Earbuds up close

Silly question:
Ever have a problem with earbuds falling out while you run?

Met up with local runners last week at the Cherry Blossom Festival in Newark. One fellow mentioned his quest for the perfect headphones – because of the annoyance of earbuds dropping out.

I’ve been vexed by the same indignation. One moment, your legs are effortlessly pushing out the miles and your head is pleasantly thumping to Macy Gray. Suddenly an earbud is dangling with hopes of pulling out the other side.

The hipster silhouettes on iPod commercials never suffer this problem.

Strangely, this appears to be a common problem – there’s even a dorky earbud leash to catch your earbuds when they inevitably fall out.

Some days the earphones fit fine and didn’t ever fall out. Other times, the buds had Mexican jumping beans inside – just waiting to bounce around. Do my ears shrink on very cold days? Pretty baffling.

I experimented with many ideas – I subdued the buds with a knit cap.  I twisted the buds into different positions. I even used the squishy earbuds that go in your ear canal (yuck!).

Then I finally read the subtle grey lettering on the buds – “L” and “R”. I’d always ignored left/right (stereo either way, no?). However, Apple builds the buds off-center – each is designed for one ear.

I tried placing the left bud in my left ear. Works like a charm – I’ve never dropped a bud again.

Lesson learned: I might need to invest in a speed reading course – took me months to read two letters.

Update: some readers comment that they’ve tried my left/right trick and it didn’t work for them. If you’re having this problem, left/right works for some (me, for one) – but not everyone.

No related posts.

Iron Man gloves

Another blizzard is slamming into NJ today. We already have piles of snow on the ground and it isn’t expected to stop until tomorrow night. Meanwhile, I’m hoping to get out for a run with my iPhone.

One little problem with using an iPhone in the snow. You can’t operate the screen while wearing gloves or mittens.

The capacitive touchscreen relies on electrical contact with your fingertip. So the touchscreen stops working when you’re wearing gloves.

This is a real problem when you run with an iPhone. I had to use my chin once to stop the timer in 5F weather. Trust me – I already look uncool enough gasping for breath after the final sprint.

Dots glove

Dots Gloves sells special gloves for the iPhone – and they look wicked without any garishness. The problem is they don’t come in my size. Plus, I don’t want to ditch my old gloves until they’re really ready to go.

A quick Google search found a neat do-it-yourself article.   They suggest sewing “conductive thread” (whatever that is) on the glove’s fingertip. I attempted to strip wire from a telephone cord and sew the copper strands on the glove’s tip. A disaster – my sewing skills have not been tested since middle school.

Lapel pin, side view

I then moved on to safety pins and a few other ideas. Eventually blundered into  lapel pins – the kind that sticks straight through to a rounded backing. This provides wide contact with your fingertip and the touchscreen. Works like a charm!

Jr Pilot saves the day!

I thought a Ziploc bag was the cheapest possible workout gear. Not so. You should be able to get a suitable lapel pin by asking a flight attendant. Even better – give blood. You’ll save a life while you get your free running gear.

My take: lapel pins work and are quick to install.  But Dots gloves are preferable if available.

Related posts:

1. Workout gear – Ziploc bag
2. Workout gear – Yaktrax
3. Workout gear – Body Glide

Body Glide is your friend

Doctors are amazingly devoted to healing their patients. They just can’t know everything about everyone – particularly oddjobs who like to run. So doctors think about what works for most patients. Mainly, this works fine. Just remember you’re a little different from most people.

Always pay close attention to your body (except when it tells you to stop!). Keep your ears perked when your running friends talk. Grapevine advice can outperform even the brainiest doctor.

…

I started running a few years ago to get back in shape.

The sides of my ribcage – a little below my armpits – were uncomfortable when I ran. Then I started getting some annoying kinda-rash. I just wasn’t smart enough to connect the rash to my runs.

