One of our cats has the occasional bad habit of chewing on wires. While William has mostly outgrown this, we like to have backups of important cables on hand just in case he decides to be naughty.

Garmin brand replacement charging clips can be puchased on Amazon for $20-$25, while various off-brand clips can be had for $6 or more.

I found this incredibly affordable charging cable for my Garmin 235 on the Chinese market website AliExpress and decided to give it a try.

Order & Shipment
I placed my order on August 30, 2019. I received my charging clip in the mail on October 1, 2019.

Price
Prices on AliExpress tend to fluctuate; I paid $3.06 for the charging clip with free shipping.

Note that sometimes ordering through the mobile app gives better pricing than via the desktop interface. I usually do my shopping on a computer and fill my cart from there. I can login via the app on my phone and compare the total price between the two before placing my order.

Review | Recommendation
I have been using this replacement charging clip for my Garmin 235 exclusively since I received it. It clips to my watch just like the official Garmin one that came with the watch. It works -- my watch charges up just like it should. I would not hesitate to purchase this again and I gladly recommend this affordable option to anyone looking for a replacement cable or to have a backup for charging their Garmin watch.

Update 4/6/21
I'm still using this cable and it's working great. My Garmin isn't holding a charge quite like it used to, and I'm using the watch for bike rides and walks about 5 days a week, charging after each use. The cable is performing well! However, I noticed that our cat William had a couple of chews on it, so just to be safe I ordered another cable as a backup.

The fifth annual Shark Bite Half Marathon and 5K weekend took place on January 18 and 19, 2020. It was my second time participating; I ran the Shark Bite 5K in 2019. This fun and popular event happens in the shark bite capital of the world: New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Organizers added a challenge with a new late afternoon 5K the day before the main event. Participants could run the Feeding Frenzy 5K on Saturday and then either the Shark Bite Half Marathon or 5K the following morning to complete the challenge and pick up an extra medal. The races benefit the charity Girls on the Run Volusia County.

Training & Goals
Following a month in a walking boot and another month of PT I am cleared to run, but I need to ease back in as I lost a lot of fitness and gained a lot of weight in the last year. While my Achilles is on the mend, my knees have started to bother me. Ugh.

My plan for this weekend was to push myself during Feeding Frenzy and then take it easy for Shark Bite on Sunday morning. I have been trying a 45:30 run:walk interval and that is pretty comfortable right now.

Feeding Frenzy 5K

Race Day: January 18, 2020
Funny that I never enjoyed running in the evening but my first three races of 2020 were all late afternoon/early evening runs. I left home around 3PM to find a parking spot close to the historic downtown of New Smyrna Beach. Packet pickup was smooth and was accompanied by a small, well-appointed and well-attended expo with various local vendors, a fun photo opportunity, and real toilets. It was about 73°F with 57% humidity and partly cloudy skies when I started running at 5PM.

Mile 1: 12:37
The course was a flat out-and-back run through downtown New Smyrna Beach. We ran by bars and restaurants on Canal Street and on Riverside Drive along with Indian River. I did my 45:30 run:walk from the start, hopeful I could keep it up for the entire race.

Mile 2: 12:36

Mile 3+: 12:40, 1:20
My Achilles is on board with running again, but my heart and lungs aren't so happy with me! This last mile was a struggle but I was so happy I kept up my intervals to the end. Pretty pleased with those splits, too. This is a nice baseline for the future, I think.

After the race I pretty much headed straight home, trying to beat the sunset and get to bed early for the next morning's race.

Chip time: 39:11
Placement details: 39/63 Age Group; 277/456 overall

Shark Bite 5K

Race Day: January 19, 2020
Arthur and I left home around 6:30AM. We had a really hard time finding a parking spot so eventually he ended up dropping me off near the start line and parking about a half mile up the beach. I arrived in time for our West Volusia Runners group photo and could drop off my bag at our tent. The Half Marathon runners took off first. Arthur made it to the start line to see me off. It was 63°F with 88% humidity and sunny skies when my race started at 7:43AM.

Mile 1: 15:34
I felt really good. My plan was to speed walk the first mile, do some slow interval running for the second mile, and walk the rest. It was crowded for a while so it was great to walk the start.

Mile 2: 13:39
The crowd was dispersed by the time I reached the start of mile 2 so I did a slow 45:30 run:walk for most of this mile. The water stop was towards the end of the mile and I started walking when I got a cup so I didn't quite run the whole second mile.

Mile 3+: 15:39, 1:41
It was a pleasant speedwalk to the end.

