Cautionary tale of woe - the amazing knockers will henceforth be silenced. Time for a running belt maybe.

[spoonierunning]

I'm still here only being lazy, icky girlie enforced rest, though I am hopeful that soon I will just be able to run through the signs of exercise and new medication along with old medication are thus far encouraging.

Anyway can we have a moment of silence please....

Dumb phone is dead.

Dumb phone was sent off to phone hospital last week, all was working as long as I didn't want to use it to make phone calls, the microphone had broken. Phone hospital has informed me that dumb phone was beyond economical repair and erm the cause ahem water damage. Now dumb phone had never been dunked in water but as we know I did used to pop it in my sports bra. I was under the assumption that iPods have survived with the same treatment so why not a phone!?

too long left of my contract for an early upgrade, contract buy out was at my full contract price not my special discount price and after 45+ minutes on the phone to my network provider I was losing the will the live. Mr Mouse suggested I just use his phone until I get my job and I was tempted but then the realisation that my mobile number is my contact number for most things including the job offer eeek. So waiting not an option.

I hunted around for a reasonable replacement, wasn't after fancy just something to at least cope with runkeeper and keep me ticking over until December (when for my birthday I will get uber smart phone) so I am now the proud owner of not so dumb phone (may even cope with music and apps at the same time, oh and updated OS means I can download the zombie run app I want yay).

So now my dilemma I was using zombie 5k on Mr Mouses phone as a sort of interval training plan, but I don't really want to buy the 5k version and then the full game version, so I might need to rethink my running plan going forwards, though the threat of zombies eating me I am sure will push forwards.

But now I also need a new place to store a phone, I don't really want to buy yet another arm band (I don't really find them comfortable) and have been looking at running belts but I am worried that most say they are not water proof. My original plan was to make my own, but by the time I've located some neoprene and most likely have to buy at least a metre in length I think it will be cheaper to buy one. Now I am on a very tight budget so any suggestions - the good, the bad and the ugly? Oh and needs to have a ahem big range of size I'm no twig.

And everyone please look after those electronics even if they get a little damp from being around sweat it can kill them.

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

Hmm, I have leggings with a back pocket and keep my phone/ipod in there - it's a double layer of fabric between me and the phone so don't think it gets too sweaty (base of my spine is definitely not as sweaty as when I was using your 'stuff it in sports bra' approach!!). They were supposed to be pricey ones but found them reduced in TKMaxx. Worth a look?

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

I have yet to find any with a pocket big enough for a smart phone. I only have one pair with a pocket just big enough for a car key. The rest with supposed mp3 pockets barely fit my house key.

The small of my back does tend to get very damp. Trouble with TKMaxx xl is like gold dust, I did get a very nice pair of nike leggings though but they are winter ones (again pocket only just big enough for a house key)

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

Grr, rubbish! Maybe it'll have to be a running belt or (I am resisting this myself for reasons of probably misplaced vanity) a bumbag...

[the_tea_fairy Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

Also if its any use, the ones I have that do fit an iPhone in the back pocket (with a bit of stretching to accomodate the headphone jack) are a brand called MPG.

[PandaRunner Graduate]

I bought an audio belt from a well known discounted sports shop (SD). I haven't had any problems due it not being water proof. Though I wore it under my jacket when I went out in the lashing rain a couple of weeks ago. Putting the phone in a small food bag may help on a very wet day. When I run I have iPhone, iPod, bunch of keys and my lipsol in the flat belt and it doesn't get bulky. Cost about £5.99 I believe. Good luck. (The first time I went running I had my phone in one hand and keys in the other! Haha )

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to PandaRunner]

Did you find it in store or did you buy online? Dont really want to pay for postage

[PandaRunner Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

It was in store with all there running bits and bobs.

[Isle in reply to PandaRunner]

Thank you, PandaRunner - I only started this week but found the armband quite uncomfortable and know it will not work in the rain so bought the audio belt you suggested and it worked really well yesterday afternoon. I live in Scotland so ... rain is never far away. Thanks!

[PandaRunner Graduate in reply to Isle]

Fantastic! glad I could help.

