Would You Ever be Caught Running in These?

Over the last few months I have seen more and more articles about research that is proving that our fancy running shoes are not only overkill, but they may actually be forcing us to run in ways that our bodies were not designed to move.


The latest of these articles, in Wired magazine (admittedly not a "Runner's" resource), explores the logic behind these findings and offers up one alternative for running "Barefoot". Enter the Vibram FiveFingers....

Now, look at these things. Would you wear these in public? They look like cartoon versions of toe-socks. It's like you just want someone to come over and play "this little pig" with your nasty little foot digits.

Style and looks aside though, I see why they would be perfect for people trying to ditch their expensive and overly engineered sneakers. Just check out the video below to see how much more flex your feet have. It is certainly a more natural motion.

So let's hear your thoughts. There are many of you who spend hours and hours running in sneakers. Would you even take the time to try these puppies out?




The full article at Wired is here. (Found via Lifehacker)
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Training Tunes in the Pool

For years, swimmers have been relegated to swimming in silence, without music to fuel their workouts. Well, Pool Jockeys rejoice! Finis Inc has released a new MP3 player that uses bone conduction technology to give you crystal clear music underwater. The "speakers" clip onto your goggles and send the music through your cheek bone, to your ear drum. It sounds painful if you ask me, but apparently it's not....and it delivers the best quality sound in the water...whereas normal speakers just sound muffled and quiet.


The MP3 player holds 256 MB of music (about 60 songs) and can last 10 hours on one charge. It retails for $150 and you can get more information from Finis at http://www.finisinc.com/Technology/swimp3_technology.aspx

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Gear Deal - Bike Nashbar

Nashbar.com is having a "Closeout King" sale right now. If you need any cycling gear you might be able to find some great bargains. It is basically just a bunch of random stuff that they've thrown on sale. The list includes all sorts of products. I saw some cranksets, some shoes, a helmet. If you take the time to sift through the list you might find some gems. Here are 2 that caught my eye:



Adidas Women's Sport Jersey for only $13.98 (Normally $50!)








Men's Carbon Nashbar Jersey for only $19.99 (Normally $69.99)



For those savvy shoppers who want to compare prices, head over to Performance Bike and see what they've got that compares. It just so happens that they are offering 10% off (today only... sorry for the late notice) with coupon code 564.
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Gear Deal - 25% off for Runners

RoadRunnersports.com is offering a coupon for 25% off anything in the store. The coupon is supposed to work on any item, even those on the clearance portion of the website. Everything they sell is geared towards running.....but they carry everything from socks to watches.

If you need some new shoes and are hesitant to order online, this may be the place for you. They have a 60 day "No Questions Asked" exchange policy that they call the Perfect Fit Shoe Guarantee. Apparently you can wear the shoes, and even run in them, for up to 60 days. If you are still not happy with the fit, you send them back for a new pair. They then help you pick out a pair that would be a better fit for your needs.

The 25% coupon is CD19R54E. Just type it in during the check out process to take advantage of your savings.

And for those beginners out there, check out the Running Center for tips on choosing the right shoes and gear.

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Shimano's New Push-Button Derailleur

Shimano just took the world of cycling into the electronic age with a new computerized, electronic derailleur, called the Di2. It allows you to shift gears with a push of a button, "allowing you to shift 30% faster". I'm not sure if this would make much of a difference for me personally, but I'm sure there will be someone out there with a spare $10,000 to spend on the Merida Scultura 909 that it comes equipped on.

Hey Shimano, if you are reading this, we'd be happy to be your guinea pigs if you want to sponsor us!

Click for the full post, to view a video and pictures of the actual hardware.









Source - Engadget
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Stock up for the Spring

To all you seasoned Cycling veterans who need some refreshed gear....and those who may be new to Cycling who just need to get some stuff...

Here's a coupon for Bike Nashbar that saves you 10% off of their lowest prices. the coupon code is NASHLUCK and it's only good until the end of the day, so get shopping.

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Tri Bike

I took the tri bike out for its first spin of the season tonight. It was really different. The position is much more aggressive than a regular road bike, and the handling is not nearly as responsive. Tri bikes were meant to aim and fire. I took a turn coming down a hill, and to be completely honest thought I was in deep. I managed to get my knee out far enough that I made the turn, and when I looked down at my speedometer I was carrying 27 mph into the turns. It was a good ride though, that included some nice climbs, and some hammer sessions on the aero bars.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to turn back to winter-ish. I'll be in the pool and running after work.

Carry on,

-E

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Training Tools - Battle of the iPhone GPS

One of the best features of the iPhone is the App Store and its ability to extend the functionality of the hardware beyond its original intentions. For instance, simply browse through the Health and Fitness section of the iPhone's app store and you will find a plethora of tools that can be used during your training. Last week, I touched on RunKeeper and promised a detailed breakdown how it stacked up against some of the other available options. Well, I've had a little time to fool around with them all and I'm ready to give you my honest assessment.

