Martin jumped out to an early lead on day one, with an impressive 22-pound, 10-ounce sackload of fish - nearly four-and-a-half pounds better than his closest challenger.  And even though the competition narrowed that lead, the defending Forrest L. Wood Cup champion managed to hold on for the remainder of the tournament for a wire-to-wire win.

Way to go, Scott!

With the increasing use of technology and smartphones behind the wheel, driver distraction has become a concern. But technology in general is not the problem. The most important question is how it is being used and integrated into the car so that it doesn’t distract drivers. Garmin’s new multi-controller concept provides a new and unique way of controlling essential functions of an in-car infotainment system, such as audio, apps, communications and navigation. It is a concept development from Garmin’s automotive OEM group, providing further research for enhanced reduction in driver distraction.

Garmin’s concept positions the screen higher up on the dash inthe driver’s eyesight and combines it
with a rotary infrared controller in convenient reach, a touch pad, and menu mode buttons. The infrared sensors of the rotary controller automatically detect an approaching hand and the system reacts by displaying menu options even before it is touched. Because the system “knows” when a user is reaching for the controller, menu buttons on the screen are hidden when not needed. At all times important information, such as driving directions and the name of a song or radio station is kept at the top of the screen so the driver always has a single reference point. Four buttons with infrared sensors on the rotary controller allow switching between different menus, such as audio, apps, communications and navigation.

In addition to the rotary controller, radio preset buttons with infrared sensors are positioned below the screen to allow a driver to feel for the right button without having to press it – when their finger is close to a preset button, a highlighted preset image appears on the display, allowing the driver to select a station.

Tied into this system can be HVAC controls, vehicle bus information, connected services and apps from a smartphone. Existing technology like text-to-speech, voice command, Bluetooth hands-free calling and traffic services also helps alleviate driver distraction to avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Garmin’s automotive OEM group utilizes the company’s long-standing experience in interface and hardware design from its automotive, avionics and marine segments to develop innovative in-car navigation, telematics and infotainment systems. Garmin already provides integrated cockpits to the aviation industry and is dedicated to bring a similar level of technology, integration, safety, reliability, and efficiency to the automotive market. Garmin recently announced its first fully integrated infotainment system for most 2013 Suzuki vehicles.

We still have our eyes glued to the updates coming from Italy, in the Giro d'Italia. Garmin veteran and pride of Canada Ryder Hesjedal currently sits in second place with only one week remaining. He has traded the leader's jersey, Maglia Rosa, a few times and is determined to earn it back before the final stage. The big mountains and climbs remain and we can't wait to watch the lanky Canadian attempt to bring victory to the Garmin Nation.

Take a look at the Garmin Connect data from Zabriskie's time trial in California. His official time had his average moving speed over 30mph for the entire ride!! With the rush-hour traffic around here, I don't think I average that speed driving in my car at night.

KidsTLC, a neighbor and community partner to Garmin, has offered the Girls on the Run program to girls in residence the last three seasons. The mission of KidsTLC is to provide opportunities that transform kids and families in crisis while ensuring a safe environment. For two of my coworkers and me, coaching Girls on the Run at this site has taught us to be mindful of the challenges youth experience today while we model healthy habits. We’ve found that the teen girls at this site are especially motivated by seeing how far they’ve gone during a lesson activity—aren’t we all when we take those first running steps? The girls have had a chance to wear our Forerunner watches to track their progress during Girls on the Run sessions. No need for coaching the girls how to use these watches. They quickly figured them out and soon started asking things like “can I have the touchscreen one today?” or “how can I get it to show my heart rate?”

In a post-season survey, the girls were asked to list the one thing they learned from Girls on the Run. Here are some of the responses: I am stronger than I think, physically and emotionally. To be a responsible, caring person. That I am worthwhile. I learned that you have to be plugged into the positive cord. How to be a positive role model. And here’s what the coaches had to say: "Running has given so much to me that giving back only makes sense. Working with the young ladies at KidsTLC has been enjoyable and rewarding,” said Marisa, an active runner. Jackie, a busy mom to two boys, said “In previous years, I declined volunteering with Girls on the Run as my spare time seemed so limited. This year, the call came at the right time and for the right site. Girls on the Run offers so much to our KidsTLC students. I am happy to play a small roll in enriching their lives.” For me, coaching at KidsTLC has been an extension of my belief in living out a healthy, active lifestyle as an example for children and teens. I hope the time we invest with these young ladies will inspire them to make healthy choices for a lifetime.

Thanks to community partners like Garmin and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) and others for making it possible for Girls on the Run to keep going and growing. If you call KC home, join us for our 5k celebration, Sat, May 19, 9 a.m. in Riverside, Missouri!

After you've done the upgrade, send us a picture of your panel and it may just get featured on the Garmin website! To see some of the beautiful panels that have already been submitted, check out our online gallery.

Hello there, Garmin runners. I am so honored and blessed to be given the opportunity to represent the United States this summer in the Marathon and to be supported by a great company like Garmin. My training has been going great and I am on track to toe the line in August and stride for a chance at victory! I wanted to share a few insider tips with you about things runners can do to improve their marathon and half marathon times:

1. Do fartlek training:

Here’s an example of how it works. Always remember to warm up before you start and approach each session with lots of energy. Try to avoid putting a time or distance limit on the session before you start:

• Jog gently for 5 minutes (or so) then pick a landmark in the distance to aim for and a running pace. For example, this could be the next lamppost in your view, and you decide to run at 70% of your maximum speed until you reach it.

• Run toward the landmark at the pace you’ve decided and when you reach your target, start jogging again until you’re ready for the next burst of speed.

• Pick a new landmark and running pace, but make sure they’re different from the previous one. For example, you now decide to run to the end of the street at 90% of your maximum speed.

