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Lead Stories: Friday, September 5, 2008

Peaksware announces FitnessPeaks built on Microsoft HealthVault

Posted October 5th, 2007 at 7:00 AM by Jeanie Rebb

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

Peaksware, LLC, the leading provider of software systems to help motivated individuals and professionals achieve health, fitness and peak performance, today announced that it has released FitnessPeaks. Built on HealthVault, Microsoft Corp.’s newly launched consumer health platform, FitnessPeaks provides a safe and easy solution to monitor, analyze and plan exercise and nutrition information in a single place. FitnessPeaks offers stand alone functionality including interactive meal and exercise plans and also gives users the opportunity connect with health and fitness professionals online.

“Peaksware has built a track record of trust with over a thousand endurance coaches and the athletes they serve around the world through our TrainingPeaks product line,” said Donavon Guyot CEO of Peaksware, LLC. “By combining our existing systems with the functionality provided by Microsoft HealthVault, we are confident that FitnessPeaks will offer health and fitness providers a compelling new platform to extend their services beyond the walls of offices and health clubs.”
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Tips for Runners: Overcoming the perils of travel

Posted April 26th, 2007 at 2:35 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips, Health & Fitness, Exercise

In just the past month, I have had to travel on business to three different destinations on three separate occasions. This plethora of traveling has often made it difficult to run, but since I maintain an active racing schedule, I really can’t afford to have these trips impede on the 80-90 miles of weekly running required by my training program.

After my most recent trip, I returned home fatigued and endured a series of terrible runs on the ensuing days. I’ve been spending these trips sitting around a conference table, not hiking around or digging ditches, so it was not immediately clear to me why travel is so taxing on the body.

However, after serious reflection, I identified several reasons why traveling can be perilous to a running regimen:

1. Change of schedule. We are creatures of routine and habit, and this is something that is not just psychological, but also physiological. This is why I am unable to sleep in on weekends anymore and why I get tired at the same time every night. Upset that routine and our body clocks get upset too. The result is fatigue.

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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.

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It’s time! … To start rotating your running shoes!

Posted January 26th, 2007 at 9:00 AM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Gear & Apparel, Running Shoes, Training Tips

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TFS. Also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

Rotating two or more pairs of running shoes can produce the following benefits:

1. Reduced risk of injury.
2. Extended lifespan of shoes.
3. Flexibility to use different types of shoes for different types of runs.

It takes up to 48 hours after just a few miles of running for the midsoles of running shoes to fully recover their shock absorption properties. Allowing them time to recover at least that long reduces one’s risk of injury and extends the life span of the shoes.
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TFS Podcast 2: Interview with MotionLingo’s Jeff Lovejoy

Posted January 15th, 2007 at 7:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

This week I had the opportunity to interview Jeff Lovejoy, President and Founder of MotionLingo. Jeff spoke with me about the creation of MotionLingo’s Adeo Fitness Trainer; the first GPS-enabled training device to provide audio updates during your workout.

We also discussed The Final Sprint’s hands-on review of the Adeo and my plans to put it to the test by running with it throughout a spring half-marathon. Download the podcast to learn more about the Adeo, their MotionTrak training log and what the future holds for MotionLingo.

Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select save as).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Jeff Lovejoy
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 13.5MB
Length: 00:19:42

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

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Keeping sane during injury

Posted January 13th, 2007 at 4:00 PM by Paul Petersen

Section: Running & Training, Injury & Rehab

Running injuries present many challenges. Getting the injury diagnosed and implementing a rehabilitation program are at the forefront, but keeping your SANITY during the potentially long layoff is often overlooked and can be very problematic.

We injury-ridden runners have all had our “Shining” moments: All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no runs makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy. All elliptical and no run makes Jack a dull boy…You get the picture.

Although injured runners going through withdraw usually aren’t homocidal, we do become the next worst thing: grouchy, frustrated, depressed, and, yes, slightly insane. Maybe it’s the loss of structure and stress release to our day, maybe it’s the lack of “runner’s high” in our chemical diet, maybe it’s weight gain due to decreased activity, maybe it’s the loss of part of our social network. Whatever it is, any spouse of an injured runner can tell you that we are no fun to be around!
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Rookie running guidelines for long-term fitness

Posted January 9th, 2007 at 2:30 PM by Christopher Jack

Section: Running & Training, Nutrition, Healthy Eating, Health & Fitness, Exercise

The passing of another year means it’s that time again; time to look to the future and resolve to create that better you. For many, personal health and fitness become the centerpiece of their New Year’s Resolution.

Running can be an ideal and long-term means to those ends as long as you follow these simple guidelines:

Set a goal. The downfall of many beginners is setting a goal that is too high considering their running experience and fitness level. Starting small and building up can protect a new runner from injury and the frustration that may accompany failure.
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First Marathon Uncertainties

Posted December 7th, 2006 at 7:00 AM by Jim Fortner

Section: Running & Training, Training Tips

Jim Fortner is a weekly, guest contributor to TFS. Make sure to also check out his own personal running and advice site: “Jim2’s Running Page”.

It’s perfectly natural for a runner to have a lot of uncertainty while training for his or her first marathon. There are so many things to question yourself about …

Am I running enough miles? Am I getting enough rest? Should my longest run be 18 or 28 miles….or somewhere in-between? How many 20 mile runs should I do? Should I structure walking breaks into my long runs? Should I do speedwork? If so, what kind and how much? Should I use sports gels and/or powerbars during my long runs? And on….and on!

Different marathon training plans or “experts” will give you conflicting answers. All are right and all are wrong for your specific needs!
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WIRELESS RUN TRACKER: The One Service That Every Runner Needs

Posted October 7th, 2006 at 7:10 PM by Adam Jacobs

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

Wish that you could have all the advantages of a Nike+iPod Sportkit +, Garmin Forerunner, MP3 player, Google maps and even your cell phone with you on your run? Well now . . . YOU CAN with a “Wireless Run Tracker”-enabled mobile phone.

Runner’s World, Bones in Motion (an application development company) and various cell phone companies have teamed up to create “Wireless Run Tracker” - a service that will make runners of all levels and abilities, gadget lovers and technology enthusiasts all go wild.

For a fee of only $9.99 a month (added to your cell phone bill) you can use your GPS enabled cell phones on Verizon Wireless, Nextel and Sprint services to track/measure your runs, find/share routes, help you to avoid getting lost and see real-time information on your phone’s screen.

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