THE RISE OF WOMEN IN TRIATHLON

This comes on the back of many breakthroughs for female triathlon, including an all-female race at the 2023 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii 

KUALA LUMPUR, 25 Sept 2023: The prominent footprints that women continue to build in triathlon where endurance, physical prowess and mental fortitude form the core fundamentals of the sport come as no surprise. 

Judy Collins co-founded IRONMAN with her husband John and co-organized the first ever race of the worldwide renown series back in 1978 through the Hawaiian Iron Man Triathlon. A year later, Lyn Lemaire was crowned the first female IRONMAN World Champion after becoming the first woman to complete the iconic race in Hawaii. Julie Moss crawling across the finish line at the 1982 IRONMAN World Championship remains one of the most powerful images of the multisport series, and just last year women had their own day of racing at the IRONMAN World Championship. 

This was to ensure gender equality, which means equal participation for both male and female athletes. More importantly, it was also to ensure a cleaner race for the women and to give them a stage of their own to shine and showcase their true potential. 

Dr Au Yong Pui San, a Sports & Exercise Medicine Physician explains that when it comes to competing in triathlon, women are equal to men. “Finishing times may favour male athletes but that in itself is the anatomical and physiological differences based on sex. 

Physiologically, both women and men can excel in any endurance sports with adequate and proper training.” 

“In the past decade, the popularity of triathlon has been on the rise, and so has female participation in this sport. I would like to think that this trend is due to more exposure to prominent female triathletes both local and international, and more female friendly training environments,” notes Dr Pui San, who works at the Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar in Seremban. 

According to the 41-year-old who was a 2014 IRONMAN Malaysia finisher, there is a rise in female awareness of “cycle-syncing” their training to their menstrual cycle to optimize training and performance. “A lot of women juggle work and triathlon training with the responsibility of family, household chores and childcare. 

This may contribute to intrinsic stressors that may affect her ability to recover well and take on high quality training sessions.” Dr Pui San also notes that many women started in this sport as a way to manage their body weight. However, with increased training volume, the right nutrition is pivotal when it comes to recovery. 

“While there are benefits in each individual diets, someone training hard for triathlon should avoid being too rigid with their diet, unless medically advised. Calorie restricting or macronutrient restricting are not recommended for heavy volume training, especially in women as we do not respond well with strict chronic dietary restriction.” 

With the ideal nutrition and training plan, it is definitely a great time to be a female triathlete. What comes as a significant breakthrough is gains made in female-specific research for endurance sports to help guide female athletes through menopause, providing crucial information to guide them through the most challenging times of their lives. 

Women For Tri, a program launched to increase female participation in triathlon back in 2015 has also amassed over $300,000 (RM1.4 million) in grants. As for this year, a huge advancement for female triathlon comes in the form of the all-female race at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. 

For 53-year-old Jazmina Yean Abdullah who will compete at the upcoming 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi, her opportunity to shout to the world that anything is possible couldn’t come soon enough. “I have always been a challenger in life as a career woman and a young widow, and I want to affirm that it is never too late to do anything in life. 

I needed to set a right role model for my two young teens. Joining IRONMAN has expanded my horizon and the best part is my kids were so supportive. I think some of the advantages for women over 50 to join a sport like triathlon is our wisdom, determination to succeed, and a strong, happy mind body and soul,” she said. 

Registration for the IRONMAN Malaysia and IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi are still available on https://www.ironman.com/im-malaysia and www.ironman.com/im703-langkawi respectively. 

See you there ladies! 

About 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship & IRONMAN Malaysia 

Date : 7 October 2023 

Venue : Langkawi, Malaysia 

About Langkawi : Located within a cluster of tropical islands that attract visitors the world over, the race will take athletes on a truly Malaysian cultural journey through tropical, hilly and demanding terrain passing traditional kampungs (villages), mangrove clusters and rainforest vistas. 

