iPod Headphones & Accuracy

For years, if not my entire career, I've run without music. Instead, I've focused on the natural sounds of the outdoors (and, often, settled for honks, wooshes, and screeches of cars closeby). Things changed subtlely as I received a new iPod for Christmas, replacing my 2002 iPod brick with a device that barely noticeable from a weight perspective.

It's been great, getting me jazzed......er, rockin.....about running and keeping the pace high. That said: Headphones are annoying. They popup out or at least shift somewhat dramatically with each stride. A winter-weather headband intended to comprehensively cover my ears helps hold them in place, but such a band is only worn at around 25 degrees or below.

Last weekend, I also purchased the Nike+iPod attachment that connects a sensor (placed in your shoe by in my case a tiny Tiffany bag entied with my shoe laces) with the iPod on my arm to track distance and time and calories. It's awesome - I run so much faster with that sensor on. Ok, ok, it actually is approximately 10% inaccurate, telling me I'm running at a 6:45 pace when more realistically it's around 7:15. It may be a good or bad thing that I'm now timing runs for the first time in years - such timing motivates one to run faster, but also that faster speed takes a greater toll on the body and dissuades the moderation and "easy" runs necessary for consistent, routine, injury-free training.