Geek Fitness

posted by jangro on (4 years, 10 months ago)

4998-468661-d.jpgI'm a geek. There are few parts of my life where I cannot apply some degree of geekiness and running is no different.

It may be redundant to also say that I'm an engineer (an electrical and computer engineer who somehow couldn't manage to explain electricity to Angela at dinner at Affiliate Summit) and I love numbers.

Naturally, I'd want to keep track of my runs. Distance, time, etc. Of course I'd always have the standard issue Timex Ironman watch to time my runs, but simply that and driving off distances in the car was very dissatisfying.

Wanting more, a few years ago, I bought a Polar RS200 Running Computer. It has a wireless heart rate monitor and with the S1 Foot Pod, it tracks distance and speed.

With it, while I'm running, I know my heart rate, pace, distance, time, etc. I get a quick summary after every mile. After the run, I know my min and max heart rate and pace, as well as a bunch of other stuff I don't even use.

Reviewing the data in my watch right now, I know that this morning at 8:42am:

I ran for 1:02:40 a total of 5.89 miles.
My max pace was 6:28 with an average of 10:38 (gettin' there. I like to be in the 8's).
I burned 1151 calories.

I also know all that info for each mile but I'll spare you those details. ;)

The watch keeps this information back for many days, so I can see my progress and weekly summaries. For example, I know that so far this week I've run 17.7 miles in 3:17:24, and burned 3489 calories.

I can upload the data to a PC (through an audio signal transfer into a microphone. hello? bluetooth?) but I don't use that because it's a hassle and it doesn't have Mac software.

Why do I need all this info? Well I don't really, but to me it's a big motivator.

Running can be a boring activity. When I'm always trying to beat my best time even by a second, it adds some fun to it. Plus, the real-time feedback of my pace and heart rate helps me push harder up a big hill. Knowing that every push will shave off seconds is a big motivator to me.

I bought this a few years ago, and I haven't looked into similar products since. Nike and Apple came out with a shoe insert that connects to an iPod Nano to provide pace and distance info. Anyone use one of those? I didn't like the idea of buying the shoes to fit the device.

I guess I should take a new look at what's new in running tech? Got any up to date info? Comment here and let me know what I'm missing.


Comments & Reactions

  • jangro saved this to Fitness 4 years, 10 months ago
  • jangro saved this to Electronics 4 years, 10 months ago
  • scott

    Posted by Scott 4 years, 10 months ago

    I'm afraid Mac compatibility will be a kiss of death for specialized technology like this, unfortunately.

    I'm not holding my breath!

  • Posted by JP 4 years, 10 months ago

    I am thinking about picking up the running habit again too. The watch sounds cool, however I am interested to hear of the modern day incarnation of the Polar. I will dig around too but if anybody has some tips, please share. (Mac compatibility is a must.)

  • John

    Posted by John 4 years, 10 months ago

    Haven't got one myself but the Garmin 305 (or is it 301) Forerunner might be worth considering. GPS and HR monitor in one large wristwatch unit.

    I use a Polar F11 - that give average HR which is what always interests me. Does loads of other stuff too like calories etc.

    For distance measuring I use a Navman for running.

    If I was starting from scratch I'd get the Garmin or similar.

  • Posted by Kyle 4 years, 10 months ago

    I got the Nano & Nike pedometer combo and I've been very happy with it. The best feature by far is the nikeplus.com website for keeping dibs on your progress and setting challenges with friends and goals. I've never really wanted to run until I got it - now I find that I have that extra push - plus as a geek I love to "track" how I do. Before I got it I'd kind of haphazardly just go "jogging" now I find that I want to actually become a better runner. Besides the first time someone challenges to you to a fastest mile on the website and you kick their butt - it just feels good!

  • Posted by Utah County Realtor 4 years, 10 months ago

    There are definitely benefits of not having a 9-5 type of job. Before going into real estate, I never worked out. Now that my schedule varies I finally have time to run and hit the gym.

  • Posted by We 4 years, 10 months ago

    Heh, when I get one of these babies I better be serious about running.

  • Posted by Damien 4 years, 10 months ago

  • Posted by pedometer review 3 years, 5 months ago

    Is that a pedometer as well?

    all the features that you mentioned seem to fit those of pedometers. I was womdering if that's one of them.

  • John

    Posted by John 2 years, 6 months ago

    Haven't got one myself but the Garmin 305 (or is it 301) Forerunner might be worth considering. GPS and HR monitor in one large wristwatch unit.

    I use a Polar F11 - that give average HR which is what always interests me. Does loads of other stuff too like calories etc.

    For distance measuring I use a Navman for running.

    If I was starting from scratch I'd get the Garmin or similar.


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