After Party
The after party for Shark Bite is pretty awesome. There's lots of treats for the runners, free beer, vendors with swag, and a mechanical shark! Arthur and I left pretty soon after I finished so we could go watch the SpaceX manned crew capsule test flight from Apollo Beach, so I didn't get to enjoy the festivities too much.

Recommendation
Super highly recommended. This race is extremely well-organized, with an awesome website and super clear pre-race information and instructions. The expo venue was great and the new Feeding Frenzy 5K added a fun challenge to an already outstanding event. Both 5K races were well staffed with great volunteers and good law enforcement and traffic control. I have only heard great things about the half marathon too. This event is a really good time. I look forward to running the half marathon once my fitness is back.

Chip time: 46:27
Placement details: 44/65 Age Group; 641/895 overall

Race Amenities for 5K Challenge: Runners got a nice soft cotton unisex shirt for each race, a big finisher medal for both races, plus a large challenge medal. Every finisher got a pint glass, too. Finisher hat for top 10% half marathon runners and free race photos. Great support and after party with free beer and treats.
Cost: $90.64 [I initially registered for the half marathon challenge but downgraded to the 5K challenge]

Report written January 20, 2020

Group and branded photos (c) Almost There Photography

This year I participated in the 2nd annual Moonlight Beach Run event in Daytona Beach. The event offered races of 4 distances: Half Marathon; 15K; 10K; and 5K. Runners could participate in any of the longer races and add the 5K for a bonus challenge medal.

All races had the start/finish line near the Daytona Beach Bandshell and were out-and-back courses on the hard-packed sand of the beach.

Training & Goals
In early November I went to an orthopedic specialist to get some help with my chronic Achilles issue. I spent most of November in a walking boot. I had Physical Therapy for much of December with my last session just prior to the races. I am cleared to run but I need to ease back in as I lost a lot of fitness and gained a lot of weight in the last year. I also need to keep up with strength and balance exercises to avoid future injury. My plan for this event was to mostly walk both races with a little bit of running mixed in.

Race Day: January 4, 2020

Parking: The 10K had a start time of 5PM. I drove over to the beach and circled around a bit before I found a free parking spot in the Ocean Center surface lot at the corner of Oleander and Earl. 

Packet Pickup: Packet pickup was on the bandshell stage. There were plenty of volunteers when I arrived and pickup was a breeze. Bag drop was also on the stage and another smooth operation.

Weather: Overcast skies for the moonlight run = not good! Eventually the skies cleared once the sun started to set. When I started the 10K, which was moved up to a 4:50PM start for reasons I never learned, it was a breezy 70°F with 83% humidity. It dropped down to 64°F with 73% humidity and still breezy for the start of the 5K at 7PM.

10K

Mile 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6+: 14:27, 14:55, 15:05, 15:06, 15:29, 16:33, 1:47
After a five minute walking warm-up, I started adding 1 minute runs between two minute walks, telling myself to run slowly. Halfway though the race I was feeling pretty fatigued so I opted to walk most of the rest with only a couple of running minutes in the back half.

With the 10-minute earlier start, I had a really nice cushion to get back in time for the 5K start at 7PM. I had about a half hour to stretch, eat a few cookies, and drink some water before the start of the 5K. There were a lot more participants in the 2nd race, with many walkers who had already run the half, 15K, or 10K.

5K

Mile 1, 2, 3+: 16:25, 17:37, 16:45, 1:26
There were a lot more participants walking this race. My legs were very, very achy after the 10K so I opted to walk the entire 5K.

After the race
There was a very nice spread of treats and food for runners following the races. Energy bars, cookies, fruit, and more were available. Pizza, soda, and beer (I think) were also offered. Bag pickup was smooth and luckily I was able to change my t-shirt size once I was done running.

Recommendation
This race event had good organization and ample perks. Recommended.

Chip time: 1:33:16 (10K) | 51:52 (5K)
Placement details: 9/9 AG 117/131 overall in the 10K | 26/33 AG 285/334 overall in the 5K
Race Amenities: Nice long sleeve tech shirt, finisher medal for all distances (I got the same for both the 10K and the 5K), bonus medal for challenge, nice after party
Cost: $50.40

Report written January 8, 2020

Branded photos (c) Sommer Sports

This was the third time I partipated in this annual Christmas Eve 5K. Lake Helen's Holiday Stress Buster raises funds for the city's park and children's playground. My previous reports: 2016 Stress Buster and 2017 Stress Buster.

Training & Goals
In early November I went to an orthopedic specialist to get some help with my chronic Achilles issue. I spent most of November in a walking boot. I'm in a Physical Therapy program now. I'm slowly reintroducing cardio into my routine but running is still off the table. My plan was to walk this race and have fun.

