Software and Running = Part 1

When I started exercising more the first thing I bought was a fairly simple pedometer. It is a Omron Model HJ-720ITC which has the ability to export data into it’s own software tracking program. The first entry was August 1, 2007.

As of today I have more than 1,450 miles and 2,600,000 steps recorded in the last 14 months. Note that the miles is probably not all that accurate since the stride length used to calculate distance was set up for a walking pace, and my running stride is somewhat longer, so the distance shown is correspondingly shorter. I use this mostly as a reference number so am not disturbed with the inaccuracy knowing in my mind that I have run far more than the pedometer indicates.

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Click on the picture to see a larger image.
Pocket Pedometer with PC software HJ-720ITC
Omron’s most technologically advanced pedometer, model HJ-720ITC, now includes Omron Health Management Software to help you track days, weeks, months and years of exercise. Simply connect the pedometer with its USB connection to your PC to begin tracking your health today. The pedometer measures steps, aerobic steps (10 minutes or more of continuous movement), calories and distance. Your path to better health is just steps away.

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I still wear the pedometer when I exercise whether it is running, walking, treadmill, etc. I do not wear it all day which a lot of people do, but I am more interested in seeing what efforts I expend outside of normal activity.

The plus’es to the pedometer are that it resets automatically every day at midnight so you do not have to remember to reset it to capture the daily steps. Another plus is it seems very accurate in picking up steps. It does not seem overly sensitive as to where it is kept or worn while in use.

The negatives to the pedometer. It resets itself every night, and only every night. It cannot be manually reset. If I transport the pedometer it will begin counting steps before I begin an exercise period and it cannot be zeroed before I begin. Sometimes this can add a significant amount of steps. To some degree they can be ignored since they typically are not “aerobic” steps, and I mainly track only aerobic activity. But it does mess up totals. Another negative is that it is very sensitive, and will pick up steps wherever it is located…. including in a suitcase or even sitting on a car seat. This is what adds “unearned” steps. Basically the strengths are also the undesired traits.

The plus’es of the ability to download all the activity into the software outweigh the negatives, at least for my use.

If anyone is aware of  a pedometer on the market that can be manually reset and also downloads daily data to a PC please let me know! Until I find one the Omron Pedometer gets the Team Toe-Jammer seal of approval.

Until the final foot fall falls over the land,

George

Kensington 15K – Ann Arbor Track Club – AATC

A first for me, a 15K or 9.2 mile race. Longest race to date! Having done a few training runs of 10-12 miles I decided I could tackle this race. I am happy to say the ambulance did not carry me off, and while I would have liked to finish higher in my age group, overall I am in the top 50% (48% actually). Again this shows the fitness level of 55-59 year olds that I am up against! In that group I was 17 out of 20 which puts me in the bottom 15%! A big difference.

Kensington Metro Park is one of the larger, if the not largest in the area. It encompasses the large lake and is quite a nice setting. Lots of activites we may try some time, horseback riding, biking and maybe even some walking.  You can see the pictures of the park and the race Since the path loops the lake there are not so many of the actual race.

The Kensington Challenge 15K

By the numbers

By the numbers:

a) 15 Kilometers = 9.2 miles.

b) ran at a 10:02 per mile pace, 1:33:24 total time.

c) finished 229 out of 473 overall, so finished in the top 48% of all runners.

d) finished 17 out of 20 in my age group.

e) had a great time, which was the real race goal!

The race went great, a new PR for me, and a pretty good pace.

From Last Post:

You know, I am sorta getting an urge to try a half marathon… but trying to resist until next year. Just barely doing the 5 mile thing right now. Maybe I will try a 10 miler before I make the jump. There should be some coming up yet this year. We’ll see.

Okay, that’s done, now do I go and try the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon in October?

Web site tracking of races.

The race is in it’s 25th year and is presented by the Ann Arbor Track Club. https://www.aatrackclub.org/

Until the final winding path is run and the hills are all level,

George

Hell of a Race

Good Lord! All I wanted to do was go for a simple run, it ended up with everyone in the house going to Hell!

It was a balmy Saturday morning, A great day for a run, so headed up to the “Metro Parks” area, and Hell Creek Ranch. They have an annual 10 mile run and a shorter 8K (4.8 miles, although  this seems to be easily confused and often called a 5 Mile race.)

Since it runs through the town (?) of Hell Michigan it is billed as “Run Thru Hell” race. An good attention getter for sure. The town itself seems to consist of one bar, one restaurant and one ice cream and tourist novelty store. You can see real pictures of Hell if you go to the end of the photo album.

The Run thru Hell 8K

 Some photos of the race and of Hell Michigan.

There were a couple of long steady climbs getting up and out of the starting area, but then had the luxury of the same going down hill. The course was wide compared to the trail runs, and did not have to dodge a single stump, rock or tree limb! At the turn for the 8K or 10 Mile you did have to dodge the devil though, as he was sending the runners down “the right path to Hell!” and at the same time throwing fire balls at them. (The hot jaw breaker fire balls that is.)

How does this go again? Left foot, now right foot, then left foot again.... go it

Let’s go over this one more time…. it’s left foot, then left right foot, and then left foot again? Getting sage advice from the coach. Click on the picture and you will see it paid off!!

By the numbers:

a) 4.8 miles.

b) ran at a 9:38 per mile pace, 46:15 total time (0:49:52 total time pre-race guess/calculation based on prior performance)

c) finished 618 out of 986 overall, so finished in the top 63% of all runners.

d) finished 13 out of 25 in my age group.

e) had a great time, which was the real race goal!

