Big news fell into my inbox and around the web yesterday – Nike are releasing a GPS watch powered by TomTom. The Nike+ SportWatch enters the market to compete alongside the Garmin, Polar and Timex range currently in production.

Nike already have a MASSIVE community of runners who used its devices on Apple products. They have had the benefit of creating very slick interfaces which work in perfect harmony with the Apple ethos.

The Nike+ SportWatch GPS is designed to be simple and intuitive with only three buttons and a Tap Screen for navigation. During the run, the new Nike+ SportWatch GPS captures location information while showing runners their time, distance, pace, and calories burned on an easy-to-read screen featuring a customizable layout. Throughout the run, the GPS receiver works in tandem with the shoe-based Nike+ Sensor to deliver highly accurate pace and distance data. This sounds much like the Garmin Footpod/GPS model but typically the other systems increase the price to have the extra footpod setup. The benefit of the footpod is that sometimes you have to run in a gym or out of satellite range – this way wherever you go you get readings!

The features seem vary similar to all other devices, heart rate monitor, backlight, history. What I’m hopeful is that some time has been spent on the user experience which is something that I often think that my garmin struggles with. The touch screen feature will be interesting to see when my hands become sweaty or are in gloves!

If I’m totally honest I wasn’t expecting Nike to release a fully fledged GPS watch, I have had a few conversations in the past how I had expected them to create a simple watch that hooks into Smart Phones (iphones/androids etc) hence using the phones GPS receiver and processing power but giving the runner the extended information in an easy to read fashion. I would have thought this would be relatively cheap to create vs what they have outputted.

It will be interesting to see how well this does in the market. Nike/Tom Tom are entering a very competitive arena and from the press info I have I’m not sure its going to be suitable for tri-athletes, no mention of waterproof,  so really is a tool for the runners of which how many will give up there £1.99 Nike+ GPS app for something that is likely to be over £100 (realistically nearer £200 I’d have expected).

Regardless of the negatives I’m very interested to see what Nike/TomTom bring to the field!

So a couple of weeks ago I got sent some odds and sods and in the pack were two material feet attached by a cord called stuffitts. Intrigued by them I read up on What they were and the purpose of them is to quite literally stuff into your shoes following a run and they will absorb the moisture and presumably stop trainers smelling so much.

They have been cleverly designed, the cord allows you to carry your trainers or even loop them to the outside of your bag and because they sit in your trainers when your not using there is no issues of more junk in your gym bag.

If they work – and over the next few months it should be pretty obvious to tell, they are a great idea. Possibly a little pricey as in my opinion they have priced themselves out of the ‘gift’ market which is where I think they would really work as I don’t know it’s something you would buy for yourself, not the first time anyway!

Love the idea though and they have kept the insides of my trainers nice and snug over the last few weeks! My trainers are going to love me all of a sudden

At the moment it seems not a day goes by without there being a new running app being released or brought to my attention. I can now name 6 apps I’m aware of for the iPhone and a number of these have been successfully ported to Android and some even to the Blackberry. The big question seems to be do these apps bring the demise of the GPS watches which are commonly attached to runners wrists?

Without much thought I suspect for the beginner runner this is a definite ‘Yes’, the Gamin/Timex watches are typically expensive pieces of kit. If you don’t know someone that has one I think you could easily not know about them or be put off by the cost and ‘scare’ factor. Whilst Garmin is a big brand it is nowhere near that of Nike and as I sit writing this post I know that almost 1 in 4 of the people I know has an iPhone or Android based phone meaning they can pick up a competitive app for practically nothing.

I have reviewed the Nike+ and Adidas miCoach apps previously on this blog and both offer a great foundation for the runner at a maximum price of £2, or so you initially think. Since getting my iPhone many years ago it has barely left my side, it allows me to stay connected on the go, check emails and write blog posts! Now it could come out for a run with me, but it doesn’t – why not? Even my 2 year old phone is worth a couple of hundred pounds and replacing it would cost more like £500. I wouldn’t dream of putting a laptop in my back pocket whilst running (ignoring the logistics of course!) and my phone is just that. I am a big sweater and also I’m not just a fair-weather runner, when it’s raining I can still be found running and I’ve yet to be presented with a casing I trust in rain, snow and sweat conditions. I know for a fact, even though the iPhone maybe preloaded with Nike+ you will get little help if your phone dies due to water damage! The other big thing is the iPhone isn’t the smallest piece of kit and logically it can’t sit in a useful place to see statistics. Some apps have integrated a voice split indicator, very useful but it’s not available when you instantly want to see it. Come mid run (and I have witnessed this) it’s amusing to see people fumbling around hoping to hit buttons on their arm before giving up, detaching the phone playing then reattaching the device.