Race Day: December 24, 2019
Lake Helen is close to home. I arrived with plenty of time to find a dodgy parking spot and get my bib. It was about 54°F with high humidity, intermittent light mist, and cloudy skies for the race.

There were a lot of West Volusia Runners at the race. We took a group photo and I met up with Nicole, who would also be walking. We did the course together, along with her 9 month old daughter Emily, in her stroller.

Mile 1: 17:34
The on-and-off mist was a little bit annoying but it never turned into full rain. The clouds kept the humidity high but at least we weren't being scorched by the sun.

Mile 2: 17:34
Nicole and I were chatting the whole time so the course passed quickly.

Mile 3+: 17:33, 1:28
Whoa, I didn't realize we had such even splits until I looked at my Garmin stats later. Nice.

Recommendation
This is a nice little local holiday race. It's fun to see everyone in their silly holiday outfits and there's a nice mix of competitive runners and walkers, with many families participating together. The course through Lake Helen is cute. There were more spectators this year than I remember seeing before. The event is well-managed and I look forward to running this one again. Recommended.

Chip time: 53:59
Placement details: 32 of 33 in Age Group, 433 overall out of 484 finishers
Race Amenities: Nice soft cotton blend unisex t-shirt and a finisher medal for all
Cost: $25.50

Report written December 26, 2019

Photos (c) Almost There Photography

I've run this local Christmas-themed 5K race, Naughty or Nice, twice before. Back in 2015 it my third race ever. I ran again in 2016.

Training & Goals
In early November I went to an orthopedic specialist to get some help with my chronic Achilles issue. I spent most of November in a walking boot. I'm in a Physical Therapy program now. I haven't done any cardio in almost 6 weeks and running is still off the table. The plan was to walk this race as fast as I comfortably could.

Race Day: December 15, 2019
It was a quick drive over to Lake Mary on race morning. It was about 55°F at the start with clear, sunny skies.

Mile 1: 14:45
I started towards the back of the pack and did my best to stay out of the way of runners and faster walkers.

Mile 2: 15:12
The race is an out-and-back on a local multi-use trail.

Mile 3+: 14:38, 1:48

Recommendation
Back in 2016 I had been disappointed by the similar shirt and medal from the previous year. I'm happy with the new medals and shirts that were offered this year. It's fun to run a themed Christmas race and I enjoy seeing everyone looking silly in their holiday running outfits. There are friendly volunteers and good amenities including munchkins, popcorn, and snowcones for runners. This is a well-run and fun local race that I would recommend.

Chip time: 46:20
Placement details: 26/39 in Age Group, 381 overall out of 498 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a nice soft cotton t-shirt, finisher medal for all, raffle with miscellaneous prizes (I got a towel), free photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Cost: $25.50

Report written December 17, 2019

Race branded photo (c) Almost There Photography

This inaugural race was put on by the Titans Athletic Booster Club for University High School in Orange City, Florida. The fundraiser event had both a 10K and 5K race.

Training & Goals
August races are few and far between here in Central Florida and I figured I'd be itching for a race around this time, so I signed up for the 10K. The nearby location and the great supporting cause certainly help in my decision to register for this race.

But as far as running the 10K.... I bet you can guess what happened... I dropped down to the 5K, for various reasons... mostly due to lack of longer runs... which was mostly due to laziness... which was mostly due to outside stresses that I've totally given into and let bring me down. It's been a long funk. Anyway, dropping down to the 5K from the 10K at packet pickup was no trouble, thankfully.

Race Day: August 17, 2019
It was a quick short drive to University High School in Orange City on the morning of race day. The 10K runners started a bit late, just after 7:30AM. When the 5K started at around 7:45AM it was 77°F with mostly cloudy skies and 89% humidity.

Mile 1: 11:43
We started out on the high school track, then ran a bit around the campus before heading out on West-Side Parkway to the sidewalk along Rhode Island Avenue. It wasn't fun running on the sidewalk, which had some overgrown weeds we had to dodge in some places. Even though I had taken a break from running after my July runstreak I was disappointed at how quickly I felt winded in this race. I started out with a 2:1 run:walk ratio but slipped into 1:2 after about a half mile.

Mile 2: 13:00
Still on the sidewalk along Rhode Island Avenue, at the start of our 2nd mile we hit an out-and-back portion where runners from both races were heading back. Passing others on the weedy sidewalk was a bit tricky in places. Once we hit 17/92 we looped back on a side road before joining up with Rhode Island to return towards campus.

Mile 3+: 13:19, 0:49
Once back on University High School property, we ran a bit around a parking lot and then an unexpected long piece in grass leading up to our return to the track for the finish. The turf terrain was pretty uneven so I walked this entire part.

