21st Century Learning

Wild Creativity

David Murray blogs over at Cycling 4 Life and we share a passion for cycling. I was on his site and saw where he shared the best illustration of Einstein's quote, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Imagination is "the act or power of forming mental images of what is not present; the act or power of creating new ideas" (Webster). Imagination essentially asks: "What if?"

Check this out... and the amazing part- get to the end of the digital video clip and you will see that the music you have been listening to was created by using bicycle parts. This really is worth you checking out! http://www.specialized.com/bc/microsite/holiday/index.html and here is the mp3 of just the music- http://cdn.specialized.com/bc/microsite/holiday/specializednutcracker.mp3

Amber's First 5 K Race

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  Originally uploaded by snbeach.

Amber did it! (my first born) She ran the Alan Stone 5K and placed 4th in her weight class (she competed against 140 lbs and up) and 4th in her age division (she is 24)! We are so incredibly proud of her.

Training for the 5K was part of her personal fitness strategy to get her weight off. So far she has lost 40+ lbs. Well meaning folks kept telling her that at her size she shouldnt run. Guess she showed them! :)

Technology was a huge part of the race. They all wore a digital device that measured their minutes and uploaded instantly to a Web site for results. Very cool.

Sad part is she didnt dream she placed so she went home before prizes were given out.

Run Amber! Run like the wind. Third base! (private joke)

Women Specific Design

I decided to start including my thoughts on technology as it relates to fitness. I noticed Edutopia always has a fitness section for educators of cool technologies to help with fitness levels or awesome places to go that are fitness related. So I figured I could get away with it. Besides, I am trying for more balance in my life this year and fitness is a part of that. Seven years plugged into this machine has really begun to impact my fitness level. In 2001, I rode the MS 150 and was in the top third. Weight wasnt an issue then. I love bikes. Especially mountain bikes.

So-- as part of my promise to try for more balance in my life I have started seriously riding again. Rode 8 miles yesterday and did  15 miles today-- in the heat and thought I would die. Even got off at the beach and walked for a bit before finishing my ride. For motivation I went to a bike store and bought a new pair of Shimano shoes. I ride a mountain bike and love off road adventures. However, while at the bike shop-- a road bike got my serious attention.

And talk about technology and fitness-- shoes have truly changed since the last pair I bought.  They credit the design change to Functional Advanced Composite Technology. This results in incredibly light, stiff soles for outstanding power transfer. Every ounce of effort is transmitted directly to the pedals thanks to carbon soles.

The coolest change in Treks since I bought my last bike in 2003 is the new line of Women Specific Design bikes and helmets. Finally, fitness technology is working in favor of women. They have paired up with AMD and I am really all over that because that is my processor of choice as well. I was wondering if any of you have ever known any woman that actually had a WSD Trek?
I know an entry level road bike makes the most sense-- but I have to tell you, the perfomance WSD bikes were definately the ones that caught my eye.

I have to thank my daughter Amber for getting me motivated again about fitness. She has started running and as a result her weight is really coming into line. She also has chosen a career that chains her to her machine, which tends to be counter productive to staying in shape. But her and her dog Kyla have been training for a 5K which is next weekend. She joined Weight Watchers and did a program called couch to 5K and is actually now running for 3-4 miles nonstop. Her blog is so funny as she shares her adventures in trying to get in shape.

Any advice you have about Treks, Tech, or fitness as I rekindle this passion in my life-- feel free to leave a comment.

Tune your Run

So I typically do not blog about family, but this seemed like a good enough connection to technology to get away with it!

Rob Sweitzer, my son in law, of the band Mae (Capitol Records recording artist)is heading with the band to Chicago to kick off the APPLE & Nike Tune your Run campaign!

Rock n' Run

With a sensor in your shoe and a receiver on your iPod nano, your run takes on a whole new dimension. See the minutes tick by. Watch the miles unfold. Hear real-time feedback. All to your favorite music — including the one song that always gets you through the home stretch.

Stay in Sync

Sync up after you cool down. Just as seamlessly as it syncs your music, photos, and calendars, iPod nano also syncs your run. Simply connect iPod nano to your Mac or PC, and your workout data syncs to both iTunes and nikeplus.com, where you can see your runs, set goals, and challenge friends. The Internet is an open road.

How Cool is That?

Rob gets the shoes and a new Nano! If I am lucky my daughter Heidi will give me her old IPod. Wont Cathy and John be proud of me then!