School district

As I mentioned that we moved to Dublin from Pleasanton.  We knew many people who moved out from Pleasanton stay in the same school.  We thought we just need to tell the school we moved.  However the formal process is different.  We did not know this.  When we told the new address in Dublin, we were told that we need to go through a formal process and there could be a chance the request would be rejected.

The formal process is:

• Need to submit inter & intra district transfer request to Dublin unified school district first.  To submit the request, it requires some other documents such as report card.
• Once Dublin school district approves the request, the the form will be sent to Pleasanton school district.
• The board of Pleasanton unified school district reviews the request and will make final decision the request is accepted or not.  According to the district, there is a chance to reject the request.

In our case, we were still Pleasanton resident when enroll the new school year.  Therefore, our kids were able to go to the same school.  However, we moved to Dublin in the end of September.  Then, we need to go through the process above.   Since our kids were already in the school and we got an approval from the Pleasanton unified school district.  The process took more than one month and we did not know if the kids can stay or not.  It might be different if the moving is before the enrollment. 

I checked some people who could be a similar situation.  However, it seems they did not go through the process and they are just stay the school, probably without notifying their moving to the school.

When people move to the other school district, it might be better to check what needs to be done before moving.  Then everything could be smooth.  In our case, we did not know what needs to be done in advance and we needed to solve such process one by one.

I just want to share our experience in this blog!!

Christmas is coming!

Christmas tree in our home

 This year was really busy year for our family.   We did not really plan to move to other place early this year.  However, we took a look at some homes in April.  After checking the past sales price our old neighborhood, we decided to sell our previous residence and buy a bigger house.

 After the decision, it was sold in a very short time.  However, it was hard time to buy a house due to very hot real estate market.   We took a look at more than a few hundred houses and finally we bought one we really like.  That was a really big event for our family this year.

  Since we moved into a little bigger house and we bought a bigger Christmas tree this year.  This is not a real tree, but kids are very happy with the tree.  Kids spent their time for the decoration.   It looks nice especially balloon arts on the right side of the tree.  They made "Candies" with red/white balloons and they look really nice!  They really like bigger tree and waiting for Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Lovejoy comet 2013

Lovejoy comet (C/2013 R1) in the yellow circle on the left lower corner.

The end of 2013, there are a few comets near solar system.  Last week, many photos for ISON comet (C/2012 S1) were posted on the internet.    It can be observed without telescope starting from early November 2013.   I also tried to find it last weekend, but it was too late to see before passing the sun.  Since the location was getting lower and the east sky is getting brighter due to sun rise.   The last chance will be after passing sun, that will be early December.  I hope I still have a chance to see it.

Since I did not have a chance to see ISON comet last weekend, I tried to find another comet called "Lovejoy comet (C/2013 R1)" last 2 days.  It is near, east side of Ursa Major constellation.   In a town, it might be hard to find out without telescope.  However, if you have a little nice digital camera, you may be able to find out on a photo.

You may find it on the north sky near Ursa Major before sun rise some time around 4am ~ 5pm.  It will continue to toward north side. 

I will continue to watch the both comets next a few days.

Laundry washer installation

Laundry washer installation

We moved the current house the end of September this year, 2013.   Since the previous owner took laundry washer and dryer, we bought new one from Sears.

This moving was a lot of problems for appointments for delivery / installations.  This laundry stuff delivery installation was one of them.

Delivery:

Originally, we expected to have the washer and dryer before we moved in.  We bought them about 2 weeks before the actual moving in date and arrange their delivery.  We supposed to get a phone call to get 2 hours time window for the delivery a day before the delivery day, however, we did not get it.

We called Sears customer service number, it was busy day and we had to wait close to 30 minutes to get an operator.   It seemed the arrangement was really messed up and the call drops in the middle of the conversation and started over again a couple times.  Then, the first delivery was only washer and we needed to wait for the dryer another several days.

That was a story for the delivery.

Problems:

Anyway, we got the washer and dryer a few days after we moved in.   However, my wife found that a thing that closes after washing is always hot even if we set "cold".  We tried to check the water line connection, but it was too close to wall and it was not easy to read the characters on the back of the washer.  So that we just using the user's manual to check the hot / cold water location and we thought they were all right.

