Oregon Scientific introduced a twist on the standard heart rate monitor at the Consumer Electronics Show. In addition to the standard beats per minute and calories burned, the T1 Zone Trainer with Hydration Index tells you when it’s time for a drink. The old advice, “If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated,” was never helpful. With the T1, you’ll get a warning before your tongue dries out. The monitor has three exercise modes: jogging, running, and cycling. In addition to heart rate and hydration it measures calories and percent fat burned. We like the tap screen feature to control the T1, rather than fiddling with several buttons to start the chronometer or scroll through modes and readings.
What goes up, must come down. And when it is your foot hitting the ground while running, it can come down extremely hard, especially on your heels. The makers of the Newton Running Gravity know they can’t change the physics of actual gravity, but they did change the way its neutral trainer running shoes hit the ground. These shoes feature carbon rubber heels with impact absorption to reduce the shock with each stride, as well as a biomechanical forefoot plate and flex grooves to provide smooth cushioning while you run. All this even helps improve your form by encouraging you to land on the ball of your foot, for a more efficient and healthy way to pound the pavement. And at just 9.4 ounces these add practically no weight, almost like they’ll defy Newton’s law of gravity.
Note: We also thought this would be a good day to post this, as January 4 was Sir Issac Newton’s birthday!
It’s been a few years since I ran, due to my feet having problems with pronation. At my podiatrist’s recommendation I ditched my standard running shoe, Saucony Stabils, for a pair with slightly less support. But the pair of Sauconys I went with also had less motion control. The shoes gave me problems instantly. My feet lost circulation upon starting out for a run, other foot problems then developed, and so did pain develop elsewhere in my body. I stopped running.
Those old running shoes never got the full wear and tear they were supposed to get, and therefore it was two years before I could justify replacing them (running shoes require replacement roughly every six months, twice a year, even when they’re used infrequently). I wasn’t sure I would start running again, but once I handed over the plastic at the store for a new pair of Saucony ProGrid Stabil CS, I suddenly had the urge to run. I got home with my new shoes just as dusk was setting in, but that didn’t stop me from heading to Central Park for a run around the Harlem Meer. It felt great, even though I ran for just a portion and walked the rest of the loop. I’ve kept it up for a few weeks now.
Though I have orthotics I should use instead of the standard inserts, I’ve left in the original support—the shoes are offering the support I need. Every runner has unique requirements when it comes to a shoe. The Stabil has technology to make it appropriate for runners who pronate, or whose feet angle in. The biggest features are packed into the midsole of the shoe. The C S Zone, a special material that is built into the sole of the shoe under the arch of the foot, is added support that controls the foot against pronation, while keeping the foot flexible. More added support is provided through the Arch-Lock, or strapping that extends from the sole to the lace eyelets. Other features alternate cushioning and support where appropriate.
At some point I’ll have to start using my orthotics, but I like the inserts’ sock liner that offers moisture wicking and rebound properties to support most runners. The ProGrid has been around for several years, but Saucony continues to update it with the latest technology to support any running regime.
Oregon Scientific introduced a twist on the standard heart rate monitor at the Consumer Electronics Show. In addition to the standard beats per minute and calories burned, the T1 Zone Trainer with Hydration Index tells you when it’s time for a drink. The old advice, “If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated,” was never helpful. With the T1, you’ll get a warning before your tongue dries out. The monitor has three exercise modes: jogging, running, and cycling. In addition to heart rate and hydration it measures calories and percent fat burned. We like the tap screen feature to control the T1, rather than fiddling with several buttons to start the chronometer or scroll through modes and readings.
It’s been a few years since I ran, due to my feet having problems with pronation. At my podiatrist’s recommendation I ditched my standard running shoe,