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Lead Stories: Monday, October 13, 2008

USATF Delegates Debate Headphones Ban

Posted November 29th, 2007 at 11:00 PM by David Monti

Section: News & Results, Running & Training, Injury & Rehab, Motivation, Music

Delegates to the USATF convention who attended the open session of the Long Distance Running Division chaired by Fred Finke were anxious to debate the ban on headphones in road races which was imposed by USATF at last year’s convention.

“We realize this issue has caused a great deal of angst,” said Finke, who has received hundreds of e-mails on the subject. “It seems to be a hot button issue.”

USATF enacted the ban in accordance with a rule put in place by the IAAF which banned the use of headphones in championship events. The IAAF ban was intended to prevent athletes from receiving information via radio about the whereabouts of their rivals, a practice which is permitted in the big bicycle tours, like the Tour de France.

But in practical application, it has meant that recreational runners are not allowed to wear MP3 players, like Apple’s iPod, and listen to music during road races. Only a handful of U.S. races have actively enforced the ban.
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TFS Review: Timex IRONMAN Sleek iControl™ Watch

Posted November 15th, 2007 at 9:30 AM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous, Motivation, Music, Product Reviews

If you’ve ever had to fumble with your iPod to try and find a song or crank up the volume while on a treadmill, elliptical trainer, stationary cycle or – especially – running, you’ll appreciate the Timex IRONMAN Sleek iControl™ watch with its Play, Pause, Track Forward/Reverse and volume-control functions.

According to the Timex website, “the iControl™ watch transmits signals seamlessly to your iPod so you can control your music in a heartbeat. Designed to work with your body and coordinate with your iPod, the iControl watch is sleek and comfortable to wear - with all the features you need for running around the track or traveling around the world.”
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Mac, Linux Users Unable to Watch Webcast of Olympic Trials & NYC Marathon

Posted November 3rd, 2007 at 6:19 AM by Martin Kennedy

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics

It boggles the mind, but Mac and Linux users will be unable to watch the NBC Sports / MediaZone webcasts of today’s U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials and tomorrow’s ING New York City Marathon.

Although some Mac and Linux users were able circumvent the problem in the past, MediaZone has announced on their website that their customer service will not provide support for third-party applications and operating systems.

Man, oh man did NBC and Mediazone drop the ball on this one.

However: Mac and Linux users CAN still follow all the action right here onTheFinalSprint.com!

The best way to follow TFS’s up-to-the-minute coverage is at: http://newyork.thefinalsprint.com

Make sure to bookmark newyork.thefinalsprint.com and check back often to read updates and elite athlete profiles, watch pre- and post-race press conference videos and listen to The Final Sprint Podcast interviews with the top competitors!
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Insignia 4GB Video MP3 Player: An affordable, lightweight and easy-to-use gadget for runners

Posted April 20th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by Christopher Jack

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Motivation, Music, Product Reviews

I heard good things about Best Buy’s Insignia MP3 players, but being an Apple junkie, I was reluctant to stray from my good ‘ol iPod. However, I got hooked on the 4GB Video MP3 Player in no time and was impressed by the built-in Bluetooth, FM Radio, Video Playback and easy-to use-interface.

Although a bit larger than its predecessors (the Sport 1GB and Sport 2GB), Insignia’s new 4GB Video MP3 Player still weighs a mere 2.4 oz. and is only 0.6′’ thick; making it a perfect tag along for your next run and allowing it to fit easily in most pockets. The 2.2” LCD color screen takes up about two-thirds of it’s face; creating a sufficient viewing screen for watching movies and/or browsing pictures when you are done with your workout.
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Confessions of a former iPod hating runner (Part II)

Posted January 27th, 2007 at 9:30 AM by Paul Petersen

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Music, Training Tips

Update time. In Part 1 I outlined my initial aversion to the fusion of mp3 players and running, and how I eventually decided to give it a fair shake. Here are the results of my experiment with adding “flavor” to my running via music & podcasts.

To be honest, I got off to a rocky start. I had issues with cords getting in my way, unsecured, jiggly earbuds, and equipment malfunctions. I expect this with anything new, and I soon summitted the learning curve by making some necessary modifications and adjustments. After a couple days of tinkering, cutting, taping, and adjusting, I had improved (but not perfected) the rig and was trotting merrily to my downloaded concerts and podcasts.

