there's really only one core reason why you don't see headphones. safety.

well ok, safety and liability. In most states, listening to headphones while riding a bike is illegal, so race organizers quickly comply and ban them from their races. in the Big Kahuna half ironman, race officials were handing out numerous time penalties to people wearing them.

then there's the safey part, i don't know of too many running events that ban them, but i imagine that they exist. safety wise, it begins to be problematic if you have an emergency and you have to get thru a crowd of racers merrily be-bopping down the road, oblivious to lights and sirens

i just thought of another reason. weight. ok that's silly, but not all mp3 players are created equal, my ancient device is a handy paperweight.

then maybe there's another reason, time. it's possible you could lose some transition time if you were fumbling around with all the tangling potential of earpieces and wires.

so in conclusion.
safety, liability, weight, and time.

hope that helps :)

Ok,
I usually train while listening to them on my long runs and bikes. Like I said, I'll still live. Just didnt know whether or not I could :) Hehe, I'm the new guy. Anyway, Thanks.
~Chris

I guess I'm taking the other side on this subject. I always listen to music when I cycle and run, but not in competitions. In races I'm stoked enough that I don't need it.

I bet more people listen to music than will admit. I am safe and hear my outsde surroundings at all times. I hear and talk to people when I'm listening to music.

I know people judge me, but I love to listen to tunes when I work out, but not in races...well maybe a few 1/2 marathons...it is a habit I need to quit I guess.

I have tried listening to music when riding or running in safe areas, but I find I am just working too damn hard to enjoy the tunes.
And If once in a while, I get to go for an easy spin, I find I don't need music because I live in really beautiful country. The scenery alone is entertaining enough, see below.

My first triathlon, 1500m/40k/10k, I took a radio along with headphones. The race was being carried by local radio and I was able to follow the battle at the front as I rode along. I reached the bike turn-around as the winner crossed the finish line! Heh. He did it in 1:57:00 I finished in 3:37:54 I was the last man to finish, but there was one woman behind me. That was 1993. I've improved a bit since.

PoC
This is what it's like where I live, This is Vaseaux Lake, IM Canada bike-leg runs along side it :
[IMG] http://www.canada.co.nz/media/images/118-BC-Okanagan-vaseux%20lake%20JPGCrpSm.jpg[/IMG]

What I've seen is a variety of motorcyle passes with someone on the back with a clipboard. They see a race number, and if they are breaking the rules, they get a check-mark. The motorcycle drives on. But it comes back. If a particular number gets enough checkmarks, they could be disqualified. So it's in your best interest to put the headphones away as soon as you get that first checkmark - assuming you heard the motorbike go by at all :)

Happy (safe) training!

At one time I ran with a music player all the time, but I gave it up over a year ago. When I started training for longer distances (marathon & IM) I decided that if I'm not going to have them on the course, it was better to ditch them for training as well. I still listen every once in while on the indoor trainer.

I would recommend dropping the MP3 player! It really helps you mentally, on long runs you can work on keeping your mind occupied and focusing. And when things get tough, you find the mental strength to pull through rather than finding some song to do it for you. It really is another angle of training. I will still listen before a race begins.

The Oakley Thumps are whatever are already out, but they are still headphones. I personally dont train with music. I dont train with anything i wont have for a race, that way I dont get used to having something I wont have when it's go time. Ride/ run with a friend or two. Much more entertaining.