Scoshe Rhythm

A new bit of kit to review: The Scosche Rhythm, a pulse monitor and smartphone or tablet app.

I've tried this out on a run and on the bike, but can be used in the gym or at home on the exercise bike or treadmill and I must say it's a good piece of kit.

The pulse monitor needs to be purchased separately (£99/$99 RRP) but the app can be downloaded for free for the Apple or Android smartphones.

I have an Android phone and was surprised by a lot of negative reviews when I went to download the application. I think a lot of the problem is down to the individuals phone rather than the software. Mine is not the latest of phones (Samsung Galaxy W) but worked fine.

Once the pulse monitor is turned on, your device needs to be paired with the monitor via Bluetooth, this was quick and easy.

The application itself is much like most fitness apps where you log calories burned, distance, speed and pace; but here you obviously get your heart rate in realtime. The screen is clear and can be customised to suit the individual.

You get to have your own personalised home page on the website where you can review your workout or review through the app on your device.

I'm not really a listen to music while I work out kind of person, but you can control your music wirelessly and control from the monitor.

The monitor is strapped to your lower inner arm, a position I thought could be uncomfortable while working out but once I was exercising, soon forgot it was there. 

I would definitely recommend, especially if you like to train with your heart rate zones. 

http://www.scosche.com/rhythm

Kalenji Kiprun LD

 

Being injured wasn't going to stop me taking my new trainers that I had received to review, out for a spin last Saturday.

 

A beautiful morning so I took myself down to my local parkrun to try out the Kalenji Kiprun LD pronation trainer.

 

Weighing in at 345g the trainer feels nice and lightweight and to look at appears to be a nice structured shoe. The Kiprun comes in 3 different models. The SD (short distance) MD (mid distance) and the LD (long distance).

 

Despite not being able to run far at present I chose the LD pronation model as once the ankle injury is resolved I will be ramping back up the distance and training for marathons again. also like many runners I overpronate and have flat arches, so the pronation model was good for me.

The following paragraphs best describe each model:

 The Kiprun SD, designed for races of around 10km, is a lightweight, neutral shoe which is ideal for fast training and interval sessions as well as shorter races. There is a specific EVA component in the midsole which provides a the essential boost for fast running, while the Kiprun’s proprietary CS® technology in the heel, creates long-lasting shock absorption. 

The Kiprun MD has been developed for half marathons, with a focus on cushioning. There are three layers of EVA, with varying densities to provide the optimum cushioning performance and forefoot cushioning provided by an insert which distributes impact reducing pressure on the first metatarsus. The shoe is also available in a neutral and pronation model for both men and women.

 The Kiprun LD has been developed for training for and racing in marathons and provides the most cushioning of all the Kiprun shoes. The heel of the shoe is made up of a series of decoupled pads which individually deform on impact to give the optimum shock absorption on long runs. With the addition of a TPU Pebax plate, which is a high-performance plastic insert delivering energy, flexibility, durability and comfort, this shoe is ideal for those looking to take their running as far as they can.

My parkrun covers a bit of all terrains (fields, towpath and gravel paths) so it was a good run out to put the trainer through it's paces. Clearly this is a road running shoe and the harder smoother surfaces were where they felt at their best.

Retailing at £74.99 this is a reasonable price compared to the bigger well known branded models. I've been through a lot of different trainers and I must say that these compared favourably against more expensive trainers.

The run was comfortable (despite my nagging ankle) and my feet felt secure and supported.

Appearance wise the trainer looks a little 'plasticky' with a lot of detailing on the shoe but no reflective elements which would have been nice but on the plus side good ventilation in the roomy forefoot of the trainer.

 

Overall this is a great trainer that would quite happily perform the miles for marathon training and I would not hesitate to use them. If you can get over any trainer snobbery you might have and don't mind turning up to the start line in a Micra rather than a Mercedes you may just be pleasantly surprised with the journey, after all it's mostly down to whose in the shoe and not the shoe itself isn't it?

Cushioning - 8 out of 10, Plenty of support in the heel and mid foot areas
Comfort - 8 out of 10, A comfortable ride
Flexibility - 7 out of 10, A little rigid
Responsiveness - 7 out of 10, Not bad response from this budget trainer 

Overall 30 out of 40

 

 

The long and winding road...to recovery

It seems like an eternity ago that I suffered my injury, it's actually only 14 weeks. I say 'only' but that's an incredibly long time for someone who has been running consistently for 8 years.

The only other time I suffered previous was with Achilles problems a few years ago, but I wasn't out for this length of time.

The ankle is still not right, I get pains when I move it in certain positions it looks slightly deformed, but it is slowly healing. I am feeling progress.

I've had enough now of waiting, and I've become impatient, and tried to get out the door for a couple of runs recently. I went with my eldest son on the trails of the local ranges. It was great, the ankle felt ok (ish) and running with my son was a bonus too. I felt like I had retuned home.

