| "No, I'm not suggesting you slouch there all day moving nothing but your fingers. But exploring some online resources can help your outdoor cardio exercise, whether you're a walker, runner or cyclist." " Twenty-five years after the first diagnosis of the first case of AIDS, the world is waking up to the epidemic. " "Basically, these Web sites do for your body what sites like MapQuest and Google Maps do for your car: let you plan, measure and map your fitness "trips." In fact, some of them make use of the Google Maps technology to let you locate, create or share routes anywhere from Dupont Circle to San Francisco to Tuscany. (Hey, an exerciser can dream, can't she?)" ", and you'll see a map of the United States and a space to type in a location name, address or Zip code. Want to go for a lunchtime run in downtown D.C.? Enter Zip code 20036, and -- " "Because 20036 has been heavily trod by folks who spend lots of their non-running time at a computer, you'll notice a bunch of existing routes marked by numbered yellow diamonds. Check them out (you'll find brief descriptions on the right of your screen), and you might find exactly what you want." "But maybe you want to craft your own route, or compute the miles covered and calories burned on a route that you've walked or run. In that case, click on "Create a route," and then click on the starting point on the map. Make sure to use the key at the bottom of the screen to enter your weight and pace so you'll get customized data about your workout." "Then build your route with additional clicks. As you do, you'll see your distance and time being tracked on the right of your screen. (If there's a curve along your route, you'll have to use several clicks to break it into small straight segments.) You can reposition the map by using the directional arrows or by holding down the left button on your mouse and dragging. When you're done, you can save your route. (Creating a free account is optional, but you'll need it to record changes to your route.)" ", which is somewhat more cluttered but offers some fun options. When you log on, you'll see a map of much of the world. (Go ahead, check out all the bike routes in Sydney!) As you map your route, you can opt to see ... read the whole article |