Gear Update -- Nike Plus Watch, TomTom Runner

As always, I have probably bought every running gadget out there trying to find the perfect mix of headphones, clothes, shoes, GPS and software and still searching.

GPS Watch

As noted, my old Garmin 410 died last fall.  The battery simply would not hold a charge.  Garmin would install a new battery for $99, but I was ready to move on to new technology.  So, at a friend's advice, I bought the Nike Plus running watch. I only ran with it a couple times before...I promptly misplaced it.  Ooops.  But that's ok, I really didn't like it that much anyway.  I did like the clever built in USB charging port. (It is built into the watch so no more cords, and ANT sticks.)  But the data read out was very simplistic...went only to Nike Plus, and was a hassle to get into SportTracks (which I found a work around.) And the day and a date kept resetting to January 1, 2010 every time the battery went to zero.  Not overly impressed, but OK.

After I misplaced Nike, I bought the new TomTom Runner Watch.  TomTom made the Nike watch and the interface is similar.  But the hardware -- the watch itself is great. It is small.  It connects to GPS signals in a flash.  The buttons work. As a running watch goes, during the run, it is pretty close to perfect.  But then the run ends, and the software comes into play.  I will be charitable and simply say that the software is a work in progress. But right now it is only partially functional; that's right, it only works about 2/3 of the time.  It is designed to upload data directly to Tom Tom running site.  That running site is so rudimentary and basic that it is essentially useless, and makes Garmin Connect look like a work of art.  And the data has errors (time and date).  No lap data, no splits, BASIC graphs. You can't delete or edit workouts. And, whatever data it has, it still won't upload all the workouts.  Ok, so forget that, I will just use SportTracks again (get the data in file format and import into Sporttracks, just  like with old Garmy).  Except the files won't sync to my computer.  I can see them on the watch, but they won't synch to the web or my computer.  And it won't write the files for all  my workouts.  And right now, when I plug it into my Windows machine (also been using a Mac) it is trying to update the watch firmware and gets caught in an error loop and won't do anything at all, so the watch it won't offload any data anywhere; it is nonfunctional.  So that obviously is a nonstarter.  The watch is going to be returned; it simply doesn't work.  I have owned it for about three weeks (maybe 10-12 workouts) and the software has never worked correctly after a workout -- not once. But mark my words, when TomTom gets the software right, it will be a GREAT competitor in the space.

One thing the Nike and Tom Tom watches made me do is buy a new heart rate monitor strap.  I bought the Polar Bluetooth H7, and it is awesome.  Incredible.  The data is smooth, consistent, much less spikey, and no wild fluctuations or crazy numbers.  A revelation.

So reluctantly, hat in hand, I bought another 410 from Garmin.  A refurb unit, with a new heart rate monitor for $159.  I feel like I at least know how it works, its pluses and minuses.  It isn't sexy or cutting edge or new or whatever...but it works. Should arrive in a couple days.

And then I found my Nike watch again.  So, soon, I will have a Nike and a new old Garmin.

Headphones

At last report I was raving about the Jaybirds Blue Buds X Bluetooth headphones as the end of the game. Eh, not quite.  They are really, really uncomfortable over a long period of time.  And because they are a "bud" they stay in via a plug in the ear canal.  I found that when I ran, the bud came out and fell out, messing up the sound and it felt like they were going to slide out.  Plus the form of the plastic on the bud itself (presumably where Bluetooth receiver is located) hurt my ears.  Just a really uncomfortable experience over 30 minutes.

So I started using Mrs. Wolve's Beats over the ear LeBron James headphones.  Liked them...they were $149 and a good experience.  But they aren't mine.  So in buying those I stumbled on Monster Athletic ones, and they work great.  I bought the Livestrong version on sale for $59 (normally $149), and really strong headphones -- sound great, stay in the ear, don't even know they are there.  My current go to.  I also bought the Sennheiser over the ear type (not so good sound) before the Monsters,  and the Bose SportIE2's  (haven't used them much yet -- been digging my Monster's.)

