The Running Thread - 2018

[CheapRunnerMike]

ATTQOTD: YurBuds wired earbuds - the cheapest model they make (or made - I haven't needed to buy any in a couple years.) They don't hurt my ears and they stay put - something no other earbud I've tried managed to accomplish. AND they're cheap, AND they have great sound. I have a system: first, the plug end of the wire goes down my back at the back of my neck, under my tank and bra straps and out at my left shoulder (or under my bra strap and out the armhole in a short sleeve), plug into phone, which is in an armband on my left bicep. (When wearing long sleeves, I skip going down the shirt - unless I carry my phone in a leg pocket, in which case the plug end of the wire goes under a bra strap, then all they way down my back, exiting at the bottom of my shirt.) Ear buds come around the back of my neck to lay over my shoulders, then go under my bra straps, then up to my ears. This system keeps the wire 100% out of my way, and anchors it in several places so it's not flapping around.

I used YurBuds before getting BT. They really do work great and stay put...

 

[Mickey Momma]

Bluetooth for me, hate wires. I have Jaybird Freedoms but don't like the cord sitting on my neck, so I switched to Plantronics BackBeat Fits. They have a more solid strap behind the head that works really well for me.

ATTQOTD: I run with the Plantronics as well. They are comfortable, have an amazing battery life, are all-weather, and I can still hear the environment around me.

ETA: @TheHamm, despite the looks of these, I have never had an issue with them and my ponytail. I often wear them with my visor on too.

 

[PrincessV]

I used YurBuds before getting BT. They really do work great and stay put...

I initially tried them because reviews swore they wouldn't hurt and would stay in my tiny ears - and when they worked, I stocked up on them when target had a sale, figuring with the amount of rain, sweat, and water I pour over my head, they'd need to be replaced frequently. Nope: they're indestructible!

 

[Kerry1957]

Aftershokz Trekz Air for me. They are pricey at around $150 but I have very poor hearing (don't run with my hearing aids in) and these let me hear music and as much of the outside world as my eardrums will allow.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

ETA: @TheHamm, despite the looks of these, I have never had an issue with them and my ponytail. I often wear them with my visor on too.

I don't have a ponytail to worry about but I will run with a backwards hat sometimes without any issues. The band looks a lot more rigid in the pictures than it really is, it is very flexible.

I initially tried them because reviews swore they wouldn't hurt and would stay in my tiny ears - and when they worked, I stocked up on them when target had a sale, figuring with the amount of rain, sweat, and water I pour over my head, they'd need to be replaced frequently. Nope: they're indestructible!

Mine are still going too after a solid 5 years, I still use them all the time just not for running anymore.

 

[Bree]

ATTQOTD:
I only run with headphones sometimes, and they have been wired. However, the cheap pair of earbuds I have had for 3ish years started to sound odd a few weeks ago and the ear piece broke in half AND STAYED IN MY EAR! So I am hesitant to buy another pair.

This is interesting to me. I keep thinking about wireless headphones but am concerned the back of the head ones are incompatible with ponytails, buns, and a soon to come out of hibernation ear band. So are the ear pieces connected with a flexible piece as opposed to the modeled plastic as seen above?

I have PowerBeats 3 which fit under cold weather hats and headbands.



I also have Bose SoundSport, but the earpiece sticks out too far for cold weather hats. This cord has a little clip that I attach to my hair elastic, hat, visor, etc.

 

[SarahDisney]

I initially tried them because reviews swore they wouldn't hurt and would stay in my tiny ears - and when they worked, I stocked up on them when target had a sale, figuring with the amount of rain, sweat, and water I pour over my head, they'd need to be replaced frequently. Nope: they're indestructible!

I've somehow managed to destroy 2 pairs of yurbuds ...
But I also destroy everything. This probably has more to do with me than with the yurbuds.

 

[Slogger]

ATTQOTD: I use the speakers on my iphone for regular runs. I don't listen to anything during running events but always grateful when I come across someone else blasting music through their phone or mini speakers.

Looking for some good wireless headphones and taking notes.

 

[Capang]

ATTQOTD: I use wireless fitbit flyers. They are ok, wouldn't recommend for long runs. I wish I would have bought any type that go over the ears. The ones I have came with two different types of silicone pieces in 2 sizes and nothing stays in my ear once i start to sweat.

 

[Kazrak]

QOTD: Since we were on the topic of running with music earlier this week I have a follow up question. Do you run with wireless headphones or the standard issue Iphone types... which for the newer phones are now wireless.... Do you just play it on normal speakers with no headphones?

