Garmin Forerunner 305 vs iPhone 5 running Strava (free)

So, I decided to compare my aging Garmin 305 with my iPhone 5 running Strave (Free version).

I'm kind of a minimalist when it comes to running, but I feel recorded metrics are important for the serious runner. Not only for gauging the day's efforts/pacing, but also to help spot a trend of over-training before it results in injury (or illness).

However, my experience with phone GPS inaccuracies/inconsistencies, combined with my minimalist desires while running, has kept me using my Garmin for 98% of workouts and leaving the phone behind.


Previous Issues with phone GPS:

Well, how to put this...."they're unreliable at best and wildly inaccurate at worst."
My previous experience running with people using iPhone 4 and iMapMyRun have left much to be desired.
The apps (on both iPhone4 and various Android devices) has painted a trend of slightly exaggerated distances when compared to known routes and Garmin waypoint data. This was generally expressed as routes that were, on average, about 60 meters short per mile.

It doesn't sound like much, but over the course of a 20mi run can add up to 1200m (3/4 of a mile).


The Test:

I decided to run a familiar route for the comparison. One that I've run with both devices (albeit with slightly differing start/end points.), with just enough distance to identify any distance inconsistencies and just enough tree/building cover to see if either device was prone to recording junk data.

 The run I decided to use was a 5mi loop with some minor elevation and requiring me to run in all 4 compass directions.


So, I strapped my iPhone and my 305 to the same arm (just incase) and set out.


Running Observations:

Well, it should be no surprise that the Garmin was much easier to navigate while running.  It was on my wrist vs bicep and the screen and controls are pretty amazing in direct sunlight.

I found the need to push the iPhone home button and then manipulate slide lock just to view the screen (for comparing distances at each split) became slightly annoying.

At each split, the devices appeared to be really really close.  The app seemed to change within 15ft of the Garmin. This, honestly, was quite surprising.

Now, had I paid for Strava, I could have set up the same 1mi intervals as my Garmin and had the phone audibly notify me of the split, but this was just a shakedown of the GPS accuracy and I'm a poor college student (read as "cheapskate").


The Data:

Over the 5mi distance both devices were amazingly close.  The Garmin showed the 5mi as taking 42:59 @ an 8:35 min/mi avg. while Strava showed 42:58 @ 8:31min/mi.

The splits were as follows:

Mile Num.	Garmin:		Strava:
Mile 1.	9:15		9:16
Mile 2.	8:56		8:57
Mile 3.	8:35		8:37
Mile 4.	7:59		8:02
Mile 5.	7:41		7:42

Life Update - I Moved!

Hey, sorry for the delays in posting over the past few days.  I've been a tad busy.

You see, I just moved 1400 miles across the country, from Daytona Beach, FL to central Iowa.

It's colder, and further from the ocean, but there are amazing trails and hills (not to mention my family) to help me further hone my running/cycling/triathlon skills.

I'm just now getting settled in and can't wait to show you my new running scene.

Not to mention what I've learned about barefoot/minimalist running in cold/in-climate weather.

Thanks, Happy Running  ~ JB

Freeheel Running Pads - Initial Run

Today was my 1st run in my new Freeheel Running Pads.

I decided to give them a shot at a local trail that's about 8mi from my house.
So, I grabbed my fixed gear, running pads, phone, and took off for the beautifully serene solitude of Bulow Creek. 

Can't just leave my flip-flops unattended... :)

It's a little over an 8mi ride to the trails, which gave me some time to get warmed up.

And since I was running, I didn't really rush the pace to the trailhead.  (avg 18mph)

Gotta love lower latitude weather.

Flip flops, shorts, and sunshine...even in the winter.

Freeheels on and ready to run.

Nice breeze, 74F, trails, and sunshine.  Life is Good!

The trails, while usually bustling with hikers, tourists, people fishing, and nature lovers, were almost completely deserted this afternoon.

I left my GPS at home, as to not be distracted by pacing or distance queues during my initial experience wearing these most unconventional running....

Well, I'm still not sure what to call them. They aren't really shoes, and they aren't really sandals. 

The only occupants to be seen were armadillos, but they're faster than my camera.  Saw about 8 of them in just over 4 miles, but could never catch one on camera. 

