First impressions: Nike+ SportsWatch GPS

Nike running has joined forces with TomTom GPS to bring out a Shoe pod/GPS combination watch for runners. It is currently available in the US and should be in Canadian stores by summer. The goal of this watch was to provide a "running tool" that is easy to use, straight forward in design, and of course, fashionable.

Great Video Here.

I am enjoying the watch so far, I like the simplicity and the fact that it's as easy to use as the Nike+band that I've been using for 3 years. You simply need to select "RUN" from the menu, determine whether you are using Shoe Pod or GPS or both for tracking, wait for either or both of them to link, then go...

There is also a benefit that I hadn't thought of before... I have, on occasion, left the house with shoes that I wasn't running in the day before. What this meant was that my shoe pod was in the insole of the "other" shoes and therefore I would not be tracking my speed and distance that day. However, I can now just track it using the GPS only feature. Score!

I've gotten quite a few remarks on how great the display is to read, as well as how great the watch actually looks. The backlight feature is great and just bright enough to read at a quick glance. My older daughter is a huge fan of the tap screen which activates this feature.

Other cool factors/features of the SportWatch are encouragements and "run-reminders" which either high-five you after your run, or after a few days off, pester you to get out there and enjoy some running! Also cool is the fact that all my mileage and records from my Nike+ account and Nike+Band have been uploaded to the "Records" section on the watch, showing my Odometer as well as my top finish times in various distances while using the Nike+ system.

I'm also impressed with the speed at which I've gotten satellite signal lock and the option to start running as soon as it locks onto just the Shoe pod. The fact that I run trails and satellite signal is frequently lost while running, I'm going to be happy that the new sportWatch has me covered with both angles covered.

Next up, I'm going to test out the lap and interval features of the watch. You can set up the SportWatch to autolap your run by basically any interval distance (great!) But I not impressed by the fact that once you select the "programed" lap feature, it takes over the main screen of the watch and you aren't able to choose what you want to be looking at on your home screen. You are still able to customize the "scroll thru" screen at the top of the display, but it would be nice to swap out the Big numbers at the bottom too.

I'm also going to browse through the maps and routes on the Nike+ community to set up some "routes" as well as challenge some established "routes" in the area so that I can take on some ownership as "King of the route" a la Foursquare's "Mayorship".

Lastly, I'm concerned about battery life and its use in an ultra event over 8hrs. I've taken it on one long run of 6hrs and when I synced it right after getting home, it showed less than half battery life. Also, some simple watch functions would have been nice additions (but not essential), like alarm and possibly date. But so far, everything has been good with it.

I'll keep it going and keep you posted.

Salomon S-Lab Gaiters

Product Review.

I bought a pair of these the day before I flew out for my race since I could only find one of the gaiters that I usually use. The Salomon are around $25 and are sized in S/M/L. They are a stylish black Lycra with a no nonsense type Velcro Closer. They fit with a strap that wraps under the foot and ideally, this straps sits in place in the bridge found between the heel and forefoot of most shoes. You then cup the heel of the gaiter around the bottom of the shoe, stretch the two sides over the lacing (make sure that your laces are tucked down, or in the lace garage if you are wearing Salomons) and finally do up the velcro--Simple! The S-Labs logo should be on the outside of the foot, since they are L/R specific.

I was wearing a pair of Brooks Cascadia 4's and this shoe does not have a bridge way between the fore and heel of the shoe. Therefore I needed to wedge the foot strap between two of the lugs of the soles tread. Luckily the tread's lugs are quite chunky and I was able to fit the strap well in there. I did worry that this will contribute to premature wear of the gaiter's foot strap, but it is fairly beefy so I'm sure that it will last. The problem that I had during the race was that gravel did tend to get stuck under the strap and one gaiter did come off at one point.

Overall during the race, the gaiters served their purpose and kept harmful dirt and debris out of the shoe. As we know, it is this type of material that can contribute to blisters and hot spots. The material of the gaiters is very stretchy and forms a tight and secure fit around the top of the foot, protecting not only the foot, but the shoe and laces as well. A bonus of wearing them is that you dont get burrs stuck in your laces.

Pros:

• Easy to put on and take off
• Small, all in one Stylish package
• Quality materials
  

Cons:

• May not fit every type of shoe.
• Velcro sticks to other things like socks, grass, small animals.
  

