Tag Archives: Activities

Life

How to Log Runs Online

If you are anything like me, you are best motivated to keep exercising or running when you can see the progress that you have been making. Over the past year I have tried a few different websites and iPhone apps to track and analyze my runs. Here is a rundown of the best resources to track and log your runs online.

Best Websites to Log Runs Online

RunKeeper
This is by far the best site I have found to log my runs. The clean and simple RunKeeper site makes it easy to add an activity with a dedicated “Post Activity” button. Once you have an account, you can log a run by clicking around a map and then entering the time it took. RunKeeper then calculates key running metrics like pace and distance. The mapping tool is easy to use with just one option of “Snap to Roads” along with a Undo and Reset button.

For those who want an extensive array of graphs showing different aspects of their running history, you can upgrade to RunKeeper Pro. This is not necessary to get most of the site’s features including the ability to share runs with friends and track performance on the same route over time.

Gmaps Pedometer and Google Docs
Before I found RunKeeper, Gmaps Pedometer was my bare bone solution to tracking my runs.  The site offers just a mapping tool similar to the one found in RunKeeper. The tool is great for those of you who want to map out a run without having to log in to a website. It offers the ability to map to roads or straight lines and can save routes for viewing later.

In order to record your history on Gmaps Pedometer, I recommend using a Spreadsheet in Google Docs. This free online software allows you to set up your own spreadsheet. Here you can enter the date of your run, the distance provided by Gmaps Pedometer, and your time. Then you’ll need to set up formulas to calculate pace. Finally you can copy in the link to your route saved at Gmaps Pedometer for future use.

MapMyRun
This website is a direct competitor of RunKeeper, but is overwhelmed with options and advertisements making it very annoying to use. One great example of this is an ad that sits in the middle of your map while you try to route making it hard to navigate around. MapMyRun does have a test version of their website you may be able to use with less and ads and a cleaner interface, but I still have trouble with bugs that make it hard for me to undo a click in the wrong spot on the map or to log in after starting a map.

The MapMyRun site does have some useful mapping tools like the ability to automatically complete a loop or go straight back to the start for an out and back run. Until they clean up their site though, it’s not worth the time or frustration that you could save at RunKeeper.

Best iPhone Apps to Log Runs

Nike+ GPS ($1.99)
While Nike does not have an online tool to route runs, the company does have the best iPhone app to use. The Nike+ app will record a map of your route using GPS and color code it based on your pace during the run. What sets it apart is its use of the accelerometer to calculate your distance and pace while running. This requires a few calibration runs where you fix the distance afterwards (use a tool like Gmap Pedometer above to get it right) and then is accurate within 0.01 miles.

Runs recorded with the Nike+ app are sent to an online Nike+ Runs site full of more features. You can set goals or enter challenges with friends for extra motivation. You can also find training schedules for different running distances. Best of all, superstars like Lance Armstrong will congratulate you after setting personal bests.

iMapMyRun (Free with ads or $4.99)
This app syncs up with the MapMyRun website mentioned above. It provides a simple option for tracking runs but only uses GPS. Because of this, there is a chance the routing will cut corners on your run and give you a shorter than actual distance. The app also features the ability to sync with heart rate monitors to provide you with useful information regarding your level of effort.

RunKeeper (Free with ads or $9.99)
This app is simple and easy to use and compares closely with the iMapMyRun app. Lately though the app has struggled with bugs that erased users’ running data, but hopefully this will improve.

Activity CLUB

Ways to Have Fun on a Budget: Kubb

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With football season starting back up strong, tailgating games are back in fashion.  Some of the more popular games including Corn Hole and Ladder Ball offer a simple setup and team competition, but often lack a touch of strategy that makes another game great.  A Swedish game called Kubb is set to spread like wildfire among the lawn game crowd.

What is Kubb

Kubb is an easy to learn, yet challenging yard game for people of all ages.  Anywhere from two to twelve players can play at once making it great for any occasion.  The game is based on a simple concept of knocking over blocks with batons, but provides much excitement as the game develops to the eventual take down of the king block.

In general, this is how Kubb is played.

  1. Each team sets up 5 blocks on a goal line and a king block is placed in the middle of the field – let’s call it the 50-yd line.
  2. Teams alternate tossing 6 batons at the opposing blocks with the objective being to knock over all blocks on the opposing goal line and then the king block (think 8-ball).  If the king block is knocked over in any way before the right time, that team loses.
  3. The extra element of the game is that after each baton toss, the opposing team picks up any knocked over blocks and must toss them from their line of scrimmage to the other half of the field and attack these blocks before going after the opposing goal line.
  4. Always toss batons and knocked over blocks from the standing block closest to the 50-yd line.  Usually this is just your goal line but if the other team messes up, this could be further up field.

If you’re a little confused check out the official World Championship Kubb Rule Book. I have yet to find a person who has tried Kubb and not loved it, so find a way to try today.

Where to Get Kubb

The great thing about Kubb is that you can make it yourself in 15 minutes. Based on the advice of a good friend, I recommend going up to your local home improvement store (e.g. Home Depot) to purchase the following.  Most stores will provide the cuts for free or at a low cost.

  • An 8 foot 4×4 fence post with some type of styled top.  Cut 10 blocks that are 8in in length starting at the bottom.  This will leave you with a 16in piece with the styled top which can be the king block.
  • 2 round dowels (wooden poles) each a yard in length. Cut the 2 dowels into 1 foot batons so that you have 6 batons. I recommend using 1.25in diameter oak wood dowels to keep these as heavy as possible so they can knock over the blocks.
  • You can also consider purchasing 4 stakes to mark the boundaries of your field.

Altogether, this should cost $20-25.  Alternatively, you can purchase Kubb online for $60-80.