Hard to believe that less than 30mins ago, I was surrounded by Condos, Traffic, and Noise. 

During the run, I noticed a few differences between the running pads and most other minimalist footwear on the market:

1st run down...many more to go!

• They really do a good job of soaking up the sharp bits of trail. Thorns, Sticks, Sandspurs, ect.
• The unconventional construction really forces you to stay forward in your posture and the exposed heel really lets you know when you're dropping back in your stride (putting more weight towards heel).  But I never got the impression I was being forced to tip-toe, at all. 
• They don't slip, slide, chafe, or move around. Very secure feeling on your foot. I was half expecting them to feel always on the verge of coming off, but not once did I even have to stop, slow, or adjust them in any way. 
• The "toe-centric" design really reminds me of what Newtons claim to do, but just without all the weight, posting, and chafe areas of conventional shoe uppers.

As you can see no wear/damage.

Overall, my 4 mile tempo run was... uneventful.

I didn't have to alter my stride, or make compensations in speed for comfort.

They held on at a 7min/mi avg without any fuss or drama.

I can't wait to try them on some longer runs to see how they feel when fatigued.




End result:
A little over 4 drama free miles in just over 28mins and 1 fairly impressed running enthusiast. 

Check back for some upcoming head-to-head comparisons.

Happy Running ~ JMB

1st Impression - Freeheel Running Pads

My Freeheel Running Pads arrived yesterday from Germany, and I must say, I've been eager to give them a shot.

They're a new product made in Germany by Starringer, and I appear to be lucky enough to be one of the first, at least in Florida, to review them.

The running pads are like a hybrid between a running moccasin and huaraches. They have a soft, slightly padded, leather sole with sandal/huarache style toe and heel straps.

Manufacturer Site:
http://www.runningpad.de/

Initial Inspection:

Opening the box, I was greeted by a packing invoice, the running pads, a nice looking felt carry bag with metal clip, a business card, and what I think is an advert for a German barefoot magazine.

I must admit, I thought the carry bag was a nice touch. - JMB

The Running Pads:

The nice people at Starringer, offered to send me a production size or a pair custom crafted to my (usually goofy shaped) feet.  I chose to send them some tracings, with reference marks for size, and once we got the images verified, it was a quick process.


At first glance, you can tell a lot of thought went into the design and a great deal of care was put into their construction.  All of the elastic has a silicone grip surface to prevent slipping and all of the seams are smoothed and reinforced.

 They have a nice feel and are much more sturdy feeling than I'd imagined.

I opted for the leather bottoms (there is a rubber option for urban running) for my test pair of running pads, as I use either barefoot or socks for running on pavement.

I intend to use these to keep me from stomping on thorns/sandspurs while running trails.


How Do They Fit?

Well, I must say, they fit like something that was custom made for my (weirdly shaped) feet.

The only thing I've worn that has fit as well "right out of the box" was a pair of huaraches that I made for running pavement.

The toe-thongs are in the exact spot I specified and the shape is dead-on accurate to my tracings.

They conform nicely to the curve of my foot.

There is also an additional toe strap that helps keep your toes and the running pads in close contact, and help to prevent the toe folding under when you occasionally use poor form/scuff your feet.
After 11months of running in super-thin huaraches, I think this is a nice touch.



Come back to check out my 1st Run Impressions once I've managed to put some miles into to these neat little trail running concepts.

Happy Running! ~ JMB

Running Tech - DIY Super-thin Huaraches (1st pair)

So by now, a lot of you know about huaraches and how popular they've become in the wake of a certain book's popularity. The story of a man's desire to learn from these, seemingly quasi-superhero, running experts was an interesting read, and it seems Running-America agreed.

While, there my be a lot of pomp about the shoes of the great Tarahumara,or Rarámuri ,of Copper Canyon, Mexico.

There's no denying that their chosen footwear is quite well adapted to certain terrain.  Not to mention, the idea of running like a skill hunter of times long passed, can be quite compelling.




However, that's another article altogether...

The focus of this discussion, is for those that might be thinking about trying huaraches but don't want shell out cash just to try it, or might just be into tinkering/making something (myself included). 

