Convergence is underway amongst the peripherals. A sucker for a slick gadget, this one is a $29 iPod accessory attachment. Its receiver measures the beat in stride using 2.4 GHz wireless telemetry. [photopress:IMG_0567.jpg,full,alignleft] Data translates to distance traveled, pace, and calories burned all the while playing musical incentive through the ear buds. In theory, to complete the Nike + iPod sport kit one must purchase special shoes. Hoping to avoid that expense I learned of a hacker work-around shoe mod which secures the kit’s accelerometer transmitter using velcro. Innovative B.O.U.R.Girl came up with a similar DIY solution using materials on hand. Her custom stitched soft pouch attaches directly to the lace and secures the goods. Now for a test run…
Category Archives: jogging
SEA layover
A local airport jog through Tukwilla starts and ends with the mother of all hills. At least 3/4 mile is too steep to run and it becomes a hike instead. 7.1 miles hilly
Google Earth Placemark
BOS layover
The idea was to jog to Deer Island by way of Winthrop, MA but a missed turn on the return route put me in East Boston. Using the Sun and a sense of direction I chose a DR course which luckily allowed my return — before I expired. The intended path cruises Suffolk Downs Race Track, Short Beach, and Crystal Cove. Distance: 9.2 mi. Mostly level except for some gentle rises.
Google Earth Placemark
BOS layover
Not a place that I aspire to it but Revere Beach does have the ocean view on the one side so it does have merit. I saw many scrappy, rough looking retirees, some with Florida quality tans getting their sunshine worship. I can’t report on the sand as a running surface but the blvd sidewalk is ultra wide. From hotel to turn back point: 6.4 mi and flat.
Google Earth Placemark
JAX layover
Smooth running in the Jacksonville Tradeport. The infrastructure is in place for a planned office business park/industrial development. But until the building phase commences a perimeter view of natural wooded area is a superior. No cars mixing it up neither. The trace route loop is 5.9 miles of wide sweeping blvds.
Google Earth Placemark
first test run
With an expanding podcast directory and not enough idle time, I borrowed B.O.U.R.Girl’s iRiver and a pair of cast off headphones. Unwilling to dull the senses I’ve always taken my exercise without props. Breaking with this tradition I tuned into TWIT episode 22 and went for a jog. This mp3 player, mounted to an armband holder is unobtrusive. The dangling cable is a slight distraction while the earbud pieces do tend to produce mechanical noise of howling wind if there happens to be a breeze. Another initial bug was the less forgiving problem of having sweat rivlets rolling down the temple and onto the ear piece. The left one plugged up / shorted out at about the 4 mile mark! More testing is in order. I’m sure that an ideal setup will be found because the audio is a nice brain diversion from the pain – gain thing.
Here is a useful podcast source: NPR. Talk radio is back baby! Think what your VCR (PVR) does for your TV viewing experience. Podcasting is audio on your schedule.
LAS layover
One lap jog of Las Vegas via Paradise Rd – Riviera – (the)Strip – Flamingo Drive. Plenty of desert heat and hard pavement sidewalk. The wide open front doors of the casinos beckon tourists while allowing huge cold air to spill outward conditioning the blvd. Las Vegas is a spectacle. Even in the harsh sunlight, giant LED powered LCD video billboards dazzle. Traditional barkers have been surpassed with surround sound audio, which is synchronized to seamlessly play the width of a resort building, time shifting so as to prevent echo. It’s a kind of twisted adult theme park with shades of pirates-of-caribbean sin. Surprising though, to see other runners taking in these sights with exercise shoes on.
Google Earth Placemark
IAD layover
LAX layover
Lots of fashion on the Strand. Come to stroll, strut and be seen. I believe that most of them arrived on retro-schwinn bicycles. Pro beach society types have the practiced style and look of year-round weekend beach time. Manhattan Beach, CA is “Was up!” compared to Venice Beach – “Ich don’t think so“. Google Earth Placemark
A good lunch location is the El Sombrero #1, for authentic Mexican food. Bueno.
SEA layover
The Seattle Elliott Bay Trail runs along natural edgewater. I picked up the trail at the NCL pier and reversed course at the top of Smith Cove Waterway (2.25 mi). The course is paved and wide enough for bicycles and bladers.
Google Earth placemark