There couldn't be a better topic for me, the self-proclaimed gadget-whore when it comes to fitness stuff. As I've remarked before, gadgets don't make you thin or fast, but they help me by providing a "shiny new toy!" mentality to get me psyched when workouts become tedious... so, I have a lot of them. But I will talk about my favorites!
Obviously, iPod. This goes without saying. I need a little music to get me going when I don't feel like running. However, sometimes the best part about the iPod is taking it OFF and enjoying the natural sounds of my run. Since I'm often running near water or at least through wooded areas, nothing compares to the sound of the babbling brook, the crunch of leaves, or the chirping birds that signify the sounds of spring. On my training runs with Kat, I've mostly gone without music, preferring to chat a bit. And that solved another mystery for me: I didn't actually believe that "conversation pace" was a real thing until I ran with her! :-)
I use my Polar heart rate monitor for anything that I do at the gym, and for weekday runs. It's customized for my specific zones, and it is comfortable to wear and easy to read.
BUT -- when I do outdoor long runs, I really like to wear my Garmin Forerunner -- because it tells me my mileage AND my pace, boldly, and I don't have to do any math. I like doing math, but not while I'm running. ;-)
And finally, my most recent favorite gadget is the GRUVE device by MUVE. I've written about it before, but you can read more at www.muveit.com.
I'd elaborate further, but Scary Trainer Liz did a number on me today -- fartleks and killers and running stairs and medicine ball situps and pushups and tigers and bears oh my and it's time for a hot bath and bed!
Off and running,
~Jessica
Thursday, April 9, 2009
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3 comments:
Seems like I've mentioned this before, but Trainer Rich used to make me do Turkish Get-Ups. Lay on your back with a dumb bell lifted over your head (5 or 8 pounds), and then get to standing up as fast as you can while keeping the weight over your head the whole time. Repeat. Pure evil.
Sounds like she and Scary Trainer Liz would make a good pair. She made me lay on my back, toe to toe with a partner, with a medicine ball, and drop back and up like a situp, then THROW the ball at my partner, who would repeat the motion and throw the ball back to me. And do the same thing with situp / pushaways... bounce ball to partner, fall forward, pushaway, and sit up in time to catch the medicine ball that is flying at your face.
I guess it works -- if you screw up, you lose a tooth or break your nose. ;-)
Everything hurts today. EVERYTHING.
And the worst part -- went to Weight Watchers and GAINED 2.2 lbs. After burning like 4 million calories this week. Shoot me now.
Hey friend!
Did my first back to it run today (thank God for the long Easter weekend to get me kickstarted). 5K (3.2 miles) 31 minutes. I have until June 1 to get in shape for the 10K I'll be doing out here to raise money for one of the local hospitals.
Depending on how that goes, and what the summer looks like (work wise) I'll be training for Dublin Marathon again. AND I should be in MN for the month of July (if not August as well). We should go for a run together sometime.
I have to say that after my ipod mini died, I thought I'd never love again. But I have an ipod shuffle, one of the little, lucky it hasn't ended up in the wash already, ipod shuffles. I love it. And I'll tell you why. I'm a solitary runner. I like to run and zone out, stop paying attention to anything, get into a zen like state. It's the only time of the day that I'm not thinking about work, or studying, or listing to medical information. It's my "alone" time. Because of that, I don't normally run with other people (and why I like to run around the lakes where I won't get hit by a car). I used to use running playlists when I had my mini. But it turns out that I'm too competitive (even with myself). I started to time myself based on the song. I found myself thinking, when you hit this verse last time you were 500 yards further... (I know, I have problems). That's why I love the shuffle. I can put all sorts of songs on it, songs I love to run to, and I never know what's coming up next. I can't keep splits with the music that way, and I tend to enjoy it more. If a song is too fast for my pace, I skip it (Let's face it, paces for long runs can't handle really fast rock).
Don't worry about putting on weight right now. Muscle weighs more than fat, and muscle burns more calories than fat. It always goes up before it comes down. (Trust me, I'm a doctor).
Let me know how you like the Gruve, I read about it when Marc sent out some info (but sadly I lack the funds for such a purchase). I am dead curious how many calories I burn running around the hospital all day.
Happy training!
~Liz
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