Do Want

From CrunchGear – debuted at CES.  This makes my old SportBand look generic.

This fun-looking watch is Nike+ footpod and GPS compatible, allowing you to run inside and outside without losing your speed and distance. A built-in USB port in the actual strap allows you to connect to the Nike+ website and see your stats and plan runs.

The watch is manufactured and sold by Tom Tom and clearly is an effort to push that company in new, more lucrative directions.

Running vs Cycling

Getting on the bike has seriously increased by cardio tolerance.  I feel like I can ride for hours at a steady, decent pace.  What gets me is how much strong it has made me as a runner also.  I don’t run out of breath the way I used to and my pace has shortened also.  I don’t consider myself fast at all but my confidence in my running has really shot up.  I used to not like running with anyone because I always had a problem controlling my pace and holding someone back.  Now I realized that I can keep a conversation going now without sounding winded while I talk.  That’s a cool feeling.

Some of the Nike+ Human Race 2009 peoples

The 2009 Nike Human Race this year was nothing in comparison to last year’s.  Both in the course and the event itself.  This year, it seemed like any ordinary informal meet-up around the neighborhood.  I would think maybe it was 200 people total, maybe more.  But hey, we all got a free nike dri-fit t-shirt out of it.  Can’t complain.  I clocked in 6.5 miles in 1:13.  I’m not really much on the time right now but more that I have the endurance in my legs now to do 6.5 miles and not feel tortured.  I feel like a half marathon is in my near future.  Again, I have that confidence in myself now as long as I keep it up.

Amazing crowd turn out, right?!

Leg power is such an awesome thing.  Before when I would run, I never really cared about working out my legs but I could feel that I wasn’t getting any speed during a sprint when I ran.  When I went to the gym, I would always work on my upper body because I thought running was enough for my legs.  It’s all about total conditioning.

When I starting doing more cycling, I realized I liked it a lot more than running.  Now that I started running again, it’s just as awesome.  They are complimentary and a good change of pace once in a while so you don’t burn out on doing it.  They’ve both been the game changer in my health.  Now if only I can implement it in my golf game now.  Ha!

Nike Human Race 10k vs LIVESTRONG Challenge Bike Race

Nike Human Race 10K

so this is my active life dilemma for the weekend of october 24/25.  there are two great events that weekend but in two different cities.

last year, the nike human race was a ridiculous experience. it’s definitely a challenge from doing straight runs flat runs at memorial park 3 times a week to enduring the advanced hills of austin around downtown.  there are so many things now that i wish i had done in high school if i had gone to a regular criterion school that had more extra-curricular activities.  but that’s another story.

i remember while running, i wanted to write what i felt during each mile of this race.  it’s really a mental challenge to keep pushing yourself to keep going.  i’m glad i made it and i’m really glad that my friends chad and katherine found me during the last mile during the race because i was about to walk it at that point.  running the last mile and sprinting to the finish line when you made the last turn and saw the finish line was epic.  i’ll always remember that.  the sea of red shirts was a site also.  definitely a memorable experience, if you want to experience it.

so that leads me to doing it once again, but this time it’s in houston and in the woodlands area.  i’m wondering if the course will feature challenges but i want to do it again for tradition sake and it’s just a really fun event.

LIVESTRONG Challenge

the same weekend is the livestrong challenge that i’ve gotten really amped up about doing but there are a couple things holding me back from doing it.  i’m currently trying to train for the tour de cure race on sept 19 here in houston but i realize that my bike isn’t necessarily made for the miles that i want to pursue.  this past weekend, i had rode about 80 miles over the labor day weekend span.  it’s kinda documented on my twitter.  it’s such a great feeling but i’d love a better bike to better accommodate my ride.  so i’m looking at road bikes.

this challenge supports an absolutely great cause and was mentioned to me by lynn lane, the founder of voices for survivors on twitter and i really want to get a chance to help support but also build great connections in the bike community.  they all seem to have stories as to why they ride, how they got into it and the places they’ve been to whether it being local or worldwide.  there’s a 5K/10K run on saturday, october 24 and the ride challenges start on sunday, october 25.  i thought about trying to do both but i’m not sure if my body can hang just yet.  i need to build up my athleticism more.

if you’d like to support the ride, you definitely can.  if i decide to do the ride, i’ll give you that information also.  all these events have really opened my eyes as to what’s out there and how communities do try to do things that are meaningful but also life affirming in the sense that you can accomplish your own goals but also help those around you, as well.

now it’s time to better my diet.  couple pounds off never hurt.  lighter on the bike, lighter on the knees.

ride for a purpose and let it drive you to keep going.  just like life.