Running with a phone - how do you do it?

I have a small phone (iphone 5s) for a reason: it's small and fits into pockets and in my hand. Generally I hold the phone in my hand as I seem to have problems with keeping a consistent pace, or estimating pace for intervals.

DM01234 wrote: »

Fanny pack for me.

Thanks for the head cinema.

A running belt.

I use an arm band. Researched my phone and found one the phone and case would fit in easily. My house and or gym key, bus pass (just in case if I'm running outside and on my own), money of some variety, and ID (also just in case if outside and on my own) fit easily inside as well.

Once the phone is turned on I slip it in and generally leave alone, it's not too difficult to slip in and out if needed but I rarely have a need unless I've stopped. My app tells my pace and distance at regular intervals. And I also use a wireless Bluetooth headset that controls volume, and answers calls if required. I can also just toss a microsd into the headset itself for music if I don't want the phone.

Bluepegasus wrote: »

I used to just carry it back when I had a small phone, but now I have a bigger phone I use a SPIbelt. Before that I used to have an arm holder that did up with velcro, but it never really felt comfy. A running friend recently introduced me to the SPIbelt and I hardly notice I'm wearing it (I've tried other running belts but never really found them comfy either).

+1 vote for the SPI belt. Everyone who has one raves about them (I do not have one, but it's on my "list).

I stick it in the pocket of the stretch pants I run in. So far, so good. I like pocket sized phones though. Anxiously awaiting the release of the Galaxy S7 Mini, I use an S4 Mini and love it. I do have an armband but find it too fussy.

Respect all you running purists who run sans-phone, but I can't imagine not having one for emergencies. I was reading online a guy who tumbled and broke his ankle while on a run. He had to limp a half mile back to the nearest house and go bother the guy to use his phone so he could call his wife and get a ride home. Imagine if it had been something more serious. I realize 30 years ago (kids these days...get off my lawn...) no one had cell phones to run with, just seems unnecessarily risky to me.

TavistockToad wrote: »

I buy running leggings/shorts with a zip pocket

Please tell me where to find these. I have found one pair and they are the ugliest things on earth. I've searched far and wide, with no luck. Please tell me I can buy these in-store somewhere and not somewhere online where I'll have no idea if they fit or not!

blues4miles wrote: »

Respect all you running purists who run sans-phone, but I can't imagine not having one for emergencies. I was reading online a guy who tumbled and broke his ankle while on a run. He had to limp a half mile back to the nearest house and go bother the guy to use his phone so he could call his wife and get a ride home. Imagine if it had been something more serious. I realize 30 years ago (kids these days...get off my lawn...) no one had cell phones to run with, just seems unnecessarily risky to me.

Same here. I do some trail running from time to time, and I could take a nasty spill, and be unable to finish, and needing a ride. It happens. So, I just carry my phone.

That, and I use life360, so the wife can see where I'm at, and start getting concerned if I've not moved in 30 minutes.

blues4miles wrote: »

Respect all you running purists who run sans-phone, but I can't imagine not having one for emergencies. I was reading online a guy who tumbled and broke his ankle while on a run. He had to limp a half mile back to the nearest house and go bother the guy to use his phone so he could call his wife and get a ride home. Imagine if it had been something more serious. I realize 30 years ago (kids these days...get off my lawn...) no one had cell phones to run with, just seems unnecessarily risky to me.

I get that, and I probably would run with a phone in certain situations, but most of the time, I run a route pretty close to home or work, with lots of other people around. I do have a tag tied to my shoestring with my name and an emergency phone number engraved on it.

Although I have been thinking of getting my dog one of those backpacks so HE can carry my phone. And a water bottle.

I use either an armband (Amphipod brand--it's oversized and can fit my large phone, plus keys/id/etc) or a Camelbak (only on long or very hot runs when I need to take hydration and body glide and keys and food and...). In either case, if you're using it for music, I definitely recommend investing in some wireless headphones.

I have tried a hydration belt with a pocket in the past, but I found that the belt had a tendency to irk my digestive system--something about the pressure on my lower abdomen, I suppose.

I have a fanny pack type of thing specifically made for running called a running belt. Love it. Lays flat under my shirt, doesn't bounce around at all.

http://www.amazon.com/Running-BeSportWise-Samsung-Exercise-Experience/dp/B00PNHAFBY?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

spibelt

blues4miles wrote: »

Respect all you running purists who run sans-phone, but I can't imagine not having one for emergencies. I was reading online a guy who tumbled and broke his ankle while on a run. He had to limp a half mile back to the nearest house and go bother the guy to use his phone so he could call his wife and get a ride home. Imagine if it had been something more serious. I realize 30 years ago (kids these days...get off my lawn...) no one had cell phones to run with, just seems unnecessarily risky to me.

Know what you mean, though the mobile phone reception in my area is ridiculously poor, and my favourite run has no reception at all: half up and around a cliff in 8km. It's especially fun in the dark as there are no street lights, partly 10% inclination, the sea 80m below you and more cliffs on the other side of the road. It's seriously cool!

But anyway, emergency... yes, that's why I take my phone with me and to record my run route/stats/hr and have a map if I get lost. Only the phone was completely useless when I really needed it: the moment I realized I could not run properly that day because I had a starting new asthma flare up. At that moment I was some 7km from home *facepalm*, no inhaler with me, and no signal.

blues4miles wrote: »

coreyreichle wrote: »

blues4miles wrote: »

Respect all you running purists who run sans-phone, but I can't imagine not having one for emergencies. I was reading online a guy who tumbled and broke his ankle while on a run. He had to limp a half mile back to the nearest house and go bother the guy to use his phone so he could call his wife and get a ride home. Imagine if it had been something more serious. I realize 30 years ago (kids these days...get off my lawn...) no one had cell phones to run with, just seems unnecessarily risky to me.

Same here. I do some trail running from time to time, and I could take a nasty spill, and be unable to finish, and needing a ride. It happens. So, I just carry my phone.

That, and I use life360, so the wife can see where I'm at, and start getting concerned if I've not moved in 30 minutes.

Right. I mean, I am a not-real-runner in some circles because I pretty much HAVE to have music/podcast/audiobook going while I run. Just seems risky to go without a phone if you have the option. But I am anti-risk. I no longer run trails alone that are more than a half mile from a trailhead due to wildlife and human risks. I have also used the life360 app in the past, it is pretty neat.

Yup, I'm not a real runner either. I just enjoy listening to music on my phone while running, paying for stuff on my phone, and surfing the web and relaxing while I have some drinks after my monthly half marathon distance runs.