the17thman

(NIKE+)+(SMASHRUN)= Runner's Geek Heaven

(NIKE+)+(SMASHRUN)= Runner's Geek Heaven

Now I've been using Nike+ for a few years and I love it.  I've started with an old iPod Nano, to the iPhone, to the Nike+ Sportband and back to the latest iPod Nano.  Well the Nano is a backup if I forget my Sportband.  So yeah I feel invested in the Nike+ ecosystem.  For years the graphs of information about my runs have been fine and dandy.  But as time has gone on I think Nike+ hasn't kept up. I know I haven't tried the all new or almost a year old new Nike+ GPS Sportwatch or any heart rate monitor.  Maybe that would give me different graphs to look at.  So let's look at today's run...

It wasn't much of a run.  It was a warm up run before Group Power.  It was damn cold out.  45F is too damn cold to be in shorts and a short sleeve shirt.  Oh well.  Anyways I can get basic info from my Nike+ Sportband.  Now since I no longer have an iPhone but an Android based phone I used RunKeeper for GPS data.  Now Runkeeper is pretty cool and all...

Cool.  Some different data.  Mostly from GPS.  Now couldn't a Nike+ GPS app do that?  Yeah.  So cool for you iPhone users.  But can you import Nike+ into Fitocracy?  NOPE.  So Runkeeper wins that match.  But DailyMile users win since Nike+ can be imported but not Runkeeper.  Damn...we need a running geek standard!  Can all these workout / running social media websites survive?

Back to Nike+ and it's graphs and data.  Let's look at a sad chart of my sad running habits...

Meh...just run after run in bar form.  Yawn!  Now look at Smashrun.  Actually lets read a bit about Smashrun via a press release…

Offering an elegant alternative to the oft-criticized Nike+ site, Smashrun's free web-based platform creates rich visual dashboards that are tailored and prioritized, providing runners with a “big picture” snapshot and a “by run” specific analysis of years of running history.

In 2006, Nike revolutionized the personal data tracking industry with the introduction of the Nike+ sensor. Millions of runners adopted the device as they quickly discovered its power to motivate. By transforming data into attractive, shareable dashboards, Smashrun takes that motivational power to the next level.

We’ve engineered:

 - An attractive and easily shareable dashboard (here's Chris' running stats)
 - Badges that serve as milestones for running achievements
 - Daily ranks – for discipline, speed, and distance
 - Social sharing mechanisms and follower relationships

The result is multiple layers of reinforcement that are far more powerful than any video game, because the rewards are not just virtual. As users level up their Smashrun stats, so do they’re fitness level.

Kinda cool if you ask me.  I still got to play a bit more and run some more to see the data chance.  I hope the folks at Nike+ are watching this and will update the Nike+ data soon, really soon.  But till then I will be heading to Smashrun!

Running Into 2012

I gotta admit that after January 9th running became not such a big focus for me.  On the 9th I finished the Disney Marathon. 

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I made a mistake after that run and that was by taking time off.  Too much time off. I didn't run at all for a whole month!  So so bad.  Now I didn't run in June but that was a health issue.  I got back to running for short 3-4 mile runs.  I don't have much motivation to go out and run 10 or 13.1 miles.  I am spending more time at the gym then ever so that cuts into my time.  But really I keep putting a goal for myself to be running at least two short runs around 4 miles during the week and a longer 8 - 10 mile run on the weekend.  Hopefully I can start working on that after this week.  The last few days I've spent hours on the bike learning a release so I can sub teaching starting tomorrow morning.  So I've been spinning like a mad man.  But I'm loving it!  Really, really loving it!  So maybe running went on the backburner in 2011 but it's a New Year and that a lot of new roads to run down!

RIP My iPod Nano! Damn You!

So I lost my iPod Nano at my gym last week.  Damn you who ever has it.  It had been crashing a lot and one of the buttons was sticking.  I so should have sent it back to Apple for repairs.  But I didn't and I guess I lost it.  So now comes the big question?  What do I replace it with?

The Cheap Solution:  The Shuffle?It's only 50 bucks.  If I ever do somehow misplace it I won't care so much.  Plus I'm poor and broke right now.  So 50 bucks isn't so bad!

The moderate solution with more options:  The Nano?
More control of music.  More music?  Playlists?  So much better but with options of  8GB: $129.00 or 16GB: $149.00.  16GB in Pink is pretty cool!