Last week and I ran in a new area on the way home from a work meeting. Beautiful area but I kept mostly to the roads as I didn't know where I was running. Achieved 4 miles but the Tarmac was not good for the ankle and I felt like I had gone backwards with recovery.

I did however find a stream to give my ankle a nice natural soothing ice bath!

I ran in my lunch break this week along the canal and for the first mile was getting excited with how the ankle was feeling and holding up, but by the end of the 3.5 mile run normal service had resumed, and the aches and pains were back.

I'm going to try my local parkrun in the morning, it's fields and canal path so the terrain should be kind on the injury and I'll see how I feel after that.

Nutrition is an interest to me, but that's gone out the window (comfort eating) and as I'm not running I'm enjoying the extra glass of vino knowing I've not got to get up early the next morning! Eating and drinking a slippery slope....I'm not going down. The minds become jaded and definitely not as clear with what regular running brings (runners will know what I mean). I have found green smoothies though (see last post) so good for you, and cheap and easy to make. I have definitely felt the benefit of these and I would highly recommend.

I've got 3 months to prepare for a marathon, I still believe I can make it, I'm cycling a couple of times 

and got back into swimming and try and swim at least 800m two mornings a week, and every few days now I'm going to throw in a short run to slowly strengthen the ankle plus icing and stretching.

I'm still waiting for the results of my MRI scan which I had ages ago, but a mix up with appointments meant it got delayed. Only another week to wait for that though.

It's been a tough few months but it has taught me one thing, never take the gift of being able to run for granted.

Green Smoothie - The Sequel!

Since my last post I've been working hard in my Green Smoothie Factory and I've now fine tuned my Supercharged Green Smoothie; I've swapped water for Soya Milk and added Strawberries and Flaxseeds. The result: A tastier and even better for you smoothie! I now try and drink everyday for breakfast and its surprisingly filling...Enjoy.

Ingredients

• Handful of Baby Spinach leaves
• Handful of Curly Kale
• 4-5 large Strawberries
• 1 Kiwi fruit (peeled)
• 1 Apple (chopped)
• 2 inches of Cucumber (sliced)
• 300ml Soya Milk
• Squirt of Lemon juice
• 1 inch of fresh Ginger (grated)
• 1 heaped tablespoon Flaxseeds

Method

•  Blend and enjoy and become supercharged! It's that simple.

Warning: Drinking too many Green Smoothies can cause side effects!!!

Supercharged Green Smoothie

It seems green smoothies are all the rage at the moment in the world of nutrition. If like me you turn your nose up at the thought of drinking raw vegetables and that these drinks were only for tree hugging hippies, then think again and try my recipe below. Its a simple and quick and easy way of getting a good portion of fruit and veg and are chocked full of goodness....you may just be surprised how great they taste.

Ingredients

• Handful of Baby Spinach leaves
• Handful of Curly Kale
• 1 Kiwi fruit (peeled)
• 1 Apple (chopped)
• 2 inches of Cucumber (sliced)
• 300ml Water
• Squirt of Lemon juice
• 1 inch of fresh Ginger (grated)

Method

• I tend to blend a few ingredients at a time so not to burn my little blender out, but basically it is throw it all in, blend and enjoy and become supercharged!

...and don't forget...it's good being GREEN :-)

 

Tupper #10

Injury update #3

After only attending the fracture clinic last week, it was a surprise to get my MRI appointment come through so quickly.

So it was back to the hospital....again, and a MRI scan to hopefully shed some more light on my ankle injury.

It was a long walk to the remote MRI unit at the hospital, but the cheery assistant who walked me to my destiny, told me amusing stories of how people who had not declared metal implants or body piercings literally got sucked up to the roof of the scan unit due to its strong magnetic forces!

MRI unit

Once I got settled in and was laying on the bed about to be sent into the giant tube of the MRI unit, I was given head phones that would play music to dull out the loud sounds the machine made. It reminded me of a game show where one of the contestants goes into the booth with headphones and music so the cant hear their partners answers!

I had been looking forward to this all day, a chance to be on my own in my little world away from the stresses of the modern world, and 25 minutes of rare 'me' time. I think everyone needs 'me' time. That's one of the reasons I run and one of the reasons I run mostly trails rather than roads.

One moment you're stuck in the office with phones ringing, emails, deadlines; the next in the middle of the woods without a soul around and everything stripped back to just the basics.

'Me' Time

I was told I must not move at all costs...so straight away,up appears the little devil on the shoulder egging you on to scratch that itch that's started to annoy you on your nose!

I managed to distract myself and focus on the music that was playing. A strange choice of dance music that wanted to get my toe tapping rather than relax me, and rather bizarrely it seemed to pick up a local pirate hip hop station with the DJ chatting to his mate...Bizarre!

Any way after my 'me time, I was told I now needed to wait until I was given an appointment from the specialist to review the scan.

Hopefully it wont be too long. The ankle does seem to slowly be improving, so its a case of upping the cycling next week along with introducing some swimming and then fingers crossed I'll be in good shape to start running again soon.