[notbad Graduate]

I have a very neat little Karrimor belt:

sportsdirect.com/karrimor-r...

(says it's mens but fits me fine and I'm petite)

The same thing happened to my son's phone, apparently they are very sensitive to condensation and his case I think it may have been putting it in the lockers at the swimming pool.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to notbad]

Oh my not even safe in a locker at a swimming pool

I was looking at that belt, good to have feedback. Do you know if they sell it direct in store or is it just online?

[notbad Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

Yes they've normally got them in store, and they seem to be permanently reduced price.

[Hidden]

A cycling top ? they usually have good sized pockets in the back, also one remove from being directly in contact with the small of your back. I have a running dress with pockets in the back which covers my bum but not a cheap option !! Wrap phone in clingfilm before run ?

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ummmm but wouldn't you get bounce with a cycling top? Certainly an idea to look into, thanks

[trevnfi98 Graduate]

I use running belt all the time with my android in it, even in the rain. sportsdirect.com/karrimor-a....

Failing that there are some "waterproof smart phones" on the market. I think xperia z2 is one.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to trevnfi98]

Thanks I will look at that one. My not so dumb phone is an Xperia but one of the cheaper ones. When I can upgrade to an uber smart phone I was looking at HTC, I'm not really a fan of the sony phones, but maybe using this one will make a better impression on me. Certainly will be interesting to have a look around and see if I can get more info on waterproof smart phones

[PandaRunner Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

That's the same as mine, but mine has a pink trim

[shivashinn Graduate]

I have a blackberry, and it fits in all my Karimor running pants back pockets. All pants bought from Direct sports when I was in the UK last year.

I also have a running belt which I can put a small water bottle in but I find it really uncomfortable to wear it is at it's smallest but it still turns around on my waist and goes up under my t-shirt and rubs my skin so I don't wear it anymore.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to shivashinn]

Ummm I will certainly look at karrimor pants when I'm in a position to buy some more, thanks

[shivashinn Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

oh and for my house keys or car key I tie them on the strings for the waist and stick them down the front of my pants that way I will never lose them, as the other day I had a poor young lad asking me if I hadn't seen a pair of key on my run in the park, his had fallen out of his pocket whilst running.

[swanscot Graduate]

The Karrimor running belt as others have mentioned and small sandwich bag works for me. I don't like the wee bit of wobble I get with the belt, so wear it inside my shorts where it gets sweaty, hence needing the bag.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to swanscot]

I was planning to wear whatever I pick under my top so sandwich bag may have to come into play, thanks

[Hidden]

I've just been putting my phone in my pocket too. I know what you mean about finding ones with pockets though! The Nike ones I use I bought years ago and they have two deep proper pockets. Whereas my newer ones just have a little tiny pocket in the waistline - useful!

In heavy rain I tie it into a little butty bag, and I can still use the touchscreen through it

For a graduation present to myself though I want to get a Flipbelt as they look good sportstechlab.com/Flip-Belt...

xx

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've been looking at the flipbelt I stumbled across it ages ago, but I am a little worried about the sizing. In theory from the official size chart it should fit, but in reality at the moment everything is out of my price range

[Hidden in reply to spoonierunning]

Yeah and it's a bit of a pain you can't try them on isn't it? Plus yes they are not too cheap

Maybe it would be okay in your bra still if you wrap it in a bag or something?

[AmberC Graduate]

Sports Direct have a few running belts to buy in store, I picked a Karrimor one up recently....a very nice pink and black number! It is not huge, but it fits my iPhone, keys, tissues, couple of doggy poo bags & a lip balm into it....so not bad for a compact bag. I sometimes find them a bit annoying as they ten to jiggle up and down a bit, but I've found turning it around so that the bag is at the back helps a great deal. If I remember correctly I paid about £5 for it.

There is also another online store called: Wiggle.co.uk, they have a great range of products, definitely worth checking out their website, they have lots of great offers. I recently bought a heap of Nike stuff on there at an excellent price, complete with free postage and packaging to Australia!

