I’ve gotten off my lazy butt finally. I have not had the will to exercise with any consistency in the last three years. I knew I needed to start moving again, but I just never had the get-up and go to actually do it. Sure I heard from blood tests my cholesterol is reaching points it should not. However, I was not over any bad limits – just close. My wife and I were joking about my weight gain for over 6 months. I just went with it and thought that is what happens when you near 40. Then suddenly in 2 months ago I no longer fit into pants I have had for the past three years. I was in total shock. How could I not fit in to pants that just fit me two weeks ago? This included me sucking in my gut as well – and still I was not able to button. PROBLEM?....
I was a wrestler for 12 years or more of my life and I ran cross country and long distance in high school. But I’ve been inactive for far too long to just throw on a pair of running shoes and hit the road for an hour. So, I found a great running program to follow (I’ll talk about that in another post).
I went shopping: got a pair of Mizuno running shoes which I adore, some Nike and Under Armour clothes for the tropical Taiwan weather. I also knew that time running alone was going to grate on me. So, I said it was time to break down and buy and MP3 player. I was never one to like portable music. I like sound systems. I like collecting music (full albums, not single songs & playlists). I knew I needed a device for running (no hard drive). I knew I needed space for my large music files (I like VBR and 192kbs recordings). I also needed to take in my salary, since I am being paid a typical Taiwanese salary. Plus, I knew I did not want an iPod. I just did not want to have to use iTunes to transfer my music. Plus, living in Taiwan many USA music stores will not sell to me. MP3 dilemma?
SanDisk to the rescue. I did research on MP3 players and decided the SanDisk e200 series was the best route for me to go. The price for the features and functions on the e200 was right down my alley. The transferring of songs is as easy as dragging and dropping from Windows Explorer. No conversions, no third party program, no hassle. The FM radio was an added bonus, not sure I will use it, but who knows (you can record from the radio – that’s cool). The color screen is great o view photos and video on. The screen may be small but it is mighty. The screen has good illumination and color. Now for the music… I just toss file folders on to the device so I just use the general operations for the player. I look up by artist or album and choose what I want to hear. At this time I do not make playlists, I doubt I will. If I do I would just toss some music files into a general “my favorite” file. I just never got into the playlist mode of thinking. I assume it is because I just have too much music and I very rarely have my songs in a programs library form. So, anyway the music functions work okay. The issue I do have is with the settings. I hope their new updates address: EQ of some sort, their rating system will display items besides 5 star songs, and that their playlist function (“Go To”) actually stores the song on the unit when you delete the file folder – why else would you put a song into this folder or area?
Since I was running I wanted light weight MP3 and earphones that would stay in my ears. The e200 is light and fun and easy to control on a run. If you have puggy fingers the unit may not be so easy on you. The buttons around the jog dial can be hard to press, but works for me. Oh, yes the earphones. I went with the Shure e2c Sound Isolating Earphones. I wanted good sound with a unit that I did not have to keep adjusting as I ran. Since the ear piece fit snuggly in my ear (smallest sleeves) I had no issue with it dislodging. I’d like to have the money to try the e4 or e5 series, but the e2’s are great for my use.
I expect the e200 and e2’s will keep me on the road and track for the next couple of years. At a price of just under $200 for the player and earphones this is a great deal. It will also be another aspect of motivation for me. I know I would hate to see the products collecting dust on a shelf. If I was not running or excising I’m not really sure when I would use the MP3 player (guess I could use on plane flights). My city life style has never really called for a private listening center. I like the sound of the city and people around me. I like the rush of air in my ears as I drive my motorcycle. I like to hear my wife and child talk to me on long walks. I like the sound of the subway as the world passes by. Guess, life as never bored me enough to have portable sound.