I noticed during my very first run that as the workout drew to a close … I wanted to keep running! It was an otherwise mundane Sunday run, but as my mind wrapped around the music, I felt like I should extend my run just to hear the next track… and the next…and the next. This is in contrast to the boredom that sets during the late stages of many of my typical runs; I just want to finish and take a shower. Well, jiggly earbuds aside, anything that encourages increases in training volume must have it merits!
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Confessions of a former iPod hating runner (Part I)

Posted January 24th, 2007 at 8:30 AM by Paul Petersen

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Music, Training Tips

Well, I’ve broken down and done it. I have purchased an mp3 player … and I intend to run with it!

Most of you are probably thinking: “Well, so what? Welcome to the 21st century!” It’s true, I’ve been a bit behind. But there’s more to it than that. I have to confess that I have been one of those people who not only did not have an mp3 player, but actually frowned upon their use while running.

“It’s dangerous, not being able to hear and all,” I would rationalize. I would glower at unsuspecting music-listeners as they ran; assuming that they must be getting in everyone’s way during races as well. Not to mention all those mp3-lovin’ vagabonds blatantly violating the rules in races where audio devices are banned.

Then a few weeks ago my wife challenged me to fully explain my irritation with mp3 players. I opened my mouth, but then . . . I closed it. I had nothing constructive to say. No real reason, other than I didn’t understand listening to music while running. In my own ideals, the wind blowing by my ears should be enough.
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Runners Log Over 1 Million Miles with Nike + iPod

Posted October 25th, 2006 at 4:00 PM by Jeanie Rebb

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Miscellaneous

PRESS RELEASE: Over 1 million miles — equivalent to circling the world more than 40 times — have been logged by Nike+ runners in just 10 weeks since Nike and Apple changed running forever with the retail launch of the Nike + iPod experience.

Almost 8,000 people logged runs yesterday on nikeplus.com—including an almost eight-mile run in New York, two and a half miles in Boston, five miles in Boulder, two miles in Miami, six miles in Nashville, four miles in Phoenix, three miles in Seattle and two miles in Peoria. Top times so far: 27 minutes and 43 seconds for a 10k run, and 13 minutes, 47 seconds for a 5k. The farthest total distance: more than 600 miles. Read the rest of this entry »

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TFS Review: Marware Sportsuit Sensor +

Posted October 13th, 2006 at 3:28 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews

Excited about the new Nike+iPod alliance - but unwilling to part with your favorite pair of non-Nike shoes? Fear not - because Marware has come to the rescue with their Sportsuit Sensor +

Product: Marware Sportsuit Sensor +
Price: $9.99
Rating: Excellent 8.55/10.0
Pros: Securely protects Nike+ iPod wireless sensor, durable, lightweight and inexpensive
Cons: Not waterproof
Overall: Marware’s Sportsuit Sensor + is a terrific adapter for runners who want the benefits of the new Nike+iPod Sport Kit, but don’t want to spend the extra cash on Nike+ Ready shoes. For only $9.99 it is an investment you won’t regret and we highly recommend it.

Performance - 9 - After using the Sportsuit Sensor + on several training runs and feeling quite confident in it’s performance, I decided to use it during a recent half-marathon. Once again - I was very impressed. Throughout the 13.1 miles I never had to adjust it, nor did it ever cause me any discomfort. As a matter of fact, it is so lightweight that I basically forgot I was even wearing it. Read the rest of this entry »

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AVAILABLE THIS WEEK: Marware’s Sportsuit Sensor +

Posted August 29th, 2006 at 10:32 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Gadgets & Acces., Motivation, Music

The time has finally arrived . . . Marware’s Sportsuit Sensor+ for the iPod nano are being released on Thursday, August 31st.

For all of us who refuse to give up on our favorite non-Nike running shoes, this case will now make the Nike sensor compatible. Forget about those old fashioned pedometers or the extremely overpriced Garmin devices. The Sportsuit and the Nike+iPod Sport Kit will together only cost you about $40! ($9.95 for the Sportsuit and $29.95 for the Sport Kit)

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Complement your Nike + iPod with Sportsuit Sensor+

Posted August 11th, 2006 at 7:53 PM by Doug Berger

Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Motivation, Music

So you love to exercise and want to pick up on that Nike + iPod trend, right? What if you don’t have the right kind of shoes that fit the Nike sensor? Fear no longer because Marware has just launched a case that will allow you to strap on the same old sensor on your favorite shoes. The device has a Velcro strap that folds around your shoe laces for a secure fit while you’re bolting down the street/track. Preorder a Sportsuit Sensor+ on DrBott.com for just $9.95.

Read [DrBott]

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