Oh My Did I Win Lottery Option:  MotoACTV GPS and Music for runners?  Oh wait how much?  $249.99  for 8GB!  HOLY COW.

I think the shuffle will just be the stop gap filler till I can afford another Nano.  I do think the MOTOactv is great but I just can't afford it right now.  Maybe I should give up running?

When The Wheels Fall Off The Bus or When I Swim Breaststroke.

When The Wheels Fall Off The Bus or When I Swim Breaststroke.

Last night I went to bed early and without a drop of wine.  I was just wiped out.  So I was hoping to have a good morning swim today.  But for whatever reason my body just couldn't wake up.  It wasn't a struggle to swim but during some of the breaststroke swimming I felt like the wheels had fallen off the bus.  My stroke was a mess and I was just sloppy at times.

Warm Up
Mixed 450 / 200 Kikc (650)

Tune Up
5x50's on 50
400 Pace

My 400 pace was about 16/17.  I was aiming for 15's.  Nothing too fast since I felt like I was still warming up.  I just couldn't muster any speed out of my arms today.  (650/1300)

IM Set
6 Rounds - 100 on 2 Minutes followed by a 25.

I did a modified IM - 25 fly/25 back/ 50 breast then 1 25 rotating fly/back/breast.  By the time I was in my breast rounds of the 25's I was feeling the wheels fall off the bus.  So my 3rd 100 I did it IM and the 6th I did 50 fly/ 25 back/ 25 breast. (750/2050)

Then I just warmed down an easy 150 to round up the yardage to 2,200 yards. 

Yesterday I did get some good gym time in with the noon time Group Ride (Spinning) followed by a quick run outside, 18 minutes on the Precor Crossramp (while watching the end of Days of Our Lives) then finished up with 30 minutes in another Group Ride class with my boss. 

As for the run it really wasn't much.  I wasn't feeling like going running so I had to force myself.  I went into an area I hadn't been before.  I really should map these out before I go outside running. I'm trying out a few alternate routes around the gym that have less traffic as the snowbirds return in mass in about a week.  For the next month or two the population explodes around here and it has been already ramping up.  My last time running I had to dodge a bit of traffic and it was frustrating.  So I need to find the less busier and wider streets to go running.

Today I'll be taking Group Power at noon.  Other then that it's all up in the air.  Tomorrow I'll be skipping swimming as I have an early morning at work.  But I'll get in a Group Ride tomorrow. 

Spin Baby Spin

After yesterday's swim I headed to the gym for the noon time Group Ride.  After the class it was time to run. 
Just 3.92 miles.  It wasn't the greatest run but felt better then my last run on Wednesday.  I'm hoping to get another run in this weekend.  This month I've run 16.5 miles.  I was hoping to be at 20 miles by now.  But whatever.  I'm running for crosstraining not for any race right now. 

This morning it was swim time.  Quick workout.  Had a 8am appointment to get my hair cut so had to cut short my swim.

Warmed up 400 swim / 200 Kick (600)

500 Breathing every 3 (500/1100)

3x200's on 3 Descending and Negative Split (600/1700)

3x50's easy warm down (150/1850)

Okay so it was a pretty bad slim.  Too much wine and not enough sleep.  Good thing I had to get going out of workout early.  But at least I got a workout in.  Today at noon will be Group Power so strength training before the weekend.

Fighting The Voices In My Head Workouts

Yesterday after the 12pm Group Power Class I headed out for a short run.  Nothing too long.  Just a chance to be outside for a bit. I didn't really have a route planned so I sorta winged it.  Not always a good idea for running.  I ran over the street bridge and headed to the older section which I've never been before.  I wasn't really in the mood to run and felt like crap while running.  But I really need to cross train more with running. 

This morning it was back in the pool time...

I sooo took my time jumping in the pool today.  Talk about unmotivated.  My warm up was a lazy stroll down the pool for 400 yards then 3x100's kick (1 fly / 1 back /1 breast) (700 warmup)

Main Set:
4 Rounds -
100 Catch Up Freestyle on 1:40
3x50's Switches on 55 (Fly/Back, Back/Breast, Breast/Free)
150 on 2:30 (50 Breast, 50 Back, 50 Fly)

Why so much breaststroke?  I hate breaststroke!  I screwed up the intervals more then once.  During the 2nd round when the coach was talking to me.  Then the last round cuz' math is hard!  (1600/2300)  Towards the end I was really hating on breaststroke.  Kept thinking I should cheat during the damn horrible stroke.  The whole workout I was having negative thoughts.  Really wasn't a good workout for me this morning but I did fight the voices in my head and finished the set just the same.

