Slightly mad idea?

[SeanC]

I've noticed that various apps have started appearing to make running on a treadmill more interesting. For example you can run the London Marathon

http://www.runnersworld.com/gear-check/ ... n-marathon

Now what if you could use the treadmill to navigate your way round a virtual orienteering course like catching features? http://www.catchingfeatures.com/

Would it make you want to use the treadmill (when there was no orienteering)? Would it help coaching and junior development (because people could get lost and practice relocation, without actually getting lost)?

[andy]

some mad Finns beat you to it: http://athene-exergaming.com/en/

[SeanC]

[usuallylast]

Certainly not a mad idea - I've got a basic (non-electric) treadmill at home, and I also keep my bike on a stand so I can use it as an exercise bike. It helps keep the joints and muscles working, especially over the winter when I don't go out so much if it's icy etc. Anyway, for well over a year I've been using running/cycling videos. (Mine are from Virtual Active). Without them I manage about 5 mins before suicidal boredom sets in, but miraculously I can manage an hour or more watching a screen. The motivational music helps too. I've already thought about the Catching Features idea, but haven't figured out the practicalities yet.

[johnrobinson]

Coupling get that with virtual reality goggles and you could get a genuinly immersive experience. Virtual orienteering..don't know how you would change direction on treadmill though. Also would miss the mud and the wind and rain. Might need to run a shower to simulate that.. can see possibilities though.

[SeanC]

CHanging direction - I guess the cheap way is some kind of big lever that operates a mouse control. You'd have to be careful you don't end up doing a Ronnie Corbett.

Nothing could replace the experience of last night's Kent Night Cup when about 15 of us followed someone on an unwise shortcut down a an old quarry clearly marked as fight. 10 minutes for 250 metres.

[usuallylast]

Nothing could replace the experience of last night's Kent Night Cup when about 15 of us followed someone on an unwise shortcut down a an old quarry clearly marked as fight. 10 minutes for 250 metres.

That pretty much describes the workroom/office where I keep my treadmill actually..