Top 10 gadgets for runners

Since I am a fully fledged geek and a runner, I would love to combine my passions for both things to enjoy them at the same time!  Enter the world of Running Technology, where GPS meets sweat bands and the cold hard open road meets hip mounted pedometers.

Here, I list my top 10 fave gadgets for the runner.

10.  Running Socks
Specially designed running socks are able to keep your feet cooler, more comfortable, dryer and therefore reduce the risk of getting the dreaded blister.  Made from high tech fibers, the socks are designed to re-distribute sweat away from the “key areas” to the whole of the fabric therefore reducing drying time and keeping you running longer.

Search eBay for deals on Running Socks.  Expect to pay around $15 (£10) per pair.

9.  Mini Sports Towel
Made from micro fibers that allow more moisture to be absorbed than that towel you borrowed from the bathroom to dry off with, the Micro Sports Towel is the runners best friend.  During and after the run.  Quickly rub down when you get back or carry the towel with you to mop your brow when running.

Search eBay for deals on Sports Towels.  Expect to pay around $20 (£10) upwards.

8.  Heart Rate Monitor
Geeks love stats and things that have LCD readouts too.  A heart rate monitor, available in either a chest strapped version or a wrist mounted unit will allow you to keep an eye on how much you are pushing that little fist sized organ inside you.  The majority of Heart Rate Monitors will also provide an alarm when you are at your limit - preferably before you are laying in the ambulance.

List eBay auctions for Heart Rate Monitors.  Expect to pay around $50+ (£50+).

7.  Pedometer
Want to see how far you have run?  Or how many steps it took for you to run to the pub to catch last orders?  Then you need a Pedometer.  The pedometer works by counting your movements and translates that into how many steps you have taken.  It’s certainly not an exact science, but the better, more expensive models come with better quality measuring equipment and better stats.

Search eBay for a good Pedometer.  Expect to pay at least $10 for a good one (£10).

6.  LED Head Torch
If you live in the UK, like what I does - you will be used to the cold, dark, misty mornings and getting home from school at 4pm only to find that it’s nearly night time already.  If you are not able to run during the light hours of the day then a head torch will help guide the way past the local hoodies and stray doggy presents.  Make sure you buy an LED one - as us geeks love LEDs - and possibly buy one with rechargable batteries too as this will keep the costs down over time.

Search for LED Head Torches on eBay.  Expect to pay around $10 for an LED model (£10).

5.  Sports Earphones
Make sure that your new iPod earphones don’t dangle and trip you up by buying a good set of Sports Earphones.  This essential item usually wraps around your ears or behind your head for maximum comfort and stability when running.  You can also get ones that “squidge” into your ears and hold fast, but they are not immune from the “cable yank” problem.

Get a good deal on some Sports Earphones at eBay.  Expect to pay $5+ (£5) but go for a Sony or Nike model for max geekiness.

4.  Nike+ Sports Kit
A few years ago, Nike and Apple teamed up to release the Nike+ Sports Kit which consists of a small transmitter located in your Nike+ compatible shoes and a wireless receiver that plugs into your iPod Nano.  The transmitter sends pedometer style information to the iPod which records the movements giving you verbal feedback and music designed to fit your run.  The new range of iPod Nano and iPod Touch have the Nike+ transmitter built in so you only need to get the transmitter.

Get the Nike+ Sports Kit on eBay.  Expect to pay around $50 (£50). You can also buy adapters for the transmitter that allow you to use it with shoes other than Nike+ branded ones.

3.  iPhone 3G
Since the introduction of the Nike+ Sports Kit, Apple and Nike have been in bed together - but that was until they released the iPhone.  Although the iPhone is Apples flagship product (at the moment) it is NOT compatible with Nike+!  What!  Crazy stuff.  And Apple have hinted that they are not planning to do so either.  However - if you get an iPhone 3G, there are a few applications you can buy such as xxx and xxx that will track your run with GPS markers and provide excellent feedback and stats based on that data!  If you have an iPhone 3G already then it is going to be cheaper to buy these applications rather than pay for a new iPod Nano and the Nike+ kit.  And that wouldn’t give you GPS tracking anyway!

A cheap iPhone 3G can be found on eBay.  Expect to pay around $200 (£200) for a second hand model.

2.  Garmin Forerunner GPS Watch
If you want to know where you have been, what speed you were doing, how many calories you burnt up and what color was the underwear of that nice lady you jogged past then you need a Garmin Forerunner watch.  Garmin have created a range of their Forerunner watches which go from the Forerunner 50 which has wireless heart rate monitor links and basic statistics - to the Forerunner 405 GPS sport watch which will do all of the heart rate monitoring plus GPS tracking when you are on your run.  They even sync wirelessly to your PC/Mac when you huff and puff back to your house.  The GPS versions of the watch allow you to plot your run on an online map and share/compete against others worldwide.  Definitely an amazing piece of kit.

Find deals on the Garmin Forerunner watches here.  Expect to pay from $100 (£100) upwards and nearer $300 (£300) for the top models.

1.  iPod Nano
Apple recently announced a new range of iPod Nano’s that have the capability to wirelessly work with the Nike+ Sports Kit transmitter.  Instead of having to plug in the receiver, Apple have combined the interface into the new Nano.  Add to that Apple’s excellent track record of making an amazing MP3 music and video player and you have a winner on your hands - or arm.  The new iPod Nano is also Apple’s slimmest and lightest yet, so running with it strapped to your arm will be the perfect addition to a geek’s running gear.

Get the iPod Nano and Sports Arm Strap at eBay.  Expect to pay around $100+ (£100+)

I expect there will be lots of runners out there who swear by other Geeky products to help the run, get home and then recover.

If you have, let me know.