After a relationship breakup, the hardest part is often getting up and getting out. One of the best things you can actually do is exercise, but we here at BounceBack understand that exercising on your own can be frustrating and bland. That’s where Nike and Adidas come in.
Nike created a sensor some time ago that can be placed inside certain Nike shoes or on top of any running shoe with a small $3 adapter. The sensor is compatible with certain iPod/iPhone models (more information can be found at Nike) and will offer the ability to listen to music and track your progress, at the same time.
The point of it is that through the Nike+ system, you can set realistic goals for yourself (such as run farther, more often, burn calories, or run faster) and track your progress on your computer, even uploading them to the site where you can see how far other runners have gone. To make the experience a social one, you can upload your information to your favorite social media pages and invite your friends. There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. Virtual medals are handed out when you have reached achievements you’ve set and you can download workout programs by trainers/athletes to help with your workout. Also, your landscape can cater to you, after creating your profile on the site you can use Google Maps to map out runs for yourself in your neck of the woods. To ensure you’re not slowing down, you create a virtual avatar that will let you know how you’re doing based on your results.
Currently mine says, “I sure could be running to shake up my routine.”
Not to be outdone, Adidas offers a similar product called miCoach which doesn’t require an iPhone/iPod but you can use one should you choose to. It’s a higher end model that uses your heart rate to see how far you can be pushed. If your heart isn’t beating hard enough, it’ll push you more. Both of these products are swell alternatives for those who like the feeling of running with someone. They’re audible—so expect feedback on your progress while you run. For myself it’s comforting to know that after I set a five mile run in, I can hear my coach tell me, “You have four miles left to go” and so on and so forth.
These are great tools for single runners. You get the motivation of a coach/friend without whilst having the freedom to run whenever, wherever. Even more important, running might be the step in the right direction you needed after a breakup. Happy trails.
By Sunil Ramsamooj for BounceBack.com
