Jann Arden plays your Jann Arden playlist!

January 13, 2016

Jann Arden loves running and she didn’t think she would. “I think running can be considered elitist and people think that you’ll be admonished if you don’t have the right footwear or else if you try it, you’ll get shin splints,” she says, “but I don’t find that to be true at all. When I started, I was blown away by how quickly it encouraged me to keep going.”

As lots of you know, music sometimes is what keeps us going. And this month, we’re featuring Jann Arden in our music column of iRun magazine and across the different Sportstats platforms. Her interview is funny, revealing, inspiring and, most of all, hopeful. She articulately explains what she gets from the sport, and now we want to hear from you!

To go along with our story on Jann, the Calgary-based musician has generously offered to judge your Jann Arden running play list, and we’ll publish the play list she likes the best along with her story. The contest opens this morning, and send us the list in any manner that you see fit. We use Spotify on the iRun website, and eventually, we’ll publish all the playlists on that platform. But for now, you can even send us an email list of songs. Send it to me, Ben Kaplan, at ben@irun.ca, and I’ll be sure that she gets it.

The songs don’t have to all be by Jann. Nothing has to be anything. Jann is fun and creative and has an open mind, so we encourage you to be guided by those same attributes. “To feel the fresh air in my lungs is exhilarating,” she says. “It’s not about losing weight. It’s about the feeling of kicking butt. I like the feeling of championing myself.”

We’re sending her all of the play lists on January 18. So go for a run. Listen to some Jann Arden music. And make us a play list that you think she’ll love. Good luck. Have fun. Dress warmly.

You Ask, JP Answers

Why I Run

January 11, 2016

Dear JP:

I set a lofty goal to qualify for Boston, within the next few years. I’m not nearly fast enough yet. My first marathon in 2014 was a humble 4:27:05. I turned 39 today. What top bits of advice bubble up for you?

Sincerely,

Wendy R.

Dear Wendy:

First, Happy Birthday! The only people who appreciate “getting on in years” are runners waiting to move up into their next Boston qualifying age category! Every runner has a goal – to get into better shape, to meet new friends, to keep upping weekly mileage, but for sure, a big goal for many runners is to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

I’m heading back to Boston for my 13^th time this April, and I was even nutty enough to do it twice on the same day a few years. Needless to say, I’ve got a serious love affair with the Boston Marathon. For me, it is the glowing beacon off in the distance that keeps me motivated to train through our ‘challenging’ winters.

Here are a few suggestions I would offer to get you to the starting line out in Hopkinton: (1) Analyze your training plan, and eliminate any of those ‘junk miles’… You want every run to count – tempos, hills, long slow runs, and recovery runs. (2) Train with faster runners on at least some of your runs. The best way to get faster is to run faster. Find a running group (or partner) who can set the bar a little higher for you. Nothing builds comradery like suffering through a tough tempo or interval workout with some running friends. (3) Break down your ultimate goal (qualifying for Boston) by setting benchmarks along the way. For instance, you might consider setting an intermediate goal of taking significant time off your half marathon PB, or you might set your sights on grabbing your BQ by taking 5 minutes off your marathon time over 2 or 3 consecutive running seasons. (4) Whatever you do, make life easier for yourself by targeting a fast and relatively flat marathon course on which you can nail that Boston Qualifier. I’m partial to The Toronto Waterfront Marathon, The Ottawa Marathon, and Hamilton’s Road 2 Hope Marathon.

Dear JP:

Just curious, with the mileage you run, how long will your shoes last you?

Sincerely,

Gordon M

Dear Gordon:

I’m a little embarrassed to answer this question. I blow through shoes at an alarming rate! I average about 200 km a week, for 46 weeks of the year. I wear an orthotic to help correct my over pronation issue, but I can tell by the wear and tear on the heals of my shoes that the orthotics have not solved the issue entirely.