In actual workout news, I ran a super solid 8 miles on Saturday morning.  At exactly my goal pace (well, not exactly -- I had wanted to go at 9:00, and ended up 9:01 -- eight seconds off, and not sure how that happened; I was spot on, but maybe ended up getting eight seconds cooldown added at the end or something).  I actually negatively split the workout, and not sure how I did that -- I didn't feel any different.  I felt fantastic, and felt like I could have run further and faster.  But I held it in.

Of course it would be nice to have my data, but it is stuck on my TomTom, unable to free itself except to the TomTom website, which won't show splits or graphs or anything.  That would really be aggravating if I was super intense Mr. Training Type right now, which I am not.

New beginning (again) and a 5k race report

If there is one theme to my blog, it is that I sometimes disappear and stop running. For months. That happened on this go round,. I stopped mid-February, and ran sporadically, but didn't post. I have now decided to pursue it seriously for several months and see what happens. Namely, I am in the 1013 NY marathon, but haven't been training. And I am overweight, need to lose 20 pounds to be in marathon weight. So I am going to give it 2 months or so to September-ish, and see where I am weight wise and shape wise. I have run a fair amount of the last several weeks, including at the beach in Florida and here in NYC.

With that, I ran in the 5k in Prospect Park in Brooklyn last weekend. I have never been to Prospect Park, and one thing I immediately realized: it is pretty far away. Like 30 miles away. So an 8 am start meant a 6 am wake up call and 45 minutes in the car. I greatly prefer the Central Park races -- they are about 20 minutes away. And I really don't like the 5k distance. If I am going to get up, drive, park, deal with race crowds, etc., I want a good run. A 5k is a great workout, but just isn't much of a run for me, and is over so quickly. Anyways, it counts toward marathon 2014 (more on that in a sec). 

The race itself was kind of nondescript. The Park is pretty, the route seemed normal, and as always with NYRR, well organized.  it was hot (78 degrees) and incredibly humid -- basically 100% humidity (a misty rain, and my weather app had it at 95% humidity). I did OK, coming in at 24:56, without really racing or trying to "run" a 5k. I just kept with the pace and tried not to crash. Not much of a strategy but it worked. I finished in 950 place or so. My 5 year old asked me if I won. I told her I finished in 900th place. She frowned and said...did you beat ANYBODY?

 A couple technology notes. I got a new GPS watch: the Tom Tom runner. Works great so far -- the charge is awesome, satellite pickup great, the stats seem to be spot on, not too bulky. The software is a work in progress. I have called Tom Tom twice and they assure a new fix is due tomorrow. Ok, and for now, exporting to my good friend SportTracks. I need to upgrade from ST 3.0 to something...maybe Training Peaks? Anyone have a good program that does what SportTracks does?

 And headphones...well the Bluetooth ones work great, but the "stay in the ears part" is a bit challenging and they get uncomfortable after 45 minutes or so. I found myself fiddling with them to stay in during my runs. Not good. Once they were in -- spectacular; but a lot of worry and angst before that point reached. So I bought a pair of Monster iSport twist ins. I bought the Livestrong version (marked down from $149 to $59), and they work great. Most comfortable and best sounding "twist in the ear with a flange to hold it in" type headphones I have ever used. And they stayed in great in a 7 mile run in the heat yesterday. My new favorite and really a great running headphone.

More runs, more heat, more treadmill.

A Music Revolution

I downloaded iTunes in the first 24 hours it was available for Windows.  (iTunes originally came out only for Mac, and in those days no one owned a Mac.  There was no iPhone.)  I fiddled with it some, ended up spending the entire night playing, downloading, etc.  My wife thought I was insane.  I told her -- the music world has changed forever.  Record stores are extinct (one of the biggest in the world was around the corner), and albums are history too.  And oh, Apple will rule the music business.  She laughed.  I was 100% right.

My next reaction was to buy a bunch of Apple stock.  My friends talked me out of it -- it was expensive and the success of iTunes was already factored into the stock price.  Besides...its Apple.  Um, ok, right, so I passed.  The stock is only up about twenty times since then.  100% wrong.

I have been trying to get music and running right since the beginning.  Headphones -- I have tried them all.  Seriously, I bet I have 20 pair.  I owned, as a kid, one of the very first Walkman stereos (a cassette tape model, with foam covered headphones and before the yellow rubberized case, 1980 maybe?).