What I have to constantly remind myself is I am biased, I have already gone out and got an expensive Garmin so can’t really compare. If I didn’t have the watch and was starting running today I think there is a good chance I wouldn’t have bought one. Finding it difficult to justify the expense possibly opting for an app and making do with my old Polar Heart Rate monitor. I would accept a level of inaccuracy but wouldn’t know any different and I suspect by now I would have upgraded my phone just for this reason. However, which app would I be using? I think that’s for a separate ‘to follow’ post as otherwise once again this post maybe of dissertation length.

I would love to run a test on new runners to find out how people use these apps, I suspect that on the whole Nike will have got it spot on with it’s simplicity for new runners but fails to be of much use to those who need to dig a bit deeper into the data, it provides an app to use on the phone but not online. The adidas unique selling point is the coaching partner but how many people will bother with that – especially when the app is free! If you had to pay for the app it would possibly have a similar effect as paying for a gym in forcing you through financial guilt? The app I played with today (review to follow) seemed much more tailored to people who used Garmins. The website had lots of graphs, stats and information, the developers are clearly thinking for the future by offering API’s, widgets etc (something Garmin still lacks) stuff a coach or dedicated runner can analyse when they return from a run.

Would I stop using my Garmin? Not yet, I can be reasonably careless with it (although i shouldn’t as it is easy to forget how much it is worth!), it can take my heart rate and most importantly I can look at it easily whilst running. I can set up screens to show all the information I would ever need and by just lifting my arm I get these figures. Simples

N

I have harped on about Marathon Talk countless times in this blog. Having picked up on it at it’s launch I have listened to almost all of Tom Williams and Martin Yellings thoughts, ramblings and musings on running.

Martin Yelling is husband of British Olympian Liz Yelling. He is a coach and is very very passionate about running and getting people into running. To add to the YellingGlobalRunningDomination™ he has added an Audiofuel Interval training design to his arsenal.

Following the same principle as the other audiofuel tracks the bpm derives your footfall and by adjusting this value it’s possible to simulate faster running. It adopts the same concepts as a Spin session at the gym. Martin has introduced his ideal 3 minute pyramid session. The track I have hits 180bpm but pyramids from 160->170->180 TWICE. Talking the runner through the session with verbal hints it forces you to push on where possibly you would give up.

I highlighted the word twice during the previous paragraph as when I did it, it was the second time that pushed me hard. Giving all I had in the fastest 3mins at 180bpm I only had 3 minutes to recover and go round over again – this time knowing exactly what to expect!

18 minutes later I was jogging back to the flat, exhausted and covered in sweat. I didn’t really fancy going out for a run beforehand but when I returned I was buzzing and I had only been out for a relatively short time!

Love these audiofuel tracks, they are great for individual training as I tend to get bored of my standard playlists and these offer a unique edge to what you would expect. Can’t wait to get my hands on the hardest bpm track although will make sure the hospital is on speed dial on my phone before going out on that one!!

Rock on with the next track AF, or maybe I should just stick to the current ones a few more times!

N

As I write this post it feels like my week has been relatively quiet Having missed out on a long run last weekend and most likely will again this week I have had a relatively low mileage month-as the stats box on the right shows! However, whilst I haven’t done any long runs I have managed to get out and do some shorter distances, a couple of which were at high tempo.

On Monday I had the day off work as I was traveling back from a weekend break. Arriving back at the flat at about 2pm I took the opportunity to grab my shoes and go out for a 10k. The weather was HOT and I was running at the warmest part of the day. I had forgotten basic rules of fueling up having only had a couple of cups of tea all day – I would soon learn to regret this. Setting off at a fast pace I had intended on pushing myself and my Garmin suggested I was doing this, however I ran out of energy about 4miles in. My mouth dried up and I seriously needed liquid. From a sub 7:45min/mi average I dropped to 8min/mi in the last mile. Still a respectable time but considering the effort factor vs result it didn’t feel that great a run.

