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Technology and fitness. Two of my favorite topics to talk about.

A couple of weeks ago, I learned about Oscar, an insurance company in New York and New Jersey that is using technology to help make healthcare more simple. They are even offering a free MisFit tracker to help their customers stay active. I love talking about technology and fitness, so I thought it would be great to share how I use technology to stay on track with health and fitness.

I think of technology in many ways, not just gadgets but tools that help keep me accountable and aside from my running shoes, and this winter, my layers, I sadly cannot get out the door without the technology I mention below.

Like my folder titles?!?!

iPhone. I know this is a cop-out answer but it’s true. My phone is the key to many of the apps and programs I will mention below. Plus, my iPhone holds my critical running playlists that I need to listen to while on the treadmill, especially now that I finished Serial!

Studio apps. I love that my favorite exercise studios have iPhone apps. It’s so easy to book a class when it pops into my head and it even prompts me to directly add it to my Google calendar. Thank you Local Barre and Prime Cycle.

March 8th is looking like a really long run day!

Google calendar. Josh and I share our personal calendars. It’s mainly for him since he can’t remember anything and I am an elephant. Regardless, I put everything on the calendar from my exercise classes to training runs and even just blocking off time each weekend for my long runs. In some ways instead of carrying around my marathon training plan around with me, I just add it to the calendar.

Thank goodness for podcasts to get me through this winter (oh wait, it’s not over yet…)

Overcast app. I listened to the entire season of Serial over the course of 7 runs, only because one of those runs was 15 miles long. This app has been a savior with all the indoor running I’ve had to do this winter. I look forward to downloading other podcasts especially since I don’t think this winter is getting better anytime soon.

Okay, fine, this is me trying to be inspirational…

Social media. I know that there is much more to Instagram and Twitter than for people like me to post running related things but it serves a dual purpose. The days I am feeling lazy, I go into one of my social media feeds when I see posts from friends or other people/companies I follow in the health and fitness sector and boom, I feel bad for being lazy. Hopefully others feel the same away about my posts… at least sometimes.

Over 21,000 steps for the day!

Nike+ Fuelband. While there are so many new wearable products out now and I don’t believe the Fuelband is the best available (you can read my full review here), I really like the ability to track my activity from my wrist. I fully realize that it is not 100% accurate but it holds me more accountable. In fact, after I received my Fuelband, we gifted them to Josh’s whole family. For a while, we were syncing with the Nike+ Fuel app and were able to engage in some friendly competition (though I have to say I mostly always won… that’s what marathon training does to you, huh?).

Awesome watch!

Garmin Forerunner 220 GPS watch. I love this watch (my full review is here). I purchased a GPS watch as soon as I started marathon training and I highly recommend it to anyone who thinks they are serious about running. Even if you’re just starting out, an entry-level GPS watch would be a good start. For me, there’s something about a shiny new toy helps motivate me (some new clothes too, but this post is about technology). The great thing about the Garmin Forerunner watches is that it syncs wirelessly with the Garmin Connect app and through adapter on the computer. The app not only tracks your runs, splits, shoes (new feature!), notes, etc, but it also lets you connect with others. You’d be surprised how beneficial that is. Some of my running friends (you might be thinking running nerds soon) “stalk” each other to see how many miles they’ve run that week or even to see what their splits are for a specific run. Okay, I know that this sounds a little creepy, but it helps with accountability and motivation to push a little harder.

Mileage tracker on my blog

RunningAHEAD. In addition to syncing my runs with Garmin, I also update with RunningAHEAD. At the time, I really liked it for the shoe mileage tracking feature since Garmin didn’t have it but overall, I like the user interface of RunningAHEAD more and it also works well as a feed into the mileage tracker on my blog.

cindyruns.com. Of course, my blog! Blogging makes me accountable and hopefully inspires some along the way. I also read a ton of other running blogs and these bloggers inspire me more and more each day. I originally started blogging to document training for my first marathon so that way I can share it with family and friends but over time, blogging morphed into much more than that. Blogging is another way for me to focus on the positives.

There are so many other tools that I used to use or periodically, like an online food diary and some of which I mentioned in an earlier post about marathon training while on vacation, but this is a list of tools that I rely on. There are so many options out there, and things that work for me, may not work for everyone, but I think the most important aspect is that technology really helps make staying active easier.

I’m interested in learning about other cool apps or gadgets that you use. What are your favorite technology tools for health and fitness?

I’ve decided that traveling for work is never really easy. You’re uprooted from your weekly routine and usually work hours are much longer while away than they are while in the office. It’s especially worst when you’re marathon training and in the last week before the taper period.