Good morning!

Early Seaton View map at http://wizi.com/x25xe95e
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Follow me: Trying out SMS follow me software

Let's see if we can update this! First tracks Seaton! Click http://wizi.com/x2fwx3ex to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

My run to PP

Water stop

Chalk lake Click http://wizi.com/x2t5exw3 to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Horse run

Click http://wizi.com/x2e44c3f to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Follow me: Turns out to be the map to parking at Glen Rouge Campground.

Follow me Click http://wizi.com/x29kct5y to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Last point of run

Wow. No GPS lock? I'm at the corner of 10th and bloomington rd. Click http://wizi.com/x2pffukx to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Made it to Vivian and 48

Sandy trails of Eldred King Forest. Click http://wizi.com/x22fp5fk to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Back on trail at Warden

Back onto trail after a looooong stretch of road. Click http://wizi.com/x22xw223 to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Going over the 404

Going over the 404 in 6:34. Click http://wizi.com/x2ypux9p to open map
(43.99636 , -79.3965)
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Yonge St! Heading to Timmys at Industrial Rd.

Made it to yonge st. Gonna find a timmys. Click http://wizi.com/x2e4f4cf to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Weston Rd. Just out of Happy Valley.

Just crossed over Weston rd. About 33km in. Click http://wizi.com/x2xx44f2 to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Off the trail, but this Wizi point is way off.

Back on some road... Click http://wizi.com/x2495ccf to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Over 12th line now. Pucks Farm. Loads of hikers.

Not sure if the last one went thru... Well here I am. Click http://wizi.com/x25y9324 to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

First Hour down. Gel and easy trail.

4 miles in. First gel. Trail is amazing and the weather is nice and cool. Click http://wizi.com/x2c99ecw to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Start off. Big smiles!

It all starts here. Let the adventure begin! Click http://wizi.com/x2t4ktuw to open map
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Las Vegas North Half of a Marathon

The Las Vegas North Crapper Hill Memorial Half of a Marathon

When: January 31st at 8:30 am

Where: Corner of Dixie and Finch ave in Pickering in the parking lot of the Independent Plaza.

What: A certified Organic Half of a Marathon (warning: Hot dogs may contain meat, may not)

21.1kms of rolling fat ass style hills and country roads. There will be a rolling aid station and possible spectators and entertainment. Bring your own Bib.

All are welcome, bring your friends and dress accordingly. If you have done this event before, don't miss it. Results will be posted following the race. Prizes for 1st and 4th.

Please email me if there are any concerns.

Ken Niemimaa

Route Committee.

Brain Surgery Frees Runner, but Raises Barriers

Brain Surgery Frees Runner, but Raises Barriers

By JOHN BRANCH

Published: July 9, 2009

A lobectomy cured ultra-runner Diane Van Deren’s epileptic seizures, but left her with an inability to remember exactly where she is going or how to get back.

I got this gem this week in the mail from MMT

Healthy Eating Tips For Sustained Energy From A Pro Cycling Team

Great little article on eating healthy and "colourfully" for endurance events.

Ultralight Backpacking in Peru Cordillera Blanca @ Backpacking Light

Ultralight Backpacking in Peru Cordillera Blanca @ Backpacking Light

Amazing pictures!

Article on Compression socks

http://mypypeline-triathlon.blogspot.com/2009/06/low-down-of-compression-socks.html

Nature Walks Make You Smarter

Let your mind relax and recharge.