The timing of when to change into a pair of new shoes depends a lot on whether you do most of your runs indoors or outside, and also if those miles are on the road or on the trail. Almost all my mileage is logged crisscrossing the streets of Toronto, and believe me, with the mileage I do, I see ALL of our city! One of the weird things about running is that your shoes feel perfectly fine one day – lots of bounce and flex in them, and then the next day they are suddenly ‘dead’. You know it when you feel it, and that’s when you need to rotate a new pair into the mix. For me, that point usually arrives around the 600-700 km point… Yes, that’s a new pair every three to four weeks. All I can say is thank God I have a shoe sponsor!

Send your advice and questions to JP runjprun@gmail.com

Top Five Ways to Boost Your Immunity

Nutrition

January 11, 2016

BY Jennifer Pike

I love being Canadian and enjoying the beauty of our four very distinct seasons but each year I am inundated with emails and requests for support when it comes to the Winter Blues. At this time of year we are all feeling the harsh reality that warmer weather is months and months away. We are faced with lack of being outside and soaking up some sun-shiny Vitamin D and our immune system suffers, energy drops and commitment to our exercise usually begins to fall to the way-side.

Here are 5 tips for a healthier, happier winter season:

Proper nutrition: One of the best ways to set yourself up for success this winter season is to ensure you are filling your plate with an abundance of colorful plant-based foods and that your meals are rich in Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine. This trio of neurotransmitters is responsible for calmness, increasing happiness, decreasing depression, increasing mental alertness and to manage feelings of satiation and decrease cravings.

Look for a balance of complex carbs, lean protein and healthy fat. Ancient whole grains, naturally gluten-free grains, organic fruits and vegetables, lentils and legumes, lean poultry, grass fed beef, wild fish, organic eggs, raw nuts, seeds, avocados, coconut oil and nut butters.

Beware of highly processed foods, excess sugar and stimulants that will rob you of your happy mojo. Caffeine, alcohol, sugar, artificial sweeteners, fried foods and anything that is man-made processed junk. These foods will literally suck the nutrients and the life right out of you so protect your mood, mind and health this winter and stick to real food.

I also recommend protecting your gut (where 70% of your immune system levels and the production of many of your neurotransmitters occur) by taking a daily probiotic and be sure to take 2000-4000iu liquid Vitamin D daily too.

E2 = Exercise + Energy: People often say they would love to begin exercising in the winter a la “New Years Resolutions” but they have no energy to get themselves going. The irony in this statement is that it’s actually the exercise – and eating healthier – that will give you the energy you are craving to feel better and hit your goals this year. Begin small, start where you are and keep moving forward!

Link Arms with a friend: There is definitely power in numbers and its no different when we are talking about beating the Winter Blues and staying motivated in the darker, colder months. Find a friend to join a new activity like yoga, PIYO, a running club or the gym and keep each other motivated. PS ask the friend who is already active and in a routine, NOT the friend you drink wine and complain about life with…chances are the only exercise you will be doing is with your arm muscles brining the glass to your mouth.

The right Mindset: If you are not already using the 5-Minute Journal I highly recommend it. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of daily journaling and showing gratitude for what we already have; but sometimes it can feel a bit intimating staring at a blank page trying to think of what to write and the 5-minute journal helps by asking you the right questions to keep you engaged, focused and happier on the other side.

Extra Boost: And finally, for the days I am feeling a little down or overwhelmed I turn to my yoga mat, my glass of water, feed my body nourishing food and support my mind with NEURAPAS Balance by Pascoe (a natural remedy to help promote a healthy, balanced, mood) to help me take a deeper breath, feel my shoulders drop and smile the Winter Blues away.

To book a private consult or purchase holistically life enhancing products visit jennpike.com.

New Running Technology: The OMBra

TheBuzzonGear

January 9, 2016

Smart clothing company, OM, has released their newest product on technology wearables: the OMBRa. Four years in the making, the OMBra is a functional sports bra with a small sensor box that sits just below the torso.According to co-founder Stephane Marceau, the OMBra was born out of need: women typically don’t like chest tracks because it was to co-exist with a bra.

The OMBra tracks distance, cadence, pace, heart rate and calories – all of which can be seen on the corresponding OM app. At the end of each workout, you receive a score from 1-10 based on moving, breathing and heart rate.

