How To Create Running Blog Posts

Someone may be curious how the posts in this blog were created and whether they could do it themselves. It's really quite easy, and takes only about 5 minutes each time. I use a Garmin Forerunner 301 when I run. I sync that with my PC, and then upload the data to my blog.

First, get the software set up.

1) Set up a Blogger account. Go here to do that. It's free and it only takes a couple minutes.

2) Set up a Wireless Run Tracker account at Runner's World. Go here to create an account. Again, it's free and, again, it's easy.

3) Configure your Wireless Run Tracker to post to your blog. Go to the Settings page in the WRT, and scroll down to the blog section. Change the Blog Type drop down to "Blogger." Enter your Blogger username and password and the URL to your blog. Click the SAVE button at the bottom of the page.

4) Install the software for syncing your GPS device to your PC. I use the Garmin Training Center software for syncing my Forerunner 301.

Now you're ready to post:

1) First, do a run with your GPS device. This is the fun part!

2) Sync the device with your PC. In the Garmin Training Center software, I do File > Receive From Device.

3) Export the data to an XML file. In the Garmin Training Center software, I select the activity and do File > Export > Export [activity]. Save the file somewhere on your computer.

4) Upload the XML data to the Runner's World Wireless Run Tracker. While logged into the WRT, click on the Activities link, and then click the Add New Activity button. Click the Import GPS button. Click the Browse button and locate the XML file reated in step 3. Click Continue. Enter something meaningful in the Activity Name box and click IMPORT ACTIVITY. Click the EXIT button.

5) Now you're ready to post this activity to your blog. In the WRT, click on your activity in the activities list. At the bottom of the My Performance box, click on the Publish to Blog link. Enter a subject for the blog and the text for your post, select the data you want in the blog entry (I like to include everything), and click PUBLISH.

That's it! Hopefully this will be helpful to someone else.

Jeff