After a couple weeks, some of closes for my wife were sensitive and we tried to check the water line connection again.  This time, I used a digital camera to take some shot to read the characters on the back.  Finally we found that the water line connections were reversed.

Correction

I tried to loose the water connection just by hand, but it was too tight and I could not disconnect the water lines.  I did not want to damage the washer and tried to Sears to correct the installation.
So that I called the customer service again.

This time was really worse.   First of all, the call was transfer to the other department again and again more than a several times.  Also, the call dropped a couple times and started over again.  The problem is they did not have any record what we talked in my account.  Therefore, I had to explain the same thing again and again.  Finally one operator helped to arrange a service but it was about 2 weeks away.  I said we could not wait such long for the simple correction and I tried to push him to get it done earlier.  The person really helped to get a person who was actually scheduling the service, then she would give us a better day, but she needed to call me back after the arrangement.  She told me I would get a call with detail time slot within 48 hours and the call was hung up.  But I did not any thing.

I called the customer service again and it was the same the call was transferred again and again.  But it seemed there was no record for the arrangement.  But the last person arranged it a Friday in the same week.   A day before, I supposed to get  a phone call for the 2 hours time slot.  But I did not get it again.  The person gave me a phone number, I called that number, but the operator told me there was no record for the service.  Then asking to call a local store.  I called the local store but it was before the business hour and the call was transferred back to the central customer service again and actually no body helped me to arrange the correction service.

I was really frustrated and I did not want to go through such long customer call process again.  It took really long time and it does not help anything.  It is really wasting my time.  I decided to correct by myself.  I used a tool to loose the connection and swap the hot / cold water line.  It was done within 10 minutes.

That is the story for this installation.  I could not really believe what happened to us.  The professional people who deliver the washer and dryer could not install them correctly.  It was really simple mistake.  Then, the customer service is really bad.  They told me that there is no reference number or case number to check the record later.   They just gave us not right phone number for the service.  The call was always transferred to the other department.  Then, the call could drop in the middle.  Even I asked a number in case the call was dropped did not work.

This time, it was not really complicated thing and I could take care of it by myself.  But if I could not handle the case, I am not sure what I need to do.......

This is not only thing, but also I had a very bad experience with Comcast as well........

A good thing is everything fixed now and I do not have to worry about anything for now.....  But I do not want to go through such things again.   

Little Lakes Valley Hiking

Little Lakes Valley Hiking

Long Lake

Last weekend, August 17, 2013, we went hiking to Little Lakes Valley.  This is really nice area for family hiking.

Little Lakes Valley is located a little northern part of Bishop CA near CA395.  It is about 250mils away, 5~6 hours drive from San Francisco Bay area.  We drove Yosemite National park along CA120.  Yosemite itself is really beautiful nice area.  But it was really crowed in summer time.

In June this year, one of my friend visited Little Lakes Valley and she posted really beautiful photos to Facebook.   That is why I really wanted to visit there as well.  This year our family had been very busy for house hunting.  Due to very crazy housing market, we needed to look at open houses almost all weekend since April.  We did not have no time to go hiking this early summer.

Finally,  our offer was accepted mid July and we were getting some time to go camping and hiking.



Location

About 25 miles before Bishop from north side of CA395, Little Lakes Valley is located along Rock Creek Rd from CA395.  The end of the road is called Mosquito Flat where is the trail head of this hiking trail.  The first day we arrived there around 11am.  The parking lot was full and no space to park at the end of the load.
People need to be back a few miles to park their car.  No street parking is allowed due to narrow road.

 Trail head

So that, we gave up to go hiking on the first day and went back to Rock Creek Lake to spend the rest of the day.  Rock Creek Lake is really nice place for kids.  There is a nice creek near parking lot.  Also, nice camp sites near creek and the lake.  Many people were fishing and caught some fish.  Probably reserving a camp site earlier and stay that camp site would be really nice!

 Beautiful sky from Rock Creek Lake

The next morning, we got up earlier and went to the trail head around 8am.  We could park a nice spots at the end of the road.  The trail head elevation is about 3000m from sea level.  (about 9,000FT).  The trail is slowly getting elevation to about 3400m at Morgan Pass.  Due to a little high altitude, we probably need to pay attention for high altitude sickness, especially kids.

 Nice view near trail head!