ATTQOTD: When I was running with music, it was wired earbuds. Were I to do it now, I've got a pair of Pixel Buds I'd use for it.

 

[jennamfeo]

ATTQOTD: Back in the day, I worked at an AT&T store and was gifted a pair of LG Tones because they wanted us to push selling them. They are wireless and bluetooth, but when I wore them home my husband was like "It looks like two tampons hanging around your neck." THANKS HONEY. So that's part of the reason why I don't listen to music when I race because I don't want them in my race pictures.



But they are what I wear when I train. They are okay, I have to wear a headband with to keep them in my ears, so that's annoying. I have a pair of YurBuds somewhere but now that I have gone wireless I don't think I can go back. I desperately want some Aftershokz though.

 

[Kerry1957]

I got the best sound out of this, but I found it slowed me down just a bit..

 

[dis_or_dat]

As someone who has pushed a single for a while, I feel your pain. While the single makes life difficult, the double stroller is a whole new kind of hell. Makes the single a fun run lol.
!

I saw a mom really booking it with a double stroller on a trail and I couldn't help but say "wow!" She laughed.

Podcasts
I listen to political podcasts (like NPR's politics) and a lot of movie/pop culture ones (How Did This Get Made, NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, The Watch, Jam Session, Rewatchables, Unspooled). Also I like to listen to Radiolab and the happier This American Life episodes. Thinking about listening to Slow Burn, but I don't think I can add another podcast to my list!

 

[michigandergirl]

ATTQOTD: I just use the standard Iphone earbuds. They've always worked well for me - the wire doesn't get in my way and the sound is better than anything else I've tried. My big hang up with wireless is that I just don't like feel of the "wrap around the ear" thing.

 

[FFigawi]

QOTD: Since we were on the topic of running with music earlier this week I have a follow up question. Do you run with wireless headphones or the standard issue Iphone types... which for the newer phones are now wireless.... Do you just play it on normal speakers with no headphones?

I went through three pairs of Jaybirds when training in Iraq. I loved not having a cord flopping around, but they sure didn't last very long.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

I went through three pairs of Jaybirds when training in Iraq. I loved not having a cord flopping around, but they sure didn't last very long.

I didn't get a whole lot of use out of my Jaybirds before my sweat killed them. To be fair Jaybird were great to deal with and sent me a replacement pair right away, but running headphones that don't stand up to sweat are useless to me. A shame really because the sound was fantastic.

 

[KSellers88]

ATTQOTD: I got Airpods for my birthday in July and love them! I really like that the case charges them. I haven't had them run out of battery while running, but I like that for a looong race (WDW Marathon, anyone?), I can carry the small case and pop them in if they need a little charging later in the race.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I occasionally have a weird charging issue with them. When I open the case, 1 will not be charged. I assume it's because I didn't put it in right or it was a little dirty or something. This doesn't happen very often though.

Same answer for me! About the charging issue, I've found if I take mine and rub the part that goes into the charging port against a clean cloth (normally a beach towel) they seem to both charge fine. I haven't had a problem since I started doing this after each run, fingers crossed it continues!

 

[FFigawi]

I didn't get a whole lot of use out of my Jaybirds before my sweat killed them. To be fair Jaybird were great to deal with and sent me a replacement pair right away, but running headphones that don't stand up to sweat are useless to me. A shame really because the sound was fantastic.

Fully agree. They sent me a replacement pair too, but I want something which lasts longer than 3-5 months. They're too expensive to be considered disposable, no matter how great they sound.

 

[Dis5150]

ATTQOTD: If I do wear any headphones (usually listen to my podcasts out loud as it is deserted where I run) I use a pair of cheap, wireless ones I got on a Prime deal of the day for like $10? No idea the brand - they are red and black. I tuck the excess of the cord that connects them up in my visor. They work for me, lol.

 

[CheapRunnerMike]

Not sure if anyone is following this story or not, but very interesting developments with Ironman Florida in the wake of Hurricane Michael. The race is held in early November in Panama City Beach and as you all know that area was hit hard last week. Ironman released their decision last night as to how they would proceed with the race and they will now be holding the race in Haines City, FL (just west of Orlando) on the same weekend the race was supposed to be held. All entrants are automatically transferred over to the new venue, which also happens to be on the Sunday now instead of the Saturday. It is an interesting move as Haines City is the home of a 70.3 Ironman (half Ironman) race in the Spring and they will be using basically the exact same course. This means that the bike will be 2 loops, which is by no means unheard of for an Ironman race, but the run will be SIX LOOPS! Yikes. This could get just a wee bit congested

Incredibly impressive that Ironman was able to pull off a complete change of venue just two and a half weeks out...amazing.