Getting into Shape with my Pocket PC - Running with GPS
I must confess...I am not in good shape! Running up and down the hills around where I live is a miserable experience. But I've gotten into shape before on these hills, and I know I can do it again. For tonight's run, I ran down the hill that is close to where I live. Unfortunately, running down a hill means I've got to run up the hill to get back home. That hill is a thorn in my side every time I start back running and, like tonight, I usually wind up walking up it.
I had better success today using GPS on my Pocket PC to track the route I ran. Here are the statistics that GPS collected regarding my "run." Not very impressive, but it's still cool to have the GPS software automatically log duration, distance, pace, etc.
When I've been in great running shape, I enjoy running on trails. I think the GPS software will be really great to track those runs. I'm planning to take my Pocket PC out on the trails this weekend to see how well it works.
Needed: A case for my hw6925
Running with a dog and a Pocket PC makes things a bit ackward. I really MUST find a way to secure my hw6925 to my body or else I'll be looking at a broken Pocket PC. I need a case that will protect it from the elements and will not obstruct the GPS signal. I have been looking at OtterBox cases. OtterBox makes the 1911, a case specially designed for the hw6925, but, at $99, it costs quite a bit more than I want to spend. I also don't want to invest that kind of money on something that I'll only be able to use with the hw6925. My hw6925 will only be in the case when I'm out running so I don't need to have access to the keypad or the camera. I think the more affordable OtterBox 2600 will suit my needs...the selling point for me there is that it comes with an adjustable velcro hand strap. I'm not crazy about carrying my Pocket PC in my hand the whole time, so I've also been looking at a case that will wrap around my arm. I'm not sure that kind of case will stay secure. I worry that it will slip around and aggravate me (and mess up my tan line 
.
I haven't decided on either option yet, and I am open for suggestions.
Of course, if you use the GPS software to track your bike rides, you can always find a bike mount that will secure your Pocket PC to the handbars and provide an unobstructed view of the satellites.
Final Thoughts about GPS for Pocket PC
GPS for Pocket PC beeps if it loses the GPS signal. I found that option annoying (it was beeping all the time!) and so I tried to disable the beep through the software's options menu. The option did not work, so I turned the volume off on the Pocket PC.
To conserve battery life, it is advisable to set the Pocket PC's backlight to turn off in 30 seconds. Even though I changed the setting on my hw6925, the backlight never turned off. In the future, I will manually turn off the backlight before I start my run.
Right now, I plan to run 5 days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, & Sunday). I'm going to use this software to track my runs and I'll post periodic updates to make me accountable and to keep me honest. . . You can check my progress here.
Did you enjoy this Post? Subscribe to From My Pocket
Very cool! What do you use to calculate the values, calories, etc? And the track?
Reply to this
When you open up My Sport Training for the 1st time, you are prompted to enter information about yourself: Gender, Height, Weight, Age. You also log your usual daily activity level - this is purely a personal estimation and so it might be inaccurate, but you have the following options: Light (mostly seated); Moderate (mostly standing); Active (mostly walking); and Intense (manual labor). These are used to estimate your Basal Metabolic Rate. Then for each workout you estimate how rigorous the workout was: Exhausting; Strenuous; Sustained; Moderate; Light. The software uses all these settings to estimate the values shown on the output.
Of course there are more precise ways to do this. If you use something like a Polar Heart Rate Monitor during your workouts, you can collect and download more accurate results and get a better estimation, but this works well enough for me. I'm not up to running with a Polar Heart Monitor just yet (and mine is a very basic model with no download capabilities anyway). As long as I am honest with myself and consistent in the way I assess these things, I should get a pretty good view of my progress over the next months.
Reply to this
Duh! I didn't realize the program was My Sport Training. I'll look for it. Thanks, JMH
Reply to this
Oh, I provided links in the blog entry right before this one. You can learn more about the applications there.
Reply to this
https://www.tunebelt.com/domino/tunebelt/shop.nsf/parts/BB240EA1E050DA6685256DEA0071E5CF
Here is the Armband I use for my RX3115, and I assume given the RX3115 and 6945 are both the same size, Id guess it will work for you, when it is in there, I insert it top down and that way I can use the joystick to cycle songs (I use my ipaq as an Ipod as well) Unfortunately I can not find the armband anywhere to verify it will fit ok in this pocket, not to mention when its on your arm, it will be kept in by the curve of your arm, but I would highly recommend it!
Reply to this