Earbud Review

After years and years of running with music in my ears, I consider myself an authority on what works – and what doesn’t!

See previous post:
Not Another Earbud Review

The folks over at yurbuds were generous enough to send me a pair of their latest earbuds to try out and review. (Thanks again Mike.) They say their product will stay in place despite the sweat and sound great while working out.”

I took them out on a short run this morning. Despite looking quite large, they were easy to slip into my ear. [Before you purchase a pair from them they photo measure your ear. I’m a size 6, not sure if that’s a big or little ear?]

What Works:

• I was surprised to find they had a great sound despite the silicone cover.
• They were very comfortable – like nothing in your ear!
• Secure – they did not budge when I turned my head or adjusted the cord.
• And did I mention; "They sound great!"

What Doesn’t?

• For me the cord was a little longer that I was used to. But this might be a plus for other runners.
• Because they fit snuggly – I began to imagine my ears were heating up… (Probably just a phase I’m going through…)
• They do cancel out more background sounds then regular iPod buds. I like to hear the traffic when I’m running on the streets.

I will definitely be using these for travel, the gym and when I run off road. And I look forward to winter days when these buds will provide extra protection from the cold and rain!

Yurbuds has kindly provided me with an extra pair to give away. Please leave a comment mentioning your all-time favorite running tune. (I will us a random generator to pick.)
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March Training Recap

Recap:
* Completed a 9 miler with ease – feeling strong at the finish. Then came to the conclusion – > the main reason I feel so crappy at the end of my races is that I’m pushing my old body to hard. So despite my interval running, cross training, healthy eating, I’m still slowing down...and there is nothing I can do about it. A depressing development that I will have to deal with.
* Completed 1247 sit-ups. Part of the twohundredsitups program.
* New kicks finally! Inevitably stayed with NIKE AIR PEGASUS.
I put 650 miles on my last pair.

* Included 8 core workouts with a few weight training sessions mixed in.
* 5x 800s with an 8:27 Holding pattern here too… geez
* 1 month and 1 day before the Eugene Marathon (Running the half.)

Considering:
* Stop competing in races for awhile. Think of all the money I will save!
* Renting a kayak.
* Going to the desert on a Horse With No Name
* Eating an entire chocolate bunny!

Question of the Week: from TNTcoach Ken:
"What is the worst part of your longest run in training? Is it the last few miles? The middle miles when the brain plays tricks on you?"
Dear Ken,
It’s the first 3 miles… I can’t stop thinking about how much further my feet have to take me - so I naturally speed up. This is bad because I’m actually supposed to run these long runs slow. (According to Galloway.)
Any suggestions?

Notable Podcast: of the month goes to Pete Larson of Runblogger Episode #15 is on running science, V02 max and running economy. Important stuff about how our body makes and uses energy.
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Podcast Potpourri

Now that I have an authentic iPod (Thank-you Santa)
I can link up directly with ITunes to find the latest and greatest podcasts. I'm currently running with 18 – though many don’t update weekly.
I usually split my run time by listening to intelligent talk first and then music. (But there are days when I just listen to the FM.)

Some of my Favorite running podcasts are:

RunRunLIve
Chris mixes it up with his own personal stories and great interviews. Plus he wraps up each session with a great run home song.

Run Vegan Run
Unfortunately Megan doesn’t spend a lot of time talking about her vegan lifestyle - but the recorded runs with her husband are amusing!

Running in the Center of the Universe
I’ve just started listening to Dave and I’m already hooked. Sadly he mentioned in his latest a reduction in his posts. Hopefully not throwing in the towel like....Trilogy Running.

Two Fit Chicks and a Microphone
Listening to Carla and Shauna chitchatting always inspires me. Topics covering everything from weight loss to weight lifting!

Stuff You Should Know
This podcast is from How Stuff Works. These guys cover all sorts of crazy topics like Witchcraft to how Braille works.

Freakonomics
This is a new podcast from the boys over at NYT. They explore the hidden side of everything. Last week's post tries to explain how careless we’ve become when we are over protected.

Filmspotting
I love the in-depth discussion these guys have to share. Their total knowledge of movies is displayed with each movie they review. Best yet is the friendly banter when they disagree.

Any podcast recommendations?

Win a $10,000 iTunes Gift Card - 10 Billion Song Download Countdown


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Notable This Week

Active Stretching
I am a keen supporter of stretching. I ALWAYS make time to stretch after running. So I found this video captivating.
Running Stretches with One Mile Runner
He incorporates eccentric and concentric moves using body weight as resistance. (Wish I had a private trainer...)
Theses moves felt so good - especially the plantar stretch!

Masters Need Easy Runs
I pay attention to all Masters running chatter. (Yeah, I'm old.)
Over the years I’ve seen a lot of changes. This podcast from Running Times interviews Pete Magill. A 48 yr old runner who can do a 10k: in 31:27.30 !
He emphasizes the need (for us older runners) to listen to our body. On his easy day runs, he just runs - no set pace or distance. He found his body responding to these “rest days.” Conclusion - even with these slow comfortable runs he was able to maintain his fast race times.
His training philosophy:

• "Put away your watch; stop counting miles and start listening to the body. Our bodies will tell us more accurately how fast and far to run than a watch or training log ever can. And our bodies will warn us when we're courting disaster - injury or overtraining - long before our minds are willing to accept the premise. More importantly, when we learn to listen to our bodies, we learn how to race."

New Cereal
Tried out a new cereal – Kashi 7 Grain Nuggets. I just add a quarter cup to my usual base - Oatmeal, Cheerios or Shredded Wheat.
This is a substantial breakfast when you include raisins or my latest fad – DATES.
Half a cup of this cereal has 7 grams of protein!