The OM brand has made serious headway at several technology conventions, namely the 2016 Consumer Electronics (CES) for their corresponding line of OM Smart Shirts for men. In the future the OM brand looks to make the transition to “everyday wearables”, with more intimate looking bras offering the same workout-information as all of their fellow apparel.

The OMBra runs for $149 (includes the bra and fitness tracker) and $59 for additional bras. The fitness core is detached from one bra and reconnected to another.

Find more information about the OMBra and brand:

http://omsignal.com/pages/omsignal-bra

https://www.facebook.com/OMsignal/

You Asked, JP Answers

Why I Run

January 8, 2016

Dear JP:

How do you reply to the question, “So when are you going to do a marathon?” when you’ve done every race distance except a marathon – and have no interest in doing so?

Sincerely,

Cathy V.

Dear Cathy:

I’ll never forget the time I ran my first half-marathon: I crossed the finish line feeling a huge sense of personal accomplishment, completely exhausted, but so proud of myself. As I made my way down the finishing chute, one of the volunteers placed a medal around my neck, and I hobbled along to meet up with my wife and son in the family meeting area. When the fog in my brain began to clear, I finally looked down at the medal hanging around my neck, and that’s when I noticed the half marathon medal was exactly that… a “half of a medal”… It was designed to look like the medal awarded to the finishers of the full marathon, except this one was half a circle with jagged edges as if the medal had literally been broken in half! Now, to most people this wouldn’t be such a big deal, and some might even think it quaint, or funny. But to an addict like me, all it did was make me want to return to the race next year to claim my “complete” medal! Nicely played race organizers, nicely played!

I think all runners settle into the race distance that suits them best. For some, that’s 5k and 10k races, for others it’s the half marathon or marathon, and then there are those who find their joy in the ultra marathons or adventure races. When it comes to dealing with that nagging question, “When are you going to run your first marathon? (or whatever distance it is)”, I think there are two ways you can interpret that question – as an annoying inquiry that deflates your proven accomplishments, or as proof that this person thinks so highly of you that (s)he believes that any distance is within your grasp.

And before you ask; even though I’ve run over 125 marathons, I have no intention of taking up triathlons…at least, not yet!

Dear JP:

Have you ever tried guiding a visually impaired or blind athlete?

Sincerely,

Brian M.

Dear Brian:

I’ve met such incredible athletes over the years, and many have supported me when I was feeling broken and lost, while others I have looked up to as mentors and motivators. In August of 2014, I had the privilege of running for 13 hours as guide runner for my dear friend, Rhonda-Marie Avery on her Envisions Run. Rhonda is a legally blind endurance athlete who ran the Bruce Trail in Ontario from end to end –

That’s 885 km in 20 days! The section that we ran together was particularly technical and challenging, and there were many occasions when it was hard to see the “beauty” in such a grueling experience. But at the end of the day, my feet caked in mud, calf muscles twitching from half-a-day of navigating slippery, steep terrain, my achy middle-aged body could not help but feel joyful and proud to be a part of such an epic quest.

Running is a metaphor for so many of us because it engages us with our surroundings and reminds us of what it truly means to “be present” in the moment –Running compels us to see the beauty in a forest swarming with mosquitoes, the beauty in the bone-chilling cold of a run in a January blizzard when most people are nesting safe and warm in their cozy houses – but most importantly, running helps us see the beauty in all of us.

I expect that Rhonda thinks that I was helping her on that leg of her journey, but to be completely honest, I was the one who received a gift that day. I strongly encourage every runner to get in touch with their local Achilles Running Club, and find out how you can get involved with an inspiring community of what my dear friend Rhonda refers to as ‘other’abled athletes.

Send your advice and questions to JP runjprun@gmail.com

Marissa Cepelinski Makes the Trip of a Lifetime by Running for Ethiopian Clean Water Projects

RunningForAReason

January 6, 2016

Marissa Cepelinski had the trip of a lifetime recently by participating with her fellow ultra marathoners by running for clean water projects in Ethiopia. Her team of 15 raised just over $102,000. It was enough to set up a school and a clean water well in the town of Hidri, Northern Ethiopia. Here is our Q&A interview about her passion for running for charity.