First Lake, Mack Lake

Marsh Lake

Heart Lake

Long Lake

Around tree line

 

West side from Morgan Pass

East side from Morgan Pass

Along the trail, there are many small lakes and we really enjoyed nice view almost everywhere on the trail.  We have some little kids and they looked they had high altitude sickness, therefore we decided to turn back from Morgan Pass.  The trail is continue to the east side and some of people continue hiking there.

Round trip to Morgan Pass is about 7.5 miles (12km), about 5 hours hiking with kids.  

This is really nice trail, I strongly recommend to the other people!

(End)

Very good mover in San Francisco Bay area!!

  We moved from our previous house to an apartment this Monday.

  We asked a Japanese mover when we moved into the previous house 9 years ago.  Since our son just got 1 year old and it was hard to do the moving by ourselves.  At that time, we looked for movers including local agent.   Most of them are lower cost, but according to my friends, they are cheap, but some of them had experience to damage some stuff, not to start / finish on-time.  Due to those some negative experience and we were picky since we had infant baby.  So that we picked a Japanese mover and it was really good.

  They took their shoes off when they get into inside of the house.  They put some protection into the doors, stares and floors.   Also, they were really speedy and efficient to get it done within a reasonable time.  We were so happy with the agent.

  Based on that good experience, we also looked for the same mover this time, but we could not find.  After some internet search, we found out the person who helped us 9 years ago started own moving company.  Since we had a very good experience with the person, we contacted the company.

   Their service is pretty good.  They came to our previous house to estimate the moving effort / cost and gave us a quote within a few days.  Also, our moving plan had not been finalized at the last minutes and changing address for the new location / date a couple times.  Even though, they could adjust the plan for us.
   Also, when they came to our place for the quote, they gave us a good advice for efficient moving to save some money, such as how / what we can do by ourselves and what would be a point not to disturb their work.  They were very useful and helped us to understand what we could do by ourselves.

  In the moving day, they came to our place on time and very organized what to do.  Their moving process is very efficient and really careful.   Their handling / process to protect house and stuff are very systematic and careful.  I think they are really professional for moving.  We did not have to do anything to moving out.  We just watched and relax.  For moving in, they give us packed box in very good order.  It was very smooth to open them during the moving in.   Majority of stuff had been opened and placed in the right place when they finished.   I felt it was really efficient and we finished it much earlier than we expected.

  This time, we spent a lot of time a day before the moving.  But the next time, we probably will ask more to the mover.  It may be a little more cost, but overall, it will save a lot of our time.

  This Japanese style mover is a bit expensive than typical moving agent local here.  But the end result, it is really worthy.  I really recommend the agent if people look for a good mover.

 Here is the mover information:

 http://www.cn-express.net/
 Cross Nations, Inc.
533 Airport Blvd. Suite 400
Burlingame, CA 94010
Phne 650-373-2112
Fax  650-373-2001
info@cn-express.net
 
If you are looking for a good mover, I strongly recommend this agent!

Mt. Whitney Trail

Mt. Whitney from Lone Pine, California

   Mt. Whitney Trail is the easiest way to reach the top of Mt. Whitney.  Majority of people are going through this trail.  To enter Mt. Whitney area, people needs to get permission.

How to get permission:

Mt. Whitney Lottery
   People who wants to climb Mt. Whitney needs to plan well in advance.  It is better to file an application  for Mt.Whitney Lottery  in February through mid March.  This might be maximize a chance to get the permission.  The application can be filed through on-line.  In the application, people can put multiple dates.  The result will be notified through E-mail in the end of March or early April.

After Mt. Whitney Lottery
   Once Mt. Whitney Lottery is closed.  People can reserved left over dates through on-line or phone.  Usually, it can start on April 1st.   Then people who wins the Mt.Whitney lottery needs to confirm its reservation.  If the people have not confirmed by the deadline, the reservation won't be valid and back to the pool.   After May 1st, those space will be available on-line as well (This is a schedule in 2013).

  Also, people can go to the visitor center in Lone Pine to check if there is any available space or not.  If there is any available space, it might have a chance to get it.