My doctor told me I had “contact dermatitis” (skin problems from touching something) and prescribed a steroid cream (strong, dangerous stuff!). I occasionally applied the ointment and it helped. Still, I was annoyed that my body was letting me down. What went wrong that I needed to start using medicine?

I eventually blundered into Body Glide (a skin balm that resembles an anti-perspirant stick). You just apply it to any part of your body that gets chafed. Surprise – no more need for nasty steroids. Technically, the doctor was correct about contact dermatitis – but he didn’t solve the problem.

This product rocks. Best Canadian innovation since really thick blankets! My skin stopped annoying me during runs and I began running more often. Body Glide created a virtuous circle: I ran more often, cut weight through running, and stopped needing to apply it. My extra chub caused the rubbing problem – which explains why I didn’t have this trouble as a kid.

I don’t need Body Glide any longer, but I still cache some anyhow. I’ll keep applying it for long runs or beach running. And I’ll definitely rub some in before long bike rides.

Great product, which also taught me two important lessons:

1. Don’t accept expert advice blindly
2. Always simplify – especially in running

Related posts:

1. Workout gear – Yaktrax
2. Workout gear – Ziploc bag
3. Workout hack 4 – dilute your efforts

Water-resistant iPhone

The Ziploc snack bag must be the cheapest running gear ever. It keeps your iPhone safe from the weather and doesn’t block iPhone-finger contact. Not just for crack dealers and homemakers any more.

1. Get snack bag size – larger bags don’t seem to be more effective
2. Place your iPhone inside with the headcord outlet on the same side as the bag opening
3. Zip the bag as tightly as you can – the seam will pinch the cord into the corner
4. Extra step (I don’t do this): if you’re still worried, place the iPhone inside another Ziploc – with the headcord at the bottom of the bag.

Testing: try sealing a paper towel and headphone cord and then spraying some water on the bag. Open the Ziploc and check whether the paper towel got wet.

Tip: don’t buy generic. It’s probably manufactured by the same company to identical standards in the same factory. But you shouldn’t skimp on a $0.05 bag protecting a $400 phone.

Related posts:

1. How to iPhone in the snow
2. Workout gear – Yaktrax
3. Workout gear – Body Glide

YakTrax on running shoes

Updated below after Yaktrax broke

It’s unseasonably warm here in New Jersey, but the app developer reports it is -40 degrees outside in Siberia. Sounds like a Jack London novel. I’ve asked Alex not to test the app outside – I prefer him coding with his fingers than his nose.

Running in the cold is a lot easier than it might seem. Wear a hat and gloves and you’re ok. I layer up these days instead of heading out in my shorts. That’s soft living for you.

It’s still January though and we’ll get nasty precip by this weekend. Which makes me grateful for my Yaktrax. Last winter, I hit a patch of black ice and skidded right on my keister.

Not crazy about adding more junk to my closet, but the Yaktrax are terrific. They slip on quick and grant you footing on ice or snow.

A little advice: Yaktrax are slightly annoying when there’s no ice (you’re running on little springs). You might keep them on your second shoes for the winter – and avoid taking them off when the streets clear.

Coils should reach across shoe

Update: Loved the YakTrax, but they snapped after only a few uses (damaged rubber straps by running on non-icy streets). I twittered my problem to the company – and their competitor sent me replacements!

32North Stabilicers: goofy name, but sturdier than YakTrax

Tried Stabilicer Lite treads on this morning’s run:

1. Rock-solid traction
2. About the same weight, but much sturdier build
3. No springiness on pavement
4. Slightly uncomfortable away from snow (impact area is too small for a 230-lb pounding)
   • The sport model appears to have a larger impact area, but there’s no XL – and large isn’t colossal enough for my size-14 sneaks.

Verdict: Stabilicers win on sturdiness and amazing customer service.  I’m now a fan on their Facebook page.

Related posts:

1. Workout gear – Ziploc bag
2. Workout gear – Body Glide
3. How to iPhone in the snow