I offer this post as an alternative perspective to Ricky's "Running Naked" post from yesterday (contradicting Ricky is one of my favorite pastimes). I submit that all the new technology that has emerged over the last several years has greatly enhanced the running experience in many different ways. Let's take a quick look at the different developments...
MP3's and iPod's offer an opportunity to add a neat entertainment factor to the daily run. Or, if you'd like to pump up your mental muscles while working your physical muscles, you can now listen to informational podcasts on virtually every topic out there. I would argue that more people are taking up running now that this entertainment/informational element can be added to training. There are also studies which have concluded that you tend to run a faster pace while listening to upbeat music (techno, in particular) than if you go music-less. So, arguably, adding music to the run is also a way to enhance the quality of your training.
I also see GPS systems as a way to dramatically enhance the quality of your workout. The ability to look down at your watch at any given point during your run to check your pace and distance is absolutley fantastic because it keeps you honest. If you're trying to shoot for a particular training pace then GPS can let you know if you're on track or not. For example, I'm focused on trying to break the 2:50 barrier in the marathon next year, which calls for a 6:29 pace. So my GPS (first on the X-mas list this year) will help my body and mind get used to running at that pace. Without it, I am genuinely clueless as to what pace I'm running at any given moment. GPS may not be 100% accurate (it's advertised as 99% accurate), but it's much more accurate than my current system for determining my pace, which is guessing. And even my best guess, based on 20 years of running experience, could easily be 30 seconds off in either direction.
Lightweight headlamps are another big technological development for runners. There's no need to elaborate on how much safer runners are when using them. And by the way, Ricky uses a headlamp that appears to be nuclear-powered.
Finally, digital watches are a must. I can't elaborate much on that one either, other than to say that we all have busy schedules and running ensures that we wrap up the run on time and they're virtually mandatory for speed workouts. Did Ricky really criticize the use of watches while running? And by the way, Ricky tends to develop deep emotional attachments to his Ironman watches. That story could be a whole post all by itself!
So...in response to Ricky's call for running "naked" on 2/14, I plan to look like a running cyborg that day. I'll have my MP3, GPS, headlamp, certainly my watch, and I might as well throw in that blinking red light that I usually mount to the back of my bike.
Rick...are you really an IT guy?
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