I’m in mourning. My running buddy passed on to the great electronics waste dump in the sky (actually in a drawer in my desk) on Saturday. Unlike most, I hadn’t given him a name – he was just “Garmin”. He accompanied my on every run for the last 2 years. He even carried the scars of a bicycling accident that had me on the shelf for six weeks back in 2008. Garmin – you did me good.
Okay – enough for the teary eyed drama. The important thing is what to do now? Yikes! I can’t run without my electronics! I think it was best put by my blogging buddy Patrick - “How did Roger Bannister break a 4 minute mile without a Garmin?” Funny, but soooo true Patrick. Sooooo true.
I started looking at my options. Luckily, these days GPS enabled devices are plentiful. Garmin. Polar. Suunto. Even software that runs on GPS enabled phones. But – I’m a loyal Garmin convert – so I started looking for a replacement. Even there it’s no longer an easy choice. Garmin Forerunner 205, 305, 310XT, 405. And now a Garmin that is targeted specifically to runners – the 110. Decisions decisions decisions. I sent out a tweet to the Twitterverse looking for people’s opinions on the various devices out there. Good news for Garmin is it didn’t matter which model of Forerunner people were using – they all loved them!
Then – a tweet from @oldtrailrunner - “my 305 died too but for $86 I sent it back to the factory to get it refurbished.” Now my interest was piqued. I started digging through the support pages at http://www.garmin.com, and there it was – Out of Warranty service for Garmin devices:
Three days to answer an email? Yikes! In the meantime I bought a new Forerunner 305 for $190 at REI. My plan is to repair my old one. Then I’ll have a backup and/or a second one for those really long runs I’m planning on tackling next year. Ooops! I may have let the cat out of the bag…..
Speaking of running – I hit the trails last night with my son for a quick four miler in Laguna Coast. Rest day today. Then 30 kms in the Santa Ana Mountains. Harding Hustle here I come!
So sorry to hear about your lost! I love my 305 and can only imagine how attached you are to yours.
ReplyDeleteGlad you have something to use in the meantime. It would be nice to have a backup for sure!
Oops, I meant "loss" not "lost". (Geez louise- thank goodness it's Friday!)
ReplyDeleteI have that same one, I bought it in 2007. Lots and lots of fun stuff done with it on my wrist, no doubt about it. However, there is SO MUCH out there since we purchased these. You get to upgrade now! ;)
ReplyDeleteGlenn - I have one, yet still have never used it. I would've have given ya mine.
ReplyDeleteMy 305 will die someday too. I know it's inevitable, I just hope we have many more happy days together.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got it all figured out by this weekend! I'm a Garmin newbie but I have enjoyed having Mr. G along on my runs. Mainly I use it to track my mileage and pace but look forward to some speed work with it. Good luck at you 30k this weekend! I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel...Alan fixed my first one and now uses it and it's nice to have 2 around. I can't wait to hear what really long run you need two for....just remember that you will need 3 for the REALLY big runs. :)
ReplyDeleteI would have been SO sad to lose my friend, G. I'm glad that you were able to get a new one...I'm sure curious about the new Garmin for runners. BS said it's supposed to be awesome!
ReplyDeleteHave fun on the trails this weekend!
Who could go 3 days w/o their garmin? That's insane that is their turn around time just for a RESPONSE. I would've just gotten a new one too. Let's hope that doesn't happen for...awhile.
ReplyDeleteBummer about the 305. I knew mine was going to be a goner last fall, so I now have the 310XT...which I love even more. It has a FOREVER battery life.
ReplyDeleteThe real question is: How much better would bannister have been with his running buddy screaming from his wrist???
ReplyDeleteGood call on REI purchase. My first 205 was on the blink (and out of warranty), so i went to the store with it after Garmin's tech was unresponsive. Mr REI Man said he would take care of tech support and handed me a brand spankin new one - SCORE! Talk about customer service! Happy Running to you
Steve
$190 is a pretty good deal for a 305. I hope you get the other one fixed just so you have a back-up!
ReplyDeleteThat is a GREAT backup plan. Having two of those things is probably always a good idea anyway
ReplyDeleteThat is a GREAT backup plan. Having two of those things is probably always a good idea anyway
ReplyDeleteSounds like your separation anxiety will end very soon.
ReplyDeleteYour Garmin looks so well used! Aside from that crash, you showed it alot of love. Let me know how that repair thing works out. I also have a nonfunctioning watch that is just sitting in my drawer. Seems like it is almost cheaper to get a new one than to repair an old one. Please tell me if I am wrong.
ReplyDeleteGood luck this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI am very sorry for your electronic loss. I know what it's like to lose an electronic running buddy.
ReplyDeleteI hope your replacement comes soon and I hope you are just as happy with your new buddy.
3 days just to respond to an email. I wonder how long it takes for the repair? Cool to have a back up I guess. I should be getting mine in about a month or so I think. Well, have fun with your new one, and have fun waiting 20 light years for the other one to get fixed. Cheers.
ReplyDeletethey probably have internet service from at&t and it takes 2 days to get a message delivered :)
ReplyDelete(no, i don't have a gripe with my phone service or anything...)
i am actually ok sans garmin. well, maybe on a speed workout day but i don't do those ever so no big deal. i still use mapmyrun if i have to - my garmin's been acting up lately.
Hi Glenn,
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about your Garmin trouble. I have the same one. You just need to treat yourself to something new:) Hang in there and enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Thanks for your comment, $190 ouch! The price of instant gratification!
ReplyDeleteWhat? Another 305? You were supposed to get something new and then review it for me! haha.
ReplyDeleteActually, the info in the refurbishment is good to know. I may try to go that route - although I hear the 405 is bluetooth enabled and automatically offloads the run as soon as you walk into the house.
Sorry to hear about your Garmin, Glenn. I hope they are able to fix your running buddy for you! And, it sounds like you have a good backup plan.
ReplyDeleteWould love to know more about the long miles you are planning to log next year! :)
Bummer about the Garmin! I don't use one but I hear once you do, you don't go back!
ReplyDeleteGarmin makes a running specific watch and you bought an oldie 305? Shameful, Glenn...shameful.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am not a Garmin addict, but I do have a 405 and the 5 basic functions I can do on it are awesome :). One day I want to learn how to upload my data, but I've only had it for 18 months so it's a bit too soon yet for me to take that jump. Ha. Did I ever mention that the fastest mile I ever ran in my post-40 years was when I refused to wear my watch to look at my splits?? Did I also ever mention that the fastest half marathon I ever ran was when my Garmin was dead at the start line and I had no idea what pace I was running? Hum....
Hope your weekend race and running went well!!