Crosstrainer (www.crosstrainer.ca ) is software that allows you to track both your training/workouts and food/nutrition.

OPTIONS AVAILABLE

• download software to your pc for a one-off fee (free trial available)
• web-based access to the software – 3, 6 or 12 month subscription
• pc/web options also available for trainers to use for clients

FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY

My Fitness

• calendar page with overview/summary of various options such as training, nutrition and goals

Nutrition tracking

• add your own foods to the database
• compile your own recipe / meals database
• gives breakdown of nutritional information for each product
• allows you to set daily %s for carbs, protein, fat etc and shows your daily % totals
• track calorie intake

Workouts

• allows you to create and schedule your own workouts

Cardio

• allows you to create your own training plan
• log all sorts of training data such as distance, time, pace, calories burned, HR info, shoes etc

Wellness

• Track wellness factors such as use of supplements and medications

Diet

• the “weigh in ” option lets you create diet and weight goals
• record weight and measurements
• set up your daily % targets for protein, fat and carbs
• upload photos

Log book

• Section in which you can keep your own notes

Summary

• View your logged information in graph format

Crosstrainer main screen

3rd place

Mapometer (http://gb.mapometer.com/en/ )

I discovered this mapping tool only recently but in my opinion it far surpasses other mapping tools which I had used up to now. This tool is devoid of annoying ads and seems faster and less clunky. I used this when I had problems with the calibration of my Garmin Forerunner 50 watch and it gave me incorrect and varying distance measurements. Useful in planning varied routes to keep boredom out of covering the same route time and time again.

2nd place

Fetch Everyone (www.fetcheveryone.com)

I love Fetch Everyone site with the ability to see my training log in different formats, see how many miles are on each pair of my shoes, see where I’m ranking on the monthly and annual running league tables, which can spur me on to put in a few extra miles, enter scheduled and completed race info. This is only some of the functionality which this brilliant site offers.

1st place

Twitter (www.twitter.com)

But there needs to be a human element in all this as well, even in the virtual world and this is where Twitter is an invaluable resource. Of all the resources I would rank Twitter top for what I get from it in terms of motivation, support and a good laugh. It also, I hope, gives me the chance to offer the same in some small way to others. This is a virtual community there when you have a brilliant run and also there when you have a crap race. These are people who are as mad as you, who understand the need to go out running in storms and gales, to wear definitely untrendy luminous gear, who get equally excited about acquiring the latest gps watch and who pore over spreadsheets and logs working out minute miles! This is the Twitter running community and you are the best!

Cost:  free to signup
Features:

• covers running, triathlon, cycling and fitness.
• post a workout, note, photo, video and link.
• view a list of your own training, you and your friends training or everyone’s training.
• sign up for races and add races to the database
• make friends
• join groups and forums
• get widgets for your blog or website

click on images to enlarge

FetchEveryone (www.fetcheveryone.com) describes itself as “a fast developing site providing tools and fun for runners…”

Features on FetchEveryone

Training:

• create training plans
• log training
• analysis and summary of training
• set goals
• database of routes
• calculators including BMI, heart rate, training pace etc
• food and weight log and food database

click image to enlarge

Race

• race reports
• find out who’s running where
• race finder
• build a race portfolio

Social

• blog about your running
• forums
• join groups, find buddies, member map
• find a club near you

Other features

• record your injuries and see who else is injured
• log mileage on shoes (and sports bras!)
• games including PB betting
• list of online running stores
• public picture gallery
• articles written by website members
• league and rankings – for different distances and age classes

Registration

Registration and use of the site is free.

• go to www.fetcheveryone.com
• click on “Register now” button on right hand side of screen
• fill out form (see below) and click submit

Read TechnoTrotter’s review of Fetch Everyone

Gyminee (www.gyminee.com) describes itself as “the premier fitness social network for detailed tracking, online accountability, and motivation. Whether you are trying to lose weight or get fit it’s time to start taking your fitness seriously.”

It allows you to:

• track your workouts – you can create your own workout programs or subscribe to existing ones
• monitor your diet – online food diary and a database of foods to which you can add your own foods and recipes
• fitness social network – you can make gym buddies and join fitness groups to help keep you motivated and provide support
• challenges – you can set up your own challenges or join existing public challenges
• Gyminee Pro provides advanced features

How to register with Gyminee

Creating an account is a straightforward process requiring a minimum of information (email address, username and password)

Go to gyminee.com, select the “sign up ” button and complete the online form.

Completing your profile

The next step is to complete your profile. When you log in, you are taken to a tab called “My Locker Room” from where you are taken step by step through your profile.

Gyminee functionality

From My Locker Room you can then navigate the other sections of Gyminee by clicking on the tabs at the top of the page

• My Locker Room
• Workouts
• Nutrition
• Challenges
• Groups
• Gymbuddies
• Forums

Cost: It is free to register and use the site. There is a fee for the advanced features under Gyminee Pro

Read TechnoTrotter’s review of Gyminee

Setting up a free Flickr account

• go to http://www.flickr.com
• click on button “Create Your Account“
• if you don’t have a Yahoo ID, click “sign up” at bottom right of screen
• select if you want US or UK and Ireland version
• fill out form and click “Create My Account”
• you will receive a confirmation email either to your alternative email address or your new Yahoo email (you can access your Yahoo email by going to www.yahoo. co.uk or www.yahoo.com and signing in using the ID and password you created)
• go back to http://www.flickr.com, click “Create Your Account” and sign in using your Yahoo ID

How to use Flickr

For a helpful overview of Flickr, visit their FAQs

This covers loads of topics including:

• uploading pictures
• editing pictures
• arranging pictures in sets
• tagging pictures
• sharing pictures
• using the organiser
• using Flickr tools
• inserting pictures in externals blogs and websites

Read how the TechnoTrotter is currently using Flickr for a visual food diary.

TechnoTrotter is currently testing Flickr to keep a visual food diary and a review and rating will be posted in due course.

To sign up for a free Twitter account:

• go to http://twitter.com

• you will see the following set up screen. Fill in details – the username can be whatever you want (mine is technotrotter).

Twitter sign up screen

• once account is set up and you are logged in you will see a screen which at top right hand corner of page are menu options
• under settings you can add as little or as much info as you wish
• useful to at least choose correct Time Zone and fill in the one line bio box
• under settings you can also upload your picture by clicking the ‘picture’ tax and change background under ‘design’

***Help page for Twitter is available at http://help.twitter.com

How to use Twitter

To use Twitter you need either a mobile phone or an internet connection.

Mobile Phone

• instructions on using Twitter using a mobile phone
• note the info on charges levied by different networks for sending messages

Web browser

• to use on a web browser go to http://twitter.com/yourusername and click login at top right or login on main http://twitter.com page
• login using the username and password you chose when you set up the account
• click “Home” on menu at top right of page
• type update in box titled “What are you doing?”

Following other people’s updates on Twitter, @replies and direct messages

The FAQs on the Twitter site provide information on how:-

• to receive other people’s updates
• how to direct one of your updates at a specific user
• sending a direct message to a specific user

Read how the TechnoTrotter is using Twitter to plan and update on her runs (and related things!)
TechnoTrotter is currently testing Twitter to see if keeps her motivated to be consistent in running. A review and rating will be posted here in due course.