Music on a 5k?

Hi all,    I'm doing my first 5K on 11/3.  I saw some discussion on another website about whether or not to use an MP3 player in a race/run.  What are your thoughts?  Thanks!! Becky

Honestly, I feel the need to use one!  When I wear my headphones and listen to music, it gives me something to focus on other than the sound of my breathing.  If I don't have anything to listen to, I dwell on how heavy my breathing is and then it makes the miles seem to go by much slower.  It's totally up to you ... a lot of people don't use them but I love to wear mine! Deanna

I seem to go in cycles.  For a while I needed all the gadgets on my runs.  Ipod, GPS, digital camera, stop watch, etc.  Now I am in a bare bones phase where I put on my shoes and clothes and hit the road.  As far as my personal opinion on whether or no to use the MP3 player.  Go for it.  I have a 5K playlist that has really fast songs to keep me moving quickly.  Some races discourage them but I have never seen a race stop people from using them.  One thing that I do is put the ear peice in my left ear and tuck the right into my shirt as I run into traffic so that I can hear what is going on around me.  Go for it.

I use my iPod everywhere I'm allowed.  I have the Nike+ hook-up to my Ipod so I not only get a lot of good music, I get prompting along the way.  For the 5k's its been great.  For cycling, ipods are not allowed.  They also don't allow ipods during tri's and dualathalons.   Whatever works, do it! Rob

Thanks for the input!  The music really does help me, so I'm going to use it and probably just have one earphone on.  Becky