IRONMAN Malaysia has been accorded with : 

1. ATHLETE CHOICE AWARDS - IRONMAN 

· Overall Swim Experience (2018) 

· Best Post-race Celebration (2018, 2017, 2016) 

· Will Attend Next Year (2018, 2017, 2016) 

2. 2018 Best Triathlon Races in Asia Awards by AsiaTri.com 

The Event Experience : IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, Langkawi (Half Distance) – Swim 1.9km, Bike 90km, Run 21.1km 

The ocean swim starts from the picturesque white sandy beach of Pantai Kok with a triangle out and back course. The one loop bike course heads out of Pantai Kok towards Jalan Teluk Yu on a clockwise loop from the Northwest point of the island around the rolling hills of Datai towards the southeastern part of the island. Passing through several local villages ‘Kampungs’, athletes will get a true taste of the colourful sights and sounds and local communities of the island. 

The aid stations along the bike course are all supported by the local communities in Langkawi.Athletes will enjoy the local wildlife and winding terrain, passing The Langkawi Falls on route to the Datai turnaround. The run course will showcase the best Malaysia has to offer as athletes pass through the scenic ocean front of Cenang Beach. 

Athletes will run along the side of the Langkawi International Airport runway. The tropical flat run course brings athletes into the beach front of Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa to finish. 

IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship Qualifying Race - There are 40 qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand on 14-15 December 2024.

IRONMAN Malaysia (Full Distance) - Swim 3.8km, Bike 180km, Run 42.2km 

The ocean swim starts from the picturesque white sandy beach of Pantai Kok with a two-loop triangle out and back course. 

The two-loop bike course heads out of Pantai Kok towards Jalan Teluk Yu on a clockwise loop from the Northwest point of the island around the rolling hills of Datai towards the southeastern part of the island. Passing through several local villages ‘Kampungs’, athletes will get a true taste of the colourful sights and sounds and local communities of the island. The aid stations along the bike course are all supported by the local communities in Langkawi.Athletes will enjoy the local wildlife and winding terrain, passing The Langkawi Falls on route to the Datai turnaround. 

At the end of the 2nd loop, athletes will continue along the coastline of Pantai Kok heading towards Transition (T2). The run course will showcase the best Malaysia has to offer as athletes pass through the scenic ocean front of Cenang Beach. Athletes will run along the side of the Langkawi International Airport runway. 

The tropical flat run course brings athletes into the beach front of Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa for their 2 lap run. 

IRONMAN World Championship Qualifying Race - There are 70 qualifying slots to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii (20 slots for Men) on 26 October 2024 and in Nice, France (50 slots for Women) on 22 September 2024. 

About The IRONMAN Group    

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, and other multisport races. 

The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. 

Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.   

About Advance   

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.

Shokz OpenRun Pro : Unboxing and Review

Sharing the news that I was recently signed up by Shokz Malaysia as one of their brand ambassador. Not shy to admit that I have been courting this brand when it was first known as Aftershokz. Took me long enough to be part of this family.

With Brand Team from Shokz Malaysia. Thank you!

I have used many different systems for workout from wired earphones to wireless earbuds, from MP3 players to iPods - nothing beats the draw of a non-intrusive-in-ear-wireless setup such as offered by Shokz.

Image from https://shokz.com/pages/how-it-works

Throw in the bone-conduction technology and if you are new to this - you will be Shokz by how sound transmit over your cheekbone into your hearing system. I was sold and the closest i got to, was using the unit that belongs to my wife which I gifted her during the pandemic.

Here is the unboxing video. 

