Here is a compiled list that are interesting which I have yet to buy:
Shoes
Hydration Systems
Running/Swim GPS Watch
Bike
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Kestrel 4000 Meter
I bought this several years ago when I got interested into kiting. It's great device to know the wind speed, temperature and humidity. I used it during my Hong Kong Marathon. I left the interface in America so I can't download the data, but too much data is information overload.
Garmin 405CX GPS Watch
I bought this in America; October 2009. Overall it has been good. The only qualm I have with it is that the bezel becomes inoperable when I oversweat and the battery power. The footpod is very useful if you run under tunnels or lots of buildings. It prevents the autolap feature from going haywire.
I've notice that most runners prefer 310XT since it is waterproof, 14 hours longer, and $20 cheaper!
After reviewing other runner stats, it appears there are accuracy problems with the 310XT. I have 405CX and although it's far from perfect, I notice that it doesn't have wacky errors of creating 1:30/km for 1k lap. During the SCHKM, I compared my stats with a friend who ran with the 310XT and his went berserk especially near the tunnel. I believe using footpod increases this accuracy when the satellite can't be found.
Well, this watch WAS working as of 04/27/2010. Now, it's used as a paper weight. I talked to the Garmin Rep in USA and I have to contact Taiwan Rep. Unfortunately they never pick up. I found that the problem is with the watch. I hope I can get it repaired before my 1/2 marathon race in Busan, Korea. I doubt it. Now, I just use my $30 Nokia phone to keep track of my times.
Another note is that the 405CX definately has better GPS/software than 310XT. I believe if you are a true numbers runner, you'll appreciate the better accuracy of the 405 than the 310 even with it's flaws.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Lantau 2 Peaks Run #2
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30385181
I found some other facebook runners around Hong Kong and one of them mentioned that they would run from Mui Wo to Big Buddha; eat and run back. Well, running that much in one day is too much for me; so this week, I gave it a stab to run it backwards. I initially thought I would try to end up near Discovery Bay... but, well - getting lost in the beginning changed my mind. I woke up early again (5:30AM) and headed toward Tung Chung; I arrived an hour earlier than last week since I don't need to wait for the boat. Once in Tung Chung..
I started to run and realized that I was going the wrong way! It is always difficult to remember which way to go when you try to visually stamp it on your forehead via google maps; next time I should bring a map.. but it'll just get wet and the sweat/rain and the fact that most of the runs are on trails make it more difficult to figure things out.
I located the point of entrance after running 4k later. I figured it would be straight in and up. Well, my mistake since after seeing public bathrooms... there is a big fork in the road. I used my best logic and decided to go straight. Try #1: Dead end; met a lady who told me it's near the bathroom and back I went. Ok try #2, let's try left turn (direction of the cable cars).. found a small "village" and cemetary only to find another dead end.
Tried another road but led to a mean unleashed barking dog. 3k later, I was on the right track... 400m and 3.5k later, I linked up with the Lantau trails.
It's now 2k and another 430m up to the first peak. The wind was so strong.. I video taped some parts of it and you can hear the wind just howl.
Everything was very cloudy and luckily I took some pictures of the Buddha and surrounding areas before the massive cloud mist rolled in.
Sunset peak was no different..
Although this peak is shorter in height, the run up to this peak is a little longer and steeper. I thought I was at the top; but, it kept on going higher. Just like the run up to Ngong ping, the run down is similar with woods, even including green moss.
After hitting pavement, I knew it was mostly downhill with a faster pace to finish up in Mui Wo.
For those interested in racing a similar course across Lantau 2 Peaks, try: Map.
I found some other facebook runners around Hong Kong and one of them mentioned that they would run from Mui Wo to Big Buddha; eat and run back. Well, running that much in one day is too much for me; so this week, I gave it a stab to run it backwards. I initially thought I would try to end up near Discovery Bay... but, well - getting lost in the beginning changed my mind. I woke up early again (5:30AM) and headed toward Tung Chung; I arrived an hour earlier than last week since I don't need to wait for the boat. Once in Tung Chung..
I started to run and realized that I was going the wrong way! It is always difficult to remember which way to go when you try to visually stamp it on your forehead via google maps; next time I should bring a map.. but it'll just get wet and the sweat/rain and the fact that most of the runs are on trails make it more difficult to figure things out.
I located the point of entrance after running 4k later. I figured it would be straight in and up. Well, my mistake since after seeing public bathrooms... there is a big fork in the road. I used my best logic and decided to go straight. Try #1: Dead end; met a lady who told me it's near the bathroom and back I went. Ok try #2, let's try left turn (direction of the cable cars).. found a small "village" and cemetary only to find another dead end.
Tried another road but led to a mean unleashed barking dog. 3k later, I was on the right track... 400m and 3.5k later, I linked up with the Lantau trails.
It's now 2k and another 430m up to the first peak. The wind was so strong.. I video taped some parts of it and you can hear the wind just howl.
Everything was very cloudy and luckily I took some pictures of the Buddha and surrounding areas before the massive cloud mist rolled in.
Sunset peak was no different..
Although this peak is shorter in height, the run up to this peak is a little longer and steeper. I thought I was at the top; but, it kept on going higher. Just like the run up to Ngong ping, the run down is similar with woods, even including green moss.
After hitting pavement, I knew it was mostly downhill with a faster pace to finish up in Mui Wo.
