Garmin 405 Technology Review 2

Now that I have almost 2 months under my belt with the new Garmin 405, I can give a more thorough review.

This thing ROCKS! It's smaller, lighter, more accurate, and last but not least, it's A LOT easier to use. On the 305, I had issues with the charge contacts on back corroding. They have eliminated this possibility by sinking these holes into the watch and having a clip like charger. It's really cool, but hard to explain. This is a definite improvement.

Before I get into this, if you are new to the Garmin 405 check out the training videos on the Garmin Website. These are very helpful. Most definitely the coolest thing about it is the training setups you can do. This will teach you many of the nuances of the 405, and they're adding things weekly to help us learn how to use this wonderful tool. If you're in to this like I am, it's also very easy to just play around and figure it out. , I use the interval mode a lot. Here's one example. When I go out for Yasso 800's, I click on the Menu, Click Training, Workouts, Interval, then you choose if you want this workout to be gauged by time or distance (for Yasso's I click distance), then choose the distance (.50 miles), then rest type, I choose distance (.25), then choose how many reps (8), then it asks about a warmup and a cooldown (I choose yes). This takes all of about 1 minute to set up.

I have used the Virtual training partner, but I haven't fallen in love with this yet. It's kind of hard for me to tell if I'm ahead or behind, I have to look really close to be able to tell. I can see this being a nice feature, especially in a 5k or 10k race. I have gotten over the sensitivity of the bezel, it takes a little getting used to, but once you do, it's really not an issue.

Now, the complaints, my biggest complaint is that the ANT agent is still not compatible with Mac's. They say this is coming in the Fall, so I'm going to hold them to it. Luckily, I have access to a PC where I can download my information. I do have issue with the watch not giving detailed Heart Rate information. I can only get my Average Heart Rate by downloading my information to the PC, then I have to look at the Heart Rate statistics. I've notice when I'm sweating a lot, if sweat drips on the bezel it gets a little crazy beepy. Hopefully this doesn't cause problems when I really start dripping this summer.

Overall, to me, this watch is a major upgrade. In defense of the 305, I never really used the training features, but I think that's because it was too complicated. This is a very nice tool to help in training no matter what the distance.

Is it really June?

WOW! I went for a track workout tonight at 6pm, and boy did I enjoy it.  The temp was about 70 F and there was a nice cool breeze blowing.  It is almost July, right?

I'm into my 4th week of a 20 week training program for the Chicago Marathon.  I have to say it's going pretty well.  Last year I ran the Marine Corps Marathon and started my training in early July.  My knee started bothering me that first week, and stayed with me up until about February of this year.  

Back to my training. Last week in the heat, I did Yasso 800's, and my goal time was 3:20.  My best time was a 3:26, and I only managed to do 6 of them.  Tonight, I did 8 of them, with my fastest being at 3:18, slowest at 3:28, but most of them right at 3:20.  I felt really good, and it gave me the confidence that I need to reach my Marathon Goal of 3:20 -3:25. 

I also want to throw a shout out to my friend Charlie for all of his encouragement.  Look for my more in depth review of the Garmin 405, I'll give you a hint:  I LOVE IT!

On the Diabetes front: As I increase my mileage, I've noticed that my blood sugars have been much better.  I noticed that Jamie over at DR has stated the same thing.  This just proves what we've always known, EXERCISE IS GOOD!  I also wanted to mention a new "Diabetic Runner Friend" Erika, check out her amazing blog.  

We can all learn a little from each other.  Keep exercising, and keep them sugars steady! 

Training Programs

I bit the bullet and decided to buy one of Greg McMillan's personal training program.  I bought the 20 week program, and I will start my training for the Chicago Marathon on this coming monday, Memorial Day.  My overall health is pretty good, definitely better than I felt going in to training last year for the Marine Corps Marathon.  I'm changing my training up a bit this year.  Last year I used a modified version of the FIRST method, where I only ran 3 times a week and complemented that with 2 days of cross training.  I expect to be running 5 days a week and logging approximately 15 - 20 miles more a week.  It's exciting to get started towards a new goal!

I ran in the Flying Pig Half Marathon on Sunday. I PR'd by almost 7 minutes, but I really didn't have that good of a race. My stomach bothered me almost the whole race, and at the six mile mark I had to take a "pit stop" at the Porta-pot. I'm guessing this took about 2 minutes, and it just wasn't my day. As the day went on it got worse. After the race I ate half a banana, a small bag of potato chips, half a blueberry bagel, and just about anything I could get my hands on. I bolused for everything, and when I got home we had brunch. My blood sugar steadily rose, once it got to 300, I checked my infusion site. Somehow my infusion set had twisted off, but was still "attached". The reason I know this is I pulled it right off (without twisting) and there was insulin on my fingers. Not knowing how long it had been disconnected I bolused 11 units to try and cover me. It was a little too late, my blood sugar kept going up, topping out at 489. I did not throw up, but I felt HORRIBLE. This has only happened to me one other time, which resulted in me vomiting. Definitely NOT a pleasant experience.

