Posts Tagged ‘garmin forerunner 305’

Information Overload

I’m very happy with my Garmin Forerunner 305 but, as with any new technology I adopt, I spend most of my time discovering what the device can do, then finding ways to ignore or delete most of it.

I rarely use more than one-quarter of my computer’s memory, I have a ridiculously small number of software applications, and all I really want from my Garmin is super-accurate time and distance. I don’t need to know its estimate of calories burned, or elevation to the tenth of a foot, or where its satellites are.

In sharp contrast to the device itself is the weak-assed Garmin Training Center, which allows you to download your workout history into your computer, add notes, etc. Its file system is terrible, and it won’t even let you designate Monday as the first day of the week.

My mad research skillz failed me until today, when I discovered DC Rainmaker’s two-year-old (but updated) review and how-to guide for the Forerunner 305. It has absolutely everything you need to know about the GPS and Garmin’s associated software and services. And if you can’t find it there, you can find useful tips elsewhere on his blog, like using a pencil eraser to clean the exposed contacts. But his best advice resides in “Ten Random Tips for your Garmin Forerunner 305,” the first of which reads, “Never ever use/open up GTC (Garmin Training Center) again. It’s crap. Instead, go download (for free) Sport Tracks (either 1.3 or 2.0 Beta): http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/SportTracks.” (The latest version is 2.1.3478).

I took his advice and I have to tell you SportTracks is far superior to GTC. Sure, it also has way more information than I can ever possibly use, but it lets me organize my log my way. This is essential for someone making the big move from dead-tree logs (ha!) to digital logs. It’s easy to use and easy to personalize.

Who knows? If this keeps up, someday I might even have my own iPhone and Twitter account.

Mini Me, You Complete Me

The winner of the “Name My Virtual Running Partner” contest is… Kara of Between the Miles! Her suggestion was Mini Me, and you can see from these photos that the resemblance is uncanny.

Congratulations, Kara! Your copy of “There’s Nothing Funny About Running” will be winging its way to you just as soon as you send your snail mail address to mike@runningisfunny.com.

Last Chance to Name My Virtual Running Partner – Prize Revealed!

I’ve received a dozen suggestions for what to name the Virtual Partner on my brand-new Garmin Forerunner 305 (and I’m enjoying the hell out of it, thank you for asking), but I though I could goose a few more entries from you if I were to come up with a decent prize.

After looking at such collectibles as my miniature Alamo, my Lenin lapel pin, my pirate head made from a coconut husk, my MonsterVision t-shirt, and the assorted crap I won as a hot seat contestant on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – Play It! at Disney World, I decided something to do with running might be in order (duh!).

So here’s something a friend gave me when I launched Running Is Funny – it’s a book by Timothy Martin called “There’s Nothing Funny About Running.” My favorite chapter is “Snatches of conversation heard at the Western States 100,” including “The hardest part of this race begins at the start and ends at the finish,” and “I swear, my IQ drops 50 points every time I lace up my running shoes.”

It’s a great book and will be winging your way if your name is selected. The winner will be announced on Monday. Have at it, friends!

Help Name My Virtual Running Partner

Now that I’ve joined the Dark Side and own a Garmin Forerunner 305, it’s time for you, dear readers, to name my virtual running partner. There will be an outstanding prize for the winner… which means I’ll be standing outside trying to think of something to send you. Nonetheless, here’s a look at the wee guy:

Have at it, people, and enjoy your weekend!

Today I Enter the 21st Century

Today’s my birthday, and I found this from the organizers of the California International Marathon in my inbox this morning:

That’s very sweet of them, though slightly mitigated by the fact that this is the third year in a row I’ve registered for the race and haven’t been able to run it.

To make myself feel better, I decided to discard my stone knives and bearskins approach to training and join the digital age by getting a….

Laugh if you will at my Luddite knuckle-dragging lurch into technological relevance, but Best Buy has it on sale and I had two Reward Zone coupons burning a hole in my pocket. Even with the sales tax, it came in under $130.

Now it’s a race to see which will happen first – I learn how to use the thing or I manage to get my mileage up to 20 a week. Place your bets.

You are MINE, little dude.