Nike Plus
Following a trip to the states, most people find themselves very well fed (everything IS larger in America) and possibly the slightest bit out of shape. Well, not so much out of shape as in a different shape. It was on my return that I took the decision to purchase nike+ shoes. In the interest of trying out new technologies, I have managed back down the road of the righteous runner and am actually enjoying it. The shoes work with a little pod that fits neatly in the soles (it can also be placed in the sock in a welly boot for the same effect) and measures all sorts of fascinating information about the run or walk via the ipod. Distance covered, time spent slogging along, average time per mile, and if you put in your weight (not telling) it will measure out how many calories you have burnt, so the beers you quaff slide right off; in theory. But tie it into the nike website, the ipod syncs automatically and uploads your vitals to your account. You can view graphs of your runs, the total distance you have covered, maps of your trials and tribulations via a google plugin, and generally geek out about exercise. Imagine geeking out about exercise? Tiger woods congratulates you when you make your fastest mile, and even though you can't see straight through all of the sweat, Lance Armstrong does the same for your longest distance. It's a bit gimmicky, but pretty funny the first time. I am currently working on a training plan that should build up to a 10k run in the autumn. If that's not all, they have cool web widgets for you to display your accomplishments to the world.