I would love to hear any recommendations anyone has on how to "unload" before a race. This is something I've struggled with and it was bound to bite me sooner or later.

Technology Review

I received my new Garmin 405 via UPS Next Day Air on Thursday.  I have used the Garmin 305 for over a year now, and other than the bulkiness, I really like it.  The 405 is going to take a little time to get used to, and I think I'm really going to like it.  First, I'll give you the positives: The most obvious improvement is the size of the watch, you no longer look like you have a microwave oven strapped to your wrist.  Second, the touch bezel makes it much easier to navigate through the menus, which is VERY nice.  Because of the touch bezel, it makes it much easier to go from screen to screen, all you have to do is touch the bezel and it will jump to the next screen.  On each screen you can view up to 3 different "statistics", and you can set up 4 of these screens.   Another major improvement is the start /stop and lap / reset functions are now like a stop watch.  On the previous model I often hit the wrong button and didn't record all of m run.  

The only real negative I have with the watch will probably come with using it.  It's the sensitivity of the bezel.  As much as I stated that I like the bezel, it can also cause some problems.  You may be deep into one menu, then you accidentally touch the bezel and it takes you out of that menu and into another.  The only other complaint I have is the software is not Mac compatible yet, though Garmin is working on it.  I have trouble settling on specific screens, so if anyone has any recommendations for good things to watch while you're running, I'd love to hear.  

On the Diabetes front, I just received the good news that my sensors for my CGMS will now be covered by my insurance. If you haven't pushed you Doctor to write you a letter of medical necessity, I would recommend it.  I have been paying for these out of pocket for a year and half, it's not till I called Medtronic to see what they could do, they called my Doc, and within a few weeks they gave me the good news.  

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been neglecting my blog, mostly because I've been pretty busy with work and travels, but also because I don't feel like I have anything interesting to say.  Then I thought, that's crazy, and I looked up the definition of a blog which states: A website in which an individual or group of individuals produces an ongoing narrative.  So I think, I don't have a blog if it's not ongoing, here I go! 

CONGRATULATIONS to Steve Runner at Phidippidations on completing the Boston Marathon, I know that someday soon Steve will break the 4 hour mark. I myself am striving to Qualify for the Boston Marathon.  If you haven't listened to his podcast, do yourself a favor and download an episode, he is EXCELLENT, and it's really like running with someone else.  

Now, on to me, If anyone out there has any recommendations how I can improve my tempo runs, I'm begging you, PLEASE HELP.  I ran my first marathon, the Marine Corps Marathon in 3:40:07, and I have to get to a 3:10:59, in order to qualify. I feel pretty confident I can get to a 3:30, possibly even a 3:25 this year in Chicago.  Mostly because I now have a Marathon under my belt, but also because the course is a little easier, and I feel I'm in better shape.  I do have a little over 5 months till the marathon, and I feel like there is plenty of time to improve.  

I also would be remiss if I didn't throw a big shout out to Jamie over at Diabetic Runner, I absolutely love his blog.  His creativity is awesome, and his content is second to none.  A fellow Diabetic Runner who truly embraces his Diabetes and doesn't let it stop him from doing ANYTHING!  If you haven't joined his Diabetic Runner 1000 or 500, do so NOW.

While I'm rambling, I want to see if anyone can tell me the etiquette when it comes to putting a link to someone else's blog on your "blog roll"? Steve Runner mentioned a blog called Got Lactate and I found it very interesting.  I just thought I'd pass this on, but I wanted to know from fellow bloggers if I should ask the Lactate Man if it's ok to link to his Blog?  

Balancing Carbs and Boluses(pre, during, and post), with Running

Jamie over at Diabetic Runner touched recently on bolusing post run.  Tonight, I ran 9 miles.  Before my run I tested my BS and it read 105, so as I always do before a run, I ate a Protein Bar with 31g Carbs.  At about mile mile 5, my CGMS read 94 so I ate 3 Cliff Shot Bloks.  From this point on my CGMS showed readings between 94 and 130, and when I got home I checked my BS and it read 127.  At this point I bolused 2 Units, and then ate dinner which was about 40g Carbs. This is a tricky scenario, that can sometimes be a tough juggling act.  I do think it's important to eat something that is low in fat as high fat foods can cause more problems (for me).