Higher resolution Video in my YouTube here

Items you get in this box consist of

• The OpenRun Pro
• Charging cable
• Premium Case
• Manual and warranty card

The Shokz OpenRun Pro specification (that is important to know):

• 29 grams - lightweight
• IP55 protection - water resistance (meaning, do not immerse in water), sweat proof, splash proof
• 10hours of battery life with Quick Charge - 5mins charge allow 90mins usage
• Latest (9th) generation Bone Conduction technology with TurboPitch™) allowing enhanced bass with clearer vocal
• 2 Years Warranty

Full specification: Here

Now for the review

Shokz is not new when it comes to brand, technology and usage. I have gotten one for my wife during the pandemic and it has been almost 2 years since. She enjoyed using it and I enjoyed taking it from her to use it when she isn't using it. So, you can consider this to be a version of "extended" user review based on real experience in the past 18 months at least.

I have used it for run exclusively and love the fact my surrounding is audible even down to my own footstep. I felt safer and felt way less guilty using headphone for a workout in a trafficked public area. Best of all, at a conversational volume, i can have music playing in the background like white noise while still having a chat while running with friends. 

Getting to know the device (parts)

Charging (magnetic) port

Status LED (Red-Blue)

On/Off (+) volume and (-) down button

Dual Noise-Cancelling Mic on right side

Speaker (red) and speaker air-vent (yellow) on both sides (left and right)

Multifunction button (on right). Visible is the mic and the speaker air-vents

Speaker air-vents on the top

Speaker air-vents at the bottom

The Bone-conduction unit vibrates as it send them to your cheekbone for the whole music/sound production. The speakers and the air-vents gives the overall surround experience, apart from allowing the driver unit to push air from the vibration (hence the bass enhancement) sound delivery.

Full titanium band construction covered in silicon

Connectivity

The Pro comes with Bluetooth V5.1 and allow Multipoint pairing. I have the unit paired to my Garmin FR965, Fenix7ProSolar, iPhone12 and my work laptop. You can link up to two devices at any one time. It however require activation of Multipoint connection. The instruction is here or you can also do it via the Shokz App

Straight forward with a few steps to follow

Using it with Multipoint meant I have the freedom to switch between two devices without needing to disconnect from other devices. At work, I switch between phone (for Spotify) and laptop (for meeting/calls). you are limited by the 10 hours battery life. If you are a heavy user, do keep your device charged to avoid interruption. It is sufficient for a day or two use (assume up to 4hours of total usage per day).

On my laptop as Handsfree (Voice and Music) and Headset (Music only)

On the laptop, the connection requires some understanding of the limitation of each function between using it as a headset and headphone.

• Headset - allow full usage for both voice (usage of the mic on Shokz) and music/playback (anything streamed from the laptop)
• Headphone - only music/playback

The separation meant the playback as headset is biased to vocal. This meant the music streaming will be subpar and sound really bad. However on Headphone, the quality is as good as streaming from the phone.

On my Garmin FR965

On my phone as Bluetooth connection

Some delay expected and in some cases, pressing the multifunction button (on the left) is required to restart playback. 

The Multifunction button allow for playing/pausing, switching music, answering and ending calls. 

Find the complete guide here

The complete user guide can be found here

Fitting

The unit hook over your ears, it clasps lightly over the top of your ear with the driver unit sitting on your face, parallel to the ear canal on this area called the Auricle.

Ideal position. Note the multifunction button on this left side

Once placed in position, you hardly will notice it weigh wise, but you know it's there due to the light pressure the titanium band holds it against your face. There is a "mini" version where the band is shorter - I was tempted to get that instead, but at the risk that it may restrict some movement if i move my head left or right or if i move my ear. 

So, if you have a small (circumference) head, you may want to consider going the "mini" version with 1.5inches shorter band. Having said this, if you are planning to use the normal sized band over a hoodie, it will interfere with the clothing. Some adjustment to the unit to move the rear side downwards/towards the neck may be needed at the expense of the bone-conduction driver sitting slightly higher on the cheekbone.

Can, but not ideal. Suitable if you want the rear end band to not bulge out. This allow your head to completely rest on sofa or bed while using

If you using it while cycling, the OpenRun Pro won't interfere with the positioning as long as it's not an aero-helmet (the one that covers your ears and with cool visor at the front), you certainly can't wear them on a fullface mountain biking helmet or anything that covers the back of your head and cover your ears, like a motorcycle helmet. 

