A run-length limited (RLL) encoder includes a problematic-block detection module that receives a data block and that generates coding bits that indicate whether at least one of N portions of the data block include one of all ones and all zeros, where N is an integer greater than one. A mapping module generates an RLL codeword based on the data block and the coding bits. The RLL codeword includes N portions. One of the N portions of the RLL codeword is populated with the coding bits. At least another one of the remaining portions of the RLL codeword is populated with at least part of the data from one of the N portions of the data block that corresponds with the one of the N portions of the RLL codeword.