When I run, I like to listen to podcasts, radio, audiobooks or music. I used a beloved ipod - small enough to slip into my sportsbra, wired headphones - until it died. Bought a second -hand one, then it died a few months afterwards. Cannot for the life of me understand why Apple discontinued these: small, not terribly expensive, got radio reception, relatively straight-forward interface.
For those of you who, like me, prefer to run while listening to something other than traffic, birds and fellow runners :), please tell me your "set up." Do you have an MP3 player? If so, what brand? Do you like it? Do you use your phone? How do you carry your device: strapped to your upper arm, in a FitBelt around your waist, in your hand? What headphones do you use? Are they wireless? What do you like and dislike about your current music-running set-up?
Thank you.
Written by
Henriette2013
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I've taken to running without music at the moment. I expect that I'll hide my headphones under the hood of my jacket when the temperature gets colder.
When I run with music (or podcasts) I use my iPhone (its quite old now) and bluetooth in-ear headphones. They were from Amazon, cost about £15 and are brand MPOW. They are the most bomb-proof little things I have ever had. Amazing, given the cost.
Once you've run without the headphone cable, you'll never go back.
My iPhone fits into a running 'bum-bag' around my waist. I take it anyway when I'm running, and then there is space for a key (car or front door) and some tissues.
Usually listen to music (sometimes coupled with Zombie run app) through my phone. I carry my phone in my hand, unless I am running slow (longer runs) then I put it in my pocket. If I run fast it falls out of my pocket. I don't have a running watch and don't really get the arm holder idea as I can't see my pace.
In the dar winter months, and usually when I build milage ready for spring HM I tend to listen to an audio book. If you have a library card you can 'borrow' library books to your phone.
You have asked a lot of questions Henriette, let me tell you what I did and listened to during the 9 weeks of C25K before I graduated. I did not listen to anything as at that time I had a old 2012 vintage Smartphone, however, on the later runs beginning with W5R3 I did run and record distance, speed, time, pace, and duration from one of the older apps around at the time, that and the following non stop runs I carried the phone in my hands, no Laura either. Two months after I graduated I bought a brand new Smartphone which I now use, the difference is immense, i.e, the old phone had 2GBytes, my new phone has 64GBytes so I can now get all the new running apps under the sun if I wish to, although I have not installed any because I have yet to run a full 5K, I am hoping to be able to run a 5K this Saturday but I will use my old phone for that first run and after that decide which new app to use for future runs.
I'm on my second iPod and love it and don't know what I'm going to do when it dies. When the first one died I took it into Apple and they replaced it free as that was apparently the deal when I first bought it (8 years ago). I don't get another replacement so I keep hoping my current one is going to last!
You might want to ask Apple about your first one if you still have it.
I've always used an arm band (really cheap from Amazon (nothing special) and it doesn't bother me at all. I've tried putting the iPod in a belt but I didn't get on with that setup. I buy cheap ear buds where I can get hold of them but hate the over-the-ear ones as they keep falling out . The plug-in ones are hard to get but I prefer them. Also, the quality of the sound is amazing I think, much better than over the ear plugs for some reason.
Btw, I never put anything electronic in my bra or near my breasts. Just saying.
I’ve compiled a playlist from my iTunes library and carry my iPhone in a fit belt which is made of Lycra so it stretches unlike the pouch on a waist strap and you can wash it. It has slots all around it and a clip for keys, so I can carry phone, tissues, small water bottle, parkrun barcode and debit card. I also use the mpow Bluetooth earbuds - not as comfy as my apple ones but not having the spaghetti is great and sound reproduction is definitely good enough for running - volume can be changed by buttons on right earpiece. I do have a tiny iPod but it doesn’t support Strava or Garmin connect which I use for running so is purely for playing music at home now, when I can find it (I thought it was too small)
Hi. Android (Moto g5 I think) phone. When I first started just held the phone without earplugs and listened to couch to 5k app. Then used ear phones. Graduated. Bought some Bluetooth earphones £10 from B&M and now use those and listen to podcasts, Spotify, music on my phone or the radio (but then need to use plug in earphones) hope this helps.