Infact, no earphone, buds or any contraption ever fits into these helmet. Exception is if you install the bluetooth communication set where two mini speakers are stuck inside your helmet. But that is a story for another day.

Sound

I have tested OpenMove (most basic), OpenRun and OpenRun Pro. All three comes with different bone conduction technology. The music/sound quality definitely was different between the three of them - very obvious when you shift between Move and Pro where the "noise" become "music". 

On the OpenRun and the Pro, the differences is there too, and most noticeable if you are listening to music with more bass (think Queen Another One Bites The Dust) - the Pro comes alive and you e impressed by how the small driver are able to deliver that amount of bass better. This technology is made possible with the Shokz TurboPitch where it pulls the mid to high pretty well. 

Having said that, you should not compare the Bone Conduction to in-ear or over-ear headphones as the sound production on these are simpler better. Same way you can't compare them to Shokz when it comes to user safety when using in your workout.

For the record, my choices of songs is as basic as these two playlist in my Spotify here and here

Sound quality wise, the best would be streaming from phone or laptop/computer BUT must be using the HEADPHONE function (see above), followed by from my Garmin and lastly from the computer/laptop as HEADSET function. 

This is because the quality is significantly impacted by the sound codec of your device and limited by what Shokz can process. In this case, OpenRun Pro uses sub-band codec or SBC which allow up to 300kbps transfer rate. This is also the most general codec compatible with all Bluetooth transmission, at the expense of quality. 

The Shokz is compatible with profiles such as A2DP (high quality audio signals profile), AVRCP (remote control profile for sending command such as play, skip, pause etc), HSP (Headset profile aka to be used for communication) and HFP (handsfree profile). 

About IP55 Protection

The IP protection of Pro is lesser than the non-Pro version. Which I find it strange. The OpenRun comes with IP67, and the OpenRun Pro is IP55. Now before we get worked up over the differences, it is good to understand what these numbers meant. Thankfully my years in managing machineries hardware and electronics protection help.

IP stands for International Protection (rating). It comes with two numbers and an optional letter. It defines the degree of protection against solid contact and water in electrical enclosures.

The first digit defines the level of protection the enclosure provide against access to hazardous parts such as electrical contacts, moving parts, and ingress of solid objects (like dust, sand, finger)

The second digit refers to liquid protection against well, water or liquid, generally.

The bigger the number, the better the protection. Naturally the IP67 would meant better protection versus IP55. 

• IP55 protection against limited dust ingress and protected from low-pressure water jets from all direction
• IP67 protection against total dust ingress and immersion up to 1m depth, but not meant for swimming

Looking at it, it is evidence enough that IP55 is sufficient protection taking into account splashes of water from heavy rain or sweat. I would not worry too much as my wife's unit has been in service for the past 2 years with no issues.

TL:DR 

Pros:

• Because of open ear concept, you can hear your surroundings and still able to have a conversation while running or cycling or in the gym. Beyond sports-usage, the ability to hear your water boiling, fire alarm and other surrounding noises. 
• Less potential for in-ear infection or impacted ear-wax as it does not go into the ear. No sweat or heating/hot issue as the unit doesn't sit in the ear canal or has the earpad covering like the traditional headphones.
• Comfortable fit, doesn't fall out. Difficult to lose as it is secured in a band-construction
• Suitable for those with medical or auditory condition. Those with ringing ear (tinnitus) condition may be able to enjoy music better as it does not rely on the eardrums to transmit sound vibration. Works well with hearing aid as the vibration helps amplify the sound picked up by the bone conduction.

Cons:

• Lower sound quality. While the frequency response is between 20hz to 20khz, in reality it is mid-heavy with bass coming in from amplified vibration feel
• Pricier - but this in my mind is subjective if you were to compare to the higher end earbuds or bluetooth communicator devices (specific for work)
• Sound leakage if you bump the sound too high. If you are in a quiet environment or taking a confidential call/privacy matters, it is best to lower the volume or find a more secure place.
• Can potentially cause hearing loss much like traditional headphone/earphone due to exposure to loud noises for much longer hours.

