Mio is raising money toward launching the strapless heart rate monitor, Alpha, through Kickstarter.com.

Mio, a company that has been in the heart rate monitor business for 13 years, is on the brink of releasing a device that may change the way people think about tracking heart rate. The Mio Alpha promises to monitor heart rate without the use of a chest strap. How does it work? Basically, the inside of the watch has light beams that sense your heart rate.

Another unique aspect of Mio’s Alpha is the way in which the final phase of development is being funded. Mio turned to Kickstarter.com, a platform that allows everyday people to invest in creative projects, to raise $100,000 toward releasing Alpha to the public. They’ve already surpassed that goal and think they could reach the $500,000 mark by their deadline of Aug. 9.

We caught up with Mio CEO Liz Dickinson to find out more about the technology behind Alpha, ask about the decision to go to Kickstarter.com and learn when the product will be available to the public.

Competitor.com: How did you get involved in the heart rate monitor business?

Liz Dickinson: I have always been passionate about technology. Back in late 1999 I had been in high tech for about 20 years. After the birth of my third child I had even less time to exercise, so it was important that I optimize what little time I had.  I did a lot of research and found that using a heart rate monitor can really help you make the most of your exercise. I decided to try one, but really hated using the chest strap. But, that was all that was available. It was unbelievable to me that people just accepted the strap, and I soon found that others shared my frustration. So right then and there I decided to invent a strapless heart rate watch. I have always been technical, and I had done a lot of business in Asia so I was able to find the contacts I needed to pull off a prototype. I took the Mio prototype to a trade show and I was blown away by the enthusiastic response I got. I decided to raise capital and really go for it full-time, and I did.

Competitor.com: Where did the idea for the Alpha heart rate monitor come from?

Dickinson: The best we could do at the time was a technology that required you to touch the watch to get a reading. This technology was fine for lifestyle users like walkers, hikers and people interested in exercise mostly for weight loss, but athletes never really embraced it.  To really get traction in this market, you need to have a product that satisfies the athlete. So, as early as 2001 I started looking for technology that could take a continuous heart rate at performance speeds without finger sensors.

Competitor.com: How did you come up with the technology?

Dickinson: I spent many years looking at various technologies being developed in many different countries: ultra-wide-bandwidth radar, ultrasound, infrared optical and light sensors. So, I got a really good sense of what was possible and the obstacles to success. I kept looking at opportunities as they arose and evaluating the strength of the development teams I was speaking to and their likely capability to overcome the obstacles.

Competitor.com: How does the technology work?

Dickinson: Two light beams and an electro-optical cell “sense” the volume of blood under your skin. Because the blood volume pulsates in the rhythm of the heart, so does the signal from the electro-optical cell. This signal is processed by an advanced electronics circuit and passed on to a highly specialized computer program that is embedded in the Alpha. To date, the stumbling block with this type of technology has been that when you are walking or running, arm movements strongly interfere with the electro-optical signal. To solve this problem the Alpha has a separate motion detector. The computer program is able to use the information from this detector to compensate for the disturbance that is generated in the electro-optical signal by walking or running motions. As a result, the Alpha can display an accurate heart rate even during motion-intense activities.

Competitor.com: Why the decision to launch the product through Kickstarter?

Dickinson: My company had funded the development of Alpha to get it to the point of being a working prototype that we knew we could manufacture. I knew I needed to raise capital to complete the project. Traditionally my choice would have been to go the venture capitalist route, but recently many different people sent me a link to the Pebble watch project on Kickstarter.

They suggested that Alpha was so unique that perhaps Kickstarter might be worth trying as a vehicle to raise our funds. I looked into it more deeply and I agreed. The advantage of Kickstarter is that you don’t have to give up equity in your company. Instead, the pledges that you collect, which are rewarded with Alphas, are really just pre-sales of the product.  Those funds can be used in advance of having to deliver.  It really is a great model.  People can participate in making a product they really want come to life.

RELATED: Three Heart-Rate Monitor Mistakes That Everyone Makes

The post Mio To Launch Strapless Heart-Rate Monitor appeared first on Competitor.com.

Lance Armstrong is eyeing a marathon in the Windy City. Photo: PhotoRun.net

The question of whether or not seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is still training to compete in the 2011 Ironman World Championship is starting to clear up.

According to his @LanceArmstrong twitter account, Armstrong is looking to train for a Chicago marathon.

@Cledawgs asked: “Got any marathons planned?”

To which Armstrong responded: “eyeing the windy city for the next one.”

If we assume Armstrong is referring to Chicago’s marquee marathon, the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, then Kona is likely a no-go for 2011.