After the Race
Results were available online in real time. When I checked I was shocked to see I was 2nd place in my age group (45-49). Yay for small races. I had a banana and a water and chatted with fellow WVR club members as we waited for the awards to be given out. Our club did very well and a lot of use received Age Group awards in both the 10K and 5K.

Impressions and Recommendation
Even before race day I was impressed with communication from this race. Interested runners could sign up to be notified about registration and other key pre-race dates, and pre-race emails were informative and timely. The race itself was fairly well done with an okay course and okay course support. I was glad I dropped down to the 5K not only due to my own issues but because the 10K was just two 5K loops which I don't find any fun at all.

This race had very good swag, especially for an inaugural event. Finisher medals were custom, and the participant t-shirts were gender-specific tech. Even the bibs were full color custom jobs, very nice. A full assortment of Age Group awards was also nice to see for this inaugural event.

It was fun to start and finish on the school's race track. I will probably sign up for this again and would recommend it to others, especially local runners.

Chip time: 38:47
Placement details: 2/6 in Age Group; 72/128 overall
Race Amenities: Gender-specific tech shirt, custom finisher medal
Cost: $33.20

Report written August 22, 2019

I had a runstreak in July. I did this two years ago with a minimum of one mile per day; this time I ran a 5K a day or more. Not much more; I ended up with 102.3 miles for the month.

HIGHLIGHTS
I ran 32 miles with West Volusia Runners in July, mostly at Mill Lake (8 times), counting towards the Summer Challenge.

I ran three races for about 10 miles total: the Firecracker 5K in Daytona Beach on July 6th; the Saturn 5K at Kennedy Space Center on July 14th; and the FLX Gemini Springs Trail Run here in DeBary on July 28th.

Early in the month, between the Spring-to-spring Trail and DeBary Hall, the path was resurfaced. It had been bumpy from tree roots so it was a welcome improvement.

I didn't experience any extra pain in my Achilles during the streak, but I could start to feel it in my knees. My speed didn't improve either but I'm still glad I did the streak. After a few days of rest I'll get back into it on Monday.

I sweat a lot when I run. I often use traditional terry cloth wrist bands to help mop sweat off of my face. I decided to try out some cheap cooling wristbands I found for sale on AliExpress, a Chinese online retail service known for selling merch at low prices.

Order & Shipment
I purchased two of these cooling wristbands branded RIMIX from the "Day Day Up Globle Store" (LOL). I placed my order on May 29th, 2019. I received the wrist bands on June 10th, 2019.

Availability & Price
I think the main reason most people shop on AliExpress is for their low prices. Regarding these cooling wrist sweatbands, however, I've never seen anything like them in stores or via other domestic online retailers.

Prices on AliExpress tend to fluctuate; I paid $1.68 for each wristband, with an additional $0.32 for shipping.

Note that sometimes ordering through the mobile app gives better pricing than via the desktop interface. I usually do my shopping on a computer and fill my cart from there. I can login via the app on my phone and compare the total price between the two before placing my order.

Using the Wristbands | Review
These cooling wristbands are made of the same kind of synthetic material found in cooling towels. They aren't stretchy, so putting them on is a bit tricky to do without ripping the seams. Once they are on my wrist, they're comfortable. I don't notice an extra cool feeling on my wrist when I am wearing them, but they wick away moisture just like any good tech garment. And they are a lot lighter than a terry band. Those can feel hot on my wrist; these cooling wristbands definitely do not.

Recommendation
I am very happy with this purchase. Especially when compared with traditional terry sweatbands, I really like these cooling bands, with their cooler feel, lighter weight, and wicking material. The price is extremely affordable. Recommended.

I have since ordered a few more bands so I can wear them more often on runs. They come in four different colors (lime, pink, blue, and black); I wish more colors were available.

If you go shopping for these on AliExpress, note that there are several different merchants offering the same or similar bands, and prices fluctuate.

Well, here's another trail race report. I generally don't like trail running, but apparently I suffer some kind of periodic trail race amnesia.

My beloved nearby Gemini Springs has a special place in my heart. I have spent many hundreds of hours there birding. Even if I'm not birding, I'm there several times a week during regular training runs (the paved trail!) and bike rides. So this was another reason I found it hard to resist signing up for this trail run. I was curious to see how the race director handled the routes and what others thought of the park and the run.

This race was put on by FLX Florida Adventures.

My face when I realize I've signed up for another trail race

Race Day: July 28, 2019
I rode my bike over in the morning and got my shirt and bib. It was about 77°F with sunny skies and 94% humidity at the start of the race at 8AM.