The race went great, a new PR for me, and a pretty good pace. After hitting the finish line the race hosts sort of broke down, only two people sitting out cups of water, no bottles, lines being cut by everyone so if you were waiting you went backwards in line! Then only a few dry cookies, and with no water sorta pasty in the mouth. There were plenty of bananas, as least when I went by, not sure if they held out until the 10 mile people got there or not.

You know, I am sorta getting an urge to try a half marathon… but trying to resist until next year. Just barely doing the 5 mile thing right now. Maybe I will try a 10 miler before I make the jump. There should be some coming up yet this year. We’ll see.

Some stats to go with the race.

Until the devil is evicted from the netherworld,

George

“The Legend” Serious Series Part III

The 2008 Running Fit “Serious Series” is now in the books with the final of the three races being run today.

The Northville Road Runner 8K

The race was a good day, weather nice but not as hot as predicted. It did not rain, and the hills were not so steep as the other two races in the series.

While the hills were nothing like the Road Ends trail race, they were still long and steep enough to get the thighs burning. More hill work on the training schedule!!

The Legend - Award for Age Group Win

By the numbers:

a) 5.0 miles.

b) ran at a 10:26 per mile pace, 52:12 total time (0:55:00 total time pre-race guess)

c) finished 81 out of 135 overall, so finished in the top 60% of all runners. . .

d) finished 3 out of 4 in my age group.

e) had a great time, which was the real race goal!

There are not a lot of pictures available but they are on the web site.

Until the final hill is conquered,

George

Northville Road Runners 8K. . . er. . .8K?

The 2008 Northville Road Runner Classic is now in the books. (For information on next years race, go to https://www.northvilleroadrunners.org/nrr/index.html )

The Northville Road Runner 8K

The race was a combination of trail and pavement, maybe 3 miles asphalt and 2 miles trail with an official total of 4.8 miles. (thats what 8K is, right.)

While the hills were nothing like the Road Ends trail race, they were still long and steep enough to get the thighs burning. More hill work on the training schedule!!

The Northville Road Runner 8K - #49

By the numbers:

a) 8K, or 4.8 miles.

b) ran at a 10:03 per mile pace, 49:43 total time (0:45:00 total time pre-race guess)

c) finished 126 out of 165 overall, so finished in the top 76% of all runners. . .

d) finished 5 out of 5 in my age group. It’s tough when the #3 overall finisher is in your age group! Definitely something to aspire to!

e) had a great time, which was the real race goal!

There are a few pictures available which I will get posted sometime.

Until the final hill is conquered,

George

Amazing Discovery made after 58 years!

Perhaps I should not admit to this, but for years I have suffered from “crooked bows”, yes, crooked bows are real and can lead to major embarrassment in social situations! I want to get the word out so that others suffering from this malady may read this, find condolence in knowing they are not alone, and may benefit from my advise on how I have finally conquered it!

Yes, it’s true after 58 long years of suffering from crooked bows I have finally resolved the knotty problem, made adjustments to my life styles, and tied a knot around the problem.

Background: For years my shoelaces have had bows that are perpendicular to normal persons shoelaces. Sad but true, with one bow laying across the laces and the other pointing the way up my leg, under my pants cuff, and in general running amok! While I never outwardly let people know how distraught this made me, inside I would cringe whenever I would notice people eying my shoes. It did not matter the brand of shoe, the type of lace, if I double knotted, or did an extra “safety twist”, the bows pointed to the North and South as surely as the best Boy Scout compass! For awhile I was saved when the popularity of Velcro replacing laces was in vogue. However as most fashion statements, it waned and with it went my self esteem again. Now only my sandals have Velcro, but they too are wearing out after years of faithful service.

The Life Style Change: As you can see from the earlier posts I have begun getting a little exercise, and part of that includes some walking and running. To do this properly I purchased some “real” running shoes. (Neutral – Cushioned as far as shoe type descriptions go. Asics Gel Nimbus 9 and 10 as for exact models.) To make sure I used the shoes to the best of their ability, which far exceeds mine, I used the internet to research some various method of lacing shoes.

The Breakthrough: As I was reviewing the different methods of lacing I tried a couple ways that looked like they were something I thought might add, or subtract actually, time from my running pace. As I was experimenting one time I tied the bow just slightly different than I ever had before, suddenly before my eyes the bows laid down, pointing perfectly due East and West as if they had been doing that for the last 42 years! I was astounded, flabbergasted one might say! How could this be, such a simple change, with such a dramatic effect. To me it measures right up there with Bells first telephone transmission, Marconi’s first wireless transmission, and maybe even Goodyear’s discovery of vulcanization!

How did I achieve this remarkable breakthrough. How has it affected my life by allowing me to mingle in social situations, be accepted by my exercise peers, brought me fortune and fame beyond my wildest dreams? Please visit the Kazology store and order a copy of “How to bilk millions achieve your Dreams”. Only a small annual recurring fee, plus appropriate charges for shipping and handling and you too can become as confident as me in nearly all social situations! If you want to run sub 3 marathons you must Act now! UnLimited copies available at this time. Offer only valid in the continental US, in states which have no Better Business Bureau, or have names beginning with the letter Z.

Caution highly detail photo may be upsetting to some people.  Fame, fortune and sub 3 marathons are within reach with these bows!

The Future: Will I ever revert back to the old bow tying method, will I have a lapse in memory and forget how I achieved this remarkable event so that it remains a mystery to me, as much as why all the Cliff Dwelling Indian’s disappeared? Only time will tell.

I feel so good in having this monkey off my back after so many years, that I felt I must get the word out to other sufferers to let them know there is a cure!

Until the final shoe is properly laced,

George