Let’s face it, racing light is racing best: no wallet. But it’s also true that we often train alone, and that things can, unfortunately, happen.

Road ID is a great solution. The Original Road ID features seven lines of customized, laser-engraved (very readable) text. Name, address, phone number, and emergency contact information are usual choices.

Available ways of wearing the Road ID are on a wrist band (sport and elite models are available to suit your style), a strap that attaches directly to your shoe, in a dog-tag style that offers 226 different images you can select for the reverse, on an ankle band, or on a pouch that attaches to your shoe.

Now Road ID has released the Road ID Interactive. With this, you purchase the ID and then build, in Road ID’s database, a personalized Emergency Response Profile that contains as much or as little information as you want to share. The first two lines of text are still customizable (three on the dog-tag style), the remainder of the text is instructions on how and where (by phone or the web) to retrieve your emergency information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. First responders can access the profile to find out about your medical conditions, health insurance, family to contact, and more.

Race hard, but race safe with Road ID.

More information: www.RoadID.com

A week ago I made a post about tips for using gym machines. Similar to this post, but concentrating on the treadmill and on walking, Wendy Bumgardner has written an article on about.com:walking that teaches walkers what NOT to do when practicing on a treadmill:

1. Getting onto a moving treadmill
2. Holding onto the handrail or console
3. Hunching shoulders and looking down
4. Leaning forward
5. Overstriding
6. Not using your arms
7. Not knowing your treadmill features
8. Going too fast
9. Not Challenging yourself

Read the article here: Treadmill Walking Mistakes to Avoid

Related products:

• Fitness Walking for Dummies
• Walkmill WALK1 Compact and Totally Portable Walking Treadmill
• LifeGear Walking Fitness Electric Treadmill

The report includes a description of the different shoe types and shapes, how to test their flexibility, some trying tips, a speciality store locator (USA only) and reviews of the top picks for each category of shoes (motion control, stability, cushioned and others).

Choosing a good walking (or running) pair of shoes is a complex endeavour, but I’m talking from experience when I say that it makes a huge difference. Wendy tells us what to do to choose wisely to avoid injuries and be comfortable. Here’s one paragraph or her text to keep in mind: "Invest in the right shoes to prevent injury and keep you walking in comfort. But don’t waste your money on stylish shoes that won’t perform well walking."

Related posts:

• Review of the Nike Free 5.0 shoes.
• No more lacing problems.

"The whole idea behind the “Free 5.0″ Nike’s is that, even though you are wearing shoes, it feels like you are going barefoot. Nike pulls off that idea in a grand and incredible way.[...] I was walking around Manhattan all day yesterday and I could feel the sidewalk beneath me as if I were walking barefoot. I could feel pebbles and stones and tar. When I went up the stairs my toes could grab the edge of each step if I wished. I was stable. I was secure. I was, indeed, giddy!"

Take a look at the article and also read the comments as some of them are quite interesting.

The site is also full of information about pedometers and walking tips.

Links:

• Getting Started with a Pedometer (About: walking).
• Pedometer definition at Wikipedia.
• Pedometers at Amazon.

Gary Valle at Photography On the Run has written an interesting post comparing these two Forerunners. What’s interesting about it is that he’s done the same route with both devices and he shows a Google Earth photo with the two GPS traces overlapped.

According to him the Forerunner 205 has better tracking capabilities.

Read the complete post comparing the Forerunner 205 and the Forerunner 201.

Other links:

• Garmin Forerunner 205 product page.
• Garmin Forerunner 201 product page.
• Google Earth.
• Buy the Forerunner 205 at Amazon.
• Buy the Forerunner 201 at Amazon.

Nordic walking is catching on these days. Maybe that’s why Sigma has come up with this innovative heart rate monitor and watch. The Nordic Watch is especially designed to be used in Nordic sports, as it is fixed on a pole so that you can easily read your workout data.

The Nordic Watch has all these features:

• Automatic scroll-though that provides the relevant features for training.
• Adjustable angle of the display.
• Can also be worn on the included lanyard.
• 100% ECG exact.
• Adjustable training zone.

• Easy to replace batteries.
• Calorie counter, total calories.
• 1 exercise zone.
• Alarm for out of zone heart rate.

Read more information at the Nordic Watch product page.

Links:

• Sigma Sport.
• Nordic Watch product page.
• Nordic Walking at the Wikipedia.

Luckily Lock Laces has invented an easy and comfortable lacing system. The system consists of an elastic shoelace and a locking device that’s easy to use. You’ll get an idea by looking at the picture.

You can buy a pair of Lock Laces at Amazon, in the following colors: white, black, gray, red, blue, navy blue and brown.

Suunto labels it “the ideal trekking partner for all outdoor enthusiasts”, and it’s really true if you look at its features:

• Altimeter: altitude, vertical speed, altitude alarm and thermometer.
• Barometer: sea level pressure, absolute pressure, weather trend graph, temperature, weather alarm.
• Compass, Track Back and Find Home functions.
• GPS (1m/3ft, 12 channels).
• Water resistant (10 bar)

And yes, it’s also a watch, with alarm and calendar.

The enclosed software, Suunto Trek Manager, not only lets you draw the data you have gathered but also allows you to create routes, plan your training and keep a diary. Third party products are also compatible with Suunto X9i: CompeGPS, National Geographics TOPO!, Fugawi, and others. Get more information at Suunto’s website.

Make Suunto X9i a nice Xmas present. Buy it at Amazon.

A color screen version of this GPS, the ONIX 200 CR, will be available in February 2007.

You can buy the Bushnell ONIX 200 at Amazon.

Via Engadget and GPS Review.