How the Apps Work and What Exactly They Do.

The iPhone has a built in technology known as aGPS. This basically means that it can locate you very quickly and with little interference from the surrounding buildings. The phone is able to use cell signals and the cell network to help it find your location and calculate your movement without totally wasting all of your battery life. These particular apps manage to use this technology and apply it to our training purposes, by tracking where you run, the total distance traveled, and how fast you run it. It can also tie into other important information like elevation and weather if need be. This information is then stored on the phone for future reference, or sent to a website so you can view all of your workout data from your PC.

For this article I've included 9 apps. I think I just about covered all of the options that are out there, but let me know if there is one I missed. They all do the same basic thing, but each has their own twist. They can be used for biking, hiking, walking and any other outdoor activity....some can even be used indoors, but more info on that below.

Lets get started...

DistanceMeter - Free

This was one of the earliest entries into the App Store. It was actually the first app to integrate into MapMyRun's website, and was rendered obsolete the day that MapMyRun's own set of apps came out.

Score = 2/10 - Don't Bother


The Bike Computer - Free

A very basic tracking tool that's only distinction is that it was designed in landscape mode (displays everything sideways). Yes, Landscape mode is nice to have in an app, it is not a reason to download a totally new app. Lets just hope one of the other offerings out there takes note of this and adds a landscape mode.

Score = 3/10 - Not even worth the time


iRPM+- Free

The program looks promising, but requires the use of Additional Hardware. However with the hardware, it can track your RPMs and Power, as well as heart rate. If you are going to shell out $175 for the iPhone receiver, then you might as well buy a dedicated GPS device. If they can find a way to bring the price down, this may be a compelling tool, but until then it is relatively useless for most of us.

Score = 3/10 - If you want to spend more money, it may be good, but unless you have a spare $175 laying around, then it is pretty much worthless.


Running GyPSy - Free

• No Map
• bad reception
• Very Basic and yet still not as user friendly as Fitnio
  

Score = 4/10 - Just doesn't have the features to make it stand out.


Track Trainer Lite - Free

Geared more towards people who are training at the track. The app is meant to be your trainer, telling you what to run and helping you get faster. If you run Track for your school, this is your tool, but for my purposes, it was pretty useless. No Maps, no web portal. Not for me.

Score = 5/10 - Not for me, personally, but may serve a purpose for others


TrailGuru - Free

One of the first GPS apps to hit the app store, months ago, TrailGuru seems to be geared more towards hiking than for actual workouts. It allows you to track your distance traveled, speed, and elevation, and lets you view a map while it's tracking. It also has a built in function that allows you to snap pictures while you are on the trail....something that you probably won't use during a run or a bike ride, but could be nice during along hike.

Score = 5/10 - Good app, but maybe not the best for workouts.


Fitnio - Free
















Pros

• simple, easy, intuitive - I can't stress this enough.
• Does not require that you sign up for the web portion, allowing you to get up and running that much faster.
  
• Website is extremely easy to use, though not very feature rich - There's a theme here with these guys... and its "easy".

Cons

• You can set goals online....but they're not visible on the phone
  
• Keeps a running tally of total distance....but not specific to activity type on the phone
• no "non-distance" based workouts (ie. lifting, treadmill, etc), limits you to outdoor activity
  
• No maps in the program, can be viewed online afterward though.
  
• No voice prompts or audible queues. If you wear your phone on your arm, it'll be quite hard to seethe screen. this is when audible queues come in handy..
  

Score = 7/10 - Good for someone who wants a simple solution with no frills and no distractions. Offers web integration to those who want it, but does not require it.


RunKeeper - Free and Paid Versions
















Pros

• Keeps very detailed data of your run...Trending your pace by the minute. Worried that you slowed down around mile 2? Runkeeper knows.
• User interface on the iPhone is very aesthetically pleasing.
  

Cons

• doesn't appear to have a map function while it is tracking....this would be helpful for biking, if lost
• Free version does not have voice prompts, and has ads...the ads aren't obtrusive though.
  
• Website is pretty limited in functionality. You cannot log a workout without having used the app.
  
• Workouts are just listed, there is no calendar, or anyway to keep your workouts organized well.
  

Score = 8/10 - OK phone interface, great data collection and progress reporting. Web site and organization is lacking though. Still a good option, but could be improved upon.


iMapMyRun - Free - also includes iMapMyRide, iMapMyHike etc, as all of the apps are identical
















Pros

• You can view maps while it is tracking, great for a long bike rides, if you get lost.
  
