New Gym Equipment!

It was almost like getting a new toy at Christmas, or new running shoes... either way, it's exciting.

My gym was closed earlier this week and I was finally able to get back in today for a nice jog on the elliptical.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was more than just new posters hanging from the walls.  They reorganized the cardio machines and all were brand new.

The machines are essentially the same, but with controls moved to new areas, a new TV screen, and now a spot to connect an iPhone/ipod.  I thought that was pretty handy, especially tonight when most of the TV's had yet to be connected.  I just simply plugged in my iPhone and my music (I was playing a list provided by Songza) and it was piped through the machine.  All volume and other controls were also controlled by the machine which I found to be convenient.  Now I'm just waiting for the TV to be connected.

There were also some other new elliptical machines that could incorporate inclines, which I would have tried, but they were a bit crowded, partially because they were the only ones that had working TV's for the elliptical row.

Tomorrow I'll be checking out the treadmills and seeing if they have any new gadgets or settings that could potentially be helpful for later training...

First Thoughts: Garmin Forerunner 410

I recently decided to make up my mind and bought the Garmin Forerunner 410.  I've had it for the last few days and have only just started to really explore what it can/cannot do.  These are my first reactions to the 410:

Watch Size- It is a bit big for me, but then again I have some pretty bony wrists so I was already expecting it to be a bit big.

Watch Set Up- Considering I do have a technical writing background and a minor in Professional Writing for Business Communications, I found a few flaws in their instruction manual.  You usually want to put the note about charging the watch first on the first page, it was on page 5 or 7.  Other than that, both the manual and the watch set up aren't too bad.  It has a bezel that you use to change options and the watch helps you get used to that.  It does get a bit frustrating at times, but I also find it kind of fun.

Accessories- The watch comes with a heart rate monitor, charger, and a wireless USB that connects the watch to the computer (pictured above).  The charger was cool because it came with different wall plugs which I recognized for at least the US and Europe.  While I don't have any immediate plans to travel over seas quite yet (Come on runDisney... Paris race soon???), I could definitely see how helpful the different wall plugs could be.

My heart rate monitor worked well on my first run and it was fun to see how my heart rate changed throughout the run.  I know my Dad has had some issues, but who knows why his isn't working quite well.  The only thing I don't like is that so far I haven't found a way to open up the strap so it's a but of a pain to open up.

The ANT+ USB device is small and I can see how I could lose it so I'm a bit nervous about that.  I'm trying to figure out a way to make sure it's always somewhere I know it will be or some how connect it to my keys or something like that.  Otherwise, the device itself is just a USB stick, nothing super special.

Garmin Connect- So the watch uses this ANT+ software to connect the watch to the server where you can log and analyze all of you runs.  This is what caused me the most pain while setting up the watch.  It took me a few days, multiple times uploading the software and playing with the watch to finally get it to connect.  After that, it was fun looking at all my stats (Although my dad is annoyed that my altitude didn't really change... that's what he gets for still living in CA).  Hopefully it will connect a bit easier after my next run.  Technically all you have to do is walk by your computer if the ANT+ is on and it will upload the info.  Should be cool if there are no more issues.

First Run Review-  Overall, the watch was fine on my first run.  I started it, was able to keep an eye on it, and it worked out well.  The one thing I'm going to either have to figure out how to change or get used to is the pace.  Right now, the pace shows the current average, not the current real-time pace like Nike+ used to.  Again, that should really be something I need to get used to or I might be able to change.

Current Feelings- I like it and hopefully I'll end up loving it soon!

So Many Decisions

You know, from an outside point of view, running seams to be a very inexpensive sport.  Sure you have some expensive shoes, but if all you're doing is going out and jogging a few times a week or so, there really isn't much you need.  Maybe some better head phones or a case for an iphone, ipod, or whatever you use. But then you decide to get serious...

So my journey didn't exactly start out that way, but it definitely has been getting more and more expensive.  For those of you who have attended runDisney races or probably any other race for that matter, you know the entry fees are pretty steep.  I like to think about all the things the money is going to (charitable foundations, goody bag items, race course help, etc...), but it's still quite daunting.  Then there's all the books, magazines, gels, water bottles, belts, tech shirts, etc... that you can get to increase your training.  So now I have two of those expensive decisions to make in the next few weeks, if not the next few days.

First, the Walt Disney World Marathon has partnered with Runner's World Challenge for a VIP package.  The package itself is waaaaay too expensive for me and I know I won't be getting it.  It's mostly made for people coming in for the race anyway and I'm local so I don't need everything in the package.  However, I started looking at the general Runner's World Challenge and it looks like a pretty good training package.  You can check it out at the challenge's website here.

Second, the Princess Half Marathon opened for registration yesterday.  I've done the race 2 years in a row now and this will be it's 5th anniversary.  It's going to be about a month and a half after the full marathon and it seems like that should be enough time to recover/train for Princess.  Princess has a lot of meaning for me considering it was my first half marathon in Florida, it was the first half marathon for my good friend, and it was the marathon I paired with the Disneyland Half to get my coast to coast.  So... maybe for sentimental value?  I don't know.  I really do enjoy the Princess Half Marathon which makes this decision harder and harder.

I can always try and work some extra overtime in the coming months...

When Life Gets In The Way

So I was completely ready to get back into running and then life got in the way again.  I was starting to get runs in, was getting a few circuits in, and then Wham! I got whatever is going around.  Ya, that stomach bug.  Luckily, it wasn't the worst flu in the world for me, but it still made life uncomfortable for a good few days.

The good news is that I'm finally getting over this bug and I'm anxious to run again.  Now, I am being a bit safe and making sure I'm completely over the bug before I do anything too crazy.  I have my friend's wedding and my first real vacation back to California since I moved just about a year ago.  I want to be healthy for the fun and craziness that is about to happen.

While I'm taking it "easy", I have gotten a few new toys.  I got a new physio ball, as I didn't bring my original one to Florida when I moved, an ab wheel, and a jump rope.  Everything I got was from Gold's Gym (apparently they have a commercial line now?) and the jump rope and physio ball are weighted so they should be fun to play with.

I used my new toys today and I was definitely feeling my light workout.  The physio ball was ok, but it's smaller than my original one so I'm debating on how I really like it.  I do like the stability of the ball, but of course balancing on my old one was also a part of the workout.  I was definitely feeling my jumping jacks since the rope is just slightly weighted.  My arms and legs were burning when I finished each set of 100.  Then there's the ab wheel which used to be one of the torture devices my coach loved to use.  It gives you a great workout, it's just a hard one.

Tomorrow I'm going to try and run, just a few miles, but I'm anxious to get out there again.  So life might have gotten in the way for a little while, but I'll eventually get it to balance out again.