While it is possible to race in both an Ironman and a marathon in the same season, it is virtually impossible for an athlete to compete in both the Ironman World Championship and the Chicago Marathon. The Ironman World Championship is set for Saturday, Oct. 8 in Kona, Hawaii, with the Chicago Marathon taking place the next day on Sunday, Oct. 9 in Chicago, Ill.

Regardless of what races he ends up competing in this year, Armstrong seems to enjoy keeping us guessing.

Click here to read more Lance Armstrong news.

The post Lance Armstrong Eyeing 2011 Chicago Marathon appeared first on Competitor.com.

Click here to watch the discussion.

The post Video: Enduring Women With Kara Goucher, Rebecca Rusch & More appeared first on Competitor.com.

American Josh Cox won the marathon in 2:17:32, then hit the track for 5 more miles to set an American 50K record of 2:43:45. Photo: Kurt Hoy

Josh Cox wins marathon, goes on to set U.S. 50K record, just misses world mark. Mayeroff wins women’s race; Forrest, Perez take half marathon titles.

The day started off with Shawn Forrest of Australia taking the title in the men’s half marathon with a time of 1 hour, 3 minutes and 7 seconds. It was a narrow win for the University of Arkansas alum, as his margin of victory was only 15 seconds over second-place finisher and fellow former Razorback Alistair Cragg of Ireland.

“The first mile I just wanted to sit and get into a rhythm and then I planned to pick it up, depending on how I felt,” Forrest said after the race. “I felt great and went for it. I really wanted to win so I’m happy.”

In the women’s half marathon, Mexico’s Madai Perez led from start to finish and took the convincing victory with a time of 1:11:49.

“It’s a great stepping stone for the Pan-American games, which will be in Mexico next year,” said Perez, who will first run the London Marathon in April. “I am preparing for that. This was a great race to start out the year.”

American Kara Goucher, making her first appearance in a race since giving birth to son, Colton, in September, finished second in 1:14:02.

Despite the fact that Goucher performed to her own expectations, she was not able to beat Competitor.com rival Mario Fraioli of San Diego, Calif., who finished in 1:11:34. The two had challenged each other to a duel a few weeks prior to Sunday’s race.

“I really felt like I was in 73 to 74-minute shape, and that’s exactly what it was,” Goucher explained after crossing the finish line. “I would have loved to come and run faster, but I have to be realistic. My baby is three and a half months old. It was really, really fun. Mario was nice enough to run with me for the first 5K, but he ran his own race after that. I just had a great time. You would have thought I was running 65 minutes the way people were cheering.”

Across the Arizona State University parking lot, American Josh Cox crossed the marathon finish line in a time of 2:17:32 for the win. Instead of taking the time to let the victory soak in, Cox kept on running towards Sun Angel Stadium, where he ran lap after lap around the track to complete 50K (31.0685 miles) in 2:43:45. The time established a new American record, but narrowly missed the world record by seven seconds.

“I think I should have kept the horses in the barn a little longer, but such is hindsight, “ said Cox. “It was a great day. It wasn’t all there, obviously. I would have liked to have run seven seconds faster, but it’s just like two years ago. I wanted to run the world record then. We had a rule in college. Whenever you set a PR, you’re not allowed to say anything negative about the race. You have to be happy with a PR. They don’t come often. I got the American record and I got the title and that’s forever.”

The final victory of the day went to Arizona native Sally Meyerhoff. Meyerhoff became the first female American to win this race, finishing in a time of 2:37:56.

“I feel so awesome,” Meyerhoff explained seconds after crossing the finish line. “I’ve wanted to win this race for the past three years. It was my first marathon in 2008 and to come back in my third try to win is unbelievable.”

More than 30,000 athletes ran or walked their way through the Arizona desert towns of Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe at the 2010 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon.

For complete coverage of Sunday’s event, including stories, results, photos and more, check out Competitor.com’s Complete Coverage Page.

The post Cox Breaks U.S. 50k Record at P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll appeared first on Competitor.com.

Check back for a complete recap video of the evening.

The post Athletes Honored At Endurance Sports Awards On Saturday appeared first on Competitor.com.

Chrissie Wellington donned Brooks Shoes when she crossed the finish line in Kona in 2009. Photo: Larry Rosa

Brooks Sports, Inc., the only company in the world that offers footwear, apparel, and accessories exclusively for the runner, announced today a multi-year partnership with Chrissie Wellington, world-renowned British triathlete and reigning Ironman Champion. With Brooks as her official performance running shoe brand, Wellington joins an elite group of accomplished runners and athletes in the Brooks family.

“I am so honored and excited to officially join the Brooks team,” said Wellington, 32, who has chosen to run in Brooks’ T6 Racer for the past three years. “Brooks is a highly respected brand and a favorite among pro competitors.”

Shortly after turning professional, Wellington, originally from the UK, won her first World Ironman Championship in 2007. She went on again to win in both 2008 and 2009, when she also set a new women’s world course record of 8 hours, 54:02 minutes. Later that year, she was named the Sunday Times Sportswoman of The Year.