[AmberC Graduate in reply to AmberC]

Just checked and it is the same bag that other people have posted links to and it cost £5.99. So at least you know how much stuff can be accommodated into that particular Karrimor bag. Good luck.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to AmberC]

Thank you

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

I use a neoprene running belt which cost about £12 I think from my local running shop. I find it very comfortable. Takes an I-phone and my keys and I don't really know its there.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Ullyrunner]

Thanks

[NaughtyNanna Graduate]

I have some Ronhill capri's that I got off Amazon. The back pocket is big enough for iphone and keys and they always keep dry x

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to NaughtyNanna]

I shall look out for that brand, thanks

[helcl Graduate]

I'm going to get a spibelt when I get paid, but at the mo, I put it in a nappy sack in a cheap running belt. So far it's ok, but haven't been out in a downpour yet

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to helcl]

I looked at that one but it's out of my jobless price range also they aren't waterproof either unless you pay the extra for the one that is. You would have thought these things would all be fit for purpose, but I have since learnt that a phone doesn't even have to get wet condensation will kill them just as easily

[helcl Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

Hmm, might have to have a rethink

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to helcl]

I don't think any of them are technically water proof

[folkieboater Graduate]

I use one of these:

decathlon.co.uk/smartphone-...

It takes my iphone5 fine, and has a separate partition for a key or 2 - I don't use that though as I don't have to take a key with me. Cos it's only the depth of the phone, it doesn't bounce about as you run.

Hope this helps.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to folkieboater]

I looked at that one in my local store good to have some feedback on it, thanks

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to folkieboater]

You did get the pink one didn't you?

[folkieboater Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

I only got pink as it doesn't come in purple!!!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

*holds a moment of silence for Dumb Phone* May its circuits rest in peace.

I have one of these running belts... ebay.co.uk/itm/Ultimate-Per...

I've not had any problems with water. It has two pockets, a large one where my phone, MP3 player and keys go, and a smaller mesh one for other bits. I really like mine. If you get a belt, keep it nice and loose. Not so loose that it falls down your legs, obviously, but for goodness sake don't make the mistake I did in week two of having it tight so that it doesn't bounce. Oh the stitch. THE STITCH!!!! You only make that mistake once!

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Is the belt bit elastic? I'm always worried that they won't go big enough, the makers always seem to assume that only tiny people exercise

[Nilzed]

Have you tried googling to see if you can get a waterproof cover for it? My next iphone will be put in a Lifeproof cover immediately, i have been living for two years without an on/off switch due to the tiniest drop of coffee that got in, because my pretty purple cover was designed to protect it from being dropped, but not from cats that jump on the table and knock over coffee cups.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to Nilzed]

Lol our rabbits decided OHs phone was thirsty and knocked a glass of water over it, it worked for a while and then died, it was too early for an upgrade but luckily his contract buy out wasn't too bad. Pets they do like to cost us don't they.

Hadn't thought about a cover, normally I just get ones to protect it from bumping around in my bag. Will certainly have a look at options available

[Nilzed in reply to spoonierunning]

It didnt seem like a problem at the time. I grabbed, flipped it over so the bit puddled on top spilt off, took it out of the cover, dried it, wiped it with a electronics wipe. It worked ok.

But the next day, no on off (i click the home button 3 times and use the handicapped assistance options instead.). Down volume works, but not up, but i can deal with that with the pull up menu.

We just put pay as you go sim cards in when we moved to the UK. Later this summer, once we have finished the flat purchase and got moved in, spouse will consider what sort of plans and contracts to sign up for, and new phones are supposed to happen.

[GoogleMe Graduate]

I have my phone in a neck case bought from IKEA for the princely sum of £1.50. But I don't run light... I have a shoulder bag with dog treats (and fat wallet and purse if my bag is in the car), dog whistle, a Dicky Bag to carry poo bags unused and used.

[spoonierunning Graduate in reply to GoogleMe]

Lol when I have Ferd I also have dicky bag, dog whistle and he is either on the lead or that is also clipped around me

[GoogleMe Graduate in reply to spoonierunning]

I forgot to mention the lead!