Running is a form of both science and art. The beneficial impacts of running upon the human body are plentiful. However, the body also requires some encouragement in the form of mental stimulation to ‘push’ yourself when you are ready to give up. As a scientist and qualified gym instructor, I am more than familiar with the physiological adaptations going on inside the body as one exercises and ‘hits the wall’. But this post is not a scientific one. I will simply ramble about my personal thoughts on how I feel and tackle any mental obstacles I face in my daily runs.
Author Archives: Andy Kumar
Why The Dark Knight Rises was a disappointment… (Spoilers)
There are many reviews available online about this finale to Christopher Nolan’s take on the Batman franchise. Building up my expectations after the superb Batman Begins and epic The Dark Knight, I was eagerly anticipating the finale to this trilogy. Alas, I was a tad disappointed. I watch very few movies at the cinema, due to my lack of patience to watch an entire movie in a single sitting, and normally wait for home releases. I did however get myself to a theatre for this movie, as there was no way I could wait an extra 5 months to see this masterpiece (or so I thought).
*WARNING: This post contains spoilers*
British 10k London 2013 race report
So today I ran the British 10k in London in the sweltering heat! Those of you in the UK will be aware that we have been going through a heatwave for the past few weeks, with temperatures reaching just over 31 degrees celsius. Arriving at Piccadilly Circus, I was guided by stewards to the baggage bays, a 5 minute walk away. Not bad, I thought. However, there is an additional 1.5 km walk just to get to the start. Not ideal, and given that there were a limited number of toilets before the race (with long queues), I was not particularly happy.
Does God exist?
This is a question which is profoundly important. Well, it is either profoundly important, or simply not even worth thinking about. I will make it clear at this point; all views expressed here are arbitrary and my own thoughts. Of course, some will agree and some will not. Is that not the beauty of debate, the human race and all knowledge we share? I will also need to mention that I will keep this post short, brief and simple, as this is a topic I can easily get carried away with!
Running with the Nike+ GPS watch
I have been using Nike+ to record my runs for just over 2 weeks now. Having invested in a Nike+ Fuel Band and using the Nike+ app, my motivation definitely rocketed! However, one drawback of the Nike+ app was that I could not view run data during my training. Here is where the Nike+ GPS watch (powered by TomTom) comes in.
Nike+ Fuel Band: A 10 day review
Okay, I have had the Fuel Band for around 10 days. For those who don’t know much about this nifty gadget, it is essentially an accelerometer, calculating your daily steps taken, calories spent, Nike fuel used (I’ll come to this in a moment) as well as doubling up as a watch!
Nike+ app and Fuel Band
Like many, I enjoy running. It is something I do to get away from daily stresses, keep fit and clear my mind. It is my zen in life. However, I have long struggled to find a way to record and log my runs. Having tried a number of iOS apps and the Nike+ sensor (back in 2009), I gave up, and simply mapped my runs using runningmap.com and timing my run.
Last week, I went to the Nike Town store on Oxford Street in London, my aim being to pick up some long running tights (as there is no sign of summer weather in the UK this year… sigh…). This is when I stumbled on the Nike+ stall, showcasing the Nike+ Fuel Band and Nike+ GPS watch, as shown here: http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-300/pid-693280/pgid-683903.
Hall of Fame and Top 10 on Amazon!
I have been writing reviews for Amazon since 2006 and been a member of the Amazon Vine program since 2010. It has been a long time coming, but I recently (yesterday) managed to become a Hall of Fame and Top 10 reviewer!
Knomo kilkenny cross-body bag review
My weekday travels are usually very hectic and time consuming. This promoted me to investigate my options in sourcing a high quality bag which was light, of a high quality and able to organize my daily essential gadgets. I stumbled upon the Knomo kilkenny by a chance visit to House of Fraser on Oxford Street, London. Although a tad pricey for an 11” man-bag, at £165, it ticked all my boxes. Made of luxurious high quality leather with ample storage space in a compact design, I was immediately sold.
On my daily commute, I carry my iPad, iPad mini, Kindle Paperwhite, PS Vita, Moleskine notebook, a selection of pens and styli, wallet and iPhone 5. This bag comfortably holds them all, without the squashed feeling I got from other bags.
The ultimate mobile device
When using my 13” rMBP, I have often been tempted to lean over and touch the screen for quick navigation. This habit is largely due to spending a vast amount of time using my iPad each day. However, when I use the iPad (with a Logitech Ultrathin keyboard), at times I miss the ability to point and click, particularly when using pages or keynote. It is a strange conundrum, and I have always envisioned a device that combines features from both devices.
With a number of laptop/tablet hybrids on the market, I have often wondered whether Apple will take the plunge and join this growing trend. Whilst out and about, I often take both my MacBook and iPad. Both devices are essential for my day-to-day productivity, and merging the best features from both devices would be a great enhancement for productivity and ease of use.
RUNNING, CYCLING AND TECH REVIEWS 