Garmin Hit by Ransomware

I couldn't upload my run this morning... turns out Garmin is dealing with a ransomware attack.

DCRainmaker has posted instructions for manually uploading data.

Apple Watch 3 - $179

So it isn't the best running watch, but I'd love to have some of the other features, so I'm tempted by the $179 Apple Watch Series 3 for daily wear.

Garmin Fenix 5

It's CES time and DCRainmaker has the scoop on the latest watches from Garmin.

The mapping feature looks very cool, but I don't know how much I'd use it.

Strava and Hams

I've mentioned many times before that I use the Garmin devices for my activity tracker and running. Not all of my friends are Garmin users, so I can't see their runs. That's where Strava comes in:

Strava | Run and Cycling Tracking on the Social Network for AthletesDesigned by athletes, for athletes, Strava's mobile app and website connect millions of runners and cyclists through the sports they love.

So no matter what device they use, we can use Strava to keep up with one another. Strava also allows you to create segments, so you can compete asynchronously with your friends. If you have the fasted time, you get "King of the Mountain" bragging rights. It will also let you compete with yourself on these segments and let you know how a recent run stacked up with your previous attempts.

That's a long way for me to get around to... hams using Strava.

Garmin TrueUp

Garmin released a new feature called TrueUp that will sync the data between various devices.

I just checked my Vivosmart HR and, sure enough, it includes all my steps from my 12 mile run this morning that was recorded on my Forerunner 235.

Check DC Rainmaker for all the details.

(He generally recommends that you stick with an ecosystem. So if you have Garmin watch, get a Garmin activity tracker. This feature is a great example of that advice paying off.)

Garmin Vivosmart HR Deal

So I generally like my Garmin Vivosmart HR. I'm surprised that I don't look at the data (sleep and heart rate) as much as I thought I would. I really like the smart phone notifications.

But, if you are interested, this is a great deal. I paid $130 for mine, so this saves you $30.

The links above is for the non-GPS version. For a running/GPS solution, I must say I am extremely happy with my Garmin 235 GPS watch. It would be close to being my single device solution except I don't think it would be as comfortable to sleep in.

Vivosmart HR Update

So after about a week, I can't say that I love my Garmin Vivosmart HR fitness tracker. It just doesn't seem to be that accurate.

Sleep
It says I got 10 hours of sleep last night. Ha. I went to bed at 11:30 PM and got up at 5:00 AM to run. I took it off around 8:00 PM to wash some dishes and somehow that was recorded as sleep.

Heart Rate
I thought it was reading high on both my resting and running heart rate. I did a track workout yesterday and it had my heart rate at 200 bpm for a lot of it.

I'm going to try some of the recommended troubleshooting (tighten the band, swap arms, move it up the arm, have it face the inside the wrist, etc.), but I really wanted it to just work.

Phone Notifications
The phone notifications are a nice. I didn't think I would care, but there is some value in being able to glance at my wrist and not pull the phone from my pocket.

Vivosmart HR Plus GPS

Timing...

So, I just bought the Vivosmart HR and today they announce the Vivosmart HR+ - basically the same fitness tracker, but now with a built-in GPS. I'm not sure if I would want to spend the extra $100 to get the GPS functionality. I'd have to think about it, but, shooting from the hip, I'd save that money to spend on the Forerunner 235.

If you want the Vivosmart HR+, you can pre-order it at Amazon.

Fitness Friday

Lots of things in the fitness arena converging today...

Running
Bad news for us older folks... the data shows a strong correlation between age and decline in speed:

By age 35, the rates of decline are so predictably linear that this calculator by a Yale economics professor maps out just how slowly you can expect to run the same distance as the years run by.

https://fairmodel.econ.yale.edu/aging/runoth.htm

The good news is that I don't think I've hit my peak yet, so I hope to keep seeing improvements for some years yet.

Cross Training
I've built a fairly large collection of dumbbells that my wife and I use to workout at home. I think something like these Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells would be a good supplement to our home gym. It would keep us from replicating all the weights and definitely would save space. (Our family room is also our gym.)

Fitness Tracker
I bit the bullet and after a small USPS delay, I have a Garmin Vivosmart HR fitness tracker. It monitors the usual steps and stairs, but I bought it for the heart rate monitor and sleep tracker. In addition to tracking my heart rate throughout the day, it will link to my Garmin GPS watch and share the heart rate information. I've only done that once - it's a little more awkward wearing the two devices than I expected.

The sleep monitoring is cool. I feel like I don't get a lot of quality sleep and I know I get up a lot. I'll have the data to back that up now.

Tech Fatigue

People are getting tried of keeping up with all the changes or maybe most things are good enough.

In the last year, I went from an old 42 inch HDTV LCD to a new, thin Vizio 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV. I upgraded to an iPhone 6. I've had an old iPad Mini for years that I rarely use. I don't have a smart watch. I've had my Honeywell Wi-Fi thermostats for a while. I'm not really interested in a drone.
I might upgrade my Garmin GPS running watch or add a fitness band. I geek out over the data, so I'd like to have the heart rate and sleep information that something like the Garmin Vivosmart HR would provide.

Garmin 220

Despite the fact that GPS always overestimates the distance, I still wouldn't run without it. I linked to the Garmin 620 on Friday, but if $200 is too much for your budget, you can try the Garmin 220 for $166.

DC Rainmaker review of the 220 and 620.

Garmin 620

I've enjoyed my Garmin 610 for years now. It's had a few hiccups, but it works and the battery is still going strong, so I'm not inclined to shell out for an upgrade. If I was in the market, I'd definitely grab the Garmin 620, since it is discounted to $200 now.

Via The Wirecutter

Garmin Connect Full-screen Map Fix

When you do longer runs, the map of the route on Garmin Connect is woefully inadequate. It is way too small. I found this fix for the problem. It adds a button to the map, so you can do full screen. It does not work for me with the "Modern" view.

DC Rainmaker's Handy Tools & Apps Page

A good list of various on-line tools for runners, cyclists, etc. For example, I've used this one to download all my Garmin data since there isn't a way to do a bulk backup of it from the Garmin Connect website. A foolish oversight if you ask me.

Sensoria Fitness Smart Sock Tracker

I like the idea of a device like the Sensoria Fitness Smart Sock Tracker that helps with cadence and especially foot strikes, but I got away from carrying my phone as my data recording device. Pair this with a small iPod and then we are talking.


Via Wired

Running Data - Now with Weather Data

I've been saying for a while that it would be nice if the Garmin (or RunKeeper) would add some additional information to your run history. I noticed yesterday that they have added weather information, so you can know what the conditions were during your run. The data has been added going back to December, 2012. It looks like this:

I still think they need to add a shoe database - it would be nice data for the runners, but it would be a goldmine for Garmin. I would think that Nike, Adidas, ASICS, and all the shoe companies would buy access to that data set.

Garmin 610

A few months ago, I mentioned I was tempted by the Garmin 610 GPS watch for capturing my run data. I broke down and got one off eBay. One big reason is my Android phone is having lots of problems and I did not think I could count on it to work for 4+ hours while I run the marathon next week. I like the watch so far, but I normally wear my watches with the face on the inside of my wrist. The watch is so bulky I really cannot do that with this one.