Is AquaRunning... Boring!?!?!
True waterbabies are never bored in water, but not everyone loves to work out in water. However~ see what runners have to say in a discussion about "Pool Running." My own opinion is that you can work as hard in water as you want to work. Period. If that's not fun, the problem is not the medium, or the setting, or the activity~ it's in the mind of the person working out, or in their work ethic. If you're not having fun~ work harder, and intervals are a key to that.
If you're still bored running or walking in the water, you probably don't know that technology has taken the "boring" out for you.
The Bad News: Most public pools, and many athletic pools, don't allow CD players on deck because others using the water don't like the loud sound an AquaJogger might appreciate. CDs also limit your options in content.
The Good News: Waterproof MP3 players hit the market a few years ago, and they're quite affordable. Just a few years ago, a waterproof Walkman audiocassette player was upwards of $300, and a digital MP3 player ran at least $200. Now, you can plug and play in the water for less than $100. Most also include an FM radio.
If your aquatic goals include hard work, you can use high-paced music to spur you on. And music isn't your only option-- if your goal is developing endurance, long sets can be spent listening to news podcasts, sports events, audio books, oldtime radio episodes-- the possibilities are endless.
The technology is simple to use. A USB from PC to MP3 player makes file transfer as simple as copying a text file onto a floppy. Internal batteries are rechargeable (9 hours playing time). Soon, even the PC won't be needed as digital "wallets" become affordable options for reloading your MP3 player.
These players are great for road-running and cycling in the rain, as well.
Choosing Music
Pick a favorite song that has a good beat. Count 15 seconds of the cadence by your PC's system clock, listening for the drumbeat. The singer might not be singing too fast, but the underlying rhythm will probably be faster.
Example: 1,2,3,4, 2,2,3,4, 3,2,3,4, 4,2,3,4, 5,2,3,4. That's 5, times the 4 beats in each measure. Multiply that quarter-minute result (20) by 4 for a cadence of 080 BPM (Beats Per Minute). That will be a very slow jogging cadence. Cut in half for a cross-country ski motion, the same song gives an easy stretching cadence of 040 BPM. The range for that song is 040-080.
Or you can jog it in double-time, for a range of 040-160. Now you have a song that you can use for warmup or cooldown stretching, for slow jogging, and for brisker jogging. You can use the whole song for one stride or vary your stride by verse. It's very easy to use the verse/chorus arrangement for interval work, as well: do a verse at 040BPM slow-skiing to warm up; do most of the rest jogging at 080; do the chorusues with tiny, fast foot movements at 160. As your fitness improves seemingly effortlessly, 040 will be way too slow, and eventually so will 160.
Examples of estimated cadence ranges you can hear for yourself with a simple search at YouTube:
020-060 ZZ Top - Blue Jean Blues
064-128 Mary Chapin Carpenter - I Take My Chances
064-128 John Mellencamp - Our Country
064-128 ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man
112-112 Warren Zevon - Werewolves Of London
112-192 John Mellencamp - Check It Out
120-120 Mary Chapin Carpenter - I Feel Lucky
120-200 ZZ Top - I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide
128-128 Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy
Once you have heard a few (and checked my math), you should be able to find music in your own collection that will suit the level of effort you want to try.
There also is software that will count cadences for your collection in hardly any time at all. (Review and link to come.)
Or you can use new services available online that count the cadence for you-- by song, by workout, and by podcast!(Reviews and links to come.)