Pick-up the permission
   To pick up the permission, people need to go to the visitor center in Lone Pine.  People can pick it up a week in advance.  But if the schedule is very tight, people can picked up from a night box.  People need to make a phone call to the visitor center for this arrangement before.  The night box is located close to the entrance of the visitor center.  This is a good option, people who just arrive that area and start climbing right away.  Otherwise, people need to wait for business hour to pick up the permission.

Trail

Mt. Whitney trail is the most popular trail to climb Mt. Whitney.  Many people are doing a day trip to Mt. Whitney.  Some people really start almost mid night.  The trail is very long.

I personally, have never tried a day  trip.  I think I can do it.  For my first try in 2011, I started around 6AM with camping stuff.  I reached "Trail Camp" around 10am with heavy camping stuff and then reached the summit around 2pm.  I could be back to Trail Camp before 5pm.   I could be back to the trail head before Sun set.  But I think camping on the trail is very good idea.   Since just reaching summit is not only purpose of the  trip, but also enjoy a night on the trail.  People can see different view time by time, especially night time is really nice view on the sky.  There are so many starts on the sky.

If you have a chance, I really recommend to have camping on a trail.

[End]

Hiking in San Francisco Bay Area

  There is no picture today.....
  I have been living this area more than 10 years.  I often go hiking in this area including trail running.  I also went hiking / climbing when I was in Japan.  A big difference between here in the US and Japan, I think people enjoy hiking more easy with very casual style.

   When I went hiking / climbing, I always carried a backpack with some food / snack and drink like water, some time many beers.  It was very rarely not to carry the back pack except very short walk.  However, there are many people just walk with a single bottle water on their hand on many trails.  Some people does not have anything, just walk and talking with friends.  I was a kind of surprised in the beginning.   But nowadays, I am one of them.

   Majority of trails in this area is not really mountain, I would say they are trails on hills.  Basically, the trails are not very long, most of them are just a few hours round trip and no very steep portion on trails.  Most of the time, if anything happening, it is very easy to going back to a car.  People does not have to worry about too much.  Weather in summer time or other than winter, it is very stable and it is very rarely raining in summer time.

   Many trails are short and probably a few hours walk is good enough.  Depending on how much time people have, people can choose many options to enjoy nice view on a hiking.  People can do hiking a sort of a daily life if people live in this area.  For visitors, I think it is a good option as a part of sight seeing.  It is different from a really nice view on a trail in a national park, but people can enjoy to see cites in the bay area and very easy access from cities.

  If people really look for a mountain that is something like in Japan, people probably need to go to Serra Nevada, Tahoe, Yosemite and etc.  There are many nice mountains in California.  But they are little far away from our town.... For typical weekend, just enjoying hills near our house  is very nice!  So that I really enjoy hiking nowadays!  Climbing mountain could be a few times a year nowadays.....

Mission Peak (Fremont CA)

Mission Peak (Fremont CA)

Mission Peak

  Mission Peak is located east side of San Francisco Bay.  It looks like a symbol of Silicon Valley!
  There are a several trails to reach its peak.   The most popular trail would be from the west side of the peak in Fremont.  People can reach the peak around 1 ~ 2 hours.  This trail is really nice view, people can see a whole San Francisco Bay Area.  In a good weather, people can see down town San Francisco and Golden Gate Bridge from the top!!

  I think the best season to hike Mission Peak would be in spring.  There are many wild flowers on green hills.  The climate is not too hot and not too cold.  In summer time, due to less rain in this area in summer, hills are getting brown and it is getting hot.  In winter, it is rainy season and some time cold wind.

  Mission peak is very easy access from Silicon Valley, like Fremont / San Jose area.  Also, it can provide really nice view.   I think you should visit at least once if you have a chance!

Let's go camping (3) ~ Sleeping bag

Let's go camping (3) ~ Sleeping bag

Cheap sleeping bag v.s. down sleeping bag

Today, I am talking about sleeping bags.  A sleeping bag is one of essential camp gars.  The price range is vary, some of inexpensive one could start around USD$20 in many discount stores, such as Walmart, Target and etc. in the US.  On the other hand, people can find much expensive one in many outdoor stores.  Some sleeping bags that are designed for very extreme use is some time more than USD$1,000!!  I guess many people who are looking for a sleeping bag for the first time might wonder what would be difference between them.

General guide line

There are a couple factors to select a sleeping bag depending on usage.