I use my phone strapped to my hand with Spotify, and wireless bone conduction headphones. I like that it means I remain safe and aware, and the setup is quite minimal as I'd hate to have things rattling around in pockets. I need to strap my phone as sometimes things get a bit scrambly and I need both hands.
I think they're brilliant, they're admittedly not cheap but the sound quality is surprisingly decent and I love being able to hear what's going on around me at the same time. I've had them about a year now and have no regrets at all. I have Trekz Air, but they do a Titanium model too which is a bit cheaper as it's not quite as slimline. My local running shop has some you can try out instore, that might be worth checking out if you're interested in getting some yourself.
When I have music I use my phone. I've got leggings (shorts in the summer) with a pocket that my phone fits into. I thread one earphone under my top and into one ear so I can still hear what's going an around (lots of stealth cyclists on my route!). I always have my phone with me anyway for safety, even if I don't have music playing.
I have the trekz air too, same as sqkr and I really rate them. They are ideal for running. Not so good for in the gym though as there's too much external noise(though you can wear them with earplugs and weirdly if you stick your fingers in your ears the music gets louder and deeper).
For a source on shorter runs I have an ipod nano 7th gen and hope it lives for ever :). But for longer runs I take my phone and it sits in a slimline waist belt thing with a spare tenner and some tissues.
Spotify on my phone with Bluetooth headphones, wireless. Cheap from Amazon. I carry my phone in my running belt thingy. I have an ancient iPod too and dread the day it dies, the battery is so bad now it's only good on the dock!
This is my set up - I use an old small mp3 player (Sony Walkman), its pretty battered due to being in my pocket with my keys when I run but it works just fine. The only earphones that stay in for me are the type where they are on a head band that goes around the back of your head. I don't like taking my phone unless I have to, such as a route out in the countryside.
Similar to many - iPhone SE, Bluetooth single ear-piece but I use Amazon Music to stream as I have a Prime subscription. Phone goes either in the yoga pants pocket, lightweight jacket pocket or tucked in the waistband pocket. Never got on with an armband as lost sensitivity and could read the numbers clearly as I’m an old fart with bad eyesight 🤣🤣
I use an elderly iPhone with inexpensive Sony earbuds which I find comfy and stay put. I use Mapmyrun and music or radio 4 podcasts simultaneously. I keep my phone in a freetoo running belt, (or in winter pop it in a convenient jacket pocket). In emergency it can go in my bra, ( emergency usually involving theft by daughter 😂). I only use one earbud so I can hear birds/ traffic. The only thing I would like to improve - I wish I could change the volume without getting the phone back out. 😃
I use my iPhone and listen to podcasts or just to the lovely Mademoiselle from Runkeeper. I wear cut off jeans (I know, but it was a cheap option) and shove the phone in my back pocket, connected to my ears with those little wires. I tried music a couple of times with Rock My Run, but couldn't easily fast forward through songs I didn't like, so ha e that up.
Hiya, sorry to hear about your i pod ☹️ I’m so lucky that mine is still going and still comes with me, especially now that I’ve started interval training with Laura week 1 podcast. Being a little cheer germ I know its eventually going to go to ipod heaven, so I also take my phone (hand held) and headphones. I have got loads of my favourite songs on Spotify and use Strava for distance and time but after dropping the phone at Parkrun last Saturday am looking at Bluetooth wireless ear buds. Like you, I’m not in the UK so am really interested in everyone’s comments. 👍
I'm totally with you there, can't beat an old school mp3 player, the size of a key fob, light weight and the battery lasts nearly a couple of weeks 👍 I have my Garmin watch for the GPS and tech stuff.
I love the thing. It stores thousands of tunes 😃. I dropped it in the lav and was absolutely horrified I put it in a jar of rice with the lid on for a few days and it came back to life. I’ve never been so relieved. Got Sami Murphy podcasts on it. Ah life is good 💪👍😃🏃♀️
iPhone in fitbelt with Bluetooth wireless headphones. Podcasts and run keeper. I worry that I’m going to smash my phone as I have to take it out of its case to fit it in the belt. Sweaty hands an all. 😅
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I have my Garmin watch for the GPS and tech stuff.
I listened so you don't have to
How do you run downhill?
Do you run with arthritis?
I listened to you and it paid off!
How do you tackle hills?