• It has voice prompts and can tell you your total distance, pace, total time, etc. Just make sure the phone ringer is turned up...and not set to vibrate.
• The website is the most robust of the bunch. Allows you to create workouts from the site, in case you didn't use the phone app. It also lets you create workouts that are not distance based, ie lifting, treadmill, etc.
• Website also lets you plot out routes ahead of time, which is great for things like long bike rides, or business trips to unfamiliar areas. It even creates Cue sheets for the routes if you need them.
  
• The App is relatively simple and intuitive. If you don't worry about any of the additional frills, it is simple enough to get started.
  

Cons

• Cue Sheet for bike routes are not available on the phone (supposedly it's in development)
• Workout data is limited to the aggregate of the whole workout. It is not as detailed as RunKeeper and can't give you minute by minute pace info.
• The web portion can do so much that it may be overwhelming to a new user. Tracking gear mileage and workout notes like "mood", "effort" and "odor" may come in handy for some, but to most it is probably overkill.
• The voice prompts are great, I have to say, the actual voice is a little scary. Don't let her scare you, when she cuts into your favorite song to tell you your current pace.
  

Score = 9/10


The Bottom Line

After all was said and done, there were 3 clear cut leaders...and each for their own reasons. The first, Fitnio earned my respect because of their overall ease of use and simple design. You could hand that app to even the most tech-challenged of folks and they'd be able to use it instantly. However RunKeeper set my heart a flutter with the overall detail that was available about your workout. I could see exactly which part of my run I struggled with, and then try to diagnose the problem next time I got out there. But finally, iMapMyRun won me over because of their shear overload of features. The website integration, workout calendar, calorie tracking, mapping tools, workout versatility, and voice prompts were all just too much for the other apps to stack up to. The combination of iMapMyRun and www.mapmyrun.com is the perfect workout companion, allowing you to track all of your training in one place.

That's not to say, I don't think there isn't room for improvement. iMapMyRun would benefit from a landscape mode (ala Bike Computer), minute by minute pace data (ala RunKeeper) and visbile Cue Sheets while biking. But as it stands now, iMapMyRun will be my running/biking/hiking companion moving forward, and I suggest you give it a whirl.
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Spring Time Tune Up

Spring is almost in the air and for many of us that means finally being able to dust off the old bike and getting back out there. It also means it is prime time to get that bike to a shop and have it looked at. Most bike shops recommend a minimum of 1 tune up a year, where others even go so far as to call for 2. Either way, get it in the shop now, so you can be back on the road and enjoying your bike that much sooner.

I found a couple of good resources regarding bike tune ups. The first details how to find a good place for a tune up and what is normally involved. They list typical pricing, and possible repairs that may arise during the regular inspection process. If you are going into the shop, you might as well know what you can expect when you get there.

The second is actually a site that may help you take the bull by the horns and do your own tune up. They offer tips on how to service virtually every part of your bike. This may not be the best option, but it sure could save you some money, and I don't know too many people who aren't trying to do that right now. In the very least, bookmark this site for future reference, so the next time your bike starts acting funny, or making strange noises, you will be able to diagnose the problem.

So get that bike back into tip top shape. Your bike will thank you for it later with smoother rides and a longer life in general.

Happy Riding...
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Litespeed

I took the Litespeed out for some intervals this evening. I rode 25 miles in 1 hour and 9 minutes. Not bad for early March, but I think favorable winds helped the effort. When I got home I spent some time cleaning up the bike and installed a new handlebar on it too. I am always nervous when I am working on my bikes. I am so afraid to mess something up and cause more harm than good. Luckily a new handlebar was fairly easy to install.

Words of wisdom for the evening "Man cannot remake himself without suffering. For he is both the marble and the sculptor." Dr Alexis Carrel

Fight on tomorrow.

-E Click Here for Full Post

Training Tools - iPhone Apps

Lifehacker.com's recent article about Runkeeper for the iPhone shows that the iPhone can certainly be valuable as a training tool. The GPS tracking capabilities have really transformed the iPhone's major value proposition. Not only can it pump out your precious training tunes, but it can also map and archive each of your workouts. Basically, your phone can now provide the same functionality as the Garmin Forerunner series of products (without dishing out the $175+). For more info on Runkeeper, click on the link after the break.

http://lifehacker.com/5165275/runkeeper-is-like-nike%252B-for-your-iphoneonly-better

While Runkeeper looks like a great tool, it is by no means the only option that iPhone owners are presented with. There is also Fitnio, Trailguru, iMapMyRun (Bike, Tri and Hike versions also available), and a few others. Most of the apps are totally free...and now that the weather is beginning to warm up, I plan on trying them all on the road. So stay tuned. I will post a detailed comparison in the coming weeks.
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