iPhone Users - Music While Running?

[fashionista311]

I'm a relatively new iPhone user and since I always carry my phone with me while I run...I started using it for my music too and leaving the regular iPod at home. One less thing to carry and deal with.

If I try to play the music through the regular iPod app on the phone, it skips constantly - making it impossible to listen to while I run.

If I pump the music through the Nike app...it seems to work fine. But the problem is the Nike app is primarily for gps, as I'm sure many of you use as well. I'm not the world's fastest runner, and the gps seems to really drain the battery...so for my long slow runs, I can go about 15 miles until the battery dies...and no more music. I have a Garmin, so I don't really care about the Nike tracking my runs...it's pretty inaccurate, anyways.

Well tomorrow I have 18 miles planned. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can listen to music while i run without the gps draining my battery? Thanks so much!

 

[newdrama12]

I'm a relatively new iPhone user and since I always carry my phone with me while I run...I started using it for my music too and leaving the regular iPod at home. One less thing to carry and deal with.

If I try to play the music through the regular iPod app on the phone, it skips constantly - making it impossible to listen to while I run.

If I pump the music through the Nike app...it seems to work fine. But the problem is the Nike app is primarily for gps, as I'm sure many of you use as well. I'm not the world's fastest runner, and the gps seems to really drain the battery...so for my long slow runs, I can go about 15 miles until the battery dies...and no more music. I have a Garmin, so I don't really care about the Nike tracking my runs...it's pretty inaccurate, anyways.

Well tomorrow I have 18 miles planned. Anyone have any suggestions on how I can listen to music while i run without the gps draining my battery? Thanks so much!

With the Iphone, if you push the button on the top and lock it, then the music won't skip. It took a bit before I learned that too.

 

[paxsarah]

It's possible that the headphones could be causing it. I had a similar problem with my iPod shuffle, which has similar headphones to the iPhone with the inline controls along the wire (just not the microphone that the iPhone has) - skipping, volume going up and down, voiceover randomly announcing the songes. Ultimately, Apple replaced my earbuds and the new ones have worked fine ever since. You might want to try the iPhone with any other headphones/buds you have sitting around to see if the performance is different.

 

[RunRookie]

I play music and podcasts on my iPhone often while I run. I don't use the headphones that come with the iPhone. There are much better ones that fit better and generate better sound (snuggbuds.com). I am surprised that the Nike app would drain an iPhone in 25 minutes.

Occasionally I use the MapMyRun app to track a run and map it out in real time. That uses the GPS but with a fully charged iPhone 3GS, I can go several hours before battery is drained. Now I just use my Polar watch for that.

As for skipping, I think locking your phone should take care of that issue. Also, make sure no other apps are running in the background (double press the button to bring up a list of running apps and you can close them there).

If you want to continue to use the Nike app, you might want to invest in a portable battery case from Mophie.Com. They make nice cases that have an embedded battery which can charge or power your iPhone.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

I think what is happening is that you have not adjusted your settings. The iPhone was enabled with the shake to skip setting for the music. Convenient when you are sitting not so much when you are running.

Go to Settings, ipod and Shake to Shuffle should be turned off. When you are running, make sure that you turn off the Wireless internet as well under the WiFi category also in settings. Looking for networks is very taxing on the battery. If using a runkeeper type of app, turn off both the wireless, 3g and go to airplane mode. Your run will still be tracked with everyone off. You shouldn't be talking on your phone while running anyway and absolutely not during a race!

Turn off the 3G, Wireless and any Push Notifications and your battery life should be 100% better. I learned the hard way about that during the Marathon this year.

 

[fashionista311]

I think what is happening is that you have not adjusted your settings. The iPhone was enabled with the shake to skip setting for the music. Convenient when you are sitting not so much when you are running.

yes that is it...thank you!! I *knew* there had to be some setting I didn't know about

My wifi is already off, but do you think if I leave the wireless on, and just use the ipod app, the phone will last for 3 hrs or so? Not that I talk on my phone while I run, but it just makes me a bit nervous to have my phone completely off during the run. You know, that way when I'm lying in a ditch on the side of a road because a car ran over me, 911 can find me via phone

thanks all!

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

yes that is it...thank you!! I *knew* there had to be some setting I didn't know about

My wifi is already off, but do you think if I leave the wireless on, and just use the ipod app, the phone will last for 3 hrs or so? Not that I talk on my phone while I run, but it just makes me a bit nervous to have my phone completely off during the run. You know, that way when I'm lying in a ditch on the side of a road because a car ran over me, 911 can find me via phone

thanks all!