·         Packed size

·         Insulation (heat retention)

·         Insulation material (synthetic fill / down / etc.)

A major factor that impacts to the cost / price is insulation material.   Most of insulation material for sleeping bags for backpacking / climbing uses a special material that can pack smaller.  That is one of reason those sleeping bag is more expensive.  Down is one of the best insulation materials for sleeping bags.  Sleeping bag with down can pack very small and heat retention is very well.  There are different type of down and price is vary, especially one for very extreme condition like special winter climbing.  Those special purpose, people know what they need very well.  Since down is very good material for sleeping bags, people develop many synthetic material like down.  Nowadays, synthetic materials are getting improved and work very well.  However, the packed size is relatively a little bigger than one with down.  Typically, if heat retention performance is a similar, one with synthetic is less expensive than one with down.  However, the price for one that is typically used for a regular camping seasons, spring to fall, is getting very similar.  If people can spend around USD$150 ~ 200, then people can find a good sleeping bag. 

One of disadvantage on sleeping bags with down is heat retention in wet condition.  As long as down is dry, it is very good heat retention.  However, once it gets wet, the heat retention is getting worse significantly.  People who use a sleeping bag with down needs to have a good care to avoid it is getting wet.  Some of outer shell is using GoreTex that can breath, some people using a cover with GoreTex.  GoreTex or other breathable material helps to block moisture from the outside and take away moisture in side.

On the other hand synthetic material is much better heat retention performance even if it gets wet.  Also it is much easy to maintain after use.  Most of synthetic materials are washable.  Disadvantage for synthetic material is relatively heavier and packed size is a little bigger.

People need to know what environment they plan to use a sleeping bag.  Then they can narrow down which would be a good selection for them.

Here is some guide line to select a sleeping bag

Family Camper

This is a group that typically does camping next a car.  The packing size is usually not a concern.  Most of case, family camping is around summer season; therefore, one that is sold in a discount store is typically good enough.   If people want to save some packed space, people always can buy nice sleeping bag from outdoor store with some extra money.

 They are from a discount store (40F and 50F)

Backpack camper

Since people need to carry all gear with a backpack, the packing size and weight are one of key factors to select one.   People usually do not want to buy really cheap sleeping bag from discount stores.  They are usually really big packed size and heavy.  Most of cases people want to spend some extra money to buy a better sleeping bag.

Depending on a place, the heat retention can be various.  Especially, hikers / climbers who typically have camping in higher altitude, they probably need one that is capable around 0 degree C for summer camping.   People who need to sleep in snow; they probably need a really good sleeping bag.  However they must know what they need, therefore, I do not discuss / explain in this article.

 Down Sleeping bags

The left one is (30F/-1C, 300g down, total wait is about 800g)

Summary

I think most of back packers / hikers / climbers are usually experience people for camping.  They usually know what they need.   People who really need advice which sleeping bag they need to buy are really beginners.  The easiest way is probably just buying low cost sleeping bag from discount stores and try some easy camping first.  If people do not see any problem, that would be a good one for them.   If people feel cold, then those people may need a better sleeping bag.  If people think the packed size is too big, then those people need to look for a good sleeping bag from outdoor stores.   I think most of cases for family style camping; low cost sleeping bag is usually enough.  If people have a concern for temperature, just bring extra blanket or closes.

Foam Roller

Foam Roller

  I have just resumed running from injury, stress fracture.  However this Monday, I got injured left leg (calf).  It is probably a pulled muscle.  I had not run for 6 months due to the injury, my leg was getting weak.  I thought I did enough warm-up and stretching before training.  It happened in the 5th lap of interval.  I did slow down when I felt pain.  It's been for 4 days, it seems to be no pain for just walking, but when I just jog, I feel a little pain.  It is not really serious and it can be recovered within a few weeks.

   This week I am doing stretching and foam rolling.  I just put my leg on a plastic foam and just rolling the foam.  I feel it is very effective like getting massage. 

 Something like this, just roll the foam

  Originally, we got this foam when my wife got a pulled muscle.  It is not very expensive but it is very useful.  You can find it on the internet and can order on-line.
  It can be used other portion of the body, such as back.  It is really good. 
  It is worth to try it!