Activity C.L.U.B. Ratings

Community
10 – With room for 12, this game allows any group to enjoy a nice day outside.
Low Cost
8 – Although the game can get unreasonably expensive when buying online, ten minutes in a home improvement store makes the cost of this game a great deal.
Underrated
9 – It’s one of those games you have to see to believe so most people are skeptical before trying. Everyone ends up loving the game, so I won’t be surprised to see this on ESPN2 before long.
Beneficial
7 – Throwing sticks may not be the most physically challenging sport but at least it gets you outside.

For more great lawn games, check out the Wikipedia Lawn Games page.

(photo Johan Larsson)
Life

How Running Can Improve Your Life

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I really enjoy running.  Well, sometimes I hate it and sometimes I love it, but on average I really enjoy it.  Recently, my excitement for running led me to cross paths with the book Born to Run, and it has had a profound impact on my running and my life as well.

Born to Run

The book Born to Run is the combination of a fun story about a race in Mexico and a history of running for humans. The basic premise of the book is that humans are designed to run, and I’m not just talking a few miles, but very long distances. Furthermore, Born to Run suggests that shoes have been one of the worst things to happen to humans ever and that we need to find our way back to our barefoot roots to really regain the benefits of running.  The author even claims that America’s commercialization of running and running shoes has ruined the country’s ability to compete against countries whose people run for life and the love of running.

All together, the best takeaways from the book are

  • Humans can run further (although slower) than most other land animals due to our two leg design.
  • The best way to succeed in running is to truly love to run and not to run for fame or money.
  • Barefoot running helps by unlocking sensors in feet that help people run with better posture and form.

Barefoot Running

I decided to test out the barefoot running theory by buying a pair of Bikilas from Vibram Five Fingers.  These shoes, which are named after Abebe Bikila who won the 1960 Olympic marathon while barefoot, are specially designed for barefoot running and make you feel like you are running barefoot while protecting the foot from sharp objects like glass.  Since most people are not used to running barefoot, it is not something to jump straight in to, but after some careful training it can have a big difference.

For me, my barefoot running experiment has been a huge success for a few reasons.

  • Running barefoot forces a more mid-foot landing which increases work and eventually strengthens the calves and ankle region.
  • Running barefoot massages the feet and uses them for what seems like the first time ever – regular shoes now make me wonder if my feet have gone numb.
  • Running barefoot improves posture and alleviates pressure from the knees and thighs.
  • Running barefoot adds an exciting new element to running – granted, this won’t last forever.

Final Thoughts on Running

In the end, Born to Run has changed my perspective on running.  Instead of running being a task I have to do because I sit at a desk too much and I need to be healthy, running is something that we can all really enjoy if we approach it as we were designed to.  Don’t burn yourself out of running, but find a way to enjoy jogs through your town or local parks by focusing on the journey.  The Bikilas have added a nice touch to the enjoyment of running for me and seem to be making it a more productive activity.

If you’re not sure if running is for you, try out the book Born to Run.  You may find yourself buying some Vibram Five Finger Bikilas like me and relearning the joy of running we were born with.

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Featured, Life

Do I Really Need to Read?

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I recently met the well-known M.D. Ben Carson, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins, and his story is of great inspiration.

Why Read?

Ben Carson grew up in a poor area of Detroit, Michigan. His father left his family and the odds of him “becoming something” were low. As a young child he performed poorly in school and was bothered by classmates poking fun at him when grades were announced. Luckily, his mother with her third grade education was wise enough to realize that the answer to getting out of his aimless life was to start reading. Continue reading Do I Really Need to Read? →

Life, Money

Save Valentine’s Day and Your Budget

Alright men, next Sunday is when restaurants, card makers, jewelers, flower growers, etc. expect you to save them from a struggling economy and spend your past month’s worth of income on your girlfriend/spouse/date… This may sound like an overwhelming task, but you may be able to earn a few brownie points from the lady with some creative yet low cost ideas. Here are some ideas provided by women I asked about surviving Valentine’s Day without breaking the bank. Feel free to share your own creative ideas in the comments below.

Continue reading Save Valentine’s Day and Your Budget →

Activity CLUB, Life

Ways to Have Fun on a Budget: Dining Table Ping-Pong

Do you love the game of ping-pong, but you are too cheap or don’t have room for a table? Do all your friends play beer-pong but you don’t like cleaning up afterwards or spreading swine flu? The next best game to hit the market since Pro Thumb Wrestling is Dining Table Ping-Pong and it’s the latest cheap activity in our Activity CLUB

What Exactly is Dining Table Ping-Pong

Dining Table Ping-Pong (DTPP) is what every bachelor pad owner, apartment dweller, and dorm room needs. Just like the world famous Table Tennis, DTPP offers a competitive activity that is playable for all skill levels. All you do is whip out the adjustable net and tie it to some chairs, put on the hard core sweatbands, and start pinging and ponging until you crash on a nearby couch.

Continue reading Ways to Have Fun on a Budget: Dining Table Ping-Pong →

Activity CLUB, Life

Ways to Have Fun on a Budget: Disc Golf

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Whenever I want to do something fun with friends we often find ourselves stuck playing the “I don’t know, what do you want to do?” game. Other times we find a great activity, but it costs us a buck too much. Few and far between are the great activities that are a lot of fun, yet less intrusive on the wallet.  All of these activities can be found in my Activity C.L.U.B. with a new one being introduced each month.

The Lost Cousin of Golf

The sport of golf is one of the top sports in the world featuring a number of household names. A close cousin, although less famous, is the great sport of disc golf. Disc golf features the same general layout of golf – the goal of getting to a spot on each hole – but has a much lower cost to play and easier learning curve.

Continue reading Ways to Have Fun on a Budget: Disc Golf →