Mile 1: 12:53
We started out the run from the OK Corral pavilion behind the dog park and headed out onto the paved trail. We ran along the access path to the primitive campground and then crossed the paved trail to run on the grass along side DeBary Bayou. The wild hibiscus were in bloom everywhere. We ran here in full sun but after this we had a mostly shaded route. We did a loop around the Bayou and as we hit a turnaround on the paved trail some faster runners came back, apparently lost. A few of us got confused and went the wrong way back down the paved trail. I remembered from the pre-race briefing what the route should generally look like so I went back and got back on the right course. The route was pretty well marked here so I'm not sure how others got lost and I was mad at myself for following the others when I knew the right way to go.

Mile 2: 14:06
We crossed the spring dam and the water stop in the middle of Gemini Springs park, running around the backwoods trails.

Mile 3+: 16:01, 7:59
The last mile took us back through the center of the park, over a couple of spring run dams, before returning to the start/finish area by the OK Corral.

After the Race | Recommendation
Lots of people got lost, including those who ran the 10K. For the most part, I thought the route (for the 5K at least) was well-marked.

The course through Gemini Springs is beautiful. We were lucky with a relatively cool morning and a dry course for the 5K. Often during the summer the path near the bayou by all of the wild hibiscus is completely flooded, but it hasn't happened so far this year. The backwoods trails have a lot of tree roots in the path which make for some tricky footing but for the most part it's an easy run.

Awards were given out after a while. It was apparent that folks who did not run the entire route were eligible for awards. I know they ran the required mileage (and much more in some cases), just not on the same route as everyone else. A 10K award was given out to someone who dropped down to the 5K distance on race morning (I dropped down as well, but my results were correctly attributed to the 5K distance). I don't blame any of the runners who accepted awards. The race director talked about getting lost like it was a badge of honor (and for trail running, I guess it is, though the very few other trail races I've run didn't seem to have this problem). I feel that runners who got lost and did not complete the race course as designed should not be eligible for awards. I didn't like the disorganization and super casual attitude from the race director. It seemed like no one else was bothered by this, so I guess it's just me. For this reason I will avoid FLX Adventures races in the future. Until I come down that recurring amnesia, at least!

Manual clock time: 49:22 (for ~3.54 miles)
Placement details: N/A
Race Amenities: Tech FLX branded shirt, generic FLX medal for all finishers
Cost: $30

Report written July 30, 2019

I love my Garmin 235 running watch. I've been using it for all of my runs since December 2016. I've got a simple black one.

I decided to try out a replacement Garmin wrist band from AliExpress, a Chinese online retail service known for selling merch at low prices.

Order & Shipment
I purchased the "Black Flower" design from the "FlySerina Store". I placed my order on May 29th, 2019. I received my band, shipped straight from China, in a small padded envelope. It arrived on June 21st, 2019.

Price
Although you can find unique merchandise on AliExpress, the main reason I purchased my watch band here was for the low price. Prices on AliExpress tend to fluctuate; I paid $3.17 for the watchband, with free shipping. Note that sometimes ordering through the mobile app gives better pricing than via the desktop interface. I usually do my shopping on a computer and fill my cart from there. I can login via the app on my phone and compare the total price between the two before placing my order.

Replacing the Band
The replacement came with a couple of mini screwdrivers to remove the hardware from the watch in order to make the switch. You're dealing with a very small screw going into the holding pin but it's not too hard to remove and replace the bands. The replacement band didn't come with any instructions but the process is easy to figure out. It's a good idea to do the change over a table or tray since there's a chance you might accidentally drop the tiny screw or pin as you're working on it.

Product Review
The replacement band is much more supple than my standard issue band. It bends naturally around my wrist without having to be "broken in". My RoadID fits on the new band perfectly. I like having the pattern on the band. It adds a bit of flair without being too flashy. I've been using the new watchband for about a month and I don't see any signs of wear and tear at all. It seems pretty solid. I was able to give my old watchband a good cleaning, which was needed. Since there was nothing wrong with it, I saved it so I can use it again.

Recommendation
I am very happy with this purchase and I will probably look to buy other replacement Garmin watch bands on AliExpress in the future. Recommended.

Update 4/6/21
I used the above band for about a year and a half. During the summer, after about a year of use, I noticed that some of the design was starting to wear off of the band around the buckle. The silicone strap and plastic hardware were still in excellent condition so I didn't see an urgent need to replace it. Last fall I ordered a couple of different pattern bands and in January I finally replaced the band featured in this post. Mechanically it was working fine and the wear on the pattern was barely noticeable. I mostly replaced it just to have something new. Still recommended!