Fried Ipod for Sale

7:54AM

I posted last week that I would run 14 yesterday "rain or shine". Since I skipped last week (on accident), I vowed to run the 14 this week. I knew it was going to rain. Every forecast called for it. I heard it during the night. I knew it was going to be a rough morning.

I set my alarm for 4:30 (not 5:30 like last week - checked it several times). When it went off, I woke up ready to run. I was hoping and praying that the rain had tapered off. I immediately went to the front door and looked outside. No such luck. Pouring rain. I stood at the door for a good minute contemplating. A huge part of me just doesn't want to run in the rain. It's a lot harder. The rain hitting your face. Your soaking clothes weighing you down. Wet shoes. Avoiding puddles. I wasn't sure if I was ready for it. For a few seconds I decided to put it off, go back to bed, and try to do it this morning (Monday) instead. But then I remembered what I had put in the post. Rain or Shine. I knew I had to run or I would let down my 3 readers. I'd also let myself down. I had to do it.

I have gotten very dependent on my Ipod. Maybe that's bad, but I really enjoy listening to it while I run. And I've run with it in the rain before. I always keep it in my pocket so it doesn't get soaked, but it's definitely gotten wet before. I figured it could take a little rain. But just to be safe, I put it in a ziploc bag before putting it in my pocket. I figured it would be perfectly fine. I was wrong.

About 4 miles in, it just stopped. I took it out of my pocket and tried to turn it back on. Wouldn't work. I figured it was maybe out of battery, although I had charged it the night before. I was bummed but continued running figuring it would work later. I tried to turn it on again around mile 10 or so. This was probably my mistake. I probably should have left it off and maybe could've salvaged it. When I tried to turn it on, it came on but was acting funny. It said it was charging which it clearly wasn't. And nothing would play. I could scroll to any song but none would work. It was also making a weird static noise in my ears. So I turned it off, still in the ziploc, and decided to wait until I got home. It hasn't come on since. I think it's dead. I searched Google for wet Ipod and all signs point to the strong possibility that it shorted out. I still don't understand. It didn't get that wet in that bag. It's definitely gotten wetter before. Maybe it was its time. But I'm very sad. I use that thing all the time. I'm probably going to bite the bullet, pull out some savings and buy a new one this weekend. I may get a nano since it's a little cheaper than what I had. But I need one. One thing's for sure, if I do get a new one, I won't run with it if there's even a hint of rain. I can't imagine running 16 next weekend without it. If anyone wants to contribute to the "buy a poor teacher a new Ipod fund," let me know.

Carter and I ran 2 1/2 yesterday. His longest. There was a tough hill on the route that I had forgotten about so our time was a little slower (22:57 - 9:10 pace) but still good. His first 5K is in less than 2 weeks.

Hope everyone has a good week. Don't shower with your Ipod. That's my tip of the week.

Keep runnin',
Albert