Technology and running
Do you let technology dictate your training or are you happy to run ‘naked’?
I recently read this New York Times article:
For Fitness Bands, Slick Marketing but Suspect Results
My sister and my work colleague both wear Fitbits and a triathlete friend recently revealed that he wears a Garmin vivofit, so I was interested in finding out about their experiences with the gadgets.
I have to admit that I’ve become a bit addicted to technology – it all started with a Garmin 405CX. After a while, I started uploading the data in Garmin Training Center… and then I moved to Garmin Connect. Then I started using my heart rate monitor. Then I started using a Garmin footpod to measure my cadence. At Christmas my sister and my husband gave me a Garmin 910XT… and that came with a heart rate monitor and a speed and cadence sensor for my bike. The advantage of my latest toy is that I can also wear it when swimming. But how much is too much? A I addicted? I find it strange running without my watch, but perhaps I let the numbers dictate how I feel too often.
Maybe the only running app is need is MIND (TM): http://m.runnersworld.com/fun/the-only-running-app-you-need
Do you use all of the pre-installed applications including:
- Mental Notes™, featuring Mnemonic Device™ technology, which lets you “jot down” ideas without pen or paper and without interrupting your run.
- Idea Gener8or™, which can yield creative breakthroughs in as little as five minutes.
- Serendipity™ Route Creator, powered by your own innate desire for novelty and exploration.
- Lay-o’-the-Land™ Maps, which automatically syncs with the Serendipity™ Route Creator to create a database of your favorite running loops.
- Subconscious™, which operates continuously, in the background, helping the user to analyze, synthesize, and contextualize information. This feature runs so quietly, you hardly ever know it’s running at all.
Perhaps MIND™’s most impressive feature is its built-in Think™ option. Turn on Think™, and you can explore virtually – sorry, I mean virtually explore – literally any subject you can think of. Even more impressive? Every time you use Think™, you strengthen and expand it, so it works better the next time.
Yup! I love running because it’s a simple sport, all you need is a pair of shoes! But I’m definitely guilty of relying on my watch. An interesting thing my coach recently had me do was run 400m repeats on the track at 90 sec. without my watch! He wants me to “feel” my pace! It was scary and really hard 🙂
Yes, that’s tough. I did a track session this week. It was 400m; 60s rest; 200m; walk recovery. I was trying really hard to be consistent, but my first 400m was 15s faster than I usually run, which shows I’m improving, but didn’t help my consistency!