Personally, the pros outweigh the cons especually when the unit is used for sports. If sound quality matters, perhaps the OpenFit could be an option. I have not tried/test the OpenFit, but when I do, you will read it here. Hopefully soon!

Thank You Shokz Malaysia

This unit of Shokz OpenRun Pro (blue) is provided to me under the Shokz Malaysia and Nove Marketing Sports Ambassador program for a year. The unit retail for RM899.00 and comes with 2-years warranty. To purchase, please click this link. 

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Press Release : IRONMAN 70.3 ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP TO TAKE PLACE IN LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA

IRONMAN 70.3 ASIA-PACIFIC CHAMPIONSHIP TO TAKE PLACE IN LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA  

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 September 2023: The region’s leading professional triathletes are set to descend on Langkawi, Malaysia for the 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship on Saturday 7 October 2023. Langkawi, a stunning tropical paradise known for its pristine beaches and lush landscapes, will become the epicentre of endurance sports in the Asia-Pacific region as it welcomes the return of IRONMAN Malaysia alongside the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship in Langkawi.  

This event will mark a significant milestone for triathlon in the region as Malaysia plays host to the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship for the very first time with the support of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB). 

The picturesque Langkawi Island, with its breathtaking vistas and challenging terrain, will provide the perfect backdrop for the event.  After a hiatus of several years, Langkawi will once again welcome professional athletes, marking their return to Malaysian shores since 2019. The event has already garnered interest from athletes, with more than 1,200 triathletes already committed, representing a wide spectrum of global talent and enthusiasts eager to take on the challenge.  

Professional athletes will go head-to-head for a prize purse of USD $75,000, with some of the top triathletes from across the region to take on the 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run.  

Additionally, the event will provide athletes with the opportunity to secure their spot in the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship, which will be held in Taupō, New Zealand. A total of 40 age-group qualifying slots will be up for grabs, adding another layer of excitement to the competition as athletes vie for a chance to represent their country on the world stage.  

 Jeff Edwards, Managing Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group, said, "Langkawi has always been a favourite among athletes due to its scenic beauty and challenging course. We are thrilled to be back, and with the inclusion of the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, it's going to be a truly remarkable event, and we can't wait to welcome athletes, both professional and amateur, to this stunning location."  

CG Lim, Regional Director of Asia for The IRONMAN Group, added, "Hosting the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship for the first time in Malaysia is a testament to the country's commitment to promoting the sport of triathlon. This event will not only showcase the incredible talent of the triathlon community but also highlight the exceptional natural beauty of Langkawi Island. We're grateful to the local authorities and communities for their support in making this event possible."  

"MyCEB, representing the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MOTAC), is delighted to announce our inaugural support for this year's prestigious IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship. Since its inception in 1978, this iconic world championship triathlon event, organised by the esteemed IRONMAN Group with over 230 events spanning 57 countries, has chosen Malaysia, particularly the beautiful island of Langkawi, as its host for the seventh time. This enduring partnership stands as a proud testament to Malaysia's allure as an ideal destination for extreme sports, which has also brought about positive transformations within the island and its vibrant community. In line with this, MyCEB anticipates the warm welcome of 4,760 local and international attendees, contributing a substantial RM15 million to the Malaysia’s International Sporting Events Industry," said Mr. Zain Azrai Rashid, Acting Chief Executive Officer of MyCEB. 

The event is set to begin at Pantai Kok where triathletes are released via a rolling swim start to complete the 3.8km swim leg for IRONMAN Malaysia competitors or 1.9km swim leg for IRONMAN 70.3 Langkawi, with a short dash to the first transition near the Danna Langkawi luxury resort.   