Q: When did your passion begin for running/hiking?

A: I fell in love with the outdoors when I moved to Vancouver. After a few incredible hiking excursions, my activity of choice was adventuring to old-growth forests, mountain tops, glacier lakes, and experiencing all the other splendors that this beautiful province had to offer.

Q: Which came first, your passion for running – or providing financial planning/services?

A: I was the kid who played banker not barbie. I loved playing with monopoly dollars as a lttle girl and always enjoyed numbers. Choosing a career in finance was an easy and somewhat obvious transition after graduating from Western University. I wanted to work with people and numbers so it was a perfect fit. I really picked up running after I moved to Vancouver in 2005. I constantly saw runners, rain or shine, I figured I should at least check out what all the hype was about.

Q: How do you best combine both your passions?

A: I enjoy running for a cause and I enjoy tackling challenges. Running for me, and I imagine most people, is an internal battle more than a physical battle. It’s a “how committed are you to this goal” debate that comes up every rainy morning when it’s time to lace up. It’s the same with building your wealth. At times, it can be a struggle. We have to be extremely connected to the goal in order to stay on track. I challenge my clients to connect with their goals and commit to the plan that we build together. We can all benefit from guidance in some areas of our life. I enjoy helping people manage their money. The more I push myself physically and stay on track, the more this translates in my work where I help my clients stay on track with their finances.

Q: When was your first charity run and how did it feel?

A: In January 2013, I went with six other friends from Vancouver to do the Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica. My friend Graham finally convinced me after having heard a consistent “no way” from me over a six month period. I wasn’t even running 5 km’s at that time – I thought it was a crazy idea…..so I did it. I liked the challenge. I wanted to show myself that the perceived impossible was actually possible. It was a 6 day stage race, averaging a marathon a day through the rainforest. The route is 230 kms over 6 days. I got lost twice and turned it into 250kms. My feet were destroyed and my legs were cooked, but I refused to quit. As a team, we got involved with Imagine1Day, a local non profit organization that directly implements quality education to Ethiopian adults and children. We built a fundraising initiative for the 6 months prior to the race. Why not combine running and raising money for a good cause at the same time? It added another level of purpose and challenge to the adventure. It felt amazing to run for a cause, I was hooked from that point on!

Q: Tell us how your big run came about in November with the Ethiopia Run for water project?

A: I participated in the Run4Water Ultramarathon for the past 2 years. We raise money for clean water projects in Ethiopia and run an Ultramarathon in Abbotsford, BC, where the charity’s head office is located. Since becoming involved, I have wanted to travel to Ethiopia and visit the villages and be amongst the communities. When the executive director of Run4Water said he was putting together a group of 15 runners to take to Ethiopia and we would raise $100,000 collectively, I knew immediately I had to go. We ran 10 km’s a day throughout different areas of Northern Ethiopia. We also visited the Yaya Village training resort, otherwise known as “A runner’s paradise above the clouds in Ethiopia”. On the final day, our group ran in the Great Ethiopian Run, a 10km race with over 40,000 people.

The $100,000 fundraising goal was definitely a bit intimidating at first as it meant we each had to take on a $7,000 commitment. The money we raised was enough to set up a clean water well, and a school in Hidri, Ethiopia, a village that currently has neither.

Q: How did you prepare for something like this?

A: Leading up to our trip, I split much of my time between fundraising and training. For training, I have an amazing running coach, Ray Zahab, whom built me a program that prepared me to comfortably run 10km a day in the mountains. The one thing I didn’t prepare for the challenge of running these distances at elevations between 9,000 to 10,500 feet. Running 10 km’s at elevation was much more strenuous and it took me several days to acclimatize.

Q: Was this the run of a life time and what was the best part?

