Technology is a great thing for many things - not just running. Is it required to bring technology for a run? Yes - I think so... Otherwise I probably wouldn't be running as much as I am...
Wearing a device to time your course, monitor your pace and constantly check whether you're still alive (heart rate that is...), brings an extra dimension to exercising - in this case running. I'm not fanatic about it and it's not like I'm constantly checking my watch for pace, HR or whatever...
Yes, I know that I don't really need it, that I'll survive without it, but I also think it makes it a lot more fun to get out there moving those feet. And to me that's what it's all about - having fun and enjoying it!
It helps me wanting to get out there in the dark, cold, early hours (I get up at 5.30am) during winter, through those rainy, windy, freezing mornings while most others are still asleep in their warm cosy beds. It's not just during winter that I harvest energy and encouragement from technology.
During springtime, on those awesome early mornings, where most are still asleep, I use technology (a camera, if not obvious...) to capture those awesome sunrises and frame nature as it is, to share with those who can't or wont get up that early to see the spectacular views as the first light breaks the darkness by the misty river Thames, and to hopefully encourage those, who just needs a tiny push to get out of bed to enjoy it.
Currently my beloved Garmin Forerunner 310XT is broken, and has been sent to Garmin for replacement, even though warranty has expired Garmin has taken it in, as a gesture of good will. Awesome service Garmin!! Therefore, I'm using my Epson Runsense SF-810 at the moment, which I reviewed for Epson earlier this year. And of course I most often bring my Olympus Stylus TG2 Tough.
Yes - you may say I'm addicted to technology - but if technology is what it takes to make me get out there, then fine by me :-)
See you out there...
#YouVsTheYear #RunWithFight #WILL
Best M.
As I mentioned in my very first post, this blog reflects my two great passions: running and photography. So far there's not been too much on photography, hence this post.
Now, by photography I mean capturing the world as I see it. I'm not a pro and I'm not seeking the perfect picture, highest sharpness, best colours or the perfect motive... I try to do as good as I can with the equipment I've got, focussing on composing the picture in a way so I won't have to do much editing afterwards. If I do edit a photo, it's only slightly cropping, colour tuning (saturation, enhancing the colours slightly or making it black/white), contrast or gamma correcting.
On many runs (probably most, as I know I'll regret not taking it if I left it at home...!), I bring my Olympus Stylus Tough TG-2, which is tough enough to withstand the bouncing and it's waterproof. And it take great photos too - at least for what I'm using it for.
Some would probably say that I'm ruining my runs by taking photos as I'm obviously breaking my rhythm and my pace, but I cannot help it... I'm too deeply in love with taking photos to not bring my camera. And I do also run without it at times, e.g. when doing intervals, hill-repeats etc... so I'm not a complete lunatic ;-)
I've collected a few photos from some of my runs in 2016 so far, see below. I love this time of year and I'll never get tired of running in Oxford! I hope you'll enjoy the photos...
See you out there...
#RunWithYourCamera #RunWithFight #IWILL #YouVsTheYear
Best M.
I have just entered Race to the Stones: 100km in one day along The Ridgeway, which is described as Britain’s oldest road, which runs from the Chilterns in Oxfordshire to the North Wessex Downs.
100km is the farthest I've set out to do so far, so I'm pretty excited. Signing up for a race on a distance you don't know if you can do, is a bit scary. But I'm more excited than scared and looking very much forward to it. I'm gonna approach this race on 16th July 2016 as I did with my first Marathon and my first Ultra:
- I am not aiming for any particular time
- I'm gonna trust that my training will get me to the finish line
- I'll try to eat a lot of food and keep hydrated
- Of course I'll bring my camera and capture a lot of photos
- And simply set out to have a jolly time :-)
So the big question: Am I ready for running 100km? Who knows... I'm a tiny bit terrified venturing into unfamiliar territory, but mostly I'm super excited! I feel I'm at a stage where I can finish it, otherwise I wouldn't have signed up for it and I trust my training is sufficient to take me to the finish line. But who knows if I actually am ready? I guess time will tell... :-)
Later in the year (9th October) I've signed up for Oxford Half Marathon. I might try to beat my PB from last year (1h29m47s). The reward for running this race is the Oxford Beer Festival the following week, which usually holds 100+ ales and ciders and is held in the Town Hall. Great event!
Hopefully the autumn brings more events of the EnduranceLife Coastal Trail Series to my list of completed races. These races are well organized, usually on Saturdays - which fits better into my world than the usually race-on-Sundays-approach, and they have race distances from 10km to somewhat 35/45 miles, so some for all :-) Let's see how many I actually get to do.
See you out there... :-)
#YouVsTheYear #RunWithFight #IWILL
Best M.
Yes, I know that I don't really need it, that I'll survive without it, but I also think it makes it a lot more fun to get out there moving those feet. And to me that's what it's all about - having fun and enjoying it!
During springtime, on those awesome early mornings, where most are still asleep, I use technology (a camera, if not obvious...) to capture those awesome sunrises and frame nature as it is, to share with those who can't or wont get up that early to see the spectacular views as the first light breaks the darkness by the misty river Thames, and to hopefully encourage those, who just needs a tiny push to get out of bed to enjoy it. 