You don't need your wireless on to talk on the phone. The only way you disable your phone is either by turning off your iPhone or putting it on Airplane mode. So, I would suggest turning off the 3G and Wireless (at least the searching mode where it tries to find networks) if your battery is an issue. Also watch the volume and amount of time your screen is on because that can be draining as well. It is quite an adjustment process to find the ideal battery life but I wouldn't buy the extra battery unless you really need it. Those suckers are just as expensive as the phone - some of them are more!

 

[mamacate]

I can't remember where I read this, but I've read advice about turning 3G off, which means you can still make and receive calls, you just won't have the faster data speeds. I've run as long as nearly 2 hours without turning anything off, and with runkeeper running with a fisica heart rate receiver, which requires that the phone not sleep. So I think unless you're doing marathon distances (assuming your battery is working well and you have a later model phone-- mine is an iPhone 4), you shouldn't worry too much and experiment a bit. Also, I have talked on the phone on long runs--it's a good way to make sure I'm keeping my pace easy--running on a path in a park. Not sure why it's a problem. Cate

 

[lisah0711]

You can also extend your battery life by turning off your email, Facebook "push" and any other applications that you might have running in the background, like the Nike app. It's amazing all the little things that are running on that little phone that you don't even realize are on.

 

[fashionista311]

Thx all! It took me a tad bit over 3 hours to get in my 18 - and the battery seemed to be pretty ok (I used just the ipod app with the wifi and notifications turned off.) It shouldn't take me too much longer (maybe 20-22 mins?) to the extra 2 miles for the 20, so I should be ok for training runs.

For the actual marathon I don't plan on using my ipod (I want to be "in" the race) so I should be ok - but I might carry some form of music on me just in case I do need the extra boost. I hope to finish in around 4:30 (gulp!) - but either way, I don't think I'll need the music to last me that time span so I should be good to go.

Thanks again for helping me this out - you all were a lifesaver on Sat!

 

[dizkrazkate]

Do you have an iPhone 4? I can usually play music for hours without a problem.

HOWEVER, if you have a iPhone 4, unlike the prior models, there is a fancy way you have to close all your apps. I learned this the hard way, when after 6 weeks, the phone just shut down. Totally. Would not turn on. Had to take it to the Apple Store.

I thought when I shut down the app, it was actually off. Not so. You must close the app, so you are looking at your menu of all your apps. Then double click the soft key at the bottom. Then you will see at the bottom all your apps with little red x's in the corners. Close the apps! If you have a lot of apps running, you will drain the battery very quickly. Since learning this little trick, whenever I note my battery is draining faster, I close all the apps, and presto! my battery life is back.

I have since showed this to several iPhone 4 users who also had no idea.
I hope that helps you out.

 

[sunshine girl]

FYI even if you adjust your settings you may still have a problem with the phone's ipod skipping/etc. It is possibly related to the headphones with the handy volume/mic control on the wire and a malfunction due to humidity and/or sweat.

I have had the problem several times in humid/sweaty conditions but never while indoors at my air conditioned gym. Once the humidity gets to the earphones, the mic/vol control usually is permanently broken. My iPhone would randomly go on "voice control" and skip/shudder/speed/slow... Was a mess! I haven't yet tried non-microphone headphones to see if it solves the humidity problem.

This is a recent phenomenon for me... Not sure why it happens but am going to try different headphones on my next hot outdoor run. I googled it and others have reported similar issues, it seems. I recently fried two sets of apple earbuds with the on-wire mic due to this problem!

It happened during a recent 5k race and I had to shut the phone off completely mid-race, as the iPod was skipping all over and could not be shut off... It would automatically launch itself and Voice Control spontaneously took over. There may be more to it than the earphones, but it has ONLY happened in humid conditions, so who knows!

 

[harleys mom]

My husband runs with his all of the time. He also uses the Nike App. He shuts off all the other apps and has run several 1/2 marathons with his.

 

[slp1650]

I ran with mine at the Disneyland Half Marathon. My low battery warning came up at the end, and I turned it off less than a mile to go, but that's the first time I ever had a problem with the battery.

Now, I did just get a new iphone 4 so I've been playing with it a lot and I was listening to music, updating facebook, and checking email while I was waiting in the corral so I probably didn't start with a full battery.