Masters T-shirt

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I Will Keep On Stretching

I have to say I was a little disappointed with this month's Runner’s World article: The Rules – Revisited
Stretching is Worthless
I know lots of runners who don’t stretch – but do they know they are losing flexibility? Are they setting themselves up for injury?
The article looked a few studies showing stretching made no difference. I’m sorry - but I don’t buy into this. (And hope other runners won’t stop stretching either.)
I had a chance to listen to a podcast with Coach Janet Hamilton. She included in her four factors in a training program - Flexibility. That means some form of stretching!
“Stretch gently, slowly and consistently (daily).” Janet Hamilton

Can you still bring your foot up towards your head anymore? Have you seen any soccer players running around bent over?

I know stretching does increase flexibility. I am positive that it has prevented injuries. And besides the mechanical benefits, it gives you time to unwind - even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Time to think about your performance and to be thankful, thankful you can run...

Someone else not happy with the Runner’s World article.

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Not Top Secret

Like many of you, after I run, I log on and upload the details. I use Breaking the Tape but sometimes upload to Map My Run or Garmin for maps graphs and other goodies.
But is anyone looking at all that data we share? After reading an article in Wired – Living by the Numbers I find out – NIKE+ does conduct studies with OUR numbers.

“Nike has attracted the largest community of runners ever assembled more than 1.2 million runners who have collectively tracked
more than 130 million miles.” Wired

Stuff like:

• Americans run more in the winter time than Europeans.
• The average time for a run 35 mins. [?]
• Most popular Nike+ powersong – Pump it.

I want to know:

• More males or female runners?
• Most popular time to run – AM or PM?
• Any pit stops?
• How many will be still running in 5 years? [Guess we’ll have to wait for the longevity data to emerge.]

Where do you store your running stats?

Juneathon Day 24
Ran 6.3 miles listening to Trilogy Running Podcast. Laughed my way down the street – while racing a garbage truck.
If you like raunchy sweat grinding talk – Check it out!

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A Late Breakfast

Wednesday’s 9 miler

I headed out a little later than usual for my run. Primary excuses: it’s only 25f outside and frost covers everything, plus my internal clock insists it’s only 7 AM – not 8. (I miss that hour!)
Diligently packed up my goodies – juice, soya milk, water, a handful of chocolate covered raisins, - cell phone, MP3 player, Garmin , and some cash - then jumped in the little truck.
I like to do my long runs along the river path – it’s perfect for an out and back. But unfortunately, I have to drive to get there... Half-way along I realized I had forgotten my gloves - Luckily I had my black shirt on with extra long sleeves.
I started off a little fast (to stay warm) – then found a steady cruising pace.

Podcasts: Listened to 3 useful podcasts – One had an interview with Jeff Galloway (Love his accent.) Thanks Michael for the tweet. The other had an interview with Jon Gordon "The Energy Bus." Positively uplifting.
And finally a LOST podcast - prophesying – who/what is the statue. Good stuff.

Wildlife: Lots of Canadian geese, a few ducks and crows. Three silvery tailed squirrels – beautiful! And a homeless fellow sitting cross legged on the path...sunning himself.

Highlights: The halfway mark.

EWEB Tower

The only problemo with park and run - is your muscles tend to stiffen up on the drive home. So to palliate this problem I picked up a double shot Americano.
Breakfast time – High noon!

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Keeping Track

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." - Henry Ford

My attempt to learn something new everyday for personal growth has fallen by the wayside. It's not that I don’t learn things - I just don't keep track of it all. Perhaps by using these icons I can categorize what I've absorbed throughout the day.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Learning from The Feeling Good Handbook - it's therapeutic to write down your destructive thoughts and analyze them. “The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your "cognitions," or thoughts.” Think about sad stuff – feel sad.

Listened to an MP3 podcast from PhilospersNotes on Authentic Happiness.(Ideas from a book written by Dr. Seligman.) Thinking positively graces everything we do. We all have strengths - find them!




With another race tomorrow, I check my race bibs for my PRs. This year I'm not going to beat myself up over my time. And ACCEPT it as part of being a runner. BUT I’m not going to stop trying. Re-reading Matt's post - Never Satisfied. Where he explores the "spirit of discontent."

What are you learning today?

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The Deltoideus

I did not run on all fours today but with every step I could feel my shoulders. (No, I wasn't joggling either.)
The result of too many pull-overs and floor presses with the Kettlebell yesterday.
After checking with Wiki, I discovered that the size of the deltoid muscle is massive!

"The Deltoideus (Deltoid muscle) is a large, thick, triangular muscle, which covers the shoulder-joint in front, behind, and laterally. - Henry Gray"

I had no idea that it encompassed the top, back and front of the shoulder. Or that it is divided into anterior, posterior and lateral zones. Will someone please massage my posterior deltoid now?

I have to admit the shoulder discomfort and Colleen Patrick-Goudreau’s podcast took my mind off all the miles passing by...
Colleen’s podcast was on animals testing. I had to fast forward some parts as images of tortured animals stay with me.
BTW - I’ve been checking my cosmetics, shampoos and lotions for this bunny symbol.

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Week 2 Training Complete

“It’s only 13.1 miles.”
These words transmit a Morse code message to my very core. “I can do it – I’ve done it before.” But I still struggle with the Me in that equation. Dash Dash Dot
The training began in earnest this week.
A race pace workout, a magic mile TT and some fast 3x800s. Outside the schedule I went to the gym, and did the kettlebell swing. (And had time to do the wash!)
Next week - the Long Runs begin.
+
I finally listened to one of the Runner’s Lounge podcasts. Check out this weeks for the inside scoop on race selection. (And yes - post race grub does factor in : )

Graphics by Wordle - Beautiful Word Clouds

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