“With that trademark smile she flashes even after finishing a grueling race, Chrissie Wellington embodies the strength, passion, and drive to succeed that we look for in brand partners,” said Jim Weber, president and CEO of Brooks. “We’re pleased to welcome her and proud to have such an inspirational athlete representing our brand.”

Wellington is the first triathlete to join Brooks’ strategic group of professional athletes. Included in this tight yet varied group of accomplished runners are the Hansons-Brooks Original Distance Project, which sent member Brian Sell to the 2008 Olympics in the Men’s Marathon, and renowned ultra and trail runner Scott Jurek. Jurek is the seven-time Western States Endurance Run Champion and Course Record Holder and the two-time Badwater Ultramarathon Champion and Course Record Holder.

The post Brooks Sports Partners With Three-Time Ironman World Champion Chrissie Wellington appeared first on Competitor.com.

1. Dress smart

While it is not unusual for the temperature to increase over the course of any long-distance running race, the Phoenix climate presents an unusually high variance in weather from start to finish. When the marathoners start at 7:40 a.m. the temperature will likely be in the 40’s. As the sun rises, so will the heat. Temperatures will reach the high 60’s by lunchtime.

Be careful not to overdress. It’s okay to be a little chilly before you start running; the rising temperature and your body heat will warm you up once you get going. If you’re concerned about staying warm pre-race, bring clothes that you don’t mind leaving behind. Rock n’ Roll will donate any clothes left behind to the Salvation Army.

2. Show up early

It seems every race organizer tells you to make sure to show up early, but it is especially important in this case. The point-to-point nature of both the half and the full marathon means that thousands of athletes will need to be dropped off in a hard-to-navigate area of downtown Phoenix.

Whether you’re being dropped off by friends or family, or taking the shuttle in from the finish line, plan to be at the start with plenty of time to spare. Use the restroom, do a short warm-up and find your corral. You will be calm and collected while others scramble around you.

3. Stick to your race plan

The design of the Arizona course makes it very easy to go out too fast. Both races start out extremely flat in the first few miles and then slowly build in elevation. You will feel great in the beginning. Stick to your pacing plan and don’t push too hard, or you will pay for it in the later miles.

4. Run in the middle of the street

This may sound like a strange tip, but it could save you from quite a bit of pain. The sides of the roads tend to be less level and more beat-up. Stick to the middle of the road and venture to the side only at fluid stations.

5. Wear sunglasses

This is a simple tip, but definitely one to take note of. It will be dark when you are lined up to start the race, but the sun will soon rise. Because the course takes runners directly east, it is important to have sunglasses. You don’t want to deal with the annoyance of squinting into the bright Arizona sun.

6. Warn your friends and relatives

The half marathon and the marathon have different finish lines. As a runner, you will have no problem navigating your way to the finish line, but it will not be as obvious to spectators. I’ve been a spectator at this race a few times, and I always see friends and family head over to the marathon finish line expecting to see their athlete finish, only to miss it because they were unintentionally watching elite runners finish the marathon instead.

7. Know the course

One of the advantages of a point-to-point course is that you get to see much more of the city you’re in. Both races cover ground in Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe, making for a fun race. Because the race spans a good part of the greater Phoenix area, it is smart to drive the course before race day. It will not only help your spectators get an idea of the best place to look for you, it will also provide you with a sense of the area in case you have to drop out of the race.

The post P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon Course Tips appeared first on Competitor.com.

Fuel-starved endurance athletes are notorious convenience eaters, scarfing pre-packaged products and expensive prepared foods that offer a quick fix for their ravenous appetites. But these food products and supplements leave athletes under-nourished, delaying recovery and preventing their highest performance.

The Athlete's Plate: Real Food for High Performance by Adam Kelinson ($24.95)

For endurance athletes, there is no substitute for real food. The Athlete’s Plate: Real Food for High Performance debunks the myth that busy athletes lack the time to fuel with real food. Professional chef and endurance athlete Adam Kelinson guides athletes from grocery store to kitchen, offering time-saving shopping and cooking strategies that make preparing delicious, nutritious meals a pleasure. The Athlete’s Plate is now available in bookstores, endurance sports shops, and online.

Kelinson demonstrates how buying local, seasonal foods will save time and money. He explains how organic whole foods provide more nutrients than conventionally grown food and how a minimalist approach to cooking is more convenient and nutritious than laborious gourmet recipes.

The Athlete’s Plate provides 85 delicious, quick-prep recipes to fuel the active lifestyle. Kelinson’s worry-free dishes include smoothies and juices; power snacks; appetizing soups, salads and dressings; carb-filled pastas, polenta, and noodle bowls; lean protein dishes featuring seafoods, poultry, pork, and savory vegetarian preparations; and satisfying desserts.