I still like running with it and I haven't had any issues with it during my practice runs.

 

[suzysharp]

I think what is happening is that you have not adjusted your settings. The iPhone was enabled with the shake to skip setting for the music. Convenient when you are sitting not so much when you are running.

Thank you!!!! This has driven me crazy up til now so I switched to podcasts that were running music but now I can mix it up with my tunes as well!!!

 

[fashionista311]

I did my 20 miler this past weekend and used just my regular ipod nano clipped onto my fuel belt...and it was honestly just so much less hassle at the end of the day. I was def out there for a long time (3.5 hrs) so it was nice to not have to worry about my phone draining or dying halfway through.

i guess my my rule of thumb is runs shorter than 2.5 hrs i'll use my phone, but anything longer i'll just stick with my nano. what's another few ounces of weight anyways?

 

[Sandy321]

Same thing for the Iphone 3 btw

Do you have an iPhone 4? I can usually play music for hours without a problem.

HOWEVER, if you have a iPhone 4, unlike the prior models, there is a fancy way you have to close all your apps. I learned this the hard way, when after 6 weeks, the phone just shut down. Totally. Would not turn on. Had to take it to the Apple Store.

I thought when I shut down the app, it was actually off. Not so. You must close the app, so you are looking at your menu of all your apps. Then double click the soft key at the bottom. Then you will see at the bottom all your apps with little red x's in the corners. Close the apps! If you have a lot of apps running, you will drain the battery very quickly. Since learning this little trick, whenever I note my battery is draining faster, I close all the apps, and presto! my battery life is back.

I have since showed this to several iPhone 4 users who also had no idea.
I hope that helps you out.

and RunRookie mentioned this trick also -

dh knew about it, I didnt, but when angry birds locked up/froze - I gave it to dh, did the dble click trick and tadaa - no worries!

 

[buckeyecinderella]

This has been a really good discussion as I plan to get an iPhone soon.

Any good ideas for protecting the phone from moisture while running?

I really would like to use the phone to take pictures during my races, especially the Disney Marathons. Also, I like to send out emails of my progress, especially to family who cannot be at the race. How much battery life do you think would be used up by these activities? I will probably be a 6 hour marathoner.

I probably won't be listening to music for the races, only in training.

Thanks.

 

[fashionista311]

This has been a really good discussion as I plan to get an iPhone soon.

Any good ideas for protecting the phone from moisture while running?

I really would like to use the phone to take pictures during my races, especially the Disney Marathons. Also, I like to send out emails of my progress, especially to family who cannot be at the race. How much battery life do you think would be used up by these activities? I will probably be a 6 hour marathoner.

I probably won't be listening to music for the races, only in training.

Thanks.

I keep mine in a large amipod pocket on my fuel belt, and it has been fine. If you are extra nervous you can keep it in an old-fashioned ziploc bag - that's what I do when I carry my phone on my bike since it's in the back pocket of my jersey

If you are just taking pictures/sending emails you should have plenty of battery for that. It's just the apps that utilize GPS that drain the battery crazy fast

But why not have your friends sign up for text message tracking? Sending out emails during a marathon would personally drive me bonkers! (Not to mention the on-screen keyboard makes it a little more difficult to type than than an actual keyboard like a Blackbery

 

[buckeyecinderella]

I keep mine in a large amipod pocket on my fuel belt, and it has been fine. If you are extra nervous you can keep it in an old-fashioned ziploc bag - that's what I do when I carry my phone on my bike since it's in the back pocket of my jersey

If you are just taking pictures/sending emails you should have plenty of battery for that. It's just the apps that utilize GPS that drain the battery crazy fast

But why not have your friends sign up for text message tracking? Sending out emails during a marathon would personally drive me bonkers! (Not to mention the on-screen keyboard makes it a little more difficult to type than than an actual keyboard like a Blackbery

Thank you for the information. I do have friends sign up for the runner tracking. That seems to work well. If I were trying for a proof of time, I wouldn't send emails of my progress. That would be difficult! But my mom, for example, likes to track me at each mile and follow my route on the course map. So, I set up draft text messages/emails for each mile and just pull them up and click SEND. So, there is minimal typing. On my regular phone it is pretty easy to do - even when I'm running.

But I'm very glad to hear that taking pictures won't run out the battery. I'm looking forward to getting a phone that "does it all"!