Two weeks ago, I went to Indianapolis for three nights and was fretting about my running and eating schedule. Fortunately with a little preparation, I was able to maintain a decent diet and fit in two planned runs. Some pointers I found that worked for me are:

–Monitor the weather for the city you’re going to. In my case, I was lucky that the weather was nice and breezy so I didn’t have to wake up too early to run outside.
–Pack light. I am not a light packer but I’ve found that when I overpack especially for a couple of days, I get overwhelmed when deciding what to wear. For this trip, I packed one pair of running shoes (even though I would have alternated between two if I were at home) and just enough running clothes.
–Research running routes. Usually for big cities, you can find routes on MapMyRun or even Garmin (if you have an account). Unfortunately, since I didn’t know the area too well and the routes for Indianapolis weren’t terribly recent, I had to dig a little deeper. Lucky for me, the hotel I was staying at had a running route published on their website and they gave me a laminated hard copy version at check-in. Thank you RunWestin!

Thank you RunWestin!

–Get a tough workout done at home first. My schedule worked out where I had a later flight on a Tuesday so I was able to get a sprint workout in earlier in the day. Knowing that I got one of my tougher workouts done and out-of-the-way, I felt better knowing I didn’t have to fit that in an unfamiliar environment.
–Plan your workouts. I mentally planned what I wanted to accomplish each day before I even left. Granted I only had two runs to plan for, so it was much easier, I find that it helps you know what exactly what you want to do in advance.
–The treadmill is your best friend. Book a hotel that has a treadmill, even if it is in a small gym. If you can’t run outside for whatever reason… weather, safety, lack of route, timing… knowing that there is a treadmill in your hotel will be a savior.
–Ignore your GPS watch. When running a foreign route, especially with a map in hand, I find that I am stopping a lot, either to take pictures or to make sure I am on the right path. That is when I just ignore the watch for pacing and just go by the distance I want to cover. There is no need to fret about pacing when you should enjoy exploring a new city.
–Take lots of pictures. I love exploring by foot and am guilty of taking running selfies but I was good about not doing so this time. I did however, take a lot of pictures along the way. It’s a great way to take the focus away from your watch but also to capture memories.

Picturesque route

–Find colorful meals to eat and pack snacks. This part is the hardest. Some meals are preplanned already and a ton of cocktails or socials you need to attend. Where possible, I tried to find an escape for meals that I could control… hence Qdoba and Panera, neither of which are the healthiest options but at least I could count on getting in carbs, protein, and veggies. I also always travel with snacks, my favorite are LaraBars (Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is the best flavor).

Qdoba burrito bowl with guacamole

–Travel in comfortable clothes. I absolutely cannot sit still, so even an hour plane ride is too long for me. I find that it helps to wear comfortable clothes while traveling. It’s hard to do so for work trips. To make sure I was comfortable on the way home, I changed out of work clothes before checking out of the hotel and put on something that doesn’t look too casual but super comfortable. If you’re looking for a pair of pants that don’t look like workout pants but are just as ridiculously comfortable, try Athleta’s Interlude Ankle Pant (they’re even on sale now, I may need to get an extra pair or two).
–Read a running book or something inspirational. If you’re mental like me, you’ll need something to take your mind off the fact that maybe you didn’t run as fast as you would have liked and/or can’t handle waiting at an airport. Fortunately, I had my signed copy of Nick Symmonds’ Life Outside the Oval Office. It was such an easy, fast and inspirational read. Nick is a clearly an accomplished runner but I really enjoyed learning more about his background, running goals, and what it’s like at the Olympics from the athlete’s perspective.

“Lounging” at the airport

Indianapolis Water Company Canal

Indianapolis was a gorgeous city to run in. I opted to run one day on a treadmill since I had an earlier meeting and was able to fit in some light core work as well. The next day I followed the route that the hotel recommended and added in an extra mile along the canal. It’s a very scenic route which includes the Eiteljorg Museum of Western and Indian Art, Victory Field, Indianapolis Zoo, NCAA Hall of Champions, IUPUI campus, and the Indianapolis Water Company Canal. The route is relatively flat with the exception of the pedestrian bridges and the weather was perfect for running when I was there. Running through a city is one of the best ways to see it and I am so glad I was able to do so in Indianapolis.

See work travel isn’t all that bad, right?!?

cindyruns

Category Archives: Garmin

Technology and fitness

Running in Indianapolis (and pointers for running while away)

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