Tuesday morning, as routine, saw me head to the pool and so some weight work beforehand. Nothing substantial just trying to work on my core muscles a bit more to help with the running. I also went out with a colleague for a jog during the lunch break. As always was a nice plod for me at a very comfortable pace – I think during these runs my heart rate is below the +80% meaning I am in the fat burn zone as opposed to lactic zone.

Wednesday was an unexpected rest day due to unplanned circumstances so on Thursday I headed to Shep Bush Fitness First for a long gym session. I was unsure at the time whether to head outside for a run in the sun but eventually opted to push myself on the machines. First off the treadmill – I pushed myself for a sub 20min 5km, I don’t think I have done that before. Setting the base speed at 15km/h this would see me hit bang on 20mins. However, I opted to push myself even more adding half mile intervals ramping up to 18-20km/h. Needless to say this was tough and a challenge but not wanting to stop my session after 20mins I moved to the rowers. I had decided 10mins on these. As it turns out I did 2.5k in slightly over 10mins. Still heavily perspiring from the run I looked round the gym – what next? May as well do a mini tri and jump on the bike. Only a short stint on that racking up 10km. I don’t like exercise bikes as the mechanism seems so clunky and unsmooth. By the end of this ride I had formed a small pond around the bike and looking at my kit it looked like I had jumped into it too! Felt good though so guess that’s what really matters.

As I said at the start unsure when my next run is. I will be out with the serps next Wednesday as I have missed the last two runs. I need to start putting the miles in a bit more as I have been a bit naughty!

Till next time.
N

It’s been another poor week of running this week. That’s almost 2 back to back weeks with very little distance in my legs. Poor discipline is what I put it down to, that combined with spending time doing other sports in the gym.

As usual Monday was spin day, a real toughy this week. Jon got a new training cd and it seemed all the tracks were had a fast beat, including the hills. This session certainly got my heart rate up and as normal there was a nice puddle around my bike at the end!. On Tuesday and Thursday I headed to the pool, after 20mins of stretching I managed a 40mins swim before heading to work. I did do a little 40min jog with my colleague at lunchtime, however this was very short and came several days after the last run with him.

Wednesday is serpentine day. 3 parks decided as usual and as usual was pulled around by an ‘ill’ Rich. It was still fairly humid but we still managed an av speed of 7:40mile even with me sulking and getting an 8min section put in cause I was struggling! After about 3miles in I was the closest to bringing my lunch up I have been in months!! It’s amazing how much slower over the last few weeks I have become, the first week we managed an av 7:15min/mi not coming remotely close to that at the moment.

As I write this it’s Friday night and since weds I haven’t been for a run. I hope to fit something in over the weekend of mid distance. Hopefully 10miles or so just to stretch my legs out. That said it’s hot so that is going to be a challenge!

Sunday is the British 10k and whilst I’m not running it this year I hope all that are enjoy it and that it’s a bit better organised good luck all!

N

A few weeks back I was asked to try out a couple of multipower products and I said I didn’t mind giving it a whirl. Over the last few years having stumbled on SIS products early on I have been pretty loyal to the brand as I actually quite like the taste of most of their products. However, I was willing to give another brand a try.

So far I have used the recovery choc bar, I’m not a massive choco fan and this came across as closer to dark choc form. That said it was perfectly edible and as it was in a bar format it meant I could chuck it in my camelbak and run to work with it. It didn’t need mixing up so could be consumed whilst sat at my desk working and also as it wasn’t a liquid it meant I could take it on with water at the same time which for me was ideal.

They also sent some mixer to take on before exercise with electrolytes acting as an energy drink. I took this on before heading out on a longish hilly bike ride. I was slightly confused how much powder I needed to the water. There was a handy spoon but it didn’t say how big that spoon was! I struggled a bit with the taste of this one but think that could be due to poor measurement. Also I suspect if I was to throw a mixed up version into the fridge it would be a lot nicer cold! With regards to the spoon – if this is the correct measure then apologies im being a bit special

I was also sent some recovery products which I will try after really pushing myself. I’m slightly concerned these products are more for bulking up which is far from what I’m trying to do now so am a little dubious about those.