The Athlete’s Plate reflects Kelinson’s years of experience as a professional chef, endurance athlete, and student of the relationship between nutrition and the environment. The book offers a no-nonsense way to balanced nutrition, incorporating all the nutrients athletes need to fuel and recover for training and racing. Athletes will learn how to make nutrition an enjoyable part of their lifetyle instead of a limiter on their performance.

About Adam Kelinson
Adam Kelinson is a professional chef and the founder of Organic Performance, a nutrition consulting company based in New York. Kelinson is an Ironman triathlete and has written on diet and nutrition for TrailRunner, Inside Triathlon, xtri.com, and dietwatch.com. He has cooked for elite athletes, corporate executives, and celebrities like Prince, Hillary Swank, and Mariska Hargitay. For more information, please visit organicperformance.com.

VeloPress is an endurance sports and fitness publisher with training and history books on cycling, triathlon, running, and diet and nutrition. For more information, please visit Velopress.com.

The post Enjoy Real Food And Higher Performance With New Book: The Athlete’s Plate appeared first on Competitor.com.

Scientifically speaking, how your body performs on alcohol depends entirely on the amount consumed, the context and the individual. According to a study about alcohol and athletic performance published by the American College of Sports Medicine, the effects are not entirely clear. In low amounts, alcohol seems to actually improve balance, but a moderate amount of it negatively affects motor skills. In terms of strength, power and short-term performances, low to moderate amounts of alcohol “can result in faster fatigue during high-intensity exercise.” However, alcohol has also been shown to have no effect on strength in various muscle groups or on muscular endurance. How does alcohol affect you aerobically? The same study concluded that low and moderate amounts of alcohol impaired 800- and 1500-meter run times and also creates the risk of dehydration because of alcohol’s diuretic properties. And dehydration itself impairs performance and is detrimental to health. As for running with a hangover, the study findings might surprise you: “The effect during a hangover seems to be undecided, with no effect on several performance variables.”

For more click here.

The post Do Alcohol And Training Mix? appeared first on Competitor.com.

With most athletic companies it seems that the major engineering and design efforts go into big-ticket items such as tops, bottoms and shoes. Sports bras are often an after thought, with many companies using the same design over and over again and adapting colors and patterns to match the tops, bottoms and shoes.  Most women will agree that no matter our size, sports bras are an important part of our athletic wardrobe.

While Moving Comfort does design tops, bottoms and accessories, the majority of its resources go right into its sports bras. For evidence of this, check out their website at Movingcomfort.com. The first category, usually reserved for a company’s standout product, is its sports bras. The site also features an interactive bra finder.

I got a chance to try out three different sports bra styles:

Alexis Printed Bra ($36)

Alexis Printed Bra ($36): This bra was the most fun one I tested. At a cost of only $36, it is also one of the most affordable fashion sports bras I’ve received. The first time I got to wear the Alexis was on my first run on a cruise in the Eastern Caribbean. Normally, I’m not comfortable wearing a sports bra with nothing over it. But on a cruise jogging-path, it was not only appropriate, but also necessary because of the Caribbean heat. The fun design and flattering shape make you feel like you’re wearing a cute bathing suit top without worrying about a lack of support. This is the perfect sports bra if you’re looking to run by the beach (or on a cruise) while only wearing a sports bra and shorts.

Diana Bra A/B ($52)

Diana Bra A/B ($52): The Diana A/B Bra is a perfect example of the specificity that goes into the creation of these sports bras. This sports bra is made only for women who wear an A or B cup; there is no version for C or D cups. Additionally, the Diana is made for longer events such as triathlons or marathons. When I first received it I had to do a double take. Did they really create a sports bra for women who wear a size A/B cup and do triathlons? They really did. I wore this sports bra on my final long run leading into my first half-Ironman. After the run, I realized I had never really taken the time to think about how it felt. From my perspective, this is a good thing. Long runs usually mean a sports bra that is either too big or is so tight that it affects my breathing. It also usually means chafing either under the armpits or on the back. This bra fit perfectly and left me with no chafing. It’s a winner.

Phoebe Bra A/B ($34)

Phoebe Bra A/B ($34): This bra was the simplest one I tested. Like the Diana, it is created for A and B cups. They call the Phoebe the “go-to bra for smaller breasted women”, and after giving it a try that’s exactly how I would describe it. I’ve worn the Phoebe several times since receiving it. It works perfectly for everything. I’ve lifted weights, gone on a long cycling ride and done sprint workouts in this sports bra. It is breathable and comfortable for every workout. If I could only have one sports bra in my wardrobe, this would be it.

The post Girl Gear Review: Moving Comfort Sports Bras appeared first on Competitor.com.