I got a second-generation iPod Shuffle around November 2006. It has been great while running as I can simply clip it to my shorts and not have to worry about an armband, which is what I used to use with my previous MP3 player.

The problem I’m having seems to be the reliability. I had to replace the iPod in January 2007 since it refused to charge anymore. Apple was great about it and they overnighted a replacement.

Unfortunately, I had to replace that replacement just this week as it refuses to power on anymore. Again, Apple shipped a replacement overnight.

I love my iPod Shuffle, but at this rate, I don’t expect them to last more than a few months. While under warranty, Apple will keep replacing them, but once the original 1-yr warranty has expired, I may have to find a replacement.

My wife is wondering if it doesn’t like getting wet from sweat, but I would think a device designed to be used while exercising should be able to withstand a little sweat.

Posted by derek as Gear at 3:13 PM PDT

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This week was a recovery week.  I ran so little that it seemed as though I hardly ran at all, but for the recovery week, I still ended up running 33 miles.  It should have actually been 35 miles, but I cut a 7-mile run on Tuesday down to 5 miles as I just wasn’t feeling right.  I think I was still a bit tired from the 14-miler on Sunday.  Plus the weather on Tuesday was 4-5F higher than normal and much more humid.

As a matter of fact, the weather this whole week was more humid than I’ve been used to.

I ended the week strong today with a easy 5-mile run, but I ran it at an average of 9:22 min/mile.  I actually did the first 3 miles at a 9:00 min/mile pace. When I go back in my logs, the last time I ran faster than 9:22 was a 7-mile run about 6 weeks ago which I did at a 9:18 pace.  Even going back 5-6 months, today’s run is the top 4-5 fastest runs I’ve done, excluding races.  The 9:00 min/mile pace I ran for the first 3 miles is significant as that is my marathon goal pace.  Now I just need to be able to hold that for 26.2 miles.

This coming week is a 38-mile week, but I suspect I’ll probably eck out an extra couple miles to make it a 40-mile week.  After next week, I wouldn’t be running less than 43 miles per week until I’m within 2 weeks of my marathon.

Posted by derek as Training, Chicago, Marathon at 8:22 AM PDT

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Today marks the end of my 4th week of training.  I ran a mile more than the plan called for and finished the week with 40 miles.  This is the 4th time I’ve ever run 40 miles, the last time being about 5 weeks ago.

This was a pretty good week.  All my runs were at a sub-10 min/mile pace.

I’m starting to feel a very slight pain in my knees.  It only lasts for a very brief time and I’m not concerned about it as yet, but it’s something I need to keep a close watch on.

This coming week is a recovery week in the Pftizinger plan.  I’ll be running a mere 35 miles.

Posted by derek as Training, Chicago, Marathon at 12:31 PM PDT

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Today I had a 13-mile run scheduled.  I couldn’t go that far and not make it a half-marathon distance of 13.1 miles.

It turned out to be a great run.  I did the 13.1 miles in 2:10:14 which works out to a 9:57 min/mile pace.  Any run 10 miles and more than I can run in under a 10 min/mile pace is a good run.

Last week was a bit of a downer as I struggled with my shorter runs, but I’m starting this week feeling great.  Let’s hope the rest of the week goes just as great.  I’m due to run 39 miles this week, but I’ll probably squeeze in a bit extra each run so I can make it a 40-mile week.

Posted by derek as Training, Chicago, Marathon at 7:31 AM PDT

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As I had mentioned in my last post, the early part of the week was a bit tough.  I did feel a bet better on Thursday. I ended up running all my runs and actually ending the week at 38 miles again…2 miles higher than the Pftizinger plan calls for.

I have a 13-mile run tomorrow.  This will be my longest run ever.

Posted by derek as Training, Chicago, Marathon at 12:35 PM PDT

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