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Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

TFS Review: Nike+iPod Sport Kit and Online Training Log

Posted January 13th, 2008 at 1:39 PM by Paul Petersen

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

Product: Nike+ iPod Sport Kit
Prices: $30.00 (foot pod & iPod receiver). iPod nano and Nike+ shoes sold separately.
Rating: Very Good 8.3/10.0
Pros: Very easy to use. Good accuracy once it is calibrated. Inexpensive; very good value if you already own an iPod and Nike+ shoes. Power Song feature is great idea. Nike+ online training log free, fun, and incorporates good motivation and community.
Cons: Requires calibration. Requires specific ancillary equipment (iPod nano, Nike+ shoes).
Overall: To use this innovative running tool effectively, you need to regularly run with music (or podcasts), own an iPod nano, and should own Nike+ shoes. Given these “ifs”, it is a great product for the money, and a tremendous motivational tool. The sensor will need to be calibrated, and works best in a Nike+ shoe, but tends to yield fairly good accuracy once these criteria are met. Runners who don’t use an iPod, or who want a richer feature set, should continue looking at more “traditional” fitness monitors.

nike_plus_experience

Design - 9 - Out of the box, the Nike + iPod Sport Kit includes a Nike + iPod Sensor (foot pod), a Nike + iPod Receiver, and an instruction manual. The foot pod goes into the cavity in the left Nike+ shoe. The receiver goes into the bottom port of an Apple iPod nano. If you don’t own Nike+ shoes, the foot pod can be put into a shoe pouch (sold separately for $10), which can be attached to any shoe’s laces. All testing for this review was performed with a pair of Nike+ shoes and a 3rd Generation iPod nano.

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TheFinalSprint.com’s LIVE Coverage of “The Greatest Weekend in Running”

Posted November 2nd, 2007 at 8:46 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Olympics, Special Features, Live Race Coverage

TFS_150 The countdown is on and we’re less than 48 hours away from the biggest race weekend in marathon history!

On Saturday, November 3rd, it’s America’s race — the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Men’s Marathon. The Trials race will determine the three-man U.S. team that will compete in the Beijing Games in 2008. And on Sunday, November 4th, it’s the world’s race — the ING New York City Marathon.

TheFinalSprint.com will be providing up-to-the minute coverage throughout the weekend at:

http://newyork.thefinalsprint.com

Make sure to bookmark newyork.thefinalsprint.com and check back often to follow our live updates, read elite athlete profiles, watch pre- and post-race press conference videos and listen to The Final Sprint Podcast interviews with the top competitors!

Event Coverage Sponsored By:
Camelbak - the originator and leader in hands-free hydration.

To learn more Camelbak Elixir, their effective, easy-to-use and portable electrolyte beverage, as well as Camelbak’s running specific hydration systems, please visit www.camelbak.com.

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The Final Sprint Podcast: Directory of Episodes

Posted September 18th, 2007 at 12:32 PM by Jimmie R. Markham

Section: Special Features, Podcasts

The Final Sprint Podcast logo You might not realize what a wealth of interviews The Final Sprint’s own Adam Jacobs has conducted over the course of 2007.

He has been extremely busy throughout the year interviewing current running legends, future legends, coaches, inspirational athletes who have overcome adversity to succeed, track & field publishers, inventors, the list goes on and on.

Here is an alphabetized list of all the podcasts that have been published so far by The Final Sprint:

Abdirahman, Abdi (Podcast 69, 08/07/07 )
Armstrong, Kristin (Podcast 20, 02/26/07 )
Barton, Michelle (Podcast 63, 07/09/07 )
Biggins, Jim (Podcast 8, 02/03/07 )
Boyett, Steve (Podcast 42, 04/26/07 )
Browne, Dan (Podcast 76, 09/10/07 )
Carruthers, Danielle (Podcast 17, 02/19/07 )
Chervenak, Mary (Podcast 77, 09/10/07 )
Clay, Bryan (Podcast 58, 06/18/07 )
Clement, Treniere (Podcast 59, 06/21/07 )
Culpepper, Alan (Podcast 15, 02/15/07 )
Daniels, Dr. Jack (Podcast 24, 03/07/07 )
Devers, Gail (Podcast 11, 02/09/07 )
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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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