The bike course heads out of Pantai Kok towards Jalan Teluk Yu around the rolling hills of Datai towards the southern part of the island and the fringes of Kuah town.   

The second transition is in a unique air-conditioned indoor venue, the newly renovated Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC) which marks the start of the final leg of the race. The run course showcases the best Malaysia has to offer as athletes pass through the scenic route of the Langkawi International Airport, towards the finish line at the stunning Cenang beach.  

The Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa will serve as the final destination where the triathletes will cross the coveted IRONMAN finisher arch after a day-long, non-stop excursion.  

20 qualifying slots will be available for the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii for the male athletes, and 50 qualifying slots for Nice, France for the female athletes. 

Langkawi Island, known for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, is set to offer participants and their families an unforgettable experience. Beyond the race, visitors can explore the island's rich heritage, indulge in its delicious cuisine, and bask in its warm hospitality. From the pristine beaches to the lush rainforests and iconic landmarks, Langkawi has something for everyone.  

As the anticipation builds for IRONMAN Malaysia and the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship Langkawi, athletes, are encouraged to secure their spots and register for the event. 

Entries for the IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship Langkawi and IRONMAN Malaysia are still available on www.ironman.com/im703-langkawi and https://www.ironman.com/im-malaysia  respectively.  

About The IRONMAN Group      

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events  including Haute Route®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.     

   

About Advance     

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, 1010data and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.

Garmin Battery Drain Solution : Fenix7 Epix and Marq

Update:

As of today September 7, 2023, the fix has been rolled out for 14.36. Update it to sort your battery issues. If you aren't able to do it (if you are on 13.22 or 14.31), wait for a day or two, or link it on your Garmin Express for a sync. I did mine Over The Air 

13.22 to 14.36

A recent update from Garmin to firmware 14.31 has caused a lot of issue for many users of Fenix 7 series, Marq Gen 2 and Epix Gen 2 users. Some users (friends) reported battery drain between one day (F7s) to 3 days (F7X). The solution from Garmin were "Wait as we sort this out" to paraphrase to say the least

As a user (and owner) of Fenix7, this is hardly a solution if you really need your devices for your training or fitness tracking. So, the only way to fix this is actually a rollback to the last working firmware. And the process is pretty straightforward and easy - as long as you can locate the right firmware which is the main challenge.

If you have recently upgraded to 14.31 (whether you force update or has the update pushed to you), here is how you can fix it until the next solution/firmware is available.

Be aware that this solution is at your own risk, and I shall not be held accountable if you brick your device. I had a few friends tried them out and it help them sort out the current issue. So, if you feel confident and comfortable, here is how.

1. Download the firmware here if your unit is Fenix7 series, Marq Gen 2 (scroll to the bottom for the 13.22. This is from the Beta Forum that rolled out the 14.31/34 2 months ago). If you are on Epix Gen 2, the firmware is here

2. You may want to backup your Garmin data in the My PC->Fenix 7XXX->Internal Storage - > Garmin. Backing up allow you to quickly reinstate your profiles so you do not need to set the device back as new. How to Back Up

3. Download the file you need based on the model you need

4. Unzip them. There will be three files in there. The ReadMe file sort of tell you what to do. 

5. Plug your device using cable to your laptop or PC.

6. Open the device root folder at "This PC"

7. Open Device Model - > Internal Storage - > Garmin

8. Copy and paste the two files (the force.temp and gupdate.gsp) into the Garmin folder.

9. Unplug and the device will restart

10. Let the unit restart, It be fresh install. All your data is loss and you need to set it up as new again.

11. Try to sync with your Garmin Connect (GC) and Garmin IQ to see if all settings can be returned

12. If can't link on BT, I suggest to unpair and pair again on both GC and Bluetooth

13. Assuming 11 is ok, and your setting is back, check your 3rd Party app (like Stryd or any other 3rd party data page you use), and do what is needed to get back to where you want

14. Good luck.

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