My first Walkman circa 1980?

So, with that backdrop...I present the next revolution...Bluetooth headphones.  In essence, athletic headphones with a tiny Bluetooth receiver in them so no wires to the iPod.  Is that a big deal?  I think so.  The wires bounce and tend to pull out the headphones.  (My Sennheiser sport headphones have the single worst cord design I have used -- a microphone right in the middle that bounces and both distracts and pulls out the headphones in ear.)   For my runs, I assiduously plan the location of my iPod, the wires, where they go, etc., and the armband, Spibelt, pocket whatever, where the iPod will be stashed.

For Christmas, Mrs. Wolve gave me a new iPod Nano.  Eh, don't need it, but thanks, probably return it.  Keep in mind I just returned and got a new pair of Westone headphones (under warranty yeah!) which died because of sweat. But then I saw a post about these Bluetooth ones, designed for sports and  sweatproof ...Jaybird Bluebird X.  What if...I used the headphones, bluetoothed to iPhone...yeah!  I bought the headphones (pricey at $169, but I had a discount from Best Buy to use, so not insane).

First run, with the iPhone, was a revelation!  Not having wires dangle was just, like magic.  They sounded great and it was literally like music just appeared in your ears.  It is disorienting really, not having a wire dangling, because I expect it.  It's just weird, but awesome.

The next problem was the iPhone.  It's too heavy to stash in a pocket and slung around as I ran.  And then I remembered.. the new Nano has Bluetooth!  Awesome ...it will fit into the tiny little pocket in most of my running shorts. (For whatever reason, most mens shorts have like a 2 inch elastic pocket sewn into the waist that is good for nothing except holding a nano.  Maybe a key, but not money, trust  me.

And so I configured the nano, the headphones paired, etc.,.. and ...Game Over.  This is it.  The nano is undetectable.  The sound is incredible.  The lack of wires is indescribable.  This is it, the ultimate running music set up.  I cannot describe enough how crazy good the sound is and the lack of wires makes it just like it is coming from inside your head.

Is it perfect? Eh., pretty close.  As the name implies the Jaybirds, are bud style which have to lodge in your ear canal to stay put.  When they do, the sound is incredible.  If they slide out the sound is only just good, and it feels like they are about to fall out as I ran.  Invariably, I can't get the right size tip and the holder to make a perfect fit.  Soon, though, someone will take the Yurbud idea (a rubbery thing that molds to your ear and make them Bluetooth and sweatproof...and bang.

I called the iTunes revolution.  The next one is Bluetooth headphones.

All journeys begin with a single step...

Ok, so after a month or so of semi forced layoff -- a stress fracture will do that to you -- I ran for the very first time last night. 5 miles on the treadmill, 8:30 miles.  Felt sooooo easy at first, but then harder at the end.  I was definitely winded at the end.

Since I had not run in a while, I naturally went out to buy some gear to get myself motivated.  One suggestion from doctor and others was that it wasn't a stress fracture at all; rather, the laces on my shoes were rubbing at an odd place.  I previously used the Gel Kayano 16's which have this offset lacing that goes across the bridge of the foot.  There is apparently a nerve that runs along that metatarsal and can become inflamed and irritated.  Ok, so I need new shoes.  And,  I managed to lose/misplace/intentionally forget to keep headphones in a safe spot.  Ok, I need new headphones.

First, the headphones.  We have a new winner: BEST RUNNING HEADPHONES.  The Sennheiser CX 680.  No contest, game is over.  Nothing is even in same league.  I previously reviewed headphones here (I actually omitted the reviews of the headphones I didn't like -- and there are a lot of them.).  I reluctantly concluded that the orange twist in ear Sennheiser were the best.  I even sent Sennheiser a lengthy email with my thoughts, concerns and suggestions.  I got a semi-coherent response that was frankly a little disappointing after all of the thought and energy that went into telling them what I thought of their products.  Imagine my shock, then, when I saw a new design in an airport store -- co-branded with Adidas.  Oooh, I had to have them.  But, they were $119!  So, I passed then.  But I kept thinking about them, and I bought them yesterday, albeit for less (but still expensive; so my recommendation comes with the "spare no expense" caveat: they are great if you don't care about cost; the Porsche of running headphones, if you will.)  After a day of use, I have concluded that they took my email, went to R&D and solved every single problem I had.  You know, like the Windows 7 commercials, where various people take credit for Windows 7?  I am taking credit for the CX 680. Sound great and stay in place.

