Why Android knocks the socks off the Ipad

1. Syncing with Google contacts

My android phone was setup with my Google contacts in less time than it took for me to enter my username and password. I know that sounds illogical. But my contacts had downloaded to my phone book from Google contacts by the time I configured my email and switched to the phone book. And I have about 2000 contacts.

2. Multiple Google accounts and multiple calendars

I do agree that being from the same stable Android has a distinctive advantage. But damn it works well.

3. Widgets, widgets, widgets

Homescreen widgets make the Android a true personal digital assistant. I've got my calendar in one screen, calls and messages in one, entertainment on one and shortcuts on one. Ipad? Sorry not available!

4. 3rd party keyboards

Typing on the Ipad sucks big time. The smooth screen makes it impossible to type three words in a row right.

On my S2, I started with Swype which is a mind blowing experience the first time you use it. For a while I was convinced I could actually take notes with my phone. Then I discovered SwiftKey. Now that's an application made on a different planet. I actually am taking notes on my phone and in fact typing this post using my phone. Something I would not have even thought of doing with my iPad. And guess what iPad doesn't allow 3rd party keyboards!

5. Flash

This is pretty much known already. You can't beat a device that plays flash with one that doesn't.

In short very happy that I have shifted to android. Go Android!

Until next time.

Todays excuse for not running

No cap, No car!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Things you need to stick to running

These work for me. May not be everyone's idea of motivation.

1. Good music

I have some really peppy trance I downloaded on my phone. I have a shitty Bluetooth headset from Nokia that is stereo and wireless yet is refusing to get charged. Sounds good, stays out of the way - but doesn't work always.

2. Good pair of shoes

Time to change mine.

3. Good place to run / route

Back to running at Chepauk.

4. Training plan

Putting one together.

5. Good, easy to use tracker.

I am using sparkpeople.com. By far the best tracking system I've seen. Tracks training and food on the iPad.

6. A stop watch

That's it.

Music I would think rates the highest in keeping me running.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

4 sessions in Kodaikanal and an almost 10k in Chennai

Did a near 10k this morning. Dimensions to Marina and back. Looks like the running in Kodaikanal helped. My knee didn't give any trouble though it still feels like there is a lump in there somewhere. Hopefully it's just a tight quad and it will pass with some more running.

Getting some new music. So am hoping the running will continue!

Till next time.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Running at Anna University

Did a hard conditioning work out yesterday.

2miles in 18 mins warm up
20mins running ABCs/sprint drills
3x10m start
3x20m drive
3x50m start+drive+accelerate

The third rep of the 50m killed me.

Ended with a slow 1200m jog and light stretching

Today was a long run day. Did 20 laps (8 km) very slow - 1 hour with 1 lap walk for every 2 jogged after the first 12.

Need to write out a plan now though to sustain.

Until next time!


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Good music + Focus = 4 miles

4 miles at sub 10mins per mile. Managed to run 16 laps at Anna University in 39 mins. Last mile was a bummer - got a twinge running up on the left side of lower back on the 15th lap.

Went in at 6 AM. Had to be up at 0345 to make it that early. But it was quite a good change. Next step is to get a good pair of shoes and a Garmin.

Back holding up.

Until next time.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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Motivation is a b*t*h

It's hard to stay motivated without a goal. It's hard to define a goal when there is no desire for an outcome.

Did a fairly intense 8x60m sprint workout last week. But am not being consistent.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Super customer service!

I got an Airtel 3G sim for my iPad and had it cut down to microSIM size at one of the shops at Fountain Plaza. Biggest mistake. It wasn't cut right and the damn thing jammed the sim tray and it wouldn't come out.

So I took it to the apple service centre -which luckily happened to be 2 minutes from home.

The guy there took one look at, tried to pop the tray out and filled in a job sheet. 3 days later I have a new iPad!

Wow...

That's customer service. No question of trying to repair it.

I am turning into an Apple fanboy!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

The iPad lifestyle

Been using the ipad for a while now. The experience has been nothing less than spectacular. Wonder how long it will last.

Here's what I use it for:

1. Reading, reading, reading
2. Email
3. Facebook, twitter, and all that jazz - most likely the first thing to drop off my list things I do with my iPad.

Have jus started to blog with it. I do other random stuff like tracking my workouts, goals etc. But it's not very efficient at that.

Wonder if I should consider an ipad2...

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Location:Chennai

Eating 80% at every meal

I have not been able to regularly work out since I hurt my back last year. The obvious result of this of course has been 4 kilos of fat in all the wrong places. I have resumed working out mid Jan this year. For a while I struggled with different work outs - primarly lost the habit of getting to the gym. Work outs were not enjoyable, appetite was not good - I wouldnt want to eat - but would eat anyway. Before and after a meal didnt feel any different in terms of satiation - just discomfort.

So I made a couple of changes:-

First was to make it a habit to get up at 5 AM everyday. I used to do it before hurting my back. But after I couldn't even walk, I used to sleep later and awake even later - sometimes as late as 9 AM. So making the change to 5 AM was a task - but that was the only thing I focussed on. Not really worrying about working out or anything else. Just waking up at 5 AM. Been doing it consistently for the last 3 weeks now.

Since I have been waking up so early, I have been able to fit in 3 -4 workouts a week now. That is making a big difference to my timing and my appetite. I feel hungry on the clock and when I finish eating I feel sated and not uncomfortable. For the last 2 weeks though I have also got into the habit of eating only 80% at every meal. Basically its just a case of being conscious of what I am eating and stopping when I feel just about to become full.

My weight has dropped from 76.5 to 74.5. Lets see if I can hit my current goal of sub-74 - I think I will.

Until next time.

Returning to running and blogging

My last attempt at making an entry in this blog was on October 21, 2010 - about a month after a microdiscectomy for my L4-L5 disc. I find that its still in draft and incomplete. So this attempt is simply going to be a quick one to break the cycle.

I've been trying to get out of the pre-surgery routine of lots of TV, daily junk food and late awakening. It looks like the extruded disc that I had did more than hurt my back. The psychological impact has been significant. My best habits of getting out of bed early, eating well, staying fit, etc. have all been shot to death.

I am trying to build that base of good habits again. For the last several weeks now, I have been able to more or less consistently wake up at o500 every morning. I am also eating much less junk and there is a less of a tendency to swig at parties or evenings out.

Been reading Robin Sharma and interestingly the first thing he talks about in his book "The Leader who had no title" is about the daily habits of leaders. Ha - someday I'll be a leader without a title as well! (Of course, I think the best way to become a leader without a title is to start with one. Somebody somewhere will likely knock you down and strip it off you - so maybe I'll go and buy one)

Been doing a bit of running now - not jogging much - walking up to Pachaiyappa's and doing 60m strides. Sprinting is still way in the future it looks like. Need to get into some serious weight training before I can do that. Found that put on a track suit between sets on benchpress really helps. Can stay warm and definitely flexible.