Rejuvenation Professional Foam Roller (Google Affiliate Ad)


36" Full Foam Roller - Weights & Accessories (Google Affiliate Ad)

Mt. Shasta this year

 Shade of Mt.Shasta during the sun rise

   This year snow is melting faster than a typical year.  The climbing season for Mt. Shasta is shifting earlier.   Originally I had planed to climb Mt.Shasta in May.  However we decided to sell our current home and move to other place in April.  So that we need to clean up our current house and look for a house.  I do not have time to climb Mt. Shasta.   Also, I got injured my left arm when I ran in the morning in early May.   I guess it is a sign not to go climbing this year.   I gave up to climb Mt. Shasta this year.

Climbing condition in June in 2013

I checked Mt. Shasta Climbing Advisory. It seems that Avalanche Gulch is still decent shape.  So if people who wants to climb Mt. Shasta this year.  It is better to go there now!  It is probably not a good idea to wait for July this year.  According to the site, Misery hills is free of snow already!  Last year, there was plenty of snow over there!!

Typical year

In a typical year May to July is a good season to climb Mt. Shasta.  However the past a few years, the snow condition is very different.  In 2011, even July 4th week, there was a lot of snow around Bunny flat.  However, last year, 2012, there is no snow in Bunny flat.  Some snow showed up near Sierra club lodge.  So it really depends on year.  So, whenever people plan to climb Mt. Shasta, it is better to check the condition with the web site.

Gear

Helmet, Ice axe and crampon are required to climb Mt. Shasta.   Climbing Mt. Shasta especially via Avalanche Gulch, the idea is climbing through snow.  Therefore, people need to pick a season that there is enough snow in the climbing route.  Late season in summer, it becomes hard to climb red banks without snow.  It seems there were some people who climbed Mt. Shasta very late season, but it sounds like not fun climbing.

For camping at Helen Lake, I brought a light backpacking tent, that is REI Half Dome 2, last year.  This tent uses a mesh fabric on the top half.   As long as the weather is not extreme weather that can be notified by a weather forecast before go to the mountain, it is still usable.  The bottom line is put good anchors to build a tents with fly sheet.  Many people used a similar backpacking type tents in Helen Lake area.

When I climbed there last year, the weather at Helen Lake is really mild and almost no wind.  However, once climbed Red banks, the wind was getting stronger.  It was not very bad.  However, we need to ware a jackets and over pants.   It is always better to carry extra close when attack the summit.

I have all equipments, so that I do not have to rent them.  However, I heard that people can rent them from a sports shop in Shasta City named "5th Seasons" .  When I passed by the shop, I saw many people were there to rent them.

Probably, I will post some other article for Mt. Shasta later.




 

Training plan on Garmin Connect site

   Last article, I introduced a GPS watch for running.  The new one I just bought is Garmin 910XT.  I have been using it for 2 weeks now.  I found a very good feature of the device. 

Free Training plan for 5km / 10km / Half marathon and Full marathon
   There is a web site called "Garmin Connect" that people can upload their workout activities.  I recently found that there were some free training plans on the site.  I have been using the site for a while, but I did not know the plan.
    Actually, I had stress fracture on my lower left leg late last year.   Due to the injury, I could not run outside for a while, about six months.  The primary reason I got the injury is probably over training.  Therefore, when I do recovery training, I need to be careful to plan my recovery workout.   Last months, I just did jog short distance less than 6 miles.  (less than 10km)
    Now I started next phase for my recovery.  I decided to follow one of training plan from Garmin Connect.

Time / Heart rate base training plan
   Before the injury, my training style was distance / pace base training that is a plan to set a target pace based on m target time for a race.  Then I made my own training plan based on distance and pace.  Probably the distance could be too long and target pace could be too aggressive.  That was a way I used to do when was young.  I guess it is probably all right when people are serious.  However, now my age is getting closer to 50 years old and it is different from when I was young.  
   That is a reason I try this training plan.  Heart rate is a good factor to indicate my ability, as long as I can keep the target heart rate, I think it can eliminate to push myself too much.   Also, time base training is good for many people who has limited time for training.  Whatever my body condition is I can finish a training session based on the time. 

Garmin device is a good manager to monitor a workout!

