Setting up the Garmin 310XT

My new training buddy has arrived.

My Garmin Forerunner 305 kicked the bucket late last year. Since then, I've used the Runtastic app to track my runs and rides. And it has worked... until recently.

Right now, my long rides have gotten so long that they strained the battery of the iPhone. Runtastic can't pick up my Polar heart rate monitor, which is becoming more and more necessary, And, during my first triathlon Sunday, I found it too cumbersome to deal with the app.

It's been real, Runtastic, but it's time to move on.

The Garmin 310XT arrived yesterday, and it's hanging out with me at my desk today, charging. (Now at 38%!)

Lovely stock photo. 7:08 mile, if only!

It can work under water for time, and it estimates distance -- but from what I hear it's not a very good estimate. It automatically syncs with the computer, and has multi-sport functions.

Maybe I'll go for a walk later to test it out. Excited!

App review: It's RUNtastic

I said RIP to my Garmin 305 a few months back. My poor, trusty watch stopped sinking, then the battery didn't last as long, then it stopped working altogether.

I have yet to get a new one. I'm focused more on a new bike. Instead I've been playing with a number of different smart phone apps. They don't replace the watch -- I have to leave them at home if the weather is bad, for one, but they work for now.

I've tried several, but one app stands out among all others. It's RUNtastic. Normally it's a paid app, but I got it for free on one of those daily special deals.

It tracks everything -- pace, distance, elevation, everything the Garmin does. And it syncs automatically -- I think I can get it to autopost to DailyMile. I need to change the social media settings, I think the postings to Facebook are a little excessive.

The interface is so easy to use, and I love the data. Screenshot:

Training this week has been exhausted. I didn't get up this morning, as I should have. Now I'm on the fence about taking tonight off. It's the final snow race... I should get a swim in, but I'm sleepy.

I'm thinking my best bet will be to regroup tonight and go hard tomorrow.