and notice I havent been listening to the music at all! I had been so absorbed and focused on my effort and whatnot that I'd missed the music. It was on and playing, I just wasnt listening.

This example is the reverse of what you're saying, but I can see how it could end up the other way around.

I LOVE listening to my music while working out.  It pushes me, gives me a sense of invincibility if it's the right genre or song.  I teach spinning too, so the music plays a huge role in the success of a class and how hard people are willing to work.  That said, I would never use it on the bike outside and never got around to looking into options for indoor swim workouts.

I've run with and without music and am always faster with it, both in training and on race day.  I've only done one tri where the no ipod rule was actually enforced on the run (I've always seen it enforced is on the bike and I've never seen anyone try on the swim).  I've never done a running race where ipods were disallowed including marathons.

Certain types of music (for me, hard rock sprinkled with some dub step) just stir something up deep inside me that makes me want to lift a building.  It pushes me to go far beyond what I think my limits are.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_EwKS5rN64cc/SMf5ZbPH2vI/AAAAAAAABfs/AejSb7lFNKU/s400/matthew+mcconaughey+lance+armstrong.jpg

OK...so except for him...

I left my Garmin and ipod home the other night and went-out for my 8 miler.  Finished 6 minutes faster than the week before.  I was paying more attention to how I was running and noticed if I was slacking, if my feet were clomping, etc.  That said, I love my gadgets and my Eminem...

I don't think EVERY workout has to be a scrimmage, but staying at the same pace, maintaining form and in the same zone (RPE, HR, Power, whatever) takes a lot more concentration than we give it credit for.

I used to run with music all the time. I gradually phased it out as I became less and less aware of what it was doing. At one point the music actually stopped and it took me a while to notice.

I find that as I'm running I'm constantly checking the status on things in a progression similar to the one below:

HR - Adjust effort.
Form - Foot striking correctly - focus on pushing hips forward for a few strides.
Route - turns or hills coming up? Where am I?
Fatigue - correct for where I am in the run?
Pain - Any joints hurting?

If it's a race you can add picking a route through the crowd. Picking a target to pass, planning a finishing strategy, etc. Obviously the checklist varies a little and I don't spell it out by asking myself the questions or specifically rotating through the subjects, but focusing on those takes up all my time.

I do love my music and still run with it occasionally, just not all the time. Sterophonics have treated me well recently, although I have some prog rock and folk on there for when I feel the urge.

i listen to music during swim (h2o ipod shuffle case), bike, and run ( dont tell me about not listening during the bike just don't)

and its all as chill as i can go, jack johnson, john mayer, norah jones ect.