Sport Watch GPS (Rnd 2) – Run 2

Weather was great. GPS synced up quick. Heart rate got stuck on 138. Had some big hills in the run, there’s no way the heart rate could have remained that steady. I’m going to check with @fleetfeetsyr to make sure the sensor is ok, but 2 in a row is not very promising. 

Nike+ SportWatch GPS (Rnd 2)

Nike replaced my watch, thanks Nike. I had a nice run w/ my new watch. The sensors linked up quickly, with the GPS linking faster than ever in overcast weather, awesome. The watch, as always, did a great job of keeping time and distance but the heart rate never got above 144. Normally I wouldn’t have thought anything about it, but tonight was a tempo run and the tempo pace was ~1minute faster than warm up and warm down. We’ll see how it goes next time. 

Item to note: My last watch's display was "destroyed" because the moisture seal was broken or something like that (moisture got into the display). It rained on my latest run, so far so good.

RIP Nike+ GPS Watch (Epic Fail)

I had a great vacation. Included in my “traditional relaxation” I got to run almost every day. Since March 21^st of this year running has not been a priority, and I have missed it so. The alternative to running has been caring for my new baby girl which has been quite rewarding as well J.

Last year I started running with a new partner, my Nike+ GPS Watch. This watch has a great display no frills, easy to run w/, reliable and accurate, and the website over the past month has really improved. Over the year, like all partners the watch had a couple missteps, but all in all a great partner. I should probably also note I had always worn Nike shoes, fitted by the great team at Fleet Feet Syracuse and I have been using the Nike running log for over 5 years when I started running.

I had been an early adapter to the Nike+ system using first the attachment to my nano, then the first generation Nike+ Sportband (had to return it twice as sweat would get in the display making it not viewable) and the second generation (sweat or rain got into the display making in not viewable). At this point I hung up the Nike+ products until the GPS watch came out. I had read good reviews including a solid screen that was good in the rain and sweat.

The watch had served me well until my vacation this week and  this is how it went:

Day 1 (in Mexico)

Hot Humid easy 2 mile run on the beach

Day 2

A little hung over, I mean rest day

Day 3

Hot Humid easy 5 mile on treadmill. Post run a circle of water droplets covering two thirds of the display

Day 4

Started with a clear display. Hot Humid easy 3 mile run on treadmill. Post run a circle of water droplets covering two thirds of the display.

Day 5

Started with a clear display. Hot and Humid easy 4 mile run on the tread mill. Post run circles of water droplets covering the whole display. When I got back to the room, the screen was completely blank.

Today

Screen is completely blank but was able to run with the watch. Held the yellow button down for 3 seconds, arrowed down one and pressed the yellow button again. I believe the run was recorded, but am unable to contact the Nike+ site from Nike+ Connect program at this time. Post run the display is covered with water droplets.

I am saddened today that I once again seem to have lost my running partner, and once again will have to abandon the Nike devices with displays. Maybe they’ll get it right in 2013, but I’m going to try not to turn brand loyalty into blind loyalty.

Every Day is Thanksgiving

On my run today I was reminded that every day, for me is Thanksgiving. Sure we don’t have the turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, most of us can be thankful for something.

For me, whether I’m having a good day or a “bad” day I am extremely thankful for everything I have and today I want to make sure everyone knows this.

Today, Erin, I want to know that I’m thankful for you every day. You are a great human being. I am a better person for knowing, loving and spending the rest of my life with you.

Nike+ GPS Sportwatch Update (GPS)

Last night there was a GPS update on the watch. It was either the update or the perfect day: 66, sunny, no clouds, but the GPS synced up immediately when I walked out of the house.

Great watch day, amazing run day.

Nike+ GPS Sprotwatch Update–11/27/2011

Got a couple new updates today on the sportwatch today including:

• Improved mapping accuracy for better looking maps
• Improved instant pace
• Enhanced quickstart features

We’ll see how this effects the experience, and as always they are updating satellite data. In addition to the updates, there are some new features as well:

• Stopwatch: Time up to 50 laps with a tap (tapping the screen initiates a lap)
• Alarm: Ability to set an alarm on the watch (I guess it’s getting more watch like)
• Time set: Ability to set time on the watch (used to be set only by satellite)

Not huge added features, but nice none the less. It’s good to see some of the basic features coming to the watch. I’m looking for more basic running features as well eg. Heart rate zone training and ability to program variable intervals with warm up and warm down.

Any questions about the watch, drop a comment and I’ll  get back to you.

Nike+ SportWatch GPS–It’s First #fail

For about 3 months I have been using the Nike+ SportWatch GPS. It’s ultimate strength has been it’s ability to track distance easily and accurately. The TomTom GPS, coupled with the Nike+ Pod I have not had a run that did not track distance, until today.

With both the Pod and the GPS active, there were no miles recorded. The odd thing is, the route was recorded but the watch still reported no miles after being uploaded. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here it is:

Nike+ SportWatch GPS–Nike Connect Update

Not sure what the updated did, but one came out today, very exciting. Also got a video message from a Nike Athlete congratulating me on running 5 days in a row. I kind of like that feature though it’s a little creepy when your computer starts talking to you out of the blue when you are not paying attention.

