Do you run with your smart phone?

To each their own. I understand both reasons for taking one vs not taking one. I used to carry one all the time, mainly for emergencies and actually have used it twice to call 911 after witnessing 2 hit and runs. I take it sometimes now (mainly if I'm going somewhere new).

A guy went missing near here this winter and they would have found him much more quickly if he had a phone signal to track if he had actually been missing where they were looking.

Sure, people managed without phones before, but I wonder how many died because they couldn't reach help in time.

Are you kidding me? People managed just fine, there was a much greater sense of responsibility and self-reliance.

I had to look up some stats... only 3 percent of Americans between 18 and 29 do not have a cell phone and 9 percent of all adults, according to a recent pew research study. Yikes!

A few years ago, I spent 2 weeks on vacation with my family without a computer or cell phone and it was awesome.

If I felt some requirement to run with a phone, I would rather not run. Warning: I don't run with ID or water either. I'm a responsible, tax-paying, life-insurance owning, law abiding family man.

Nothing makes me laugh more than seeing this -- I only wish it happened to more people:

I started carrying my phone with me a little over a year ago when my daughter asked me to. I am a mom to 4 kids and I run on trails by myself. I have always felt fairly safe and hate carrying anything. But last spring I got hurt pretty badly during one run. I really don't know what happened because I was knocked out and "woke up" in the hospital 6 hours later. I was fully conscious during that time (I was walking around and speaking to people) but I have no memory of those 6 hours. Anyway, because my kids want to be able to be in touch with me, I carry my phone. I'm used to it now and I have actually gotten some really great pictures being out in the woods. And I am not a hobby jogger. I still put in a good 50+ miles each week all on trails.

Wouldn't run with one. Dont even own one. Dont want to.

The fact I could die on a run without a phone seems foolish to me. I guess I figured out a long time ago that I'm going to actually die someday.

Of course I do. Sportstracker, spotify and all the internet radio channels(ah.fm, di.fm...)

Armband + bluetooth earphones (no need for the armband when running on a treadmill)

I have a different phone for running. Smaller screen and less bulky. I bought it for under 100 euros. I don't run with expensive phones. Cheap phones are as good for that purpose and it doesn't matter if they fall and take some damage(usually this occurs at the gym treadmill).

Justified wrote:

Sure, people managed without phones before, but I wonder how many died because they couldn't reach help in time.

I wonder how many have died in traffic accidents caused by phone use. :)

I've started to - I never thought it'd be something I would, but the main reason was spotify. I used to be a decent runner but these days aged 37 I run solely to stay in shape and because I enjoy it (although getting out the door is always the hardest part), so nothing at high intensity. Usually 35-40 miles a week.

I love the idea that I can choose to listen to absolutely anything I want, that in itself excites me as I get very little other time to listen to music what with work and family commitments. An armband and bluetooth earphones combined with spotify premium (or equivalent) and an unlimited data package = manna from heaven for someone like me who struggles sometimes to find the motivation to go out and run, even though I know it's something I enjoy and feel a million times better for afterwards. And this might sound like I'm taking the moral high ground here, but I genuinely do not care one bit how stupid anyone else thinks I might look with a phone strapped to my arm.

Of course there is the added bonus of having a phone on you if something happens, although I have to admit I hadn't really given that much consideration up to this point

I'd just like to point out that I still don't have a cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone, etc. Neither does my wife.

I once ran 3 miles with a phone after dropping my car off at the shop and jogging back home with in in my hand.

I had the phone on the drive over because I was driving on a fixed flat and wasn't sure if it would hold.

Other than that, no.

Part of the reason for running is the getaway. Can't do that carrying a phone.

I understand a bit younger people doing it because they have never known life without a mobile phone.

I don't understand the older people that did all kinds of running without a phone through their life suddenly having this need for it.

You could say the same thing for any modern contrivance that is now commonplace.

Do you have a car? How about a microwave?

Do you have an outhouse or an indoor toilet?

It's only because smartphones are happening right now that people get all luddite on the technology despite having long since caved to other things without realizing it.

For the next generation a smartphone will be about as unique as a toaster.

Ole Timer wrote:

I'd just like to point out that I still don't have a cell phone, smart phone, mobile phone, etc. Neither does my wife.

That's nothing sonny. Around here we still churn our own butter.

I do have a car, a microwave an an indoor toilet.

And still don't need any of those for running, nor a mobile phone. (Well, maybe i'll drive to a good trail)

And there is the fact that it it detracts from running, not adds to it.

I don't have a GPS watch either but understand having one. It adds to the experience as you can track your runs better than before without being too clunky to take with you.

I understand how these days it feels weird to get in your car or go anywhere without your phone.

And how that could extend to running.

But I gotta leave the phone behind and just run.

It's freeing in a couple of ways.

My hour or two I have running are the few hours in the day where I am NOT around a phone. I dont want to screw that up. So, no.. I do not bring a phone on my run.

I do not. Nor do I carry a signal flare, single person survival shelter, fire starter, first aid kit, or water purifier. I *do* carry an id. That's enough.

Very, very, very, very few.

People are absolutely terrible at assessing risks.

I might carry a phone if I had a specific reason to think I'd need it. Maybe if I had health issues and I thought I had relatively high odds (compared to the general population) of needing assistance at some point. Maybe if I wanted navigational functions while running in an unfamiliar area when I don't want to do an out and back. And, of course, there are times when for some reason or another, it's imperative that one never be out of touch. I sometimes run in the middle of the workday, and I take my phone with me then because in my office it's not considered acceptable to take over an hour to return an email.

Actually, it's because phones are bulky. I would have no objection to carrying a phone on a run if it were integrated into a normal-sized sports watch. But I can't imagine strapping a smart phone to my arm. I don't even like wearing a shirt.

I think if you're that concerned, just go to Wal-Mart or target or wherever and get one of those prepaid phones. They usually come loaded with 10 minutes or something like that and you can carry that with you. And you should be able to find one that's not as bulky as a smartphone.

You people worry too much.

oldboy wrote:

Almost 65 wrote:

I turn 65 in a couple of months, and Monday through Friday I run by myself on an 8-10 mile loop. I am one of those guys who look "ridiculous" with an arm band I guess. My phone has a mileage/pace app on it, and more importantly, I have a one-touch 911 app on it. At my age it seems prudent to be prepared for unforeseen medical or other issues.

This. I'm a bit younger than you, but do the same thing. I don't care if I look silly. I would prefer to live longer than have something happen to me on a run and not be able to reach out for help.

I'll give this to the old guys, but in over 15 years and I guess thousands of runs I can't think of a single time I would have wanted a phone.

I could start carrying a phone for the day I break my ankle on the trails or have a heart attack, but then I could justify carrying bear spray and a first aid kit, too. Not ready to go on the slippery slope...