• Keep completing these varying distances and speeds with gentle jogging in between. End the session when you feel you’ve done enough and had a thorough workout.

3. Do drills for 4 to 5 minutes at the end of your run. Also, be sure to apply sit ups and push ups or other forms of core workouts to your routine. This will help with strength and decrease your chance of injury. Here are a few examples of drills:

• High Knee Running / Quick Feet Drill

The objective of this drill is to increase your leg turnover and improve your knee lift for when you need to pick up the pace a bit.

Start off jogging slowly, when you hit the point where you want to start your drill, increase your stride rate so that you take as many steps as possible over about 20 meters or so with a high knee action. You should be bringing your legs up in front of you and maintaining a nice upright posture. The goal is not to move forward quickly but to maximize the number of steps that you take; remember this one is about leg turnover not stride length.

You should feel this one in the front of you hips and thighs (hip flexors) as they will be working hard to lift your legs up in front of you. Do a few quad stretches after this one to loosen things up.

• Butt Kicks

Butt Kicks have a very similar objective to the high knee running drill, to increase leg turnover. However, as you most probably have guessed from the name, the emphasis is on the hamstrings and the recovery stage of your stride. The hamstrings are often overlooked by runners and other athletes who have strong thighs from other activities so this one is good for getting a bit of balance back.

Once again begin by jogging slowly toward the spot where you want to start your drill and increase your stride rate, concentrating on getting you feet moving as quickly as you can and getting your lower leg to swing up behind you. Your heel should literally be hitting your butt. Continue on for about 20 meters.

During this one you will feel it in your hamstrings, so show them some love and jog out of each repetition. Stretch gently if things are feeling a bit tight.

• Pull Throughs

This is one of the hardest drills from a coordination point of view. If you can master this one then you should feel pretty agile. The objective with this drill is to develop the timing and power to get your leg in position to power yourself through your stride, hence increasing your stride length.

Starting from a walk, in a nice upright position, extend your leg out in front of you like a hurdler and then bring your leg down and through to contact the ground in a powerful fashion directly under your center of gravity. As your foot contacts the ground, drive up on your toes and swing your other leg forward and repeat. Do about 12 to 15 steps on each leg like this.

Do a bit of a jog after each repetition concentrating on your form and imagine you are Desi Davila!

• Bounding

Bounding is also a tough drill, however it is also the most fun and beneficial once you have it locked in. Bounding will really help you to develop your leg power and strength, in turn increasing your stride length.

Again, beginning from a slow jog, bound forward and upwards with a high knee lift. Land on your other leg and repeat the movement. Continue alternating legs. Concentrate on holding good form and keep your head up and drive with you arms. This will help you keep the whole movement together. Repeat for 8 to 10 steps on each leg. Jog out of each repetition.

Since this is a more advanced movement, heavier runners and people who have not done this drill before should take things easy and not try to drive too far or too high with each stride. If you find it hard or your form deteriorates you are better to do a smaller number of bounds on each leg, rest, and then repeat.

Keep chasing your dreams and working hard,

Meb

Spring is a great time to dedicate some of your spring-cleaning time toward your GPS!  Spend a few minutes visiting our website and download a free software update using our WebUpdater program. Simply connect your Garmin aviation portable to the computer and download the WebUpdater program to update your unit to the latest version.  It is good practice to perform software updates on a regular basis, so if it has been a while, dedicate a few minutes to getting things up to date this spring.  These updates generally help out with GPS satellite acquisition and assist with XM weather downloads, as well.

Speaking of XM weather, as pilots we know springtime really means an increase in the number of Convective Sigmets, an abundance of cumulonimbus clouds, and dusting off the aviation weather books so we can remind ourselves of the difference between what  “PL” and “GR” represent in a METAR weather report (ice pellets and hail, in case you were wondering).  Many of these pilot-related, springtime concerns pertain to weather and for good reason; it is typically a large part of what contributes to our “Go/No-Go” decision.  If you haven’t used your XM antenna all winter long, it’s a good idea to have a refresh signal sent.  Simply connect the antenna, power the unit on, take it outside with a clear view of the southern sky, and type your Radio ID into this website.  You can find your XM Radio ID number on the bottom of your XM antenna. These two simple enhancements will make getting back into flying much easier this spring.  Besides, you didn’t really want to clean the gutters anyway, right?

• Dashboard

Here you will see your five most recent activities including a brief summary of each and a view on the map.

• Analyze

In this area you will have access to your activities page (a list of all your past activities including metrics of each), reports (where you can really dig in and look at your progress by searching for weekly, monthly or custom date range totals or averages), and health (this is your personal well-being portal where you can input your daily weight and with the Tanita BC-1000 Body Composition Monitor you'll see Body Fat, Body Water, Bone Mass, Muscle Mass and many other useful metrics)

• Plan

With this tab we have given you quick access to your calendar (to view past and scheduled workouts), courses (where you can create a custom course/route and send directly to your compatible device or just to get an idea of where you might want to run/ride/explore), workouts (a tool to allow you to create your own workouts no matter how simple or complex and send to your compatible device or to print off and bring with you), and goals (with this option you can keep yourself honest, and motivated by setting goals based on time, speed, pace or distance to name a few and let us track these over a set period of time for you)

• Explore

Here you'll be able to search the millions of public activities from around the world and even access courses that other users have created. You'll also have one-click access to the cycling data of Team Garmin.

As with any change in our lives, whether it's a new pair of shoes (those annoying blisters after the first couple runs), a new seat on your bike (not always a fun break-in period) or a new look to your favorite social media site, we understand it can take some getting used to.

It is our goal to continue to interact with all of you and to create a Garmin Connect Community where active users can feel like home!

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the week - the blues have been hot so we expect the reels to be singing all week!