General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Training with music vs. no music. Rss Feed  
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2006-07-25 4:05 PM

New user
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East Coast Fl.
Subject: Training with music vs. no music.
What is your opinion on if it's better to train with or without music. I know you can train harder with music but you can't use it in most races. I feel more motivated in my workouts with music but I'm afraid it will make me mentally weak for the race. Any thoughts?


2006-07-25 4:07 PM
in reply to: #492951

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
depends on what kind of training you are talking about.  I strongly recommend not ever wearing headphones on the bike.  Most times I am annoyed by people who wear them when running, especially if they are on a busy trail and too dumb to stay to the right.  That being said, if I am riding on the trainer I absolutely must have music otherwise I don't last 10 minutes because of the boredom.  Mostly its personal preference, though I suppse training without could help you to be mentally tougher.
2006-07-25 4:14 PM
in reply to: #492951

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Expert
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West Metro Atlanta, GA
Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
I do both, depending on my surroundings. I enjoy training with music. It definitely makes the time on the treadmill or stationary bike go faster when I'm stuck inside. Outdoors, I never bike with music (safety concern), and probably run with it 1/2 the time.

When I first started doing stuff without music, it was tough. But training without helped hone my mental toughness.

Part of it is a personal preference thing. Music can make your training more enjoyable. But you also hear the mantra of "train how you race"... I kind of chose the middle ground.

2006-07-25 4:23 PM
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Pro
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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.

Biking- no way

Running I used to use it a lot more but have found checking HR, pace, etc keeps my mind occupied enough.  Now I will just use it once in a while if I am doing a moderate or slow paced middle distance run, or sometimes with the LSD.

2006-07-25 4:52 PM
in reply to: #492951

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.

I only wear my mp3 player when I'm at the gym.  I don't wear it on the bike because... well, I'm on the road and I need to hear cars coming because they're wearing a car, and I'm not.

I don't wear it when running outside because I really enjoy hearing the sounds of outside when I'm outside.  You know, birds and stuff.  I run along the bay here in SF and there's so much to see and hear when running.

But that's just me. 

2006-07-25 4:55 PM
in reply to: #492951

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Arch-Bishop of BT
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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.

I must be weird... I like music pre-training, but I can't listen while I train or else I focus on the music and lose focus on my goals.  If I am on the stationary bike, I lose focus on my cadence.  If I am running, my pace slows.  If swimming, I forget to breathe... ok not really, but given my behavior in other areas, I might.  I probably could do it when strength training, but nowhere else.

 Peace.



2006-07-25 5:00 PM
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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.

Hmmm ... and what sound does a car about to hit you make that is different than one that is just merely going to pass you?

I sometimes wear an iPod when on long rides, but with the volume low enough to hear horns and/or emergency vehicles. (Have taken to listening to "SimplyStu" podcast and their coverage of the TdF as well as interviews with Tri-Dubai members - www.simplystu.com.)

Race day is different than any ordinary training day - especially you long, slow distance workouts.  Hopefully I will never get to the point that I would want music on any given race day ...

2006-07-25 5:05 PM
in reply to: #492951


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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
Depends what I'm doing and where. If I'm training at the gym on cardio machines, run on pavement loops/tracks I will wear my mp3. Running in our nature trail, never. I like the sound of nature plus our trails on Base has alot of black bears(gotta hear them coming). On LSD I hardly wear it. I find that it forces me to keep motivated and it give me the chance to work on my breathing and stride techniques.
2006-07-25 5:17 PM
in reply to: #492951

New user
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East Coast Fl.
Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
Thanks for all the opinions. I'm training for my first tri and wasn't sure which would be best. I get bored on long workouts without music. I guess all the excitement of the race and the crowd would take the place of the music though. I like the idea of training without also to help perfect your breathing. A lot of good suggestions, thanks.
2006-07-25 6:16 PM
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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
yeah, on the road i almost never wear my ipod, unless im going on a longer run, usually above an hour or so. However, whenevern i use the treadmill, or for the first time ever today my trainer for the bike, i get really motivated by music. theres nothing like the first few notes from "a fire in babylon" by shadows fall to send shrills down your spine and make you want to train harder. just my thoughts

db
2006-07-25 6:40 PM
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Master
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Harvard, Illinois
Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
I don't listen to any music while training. I am a former drummer and I find myself trying to run to the beat and it screws up my cadence. I would never listen to any music on the bike so I can hear cars and trucks coming up behind me.


2006-07-25 6:54 PM
in reply to: #492998

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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
brian - 2006-07-25 5:00 PM

Hmmm ... and what sound does a car about to hit you make that is different than one that is just merely going to pass you? 

Well, never been hit, but round these parts you can bet a truck with a noisy muffler or loud radio coming in at a high speed isnt going to do you any favors giving you a few extra inches of road.  I also ride a lot at 4 am-ish so dont think blind and deaf is a great way to ride.  Thats just my opinion though, which the OP was seeking.



Edited by jszat 2006-07-25 6:55 PM
2006-07-25 7:33 PM
in reply to: #492951

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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
Like most, I don't tune in on the bike. However, I like listening to music when I run because it's my least favorite thing to train for. During a race it's not hard to go without because you're busy with the race! I run better with music and can't see many reasons not to use it if it helps.
2006-07-25 8:24 PM
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Master
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Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.

I never listen to music these days.  I get into a state of meditative focus that has become a big part of what I enjoy about training.

When I was first building up my fitness and just trying to get through 30 minute workouts, I found it very helpful to distract myself with television, music, audio books, etc.

However, there became a point where I stopped wanting to distract myself and started actually wanting to focus on the workout itself - be it my breathing, my cadence, my form, or the feedback I get from my body.

2006-07-26 7:32 AM
in reply to: #492951

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Master
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brummie land
Subject: RE: Training with music vs. no music.
95% without but y'day on my long ride i took my cd player with me. it was all off road - never ever would use music on road on my bike and tbh round by mien si a bit dodgy so wouldn't feel comfortable running with music. anyway i also like to hear my breathing pattern on my run.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Training with music vs. no music. Rss Feed