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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The shoes I’ve been using have 220 miles on them so I wanted to get a new pair so I can wear the new and old pairs for a few weeks of overlap. I’ve started getting some pains in the ball of my left foot so I figured that’s even more of a sign to go and get some new shoes.

The nearest running store to me is a New Balance store. I’ve never run in a NB shoe, but I decided to try them out.

The experience was actually quite pleasant. I went yesterady afternoon and they weren’t busy at all. Must be because it was mid-week. There was only one other customer and I didn’t feel bad monopolizing the time of one of the sales persons. The last time I went to a speciality running store, it was on a weekend and while the sales person there din’t rush me, I felt rushed as there were a lot of other customers milling around with no one to attend to them.

I took my current shoes and my previous shoes which had 240 miles on the them. The sales person examined the treadwear and eventually decided I needed a neutral cushoining shoe. The same diagnosis from the other running store.

I tried several pairs on, including one that didn’t look like a running shoe so I passed on it. I eventually bought a pair of 1061 shoes for $118 including taxes. These are the most expensive shoes I’ve bought so far. The shoes I’m running in were half the price at $60. I would have bought another pair of those, but it was a discontinued model when I bought them and I can’t find a size 12 anywhere online. The NB shoes I got are a 2007 model so if they work out, I should be able to find replacements quite easily.

The real test will be the next week or so. I’m hoping to do a 7-mile run today so I’ll try them out. I’ll use my older shoes for my long run on Sunday and then probably alternate the new and old shoes for a couple weeks.

Posted by derek as Gear at 10:48 AM PST

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I managed to sell the Polar S625X so I ordered the Garmin Forerunner 305 today. I’m getting it from HeartrateMonitorsUsa.com. It comes with free 2-day shipping so I should have it in my hands next week Thursday. I wouldn’t need to be borrowing my wife’s Forerunner 205 anymore

I’ve already installed SportTracks in preparation.

Posted by derek as Gear at 8:09 PM PST

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I listed my S625X on Ebay today. Ever since I got the Foreunner 205 for my wife, I’ve been borrowing it and I haven’t used the Polar since. I realized that’s it’s just been sitting on my desk, and since I’ll be getting my own Forerunner 305 shortly, the Polar isn’t going to get any use at all.

Posted by derek as Gear at 9:11 PM PST

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I got The Stick a few weeks back and I’ve been using it quite regularly. It’s a somewhat flexible stick that has multiple spindles on it. The version I got was the Travel Stick which is ideally suited for the leg muscles. There are longer versions that can be used for places like your back.

I would certainly recommend this if you’re not fortunate enough to have someone that give you a massage regularly. I use it a little after each run, but it gets the most use by being near my desk so when I’m working, I would take a 1-2 minute break and roll it along my various leg muscles.

Posted by derek as Gear at 2:23 PM PST

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