A: This was the most impactful traveling experience I have had to date. The running was beautiful. We visited 1000 year old cave churches at the top of mountains, ran through national parks at over 10,000 feet high among herds of baboons, and saw landscapes that I would have never imagined seeing in Ethiopia…BUT the best part was the time we spent amongst local villagers in small rural communities. We spent a few days living in the village of Hidri, where the money we raised was going towards a clean water well and a new school facility. Living amongst the community and seeing their way of life was a humbling, and enlightening experience.

Q: Would you recommend this run?

A: Absolutely! Ethiopia is beautiful and the running there is incredible. It was a true adventure, and I am already planning the next visit!

Q: Give some tips on how we can run for charity?

A: If you are going to run and you feel connected to a cause, run for a cause. It can be easy, it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can connect yourself with any charity you feel emotionally connected to, set up a Chimp page, and start raising money. Your donors can get a tax receipt the same day as donating – its that easy. Start with a small goal that you feel comfortable with. You can askfriends/co-workers/family to donate per kilometre if you are planning to run a long distance. Build accountability and help people understand why this cause is important to you. Help others connect with the cause and the benefits of giving. Get started, it can be fun!

Q: What is next for you?

A: Right now I am working on raising money for food programs to help eliminate hunger in Vancouver. We live in an amazing city and no one should be going hungry. My fundraising efforts locally are going to support this cause. I will be back running in Ethiopia again next fall to help set up another school and clean water well.

Q:How have you empowered women to do the same?
A: I have presented and spoken on my experiences and as a result have enrolled others onto a similar journey. We have such an incredible capacity to help. Let’s lead by example and help inspire others to get involved.

Mark Zuckerberg’s 2016 Running Resolutions

UpToSpeed

January 6, 2016

Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, has initiated a social media 2016 running challenge. Monday evening, Zuckerberg took to Facebook to announce his 2016 resolutions, titled, “A Year of Running.”

In Mark’s original Facebook post he assured everyone that as daunting as this challenge may seem, it’s very doable: “This is a lot of running, but not a crazy amount. It’s a mile a day, and at a moderate pace it’s less than 10 minutes of running a day.” The comment section of Zuckerberg’s has been flooded with overwhelming support, with one follower stating: “You are so inspiring Mark Zuckerberg. You’re gonna lead a healthy year for many people. I can’t wait to see the change this challenge will bring to many around the world. Good luck everyone.” Zuckerberg has reciprocated the support of his followers, replying to nearly every ‘top comment’ on the feed.

An open Facebook group was set up (https://m.facebook.com/groups/954704787945183), stating: “We’re running 365 miles this year. We’ll discuss running adventures and experiences here. Posts in this group will be moderated to maintain quality.” As of Tuesday morning, the group has over 44,000 members – and with growing publicity, shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

Over the years, Zuckerberg has challenged himself to many resolutions – namely, last year’s “A Year of Books”, in which he started a worldwide, social-media-led online book club. Zuckerberg’s 2016 running initiative shows great promise to follow in the footsteps of last year’s success.

In the words of Mark himself, “Here’s to a healthy 2016!”

Will you be joining this Facebook challenge!? Let us know!

New Years Resolution Wind Up: Top Road Running Races

AttheRaces

December 27, 2015

2016 is fast-approaching! With that comes the dreaded new years resolutions. All too often, we start off strong with high hopes to reach that weight-loss goal or run a marathon, but within a few months (or, lets be honest, weeks) have fallen off the band wagon. Don’t fear, iRun is here to help. We’ve curated four days of training tools to help you reach your new year’s goals – from running apps to the top running races. Check in everyday up until new years day for running tips, motivation and training tools.

Every year, we make new years resolutions in hopes to reach our fitness goals. However, without a plan, these goals often fizzle out and lose their momentum. Over the past three days we have equipped you with the tools to start of your new year running plans on a strong foot (including running apps, music apps and GPS watches). Today, we are highlighting the top Canadian road running marathons to provide you with a concrete race-date to stay focused, motivated and excited!

Without further ado, here are out top five Canadian marathons to inspire new years resolution race registration!

