Running Technology – Page 2

Yesterday, I bought a TIMEX Watch at SM City Iloilo which is called “Zone Trainer Digital Heart Rate Monitor” (Product Code: T5J031) with a Complimentary Free Men’s Watch (Stainless Steel Case & Wristband) which cost me less than Five Thousand Pesos.

I used it during my running workout yesterday afternoon with the Digital Heart Rate Sensor Pads fastened firmly below my sternum using an elastic belt that goes around my body.

Based from my age (Max. HR=220 minus 55), I set my Heart Rate Zone between 135 to 165 (lowest & highest peak Heart Rate). After my running and dumbbell/sit-ups/push-ups workouts, the watch registered the following:

Peak Heart Rate—156

Minimum Heart Rate—114

Average Heart Rate—144

Total Calories—255

Range of Heart Rate During Gym Workout—125-135

Since my running workout was an easy run, I was not able to experience the feeling of reaching the Maximum Heart Rate. I have tried reaching my Max Heart Rate on Cardio machines at Gold’s Gym by grasping on their handle bars but I would like to feel the difference while using this TIMEX Zone Trainer Digital Heart Rate Monitor Watch.

At last, “running/runner’s chips” are here in the country! I just read an article in one of the daily newspapers about the conduct of the “New Balance Power Race 2007: The Next Level” held last 11 November 2007 at Clark Freeport where RFID Timing Technology or popularly known as “runner’s chips” were used by the runners.

These are three famous systems in the market today on RFID Timing Technology: “ChampionChip”; “Winning Time USA” & “AMB”.

This “chip” initiates the start of the runners’ time from the start line and registers the lapsed time once a runner passes through the finish line. The start & finish lines are equipped with antenna/transponder which is covered by a mat/rubber carpet. The antenna/transponder activates the “runner’s chip” once it passes through the mat/carpet. It is imperative that each runner should not pass the start line before the firing of the gun! This will discourage runners from “cheating” at the start line or along the route as more transponders could be placed to measure time splits every 10 kms/miles.

Shown below are the pictures I’ve taken with my runner’s chip I used in the Inaugural City of Angels Half-Marathon last 03 December 2006. This chip is from ChampionChip!