In an attempt to steer this back on track, I gotta say even with my ipod cranked to the max, a tiny pair of headphones for running can never drown out the noise level of a nearby car.  I do have eyes as a backup in case my hearing isn't working. 

What's next?  Will deaf people be banned from running?

--- On Mon, 5/5/08, DrT (George Themelis) <drt-3d@...> wrote:

From: DrT (George Themelis) <drt-3d@...>
Subject: Re: [towpath_marathon] Re: Headphones banned from USATF races
To: towpath_marathon@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, May 5, 2008, 8:30 PM

> i personally couldn't imagine running that long without music, podcasts,
> and books on
> tape :)

And my children cannot imagine doing their homework without listening to
music *and* watching TV at the same time :)

Headphones and all of the above are a distraction from the joy of running,
for me.

About being a free country, I still have to wear a seat belt and pay
taxes.

George