BMO Vancouver Marathon

Best for: The Waterfront Scenery

The BMO Vancouver Marathon is held annually on the first Sunday of May through the streets of Vancouver, British Columbia. The Vancouver Marathon is the second largest international marathon event in Canada, bringing in over 14,000 runners – with over 3700 completing the marathon distance.

The Vancouver Marathon course begins at the Queen Elizabeth and takes runners west out to Pacific Spirit Park and around UBC. Marathoners then follow a route along the water towards downtown, loop around Stanley Park to finish their marathon in the heart of Vancouver!

GoodLife Toronto Marathon

Best for: Toronto Neighbourhood Hopping

The Goodlife Toronto Marathon is fast, scenic and mostly downhill. Runners get to experience the city of Toronto on foot in the company of over 15,000 runners from over 50 countries.

The Toronto Marathon is a point-to-point course, beginning at Mel Lastman Square in the North York, travelling through many of Toronto’s great neighbourhoods to finish at Ontario Place.

Ottawa Marathon

Best for: Reaching Your Personal Record

The Ottawa Marathon is Canada’s fastest marathon and attracts Canada’s largest marathon field, bringing first timers and world-class elite athletes together. Notably, the course holds the fastest time ever run on Canadian soil – 2:06:54 by Yemane Tsegay of Ethiopia.

The Marathon features a fast, scenic route with few elevation changes and travels through some of Ottawa’s most vibrant neighbourhoods and iconic landmarks. Also, unique this race, the Ottawa Marathon course travels through two Canadian provinces.

This year the Ottawa Marathon was awarded the prestigious International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) Gold standard, making it one of the five-gold label marathons in North America – along races such as Boston and New York.

Niagara Falls Ultra Marathon

Best for: Race one of the World Wonders

The Niagara Falls Ultra is the go-to road ultra marathon, including a 100km, 50km, Marathon, Half-Marathon and 10km course. The course follows a traffic-free asphalt footpath along the Niagara River Parkway from Niagara-on-the-Lake past Fort George and on to the Niagara Falls and back.

This out-and-back route stays in continuous sight of the Great River and turning around at the falls, offering runs the opportunity to run on a scenic course rooted in Canadian and American history.

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon

Best for: Running Crowds and Cheering Spectators

The Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon attracts more than 26,000 athletes across the Marathon, Half Marathon and 5km. As the most exciting and rapidly growing running events in North America, Toronto hosted the 2015 Canadian Marathon Championship.

The Waterfront Marathon is an elite level race and is among one of five IAAF Gold Label Road Races in North America. The Marathon starts on University Avenue, heads down and along Lakeshore and finishes north Queen Street.

New Years Resolution Wind Up: Best Wearable Devices

TheBuzzonGear

December 27, 2015

Tom Tom Spark Cardio & Music GPS Watch

The Tom Tom Spark allows you to carry up to 500 songs without carrying your phone; store playlists on your wrist and listen to them wirelessly during your workout.

Wear your Tom Tom Spark all 24/7 to track all your steps, active minutes, and calories burnt. With the TomTom MySports app, you can sync your stats and easily review your progress on the go. The MySports app is compatible with many of your favourite running apps (check out our previous post on running apps), including: Strava, Runkeeper and NikePlus.

Tom Tom has the ability to track all of your sports, including: running, biking, swimming – and with the new update: Indoor Cycling and the gym.

Sick of wearing your heart rate monitor strap around your chest? The Tom Tom Spark monitors your heart rate on your wrist. Heart rate-based training helps you get the most out of your training and achieve your fitness goals more quickly.

The Tom Tom Spark comes with interchangeable straps to fit your kit, with the ability to select the colour of your strap and strap wrist size.

Polar m400

The Polar m400 is perfect for urban and trail runners alike, offering a waterproof sporty design with advanced GPS and training features. Use your heart rate sensor and you have the ability to train at the right intensity within your personalized heart rate zones.

The Polar m400 syncs with the Polar Flow mobile app to automatically and display training data instantly. Plan, sync and share your training (pace, distance, altitude, calories and steps) with friends. The Polar Flow also allows you to set targets to with in-time update to top your personal best, receive alerts and notifications on your training updates.

