Nike + is unreliable.  There are thousands of complaints about it.  Even the new Nike + gps watch is unreliable because it relies on the footpod.

There are better apps for your iPhone that take advantage of the built-in gps.  I have a friends who use  Endomondo and Runtracker.  I've also heard good things about imapmyrun (or something of the sort).

I use a Garmin 305, which is fairly durable BUT hard to read, especially when it is dark outside.  I chose to use the Garmin because (1) it doesn't have my life on it, unlike my iPhone, and (2) a new one costs slightly more than $100, unlike a new iPhone.

Brick on your arm vs. a watch... Hmmm...

Why anyone wants to run with a brick (i.e., iPhone) on their arm is beyond me.  I am expecting to see runners training with actual clay bricks strapped around their arms just so they are better prepped for their races with the celluar version on their arm come raced day.  My advice is to go out and buy a Garmin 305.  The later models of the Garmin are too expensive for what you will use the watch for, they won't score you any compliments, and have a ton of complaints about the "bezel" used to toggle between screens.  The 305 is a Large watch with a Large display.  It's the Jitterbug of running watches if you will. Takes no effort at all to toggle between screens while running or to hit the top button on the left of the watch to illuminate the display.  I have trained with the 305 in all weather conditions including this wiltering hellish humidity-filled endless heat we have been experiencing this summer. No issues.  When I was checking out all the different watches before I decided to go with the 305, I was worried it was too big and would be too bulky.  It's not.  The watch fits snug and has nice training features and great accuracy unlike the iPhone.

I have several friends who use their iPhones while running and in races.  They don't complain about the bulkiness (guess some people aren't as picky as me). They use the Runkeeper app to track their runs, which also has a feature to post your results to FB when you finish your run.  However, unless every race director in Indiana cannot accurately map out and measure out their race distances, the Runkeeper is not so accurate.  I asked the director of the Jingle Bell 5K Run in Indy how accurate his course was (mapmyrun.com had the course over 3.1 miles) he told me in great detail how they measured it and that he would be "tar and feathered and shipped back to the North Pole" if his measurements were off. The only time my Garmon was off was when my dumb a$$ programmed a 15K at 9.03 miles instead of 9.3 miles. Fortunately for me, I recognized that when my watch beeped that  people were still running and no finish line was in sight; therefore, I was best to keep running.  Have to be 10% smarter than your watch even if you were 10% more stupid when you programmed it if that makes any sense.

I, probably not unlike you, love to run to music (Noisy neighbor kids, barking dogs, and cars do nothing for me. Squealing cats do but I digress).  Fortunately, my Creative Stone mp3 player is still functioning even they it came out in the Paleozoic Era five years ago. It weighs nothing and has a great armband.  You could be lucky and find one on ebay still.  But you might be an Apple junkie and really hate me for even recommending something that Steve Jobs didn't announce on stage just last week (...or this week depending on when you read this).  If that's the case, the Shuffle should be suffice.  Consumer Reports doesn't rank them all that high but might be worth it just for the fact that you won't have any problem finding accessories (e.g., armbands if you prefer) in any color, bling, and material on this planet.

Good luck and happy running.

I can't imagine running without my Garmin 305.  There is a backlight function on the Garmin, a quick press of the power button will activate it, and it uses a rechargeable battery.  Plug it into your computer or use the included wall adapter and you're good to go.  The heart-rate monitor does use a chest strap and personally I think it's comfortable and not difficult to run with.  I've had no problems with mine regardless of how much I sweat.

I used Nike+ and hated it.  I've found the the Garmin much more reliable.  I had a friend of mine comment just yesterday that her Nike+ showed a 3.71 mile training run while her running partner's Garmin showed 4 miles.  To me that's a big difference.  I got my Garmin off Amazon for $128 shipped.  I guarantee that if you go with the Gamin you won't be disappointed.

Let us know what you decide.

Brian

Thank you for all the info on the Garmin and iPhone, etc. as this is great stuff to know when I make my own decision on which to go with. Thanks!

I have the Garmin 205cx and love it.  I don't have the best vision but the display is large enough for me to read even in low light.

I got the 205 because I needed something to use on my bike along with my runs.