For those interested in racing a similar course across Lantau 2 Peaks, try: Map.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Lantau 2 Peaks Run #1
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/29642506
I haven't ran long distance since my Standard Charter Hong Kong Marathon (2/28/2010). I felt that it was time to grind away and after doing some hill running in Boracay, Philippines; it was time to do a long run. I've been doing some research on Lantau Island and there are great hiking trails - one which is called Lantau Trails that is around 70k. I am obviously not ready for 70k.
My goal is to get an early start and take the ferry from Hong Kong to Mui Wo. It takes close to an hour. I met a guy on the ferry that will bike from Mui Wo to Big Budha. He biked 1000k around the country of Taiwan. Crazy? yet awe inspiring..
I started to run and asked the biker how to start up to Lantau Trail. He was spot on and I found the signs. After the concrete sidewalk run up to the park, it was all trails with lots of "forest".
I tried to run as much as possible, but it just got harder and harder. Finally, I was out of the tree line and was forced up the hill to Sunset Peak.
I passed hikers of three and didn't look back. First peak completed; then now to the harder Peak - Lantau Peak, very slippery going down.. Once I hit the road, It was so foggy - I felt I should go south: wrong! Came across some road workers and tried my best speaking Ngong Ping. They pointed the way I came.. dang, back up the "hill". I entered the left side of a park, right next to the exit and headed west.
Unfortunately went south and ran on more trails only to realize that I was going the wrong way. Luckily, this path reconnects with Lantau trail and it was actually very enjoying. Much more flat trail running the just steps. After a while, I heard conversation again and met up with the 3 hikers from before. This part of the run, is mostly walking up stairs and it gets hard! I was fortunate to have company to the top.
Took pictures and got 2 mars bars from one of the hikers. Very windy at the top. Going down hill was steep and left the 3 hikers in the "dust". I wanted to go to Big buddha, but the visibility wasn't worth it. Got on the bus.. as I waited, I saw the 3 hikers pass me.
I haven't ran long distance since my Standard Charter Hong Kong Marathon (2/28/2010). I felt that it was time to grind away and after doing some hill running in Boracay, Philippines; it was time to do a long run. I've been doing some research on Lantau Island and there are great hiking trails - one which is called Lantau Trails that is around 70k. I am obviously not ready for 70k.
My goal is to get an early start and take the ferry from Hong Kong to Mui Wo. It takes close to an hour. I met a guy on the ferry that will bike from Mui Wo to Big Budha. He biked 1000k around the country of Taiwan. Crazy? yet awe inspiring..
I started to run and asked the biker how to start up to Lantau Trail. He was spot on and I found the signs. After the concrete sidewalk run up to the park, it was all trails with lots of "forest".
I tried to run as much as possible, but it just got harder and harder. Finally, I was out of the tree line and was forced up the hill to Sunset Peak.
I passed hikers of three and didn't look back. First peak completed; then now to the harder Peak - Lantau Peak, very slippery going down.. Once I hit the road, It was so foggy - I felt I should go south: wrong! Came across some road workers and tried my best speaking Ngong Ping. They pointed the way I came.. dang, back up the "hill". I entered the left side of a park, right next to the exit and headed west.
Unfortunately went south and ran on more trails only to realize that I was going the wrong way. Luckily, this path reconnects with Lantau trail and it was actually very enjoying. Much more flat trail running the just steps. After a while, I heard conversation again and met up with the 3 hikers from before. This part of the run, is mostly walking up stairs and it gets hard! I was fortunate to have company to the top.
Took pictures and got 2 mars bars from one of the hikers. Very windy at the top. Going down hill was steep and left the 3 hikers in the "dust". I wanted to go to Big buddha, but the visibility wasn't worth it. Got on the bus.. as I waited, I saw the 3 hikers pass me.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Tolo Harbour 10K [0:41:46]
Official Race Results
Garmin Watch Stats
The 4th Tolo Harbour 10Km Race (4Km Beat Drugs - Juniors)
(28 March 2010, Sunday, Temperture: 15-20C, Relative Humidity: 75-85%, Weather: Fine)
Overall: 101
RkTot: 96
RkCat:26
Cat:MC
bib:3211
EngName:LABELLE JOEL M
OfficialTime:0:41:50
Chip Time:0:41:46
Split 2Km:0:07:30
Split 4Km:0:15:47
Split 6Km:0:24:26
Split 7Km:0:28:48
Split 8Km:0:33:11
Garmin Watch Stats
The 4th Tolo Harbour 10Km Race (4Km Beat Drugs - Juniors)
(28 March 2010, Sunday, Temperture: 15-20C, Relative Humidity: 75-85%, Weather: Fine)
Overall: 101
RkTot: 96
RkCat:26
Cat:MC
bib:3211
EngName:LABELLE JOEL M
OfficialTime:0:41:50
Chip Time:0:41:46
Split 2Km:0:07:30
Split 4Km:0:15:47
Split 6Km:0:24:26
Split 7Km:0:28:48
Split 8Km:0:33:11
Sunday, February 28, 2010
SCHKM 42.2k [3:42:05]
Garmin Watch Stats
Overall Position: 422
Gender Position: 394
Category Position: 166
Category: MMM1
Race no: 24549
English Name: JOEL LABELLE
Country: United States
Official Time : 03:42:36
Net Time: 03:42:05
10km Time: 00:47:00
Half Way Time: 01:37:14
30km Time: 02:28:35
Overall Position: 422
Gender Position: 394
Category Position: 166
Category: MMM1
Race no: 24549
English Name: JOEL LABELLE
Country: United States
Official Time : 03:42:36
Net Time: 03:42:05
10km Time: 00:47:00
Half Way Time: 01:37:14
30km Time: 02:28:35
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)