By Josh PetersonLos Angeles, CA, USA Sun May 31 15:30:00 EDT 2009

If you've gone green, I'll wager that you are pretty smart already. I'm not just saying that to win you over either. The climate crisis may be the greatest crisis the human species will ever have to deal with. If you are worried about global warming, then you must have some degree of foresight. And foresight is a sure sign of intelligence.
One popular green activity, the nature walk, can do more than strengthen those calf muscles. It can also nourish the old brain bin. You were going to take a walk anyway? I said that you were smart, remember?
According to researchers at the University of Michigan, taking a nature walk can sharpen the mind, but a walk around the city does not have the same effect.
How Nature Walks Make You SmarterParticipants were asked to go for walks in urban and rural settings. When the participants returned from their respective journeys, their memories and attentions were tested. Those who returned from nature walks scored 20% better on the tests. They showed no improvement after urban walks.
Walking in nature allows the mind to take a break. Think of it in terms of sleeping. If you take a nap, your body functions better with some sleep. A nature walk allows your mind to wander, to relax. Afterward, you can think more clearly.
Researcher Marc Berman:
You don't hear very many people say, 'Boy I really got tired out looking at that waterfall.'
People who walk in cities get very little mental relaxation. Their mind stays in work mode, because they don’t want to get hit by cars or bump the arm of a rough customer.
So take a walk in nature when you have the chance. More importantly, preserve nature so we have something to walk around in when we need a break. That's the smartest thing of all.
Source: ScienCentral

Jogger injured after using Twitter as he ran

James Coleman, a jogger, has become the first man in Britain to suffer a 'twinjury' - an injury sustained while using Twitter.
Office worker Mr Coleman, 23, was 'tweeting' to his followers on his Blackberry while jogging to work when he cracked his head on a heavy low-hanging branch. The force of the impact sent the dazed runner crashing to the pavement and left him with a badly bruised black eye. Now Mr Coleman has vowed to keep his phone in his pocket while jogging the three miles from his home in St. Andrews, Bristol to work. "I guess you could say I feel a right Twit," he said "One minute I was running along posting a tweet, the next I was lying on my back on the pavement in agony. "The branch came out of nowhere and hit my face hard. "I could only see through one eye for a couple of days afterwards, but the swelling has started to go down now. "I was a laughing stock at the office. I don't even use Twitter that much to be honest. "But I certainly won't be tweeting while running anymore." Mr Coleman even recorded the accident on Friday on the social networking site by posting "Running to work, very late. Smacked my face against a branch, hurts. Forgot how tall I am. Danger of twittering..." Half an hour later it was followed by: "Got to work, changed and sat at desk. Low lying branch twittering is unadvised. Best get on with some work."

Twitter was launched in 2006 but has boomed in recent months and now has an estimated 14 million users worldwide.

British celebrity Stephen Fry has clocked up 500,000 followers while Hollywood star Ashton Kutcher is nearing the two million mark.

In May, Twitter-addict Demi Moore posted a picture of herself in sunglasses with a missing tooth on her profile. And astronaut Michael J. Massimino updated the progress of the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission, marking the first time Twitter was used in space. Earlier this year an insurance company revealed the dangers of twittering whilst driving.

A great article on Hyponeutremia

http://www.overhydration.org/downloads/EAH_Statement_2008.pdf

MMT Hardware

Update from my Friend Edgar.

Hi

Yes we all made it! It’s just the change in temperature of 25C that can get to you. I’ll give you more detail when I see you again, but here is a quick update.

The times you see posted on the web are gun times, there is no adjustment for delays at the start and medals are awarded according to those times, just like Round the Bay. Anyway, Denise was ahead of Rod by about 2 minutes so I think that her time was 2:45 and Rod 2:47. I crept in at, according to my watch, 5:50:39.

I did a few time checks along the way and reached the 21-1 kms mark in 1:53 and the top of Chapman’s Peak (33 kms) at :3:12. It was also the first time that I’ve had to walk downhill. I tried to slow down but my legs were so tired after the uphill that I had to stop and walk to get some life back into them. On this race there are no pace bunnies, sorry Jen, but there are time markers who have the time by which they will end the race. This was for anyone wanting to do under a certain time. So you’d see a sub 4 marker and a sub 5 marker etc. I don’t think the runners at the front of the pack needed to be told the time. I didn’t see them, but there were Russian twins who crossed the line together to win the women’s section.

I’ll try to get the full results section and bring them with me. The actual expo was poor, David’s Run the Lake has a better expo.

Anyway I must waddle off now because we are going to visit friends who live in a little fishing village about an hour’s drive away and then tomorrow we are going wine-tasting. I’ve been driving like a demon on the other side of the road and really not finding it too bad.

Edgar, Denise, Rod and Val

PS, Eduardo Bandito has been seen on some of our trips!

Post Race Recovery Foods.

http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/

Beyond the Epic Run

And you thought that my training was long?

Check out what this movie is going to be about:

Beyond the Epic Run Movie