So here's how I went about making my own ultra-minimal homemade huaraches, when I decided to give minimalist running (other than on the beach) a try back in spring 2012...

I'd decided I wanted my huaraches to be thinner than what I had seen on most makers sites and similar to the result of this instructable.


However, I didn't have any paracord, or a car floor mat.  But Florida has tons of cheap flipflops,  I had some thin hemp craft twine, and a little time, so I decided to give it a shot.




So, I went on the look out for a cheap pair of thrift store sandals with minimal sole wear.

When I saw a size 11 Wide, with a very thin sole rubber (3mm), I made sure they overhung every area of my weight bearing bare foot to allow for final trimming, and that they had an actual, glued-on, rubber bottom.  When I saw they we $2, I snatched them up and headed to the garage.

I then, trimmed the sole from the foot bed using a razor sharp knife. 

PSA:  BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU ATTEMPT THIS!

This should be obvious, but we seem to live in a reality where some people don't realize or recognize any personal responsibility for their actions/safety, but that's off-topic.

Untrimmed soles laced with thin hemp craft twine

Back to the construction... 


While standing on the freshly paired soles, I marked in-between my big/long toe and just forward of my ankle bone on both sides.  


I then, laced them with the "slip-on" huarache lacing method using doubled-over thin hemp twine.

Here you can see how thin the material actually is.  It flexed with every movement of my foot and was very very light weight.

Meaning, theoretically, they should have minimal impact on running form.

Sized, Trimmed, Laced, Finished....or are they?

 Now, they were just in need of a trim to, not only, reduce weight, but to keep them from flapping as much.


So, I grabbed a pen and my trusty utility knife (xacto), and went about trimming them a little closer to my foot shape, but making sure not to cut too much at once.


Here, you can see the finished result.

Notice how, when trimmed, they conform quite well

The idea of using twine seemed quite inspiring...at first.

However, a couple of stints around the house awoke me to the fact that my tender instep and outer heel were not up to the task.

So, I did the only sensible thing a burgeoning barefoot runner could do...

I scavenged the shoe laces from my old trainers and set out for a "proper trail trial."

Shakedown run complete. Runner Happy. Good Times.

I did a familiar trail loop, with a 2.5 mile loop, and several spur-trail options that can add up to some decent mileage. 



At mile 2, I was so comfortable I decided to run the south loop and came out to a total of 6mi.

Not a bad trial run with absolutely zero issues.



Overall, I like the tactile, and audible, feedback they provide.

Scuff your feet = gravel/dirt/rocks in-between foot and huarache.
Breakdown in form = slightly annoying slapping sound.

 Best of all, they allow this tender foot to minimalist run "on-the-cheap."

Total Investment = $2, some pre-owned shoestrings, and about 2hrs. 

____________________________


UPDATE:

Pre-race - Nighttime Trail Half-Marathon

Since making my huaraches, I've not had any issues other than occasional knot-wear due to prolonged running on pavement. 

Here's a pre-race photo, of myself and a few friends, for a trail half-marathon we did in Kansas this past summer.


Here you can see various progressions of "shodness."  From shoes, to huaraches and socks, to just "plain old barefoot."

Training Log - 4mi @ Zone 4

Well, I finished my 1st run since my bout with food poisoning, last week.

10pm, 40f.  2pair of socks (with obligatory tape) on pavement.

4 miles @ Zone 4 (RPE my HR strap is still down)

27min 30sec

Splits;


Mile 1: 7:30
Mile 2: 7:06
Mile 3: 6:40
Mile 4: 6:15


Not bad, but I've still got some work to do if I'm going to win my AG in this years Palmer Healthy Heart 5/10k Challenge.

http://healthyheartrunwalk.com/

How Safe Is Running....Barefoot Running?

I'm sure some of you are asking:

"Why barefoot?"
"Is it safe? (for me)"
"What do experts say?"
"Is barefoot really best?"

In my journey through triathlons and running, I've found the "right answer" can change for each of our personal health/biology.

Getting Started!...

Here's a great 4 part series by, Dr. Larry Maurer, describing some benefits, concerns, and strategies for assessing your needs on your way to running longevity.


Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4