Note on the performance of the watch. It’s still a solid GPS watch.

Nike+ SportWatch GPS–First Disappointment

The last time I wrote about the watch I was praising the accuracy and consistency of the watch as a distance tracker. In addition, the use of the goals provided that extra motivation to get out there and execute the daily workout.

Today, I was disappointed. Once again I’m tracking down a distance, time and frequency goal. In addition to my reliable watch, I had a real running partner as well, and had a great workout. When syncing the watch to the computer, I got the login screen that I got the first time plugged my watch in. After attempting to sync three times, I unplugged the watch and looked at the watch history (this is very easy, just two button presses) and sure enough, the watch says “No Runs Yet.”

The watch has gone back to factory settings and today’s run is lost. I’ll keep you up to date, but if this happens again, the watch is going back to the store .

Week 5 With Nike+ SportWatch GPS

Another good training week with the Nike+ GPS watch. The screen, simple controls and accuracy of the GPS remain to be the strength of this watch.

This week I got to really feel the pressure of the Goals feature of the Nike+ website. It was the final week for my 2 Nike+ Goals. One was distance and one was for speed.

I had reached the speed goal earlier in the week and I was congratulated when I synced the watch by and elite athlete, that was nice . The distance goal, on the other hand, seemed out of reach. The distance goal was in my head from preparation and well into my long run this morning. As the run progressed the idea of one more mile for the goal motivated me. After doing this mental exercise 3 times the goal was met and the run was that much more fulfilling.

This type of motivation, like a good running partner, was amazing. Tomorrow new goals will be set, and I look forward to hearing the next athlete sing my praises for achieving those goals.

Week 4 with Nike+ SportWatch GPS

Sorry I missed last week. There was a race on Sunday that ended at a brewery, and well, you can connect the dots (the Boilermaker is a great race if you can ever get out to Utica for it).

The watch performed like a champ at the race and for all training runs before and since the race, but the lack of heart rate zone “alerts” is a little bit of a downer. It was nice when when my watch would tell me where I was with respect to hear rate. The screen on the Nike+ GPS watch is great for reading it, but having the ability to set and be notified of your changing heart rate zones is a very nice feature.

The Nike+ site does a nice job of making you aware of heart rate, and even the zones to an extent so I’m surprised this was not a feature of the watch. I would guess this could be added as a software update at a later date, so I think I might start lobbying.

Have a great week all.

Week 2 With Nike+ SportWatch GPS

Having this watch for a second week, I have come to appreciate the simplicity of this device as a distance tool and run recorder. I wear the watch as a timepiece as well which brings some comments from both runners and non-runners alike.

Life got in the way of many of my runs over the week, but that’s just life . Today I went on my first run in a new place, and the watch performed like a champ. I had no worries about going to long and missing breakfast with my wife, heart rate was nails and another run was recorded.

This run was a quite nice up and back on the Saratoga Lake. It was a beautiful scene with a light mist above  the water and perfect running temperature. I I’m sorry there’s no picture, my cell phone was dead this morning, but please take my word for it.

The one disappointing aspect of the logging of the runs is that Nike+ no longer syncs with the Nike Training Log. I have been using the Nike Training Log site to record my runs since I started running. I use this log for 2 reasons: 1. My running partner told me I needed to log my runs and 2: the Nike Training Log provides a place to record many aspects of your run and as an early adopter of the Nike+ system years ago, after some writing into the Nike+ forums, there was automatic integration of your Nike+ data into your Nike Training Log. I have ~5years of running data in the Nike+ Training Log, and it’s fun and or educational to refer back to certain moments in time  for training purposes. We will see how this plays out, I hope to get the integration to the Training Log again, for now I am still doing manual entries (I’m back on the forums again , we’ll see what happens).

Until next week.

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.

Doctor Appointment Today

Reading this quote of the day from Runners World:
"The great advantage of our sport over all others is that we don't need a ball or a team or a field, or even, according to some, shoes. We just need to stand someplace, imagine ourselves in the center of a circle, pick one out of the 360 degrees available to us, and head thataway. "
Peter Sagal, a 3:20 marathoner and the host of NPR's Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!

I was compelled to writer something / anything, and this is what came out:

I am very excited to goto the doctor today. I get to have someone that is qualified and professional guide me to the most effective recovery. My relationships with doctors have been very spotty over the years, except my Dentist, but I go into every encounter with optimism and pure respect.

Most of us are professionals in one way or another, and respecting and accepting those in other professions other than are own is very important.

Some time today, give your IT Guy an "ata boy," he needs it. Thank them for keeping email running or recovering your lost file or just walking by your desk, make them smile. This weekend if you get pulled over for speeding, embrace the job the law enforcement officer is doing and give him or her the respcet that you would give your Dr., your boss, your co-worker. They are doing their job, the same as you do every day.

On a side note, if you get a chance to run, drop me a note, I'd love to hear about your route, your breathing, your nutrition.