All in all an interesting range of products. However, I think these products maybe bit more tailored to the gym go-ers rather than the runners etc. There is a lot of competition out there and taste is a massive factor and I’m not sure at first try these guys have got it quite right but I’m prepared to keep at it. That said, having just logged onto the Multipower website there are a whole range of products which I could see being useful to my training like their crunch bars & flap jacks – part of the “Active” range.

Following on from three consecutive days of running I made the most of my free Saturday and the glorious weather to go out for a jog.

Laura was out for the day at an event held by Liz Yelling. After a morning of household DIY involving undercoating 4 doors whilst it was glorious outside, I donned my shorts and grabbed my Oakleys and headed into town.

Dumping my kitbag in Baker St gym I set off towards Regents Park after a lap of the outer circle I headed inwards to try find ‘The Hub’ where Laura was. I failed miserably with that running around the inner inner circle numerous times – eventually after revisiting the same ‘You are here’ maps about 5 times I gave up – tracked back to the outer circle and came in after London Zoo. I wasn’t overly bothered about times or distance today so when in the corner of my eye I saw three Giraffes I got my phone out and snapped away, a rarity for me!!

Plodding onwards I eventually found The Hub then left Regents for Hyde Park. I was trying out my new camelbak waist belt with water carrier so had plenty of fluid with me today which was fortunate as it was so toasty!!

One lap of Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens eventually took it out of me. I struggled today much more than a number of sub 13miles which I have done. I can put this down to the heat and to an extent poor fueling before I started. Whilst I did take on an energy drink I didn’t each much which left me feeling quite weak by the end.

If I’m totally honest though I wasn’t too bothered. I managed a reasonably long run in the heat on the back of a 7/6/4 day meaning in 4 consecutive days I ran just under 30miles injury free.

Spinning day on Monday which I’m looking forward too as always then swim Tuesday, Serps Wednesday…Lets hope the sun stays out so I can possibly get another run in somewhere, maybe Tuesday lunchtime…

Till next time

I very rarely find myself going out and taking it easy. Going at a steady pace and just holding a conversation with my running partner. This evenings serp run gave me that opportunity.

Having raced on Sunday I was always intending on today’s run being a gentle one. I had set myself up to do a 2.5 park (4.5 miles) run at a 8:30-9min pace, a recovery run! As usual I had my arm twisted and agreed to the 3 parks but I wasn’t going to budge on pace. We set off with the correct pack and plodded along at a nice and steady pace. The conversation was easy and I wasn’t finding it too tough, a breath of fresh air from the previous 3 runs all done at sub 7:30 average pace!

About 3 miles in my running partner complained about needing the toilet and as I was happy enough to do the 2.5parks before turning up I didn’t mind cutting the route short and heading back through Hyde Park to speakers corner. We did a short section at the end at a faster intensity which increased my heart rate a bit but other than that a good little 35min ‘jog’.

This jog followed on from a relatively long swimming session in the pool this morning covering over 50 lengths crawl or over 1km. Not since I was a small child have I swam that far, I’m pretty sure I got a 1000m badge having gone up and down the pool at ‘The Bubble’. Sadly I don’t know how long it took me back then but today it didn’t seem too much of a problem and a good routine to add to my training schedule. Plus Baker St Fitness First is a cracking gym and it seems that after 815 or so the pool clears out to only have one or two people in it! Bonus

Till next time.

N

When the music you are listening to is rubbish! However, as i found on my run on Sunday, if this is the case having the ability to turn the volume down without fiddling with my iPod is a great addition to the new Sennheiser range of sports earphones.

Almost exclusively since starting running a few years back I have been using Sennheisers. This pair is my third neck band pair following an incident with my first and a tree and my second set, whilst still functioning, have seen better days after being thrown numerous times to the bottom of the gym bag and squashed. I have always found the neckband earphones comfy and simple to use so when I got this new pair I had no real hesitations to ditch my old orange pair for the new black/yellow combination. » Continue reading “It doesn’t matter how good the earphones are…”