Smart Phone Apps
Metronome (http://bit.ly/q1yq9J )
Metronome (iPhone & Android) is a free app that lets you set a metronome at 180 beats per minute for practicing the technique.
Camera
Have a buddy film you run to see if you’re slouching and to check the uprightness of your torso.
Nike GPS (http://bit.ly/nAKzTg)
Nike GPS (for iPhone) actually tracks your runs; it tracks your runs over time and shows approximate minute per mile pace. You can map your runs, track your progress and “get the motivation you need to go even further. Hear mid-run cheers every time your friends like or comment on your run status, or outrun them in a game of Nike+ Tag.” $1.99
Endomondo (http://bit.ly/rgW93g)
Endomondo Sports Tracker (for iPhone & Android) is similar to Nike GPS. Track your run in real time and challenge your friends’ runs using GPS. It has real time GPS tracking of time, distance, speed, & calories burned. If you want you can get real time pep talks from friends following you live. Or you could go run with people. You can compete with friends on route times.
Heart Monitors
Polar (http://bit.ly/pVsfOV)
Polar makes a whole line of heart monitors that include lap timers and distance trackers. Their products cover the spectrum from basic models to complete professional athlete training systems. A basic model will tell you if you are improving your fitness or burning fat. The more advanced models will help you avoid over or under-training by aiding you to exercise at the right intensity. You can use one to measure your aerobic fitness at rest and track your progress.
Websites
This is a great 1st stop to make if you’re just getting into the barefoot world. You can subscribe or just peruse Born to Run’s site. Hear about upcoming events and check out the minimalist shoes! Don’t leave the site until you’ve looked at the link page. There are several blog links to barefooters, ultra-marathoners, training program ideas, and a Google Group.
You can browse routes, find your friends, join a group, and log workouts. You can also create running maps of your favorite runs. The site links to various social media sites so that you can show your routes and progress.
Barefoot Ted’s official site has a forum on barefoot running, coaching packages (based out of Seattle but there is a telephone coaching option) and links to Luna Sandal’s site.
Paleohacks promotes itself as “a place to get answers about all aspects of Paleo diet, exercise and lifestyle.” It’s a discussion forum that seems to mostly lean toward dietary concerns. This is the place to read up and decide what you think about fish oil supplements, caffeine, intermittent fasting, or nutritional lifestyle choices in general.
The site has some interesting blogs on holistic well being, play and interpersonal skills. “Exuberant Animal is an innovative health leadership organization that promotes performance, health, team cohesion and physical happiness. We offer a transformational, multi-disciplinary approach that’s invigorating, liberating and life-changing. Exuberant Animal training is exciting, inspirational and intensely meaningful.”
Exuberant Animal: The Power of Health, Play and Joyful Movement book “explores the totality of human health and promotes a truly integrated approach that spans culture, biology, psychology and animal behavior. You’ll discover powerful new ideas for movement and living that will stimulate your vitality, creativity and enthusiasm.”
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