i-run.com

Runners find a companion in podcasts Download programs share advice and experience, complete with kids and barking dogs.

When runners want sage advice on their sport, they can turn to a slick newsstand magazine - or to a 31- year-old computer tech support rep from San Antonio, Texas, named Richard McCue.

Although he’s completed four marathons, McCue has never graced the cover of a runners magazine, never been offered a megacontract from a sponsor and never had adoring fans ask for his autograph. But he does host “Runcast Weekly,” a podcast about running in which he shares his experiences and dispenses advice and information.

“I’m an amateur runner,” he admits. “I don’t approach subjects from a professional point of view; I’m learning just like everyone else and sharing what I’ve learned with others.”

McCue, who debuted his show from his home last April, does have the distinction of being one of the earlier fitness birds using podcast technology. A podcast, the product of fusing “iPod” and “broadcast,” is an Internet audio program that can be downloaded onto an iPod or an MP3 player, or listened to on a computer.

Read the rest at DenverPost.com

Technorati Tags: ipod, podcast, running

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More on the ease of tying shoes with gadgetry.  Speed Laces, Lock Laces, next comes the Mini Black Plastic Drawstring Locks (2/Pkg) from JO-ANN.com which is “The official online store of Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts”.

At $2.25 US per package (plus shipping) they are a bargain.  I have used these in the past and gotten them in a variety of colors, blue, black, purple and red.

Instructions for use:

1 - Take shoe laces and insert in drawstring lock
2 - Insert foot in shoe
3 - Adjust lock so you can get your foot in and out without running out of lace
4 - Tie laces in a knot at perfect adjustment point
5 - Throw end of laces away

Technorati Tags: running shoes

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Oregon Scientific has a new combo MP3/FM radio pedometer out -

The MP121 combines a waterproof and shockproof design with an impressive list of advanced features: 1GB of internal memory, integrated FM radio, built-in rechargeable battery, USB 2.0 for fast file transfers and a built-in pedometer. Fill one up with your favorite music and take it to the gym, on a walk or take it for a swim!

This thing does a little of everything and as commented on by someone at Gizmodo, “Does a swimmer really need a pedometer?”

Product specs from the Oregon Scientific site:

Technorati Tags: music, running

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Another gadget to use on your shoes.

Lock Laces is a system to tie your shoes for you, sort of. Targeted as the patented “elastic shoelace & locking system” it consists of an elastic shoelace and locking system similar to Speed Laces that will adjust to your feet as you tighten them up and “adds convenience, provides a better fit and improved comfort to enhance the performance of your shoes.”

Besides the lock the system has some fancy laces - 

“The innovative curved tips of the laces allow the wearer to lace their shoes more easily through the increasingly weird eyelet configurations in athletic shoes. The laces are made with banded, multi-strands of elastic that won’t break (the same elastic used for bungee cords). The elastic laces give you greater flexibility with a more comfortable, snug fit throughout the whole shoe. The laces are also water-resistant”

At $4.95 US per pair you save yourself $4.00 but don’t get the eyelet fittings that you do with Speed Laces.

Technorati Tags: running, running shoes

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Globalstat is coming out with a Garmin Forerunner like GPS unit in three colors, yellow/red/green.

There are two models the GH-601 and the GH-602, the 602 adds a compass and a barometer. The size of the units is 1.8 x 3.2 x .7 inches and they weigh about 2.57 oz. Software is Windows only, another Mac unfriendly product.

Pulled from the site:

GlobalSat GH-600 series provide full-sealed, waterproof and Large LCD wrist watch device, as well as GPS navigation function with a physical training system. It is adopted for people who exercise for broad kinds of outdoor sport, such as Jogging, Running, Biking, Snow skating etc. Athlete can define a Distance, Speed rate, Time as expected training course to be achieved. Advanced model GH-602 provides the high resolution and accuracy Electronic Compass and Barometric Altimeter function.

Read more of the specs at the Globalstat site

Technorati Tags: gps

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