Running is a beautifully simple sport. No special equipment. No ball or net or boundary lines or fouls or time limits. Just you and a pair of shoes.
I was recently talking to a friend about this very thing. About how inexpensive it is and relatively easy to schedule around family obligations — and we talked specifically about this not needing any special equipment.
Well.
You knew it was only a matter of time before I shattered the simplicity of my new favorite sport with something completely complicated and nerdy, right?
Believe it or not, this is in addition to the iPhone/iPod I already wear on my arm while running. Because I have yet to gain any appreciation for this listen-to-your-body-listen-to-your-breathing-concentrate-on-your-feet-hitting-the-pavement thing. I like to listen to embarassing, boy band music instead.
So Gadget #1 has been with me since day one. I now give you, Gadget #2.
I am now, quite literally, wearing a computer on my wrist while I run.
And it's A-W-E-S-O-M-E.
I'm an Owner's Manual reading type. And I don't just consult the manual. I READ it. I might be the only person you know who uses a bookmark in an Owner's Manual. This new toy has more than a few bells and whistles, so I'm still working through all the features — but so far it is simple and user-friendly. And I've already used it for two runs!
Here's a shot of how I spent my Saturday morning:
Nothing spectacularly fast, but let me tell you THIS. I've run that same path around the lake a handful of times in the last few weeks, and I've timed it at around 1:13 almost every time. With Mr. Garmin along for the ride? 1:05! I give him all the credit.
Just for fun, here's Sunday morning:
I know! It's cool! And that's just the tip of the iceberg. This thing has over 30 different data fields I can view either while I'm running or after I download everything to my computer. Pace, distance, elevation, heart rate. Average, instantaneous, lap. The geekyness goes on and on. The only thing I wish it had – a thermometer. And maybe something to measure humidity. But now I'm just being picky.
It is encouraging to already see some results albeit minor. And as I learn more about it, I hope it will become less and less a shiny new toy and more and more a training tool. I pinky swear not to drown you or this blog in Garmin data charts for every run/race I ever do, but I have to warn you Jeff and I are already thinking of all the terrifically nerdy things we can do with this thing on our hiking trip to Yosemite in July. Stay tuned.
Thanks for coming over to my blog frog community! I love connecting w/ other moms who love to run! You have an awesome blog!!
great post! have been musing about a garmin myself, but know NOTHING about them, so this was really useful. which model did you get?
Lindsay