Enjoy trying out new running routes? Unique to the Polar m400, you have the additional ability to find your way back home with the ‘Back to Start’ feature.

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch measures all the ways you move, such as taking the stairs, walking your dog or playing with your kids. It even keeps track of when you stand up and encourages you to keep moving.

The Apple Watch provides you with a simple visual snapshot of your daily activity – three rings tell you everything you need to know (the “Stand” ring, the “Move” ring and the “Exercise” ring). With all of your daily activity at a glance, you can manage your personal goals based on distance, time or how many calories you want to burn.

The Apple Watch offers real-time progress updates during your workout and workout summaries once you’re finished.

Given the Apple Watch’s connection with the App Store, you can use your favourite fitness apps (including Strava) on your watch. It has never been so easy to stay connected and motivated while reaching your fitness goals!

Garmin Forerunner 15

The Garmin Forerunner 15 is simple, straightforward and effective! This watch is the most cost-effective GPS running watch, offering you the ability to track your distance, pace, heart rate and calories. The Forerunner lasts up to 8 hours on rechargeable battery life, and can saves training activity for 5 weeks.

The Forerunner has an auto lap function that automatically alerts you when you complete each mile, giving you a friendly beep and backlit screen that flashes your time for that mile.

When you complete your run, connect with the Garmin App on your computer or phone to review your workouts and track your progress!

If you’re planning to hit the treadmill during the winter months, opt for the Garmin “Foot Pod” to track all of your running specs while indoors.

Fitbit Surge

If you you’re a tech and social media lover, the Fitbit Surge is for you! Connect to the Fitbit app to view your progress and analyze your trends with easy-to-read charts and graphs. With build-in GPS and heart rate monitoring, you can maximize your training, maintain intensity and monitor your caloric burn.

The multi-sport modes offered with the Surge allows precise tracking and real-time stats during your workout – you can also use “SmartTrack” to automatically recognize and record select exercises for you.

With Fitbit Surge also doubles as a lifestyle wristwatch, with features like text and call notifications, and music control! The Surge also automatically monitors your sleep, syncs your trends to the Fitbit dashboard and includes a silent, vibrating alarm.

New Years Resolution Wind Up: Best Music Apps

TheBuzzonGear

December 27, 2015

8tracks

8tracks is a music player curated by everyday music lovers for music lovers! Playlists can be found by simply searching a genre (pop, hip hop, etc.) and your activity (running, yoga, etc.)

Choose from over 2 million free playlists – and growing – perfectly handcrafted for your workout needs!

Songza

Songza offer’s free music (with not listening limit), easily accessible through a ‘Music Concierge’ to find the right music for your perfect workout. Browse through curated playlists organized by activity, genre, decade and mood.

Stream thousands of original playlists handmade by music experts and easily share them with friends on all social media platforms.

Spotify

Spotify, much like other music apps, allows you choose from a variety of curated playlists based on genre, mood, decade and activity. However, unique to Spotify is their running feature: choose your genre, start running and Spotify will provide you with the ongoing music to match your tempo! This is especially helpful for workouts varying in tempo, when you’re looking for constantly changing tempos and intensities.

To boot, download Spotify Plus to add the “offline” feature: curate your own perfect playlist and listen to it anytime, anywhere without using up unnecessary data.

Fit Radio

Fit Radio provides you with non-stop, high energy music of all genres designed to motivate your workout. Dubbed the “Pandora of gym rats”, Fit Radio manually puts together upbeat playlists for the gym. Thousands of mixes are at the tips of your fingertips – divided by tempo, genre and activity.

Hate music fade-in’s and out’s or the silence between song-chages? Fit Radio provides non-stop hour-long mixes (with no adds in between).

Tune Mob

Like to run with a group but need music to stay motivated? Tune Mob may be your saving grace. Turn someone’s phone into a personal radio while everyone else can ‘tune in’. All you need is bluetooth, a great playlist and you’re off to the races!

Tune Mob is perfect in it’s simplicity: either “start” or “join” a station and you’re good to go!

All of these apps can be found for FREE at the App Store.

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