And the new shoes?  I went lighter.  New Balance 905's.  They are a vibrant neon yellow/green, so I better be fast in them (I can;t stand people with flashy gear who aren't serious).  They are exceptionally light, much lighter than the Kayanos.  I'll post more as I break them in.  And, I ordered a pair of Saucony Hurricane 12's also at the suggestion of a friend.  (I had to buy two pairs of shoes.) I'll post my thoughts later.

But anyways, given the title of my last post (from the Aeneid), I went with another Roman proverb:  all journeys begin with a single step.  That was my run last night, the first step back.

I have missed all my bloggy friends, but felt so out of touch because I have not been running or training.  It is like reading about a club that I used to belong to.  But, alas, I am back.

Review -- Sennheiser Headphones -- Great for Boy Scouts

As I have previously mentioned, I buy a lot of running gear. Shoes, socks, shirts, iPods, watches and headphones.  One thing I have not found is the perfect set of headphones. I have purchased maybe 10 pair of them, so much so that my 8 year old daughter commented "Daddy you always have the cooooolest headphones!"  I also have several opinions. First and foremost, the "bud" type headphones generally do not stay in my ear when I run. That is the kind of headphones that comes with an iPod, and they just don't work for me. Second, my headphones have to be able to survive wetness. I sweat alot when I run, and my headphones get wet. Real wet. Sound quality is really not that important...I am running, not listening to a jazz. But, that being said, better sound is better. I honestly didn't notice sound quality differences in headphones until I had two pair of headphones that I liked and alternated. One pair was a cheap ($12) Koss pair, and the other was a pair of Sennheiser. The sound difference was both undeniable and incredible (the Sennheiser was maybe 50 times better). So my criteria are: fit and stay put-ness; durability; sound; and value.

The quest for the perfect headphone seems to endlessly continue, but my current favorites are the Sennheiser MX 85 Sport. Sennheiser is a generally upscale headphone manufacturer that also manufactures a sport line of headphones. They generally retail for around $50. They all sound noticeably better that bud type headphones, and are more expensive. Sennheiser's sport models come with distinctive colored cords: neon green and bright orange. They also have several headphone types: over the ear, ear plugs, around the neck (which I have not tried), and buds that "twist in place." My current favorites are the SX 85, orange cord, twist in place. Here is a picture:

The twist in place system really works. The headphones don't move around and stay put. And they are quite comfortable. They also have the best sound of the headphones I have tried and can notice. I sometimes run to military running cadences (Run to Navy Seals, if anyone listens) where an F16 flies over the recruits as they are singing. If you have ever experienced a flyover at a sporting event, you know this is an ear splitting, booming noise. The sound moves from left to right, and it never ceases to scare me, make me duck and I can feel it. The recruits are chanting "I wanna be a Navy Seal.." and then CRASHHHH BOOOOOM -- this massive sonic boom comes crashing through, in stereo, from left to right. It is pretty cool. Again, this is not an acoustic review of head phones, just what I perceive while running. The Sennheisers make me feel it.

Other Senneheiser thoughts. First, the orange cord version is a huge improvement over the green cord. The green cord came precoiled and never uncoiled -- it was like a big green slinky. A massive inconvenience. The orange cord is better.

The cord will tangle. Period. Dig out your Boy Scout manual because you will become a knot expert. There is nothing you can do about it. Nothing.  If you set them down, massive tangle; put them in a gym bag, massive tangle; speak badly about them, massive tangle; look at them, massive tangle.  But, once untangled, they stay in your ear and sound good. Durability is OK. I suppose I should wash them, dry them, etc. but they are headphones, and I don't want high maintenance there.

Other headphones I like:  V Moda Bass Freq Earbuds; Philips Ear Buds (Bass)