Warmed down a 100 25 finger tip / 25 pull.  (100/2400)

So 2,400 yards for the morning.

It's Too Damn Cold!

Wake me up in March!  39F and F as in Fucking Cold!  It's too cold to be swimming outside even in a heated pool.  I just couldn't hack it and gave up swimming today.

Warm Up
200 Swim / 200 Pull / 200 Kick / 4x50's Swim on Minute (800)

The workout was to be a 500/400/300/200/100 each getting faster by 100. 

So I did the 500 and was super slow.  Not a descend at all.  I came in on 6:55!  Left on the 8 minutes.  Then as I was swimming the 400 I realized I was just not in the mood.  That and I was struggling.  At the 300 mark I was at 4:05.  I called it quits.  (800/1600)  It's just too damn cold out!

At least I got some cross training in yesterday!  Hit the gym for the 12pm Group Power Class and got talked into staying for the 1:15 Group Kick Class.  My tee shirt was soaked after 2 hours of working out.  But yet I still went outside for a quick run.  2.28 miles. By the end of the run the cold front had arrived.  The last .28 miles it started to rain.  By the time I got back inside the gym it was raining pretty good.  It didn't last long but the temperature dropped radically.  I think by 20 degrees in just an hour. 

I don't think I'll be running today.  Actually can't decide what I want to do.  Group Ride (Spinning) or just do something else on my own?  Don't think I'm in the mood for Ride.  Need something less leg intensive.

Another Day Another Run

Well another day not being back in the pool.  Really don't know why I didn't swim this morning.  Just hit snooze more then once.  But alas I hit the 12pm Group Ride (Spinning) Class then refueld and hit the road for a 3.79 mile run.
The half way point is after a steep climb.  Didn't know the area had any hills.  Gotta keep that in mind.  Maybe practice my hill running over there.
Sometime next week I hope to do my annual Christmas Light Run in which I run at night to take in the various holidays lights around the neighborhood.  Maybe attempt to take a few pictures of the tackiness. 

Back On The Beat

I've been a bit under the weather battling fatigue the last few days.  Really tried to shake myself out of it the last two days at the gym.  No swimming just gym time.  Yesterday I hit the gym did some chest presses before going to Group Kick (Kickboxing) Class and finishing up with some pushups using the bosu ball. 

This morning after walking Doggie Ludwig or "Willy" I went right back to bed.  No swimming just 2 more hours of bedtime.  I dragged my ass out of bed and to the gym for the 12pm Group Power Class.  I was so hurting in that class.  Just tried my best by pushing myself.  After that I rested for a bit and was on the beat hitting the pavement for a short run.  It was a random run.  3.96 miles via Runkeeper.  Don't know why I didn't run just .04 miles but whatever.
I had planned only a 2 mile run but decided to take a detour.  As you can tell by the pin drop on the map I stopped a bit before the 3 mile mark for two reasons.  The first was that I was sorta lost.  I knew the loop was coming up at some point I just didn't know how far away it was.  I should map these runs out before hand.  Secondly it was warmer than I was expecting.  Didn't know it was going to be 80F outside.  The sun was getting to me as I was feeling over heated.  So I stopped to get my gps map up and cool off.  The next pause (pinpoint after mile 3) was me just trying to cross the street at an intersection.  I don't know whats this World-Rank.in thing is but I keep getting tweets about my runs via Runkeeper.  Oh well yet another website to motivate me to run.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll be motivated to be back in the pool. 

November's Rearview Mirror - Running

Compared to a year ago I almost don't run anymore.  Of course I was training for a marathon last year at this time.  Last month I stated that I wanted to get back running at least 20 miles a month.  Of course I ran 22 miles in October so that wasn't a lofty goal.  But I failed that simple goal.
To be fair even though I'm not running I am going to the gym and working out more then I ever have before.  Group Power, Group Kick, Group Ride and everything else.  So who has time to run?
Hey, I did run more in November then I did in June, July, August or September!  That is something, right?
Too much data for saying "I'm not running enough!".  December will be a cold month and without a Marathon or 1/2 Marathon coming up I doubt I'll be running much.  I'll make 10 miles my goal for the month of December.  I should at least be able to do that!