Week 1 With Nike+ SportWatch GPS

I’ll get a more granular in posts to come, but the general outlook for the Nike+ SportWatch GPS is very good. So far it has delivered on what it is billed as and I would say a great value for a recreational+ runner.

I had 2 issues this week on my runs, but they were user errors:

1. My first run was intended to use all sensors(GPS, Heart Monitor and Pod). I did not wait for the watch to say ready and instead hit the “Quick Start” option thinking they would all sync. The manual specifically says if you use Quick Start, only the pod will be used on your run.

2. Ran out of battery. Again the manual specifically says good for about 4 runs. Not being used to having a GPS watch I did not even think about charging it. This will not happen again .

Beside those to hiccups, it’s nice to have a watch again and in this case, a watch with a very easy to read and navigate screen. It’s been about 2 years since I’ve run with a timing device. It’s even better to have a heart rate monitor back. Heart rate is my second favorite running partner (second to a human). It is really great to have GPS, I can now do up and backs in completely unknown areas and not worry about how far I’m going out. An added bonus is the Pod, the original Nike+ “pedometer” pod that goes in your shoe to count steps, distance and pace. It calibrates on all your runs to your GPS and if the GPS drops in the middle of a run because of tree or building cover, the pod picks up and continues marking distance, nice feature.

If you want to know something specific about the device, please comment, and I’ll try to address it.

One Week to the Goat

Yesterday Fleet Feet Syracuse put on the last Mountain Goat Training Run for the year. With the Goat only 7 days away, the training run gave the brave few a taste of that type of weather you are only ready for if you train for it, driving rain and wind ~40 degree temperatures. Thank you again Fleet Feet for your commitment to getting us ready for this great race.

To all you runners out there hitting the hilly course next Sunday, get some good easy runs in, maybe some speed work early in the week, and carb up on Saturday night. Those of you have run it before, you know there will be hills, but as we saw last year, you never know what mother nature will throw at you.

What Are our Goals

A spot of tea and the new Runners World Magazine never disappoints. The article "Good Targets" reminds us that time is not the only reason we run a race.

When setting goals for your next race, remember it's not all about a PR or getting exactly or better than your quickest goal time, performance can be measured many different ways. Train to hit your time goals, but there are elements out of your control that will come into play. Set multiple goals to account for all the things you can't control.

Recovery Partner - Running with Harper the Dog

It is quite a coincidence that this month's issue of Runners World features running with your dog. 3 weeks ago my wife and I rescued a hound mix aka a mutt. I am not the biggest dog person, but Harper and I are really starting to hit it off. Our roles with each-other I believe are going to evolve over time, but I have started off as her walking trainer. I hope to soon be picking the pace up as she gets older and start to heal. She will be a great addition to the runningetc crew and I how you will all meet her.

Leaf Peepers training:
Monday - run
Tuesday - rest
Wednesday- run (Kitty Hoynes)
Thursday - run
Friday - rest
Long run Saturday or Sunday with a nice walk on the other day (I have been taking Harper to Green Lakes each weekend, and it has been great, let's do it guys)

If you need any help getting motivated, let me and Harper know.

Inspiration; the Competitors Fuel - Syracuse 70

As the first Syracuse 70.3 triathlon goes through our city this weekend, there are so many people out there that can inspire us. Men and women of all shapes and sizes went out there today for as many reasons as there are competitors. Whether it was to finish and say "I did it" to the veterans of the distance shooting for a personal best, the swarm of humans swimming, biking and running for 70.3km through our streets are so inspiring.

Let's get at it this week PEEPERS.
Monday - run
Tuesday - rest
Wednesday- run
Thursday - run
Friday - rest
Long run Saturday or Sunday with a nice walk on the other day.

PT's Healing - Go Leaf Peeper Training

This morning's long run through the pages of Runners World is a little different. With a full week of physical therapy in the bank and the continued following of my therapist's exercises to recovery, the words are jumping off the page and and into my Nikes.

I physically, feel more alive than I have in a long time. Reflecting back to earlier this week, while "on the table", being lightly worked out, I return to the standing positioned and when asked "do your feel any different?" I pause and think for a moment that there is nothing different, then a burst of energy courses through my body. It's the blood flowing warmly to the injured parts of my body. This is invigorating and almost euphoric.

I can run a marathon right now I think to myself, until the follow up question comes with the expected answer, "it doesn't hurt except when you lift your leg like this, right?" Of course she was right, but this new feeling of movement without movement has invigorated my efforts and mental state to a point of extreme optimism. We are getting closer every day to trying out the workouts in the magazine or at least getting out there with the run club. Closer and closer to enjoying time in nature with full awareness of the body and mind experience healing the physical and mental trash that potentially creeps up into every day situations.

Leaf Peeper runners. Get out there, and run this week. I want to hear about your great runs, your horrible runs, and what they feel like. If you are feeling good, throw some hills. Think about a nice place for the long run this weekend. It was great to get together at Green Lakes this week.

Let's Get Running this Week (Leaf Peepers)

Even when you have gone as far as you can, and everything hurts, and you are staring at the specter of self-doubt, you can find a bit more strength deep inside you, if you look closely enough.

Hal Higdon

Alright guys. Let's shoot for a strong 20 mile week. Walking or running will work. On Saturday or Sunday, get a long run in around 8 miles.