Download Dilemna

I have really been slacking on my running lately. I am kind of regretting not signing up for a team in training event. It was so easy to commit to running with a group. I keep saying that I will go the Niketown runs, but I seem to always have something to do after work.

So for the past few weeks (yes, 2-3 weeks), I have been researching and obsessively reading reviews for coached runs to download to my ipod. I have to thank Jenna for giving me the idea. She raves about yogadownload.com, so I decided to look more seriously into downloadable exercise programs.

I founds some good sites:

Itrain This site is kind of amazing, they have tons and tons of workouts for all types of exercise--cycling, treadmill, elliptical, strength and sculpt, yoga and pilates, and stretching. It looks really good, but I haven't tried it yet, so I can't say for sure. Has anyone used it? Would love to hear some opinions! Programs run from 20, 40 to 60 minutes and cost around $10 each.

Yogadownload- I downloaded the free 20 minute poweryoga class and it was pretty challenging! I am also considering the coached runs, they are only $3-5!

Nike+ Sports Music-I don't think that the Nike Sports Music has the best selection of coached runs and workouts, considering it's itunes, they could do better. But I really like having the reviews to help me make decisions. And the workouts are by pretty notable athletes, ahem, Serena Williams and Lance Armstrong.

For literally two weeks, I have been debating which to buy, at around $15, you really don't want to get stuck with a crappy workout. That's like 15 songs worth! Plus, I am really picky about my music and so many of them are too rock or techno for my taste.

So were are the finalists:

Serena Williams-Interval Run-I liked this but, I already owned most of the songs.

Lance Armstrong-Run longer coaching mix

The Anytime/Anywhere series-particularly the indoor conditioning and the outdoor conditioning run. All of these workouts looked good, and I think I will try the Anytime/Anywhere Outdoor one, for a fun refreshing change of pace. It is cardio with intervals of push ups, etcs. mixed throughout.

I finally decided on Kara Goucher’s Endurance Boost

Songs: 01. Let’s Get It Started (Black Eyed Peas)02. Don’t Phunk With My Heart (Black Eyed Peas)03. Timebomb (Beck)04. Say Goodbye To Love (Kenna)05. Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)06. For The Girl (The Fratellis)07. Lay Down The Law (The Switches)08. Where It’s At (Beck) 09. The Middle (Jimmy Eat World)10. Sorry Sorry (Rooney)11. Come To You (Carina Round)12. Chase The Light (Jimmy Eat World)13. Stop Stare (One Republic)

It is basically an interval run. 4 minutes hard, 4 minutes recover, 3 times with a 5 minute warm up and cool down. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't more variety. I really LOVE my Master the Treadmill with OKGO mix, which is NEVER boring, so I was hoping for something kind of like that.

However, it was a good workout, the music was good. It's 40 minutes, a great length of time. You can do it on the treadmill or outside, although you will have to be really focused to maintain a hard run for 4 minutes without the treadmill keeping pace for you.

I think it also could have used a few more comments about form. There was like 2 in the entire thing, the first one at minute 23, "get off your heels and onto your toes." However, it was great to have someone check in with you every minute or so. I will definitely be doing this again soon, and probably downloading a few more of these as treats in the coming months.

For a few more reviews of the Nike Sports Music Workouts, check this out.

Yay to all those who ran the NYC Half yesterday!

Oh, for anyone looking to read more about running, there is a book called What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murami, that is all the rage in the running world. I hope to pick it up soon, with my 40% off Borders Reward Coupon! This is not really instructional, but biographical/inspirational. Just an FYI! (Other books I like include, Ultramarathon Man and The Runner's World Complete Book of Running. I hear Running with the Buffaloes is amazing, but haven't read it myself. Finally, the highly coveted, impossible to find, Once a Runner. I would love to read this book, it's supposed to be glorious, but it is almost impossible to get a hold of. If you happen to find it while wandering in some dusty, small town, second hand book shop, snatch it up, and consider yourself a lucky thief! :)