   One of good features in the Garmin device is to store all training plan to the device and it can monitor each training activity for me.  For example, the training plan says 10 minutes warmup, 40 minutes easy pace running with heart rate zone 2, then 10 minutes cool-down.   Then all steps are stored in the device and help to tell me time, out of rang for the heart rate.

   I started a full marathon program 2 days ago.  It tells me if the heart rate is out of the range with alarm and vibration.  So that I can slow down to meet the heart rate zone.  Previously, I might push me hard during a training.  It is a good limiter to avoid over training.

Efficient training?

   It is obviously good to avoid over training.  But I just wonder if it is an efficient training or not.  To check the progress, I did cooper test (12 minutes running) before staring the program.  This could be a good factor to see the progress.  The other factor I will keep track a relationship between time/distance and heart rate zone.  Then I will be able to tell how efficient this training strategy.  I will post my data in this blog.

(To be continue .....)

  

GPS Watch ~ Garmin 910XT~

A watch with GPS

Garmin 910XT

Garmin 910XT

 Garmin Black Forerunner 910XT GPS Fitness Watch - 010-00741-20 (Google Affiliate Ad)

GPS watch!

   Today, I am writing about a watch with GPS function, GPS watch!  I have been running as a part of my daily life and joined a few race last a few years.   When I run, I usually ware a watch with a GPS watch that was bought three years ago.  I have been using Garmin GPS watch (405CX) as my partner during my training.  With this watch, distance, pace, heart rate during the training can be recorded and logged to the internet.  This is a good motivation to continue the training as a part of life.  I had some health problem such as overweight and etc.  After I started running regular basis, those problems had been going away and I am healthy nowadays.

   Talking about the watch, due to GPS function, it cannot use a typical small button battery like a regular watch.  The GPS watch is using a rechargeable buttery embedded in the watch.  Because of so many re-charge cycles, the discharge time is getting shorter nowadays.  I think it is a time to buy another one.  Some internet articles say it is possible to replace the battery, but I decided to buy another one.    The last weekend was Memorial Day weekend and many shops did a special sale.  One of outdoor shop has a GPS watch on sale.  I thought it  was a good deal and I bought a new one.
　

Longer battery discharge time!
　
   Since I also interested in “ultra marathon” that is a race longer than full marathon (26.2 miles).  I am getting old and cannot run very fast, therefore I may take longer time to finish such race.  So the previous model is not good enough to log an entire race.  That is one of reason I pick this Garmin 910XT.  The previous one can be operated up to 8 hours based on its specification.  This new one can be operated up to 20 hours that is usually long enough time to finish except some very long “crazy race” like 100 mile trail race.  That is one of big reasons I picked this model.

Large display

   Since I am getting older and need reading glasses to see small fonts.  The previous one has very small display and fonts.  It is sometimes hard to read the information on the display.  However, this new model has a large display and it is much easier to read all information without reading glasses.   That is a big plus for me!!

No sensibility problem !!

    One of a big problem on the previous one that is so sensitive for the bezel operation.  The previous one needs to use bezel to change / set the device.   It is somehow a nice feature and design.  But a problem is it is so sensitive.  Some time sweat or rain is a cause to activate an operation during running, such as switching display unexpectedly.  This new one does not have such problem since all operation is based on buttons, no bezel operation or touch panel and all minimum operation during running can be done with buttons very easy.

What is getting worse?

   There are some minor problems, but they are not really big problems at all.

First thing is a problem to use it as a watch in a daily life.  Since this model is not designed to use it as a regular watch without GPS function.  It is still possible to show a time on the display with customizing the data field on the display.  For longer operation time, users may want to disable GPS function every time to use it as a watch.  There is no stand-by mode like the previous model.  This model is really focusing on training / logging the training long.

   The supported training modes are also less than the previous model.  The previous model has three training menu, “simple”, “heart rate” and “interval’.  This new one has only two, “interval” and “custom”.   Basically all previous function can be covered by “custom”.  But the setup is a little tricky.  Since just set a custom workout as distance 10km, then it works.  But lap time cannot be captured with this simple setup.  We need to set 1km x 10 with repeating to trace each lap time.  As long as users understand the structure of the custom workout, it should not be a problem and it can be done on a PC as well.

I think there won’t be a perfect one.  So that this new one has cover most of function I need.  I will use this “partner” for my training to improve my performance.

(End)