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TFS Review: DLO Action Jacket for 3G iPod Nano
Posted December 30th, 2007 at 5:00 PM by Paul Petersen
Section: Gear & Apparel, Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Motivation, Music, Product Reviews
I was pretty excited when I got the 3rd-generation iPod nano; the possibilities for running were great. However, I lacked one critical accessory: a good protective case and armband.
I soon found that the DLO Action Jacket solved my problems. The neoprene case is designed specifically for the 3rd generation (4GB/8GB) iPod nano, and comes with a 180-degree rotating belt clip and an adjustable armband. The Action Jacket retails for $30, but I was able to find it for as low as $18 (plus free shipping!) on Amazon.com. Colors are available in black, white, or pink. I personally like the black.
To me, a mark of a good armband is that it makes no impression on me. In other words, I won’t know it’s there, leaving me free to think about my run and enjoy the music! The Action Jacket succeeds in this with its simple design. The neoprene case with clear viewing window protects the iPod from the elements, and a “cut-out” in the case allows me easy access to the nano’s Click Wheel. I actually ran with it during a snow storm, and it did its job.
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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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Podcast 42: Interview with Podrunner’s DJ Steve Boyett
Posted April 26th, 2007 at 1:30 PM by Adam Jacobs
Section: Motivation, Music, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts
Episode 42 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with Podrunner’s DJ Steve Boyett.
Ok, ok … I know what you’re thinking: “Why is a music DJ being interviewed on TFS Podcast?”
Good question … A few months ago I received an email from a reader and fellow runner about a workout, music podcast called “Podrunner”. He was raving about these music 
mixes and swore that they were responsible for his multitude of recent PR’s. At the time, I didn’t think much of it - but that all changed as a plethora of similarly positive emails came rolling in from readers all over the world.
So I decided to look into Podrunner and learned that, believe it or not, it was nearing it’s 5-millionth download and earned an iTunes People Choice Award in 2006. Although I was still quite skeptical that it would benefit my training, I actually got pretty hooked; finding these hour-long, fixed-BPM workout mixes to be an excellent source of motivation on those long runs and during intense workouts.
Download the podcast to hear DJ Steve discuss Podrunner; how his music mixes are helping to motivate, and even change the lives of, an eclectic group of runners and other athletes; the training benefits of music; and much more!
Listen In
[PLAY] (To Download: Right click and select “save as”)
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to youHost: Adam Jacobs
Guest: DJ Steve Boyett
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 21.7 MB
Length: 00:31:40
Check out every episode of TFS’s Podcast in iTunes!
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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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GET YOUR MOVE ON iMix #1
Posted February 13th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by Mickey Katz
Section: Motivation, Music, Special Features, Pump-up iMix's
Every week The Final Sprint’s team of music gurus post a new, downloadable iMix on the site and in iTunes to help you stay motivated throughout all of your weekly runs and workouts.
GET YOUR MOVE ON iMix #1, created by Mickey Katz, is a 60-minute playlist that will get your adrenaline pumping; featuring 12 dance, reggae, latin and hip-hop tunes. Below you will find the complete track listings and then a brief synopsis by Mickey.
To open iTunes and download the entire iMix or even just a few of the tracks, click here or on any of the songs or artists below.
TFS Review: MotionLingo’s Adeo GPS Fitness Trainer
Posted February 12th, 2007 at 10:00 AM by Paul Petersen
Section: Gear & Apparel, Gadgets & Acces., Product Reviews, Special Features, TFS Reviews
MotionLingo’s Adeo has garnered much attention this year as an innovative GPS-based fitness trainer that not only tracks your speed and distance, but also accommodates full integration with any mp3 player.
I have run with many other GPS products, but the Adeo is the first to provide workout feedback via audio messages rather than a visual watch interface. This sounded like a great idea to me right off the bat and I enjoyed putting putting the Adeo to the test.
Product: MotionLingo Adeo Fitness Trainer
Price: $149.95
Rating: Good 7.1/10.0
Pros: Hands-free GPS updates; Works with all mp3 players; Lightweight; Considerably more affordable than other GPS units, Easy to configure workouts and view data; Rapidly-evolving online training log; Affordable cost compared to other fitness GPS units; Multisport support; Excellent, frequently updated software package
Cons: Often takes several minutes to connect with satellites; Unstable, GPS connection could be improved; Small, unresponsive buttons
Overall: The Adeo is a very innovative and exciting concept; one that true audiophiles will want to immediately add to their running rig. However, others may want to wait for the next generation of Adeos (to be released later this spring) because like most first generation products, there are a few issues (i.e. - GPS performance) that could use an upgrade.
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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Relax and run “NAKED”!
Posted January 11th, 2007 at 4:00 PM by Paul Petersen
Section: Running & Training, Motivation
I have an odd habit. I try to run naked once a week. By “naked”, I actually mean “without a watch”.
We runners love our gadgets, and the sports watch is the grandaddy of all running accessories. Many of us literally feel naked without one. Take my iPod, GPS, HR monitor, and hydration pack - but leave me my watch!
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MUSIC: Runners’ secret weapon in the battle of mind over matter
Posted January 9th, 2007 at 11:00 PM by Mickey Katz
Section: Motivation, Music
As most of you already know, exercise is known to be a battle of “mind over matter” (with your mind often wandering while we work on our bodies). Although mind wandering can sometimes lead to your next great idea when you’re at the gym or on your training runs, you need your mind to stay focused and give you a little extra push. This, my friends, is where music comes in!
I am a firm believer in the mental workout being just as necessary as your physical one, and I’d like to help those of you whose minds have wandered. It is true that protein feeds the muscles and provides strength, but if nothing is ‘driving’ you to succeed, then your workout will only be as good as lasts nights steak dinner or for those vegetarians, your buffet of tofu and eggs.
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The Final Sprint
On March 15, 2010
SDrunner said:
Great review, I wrote one on the Ironman Road Trainer HRM, which is similar to this one, without the...