Sunday, February 15, 2009

Had To Do It

I admit it. I'm joining the ranks of those who run with big fancy watches. I'm not trying to look cool or to be anal. I just genuinely want to know how far I've gone in how much time. The truth is, if I don't have one of these watches and I'm not sure of how far I've gone, I'll go home and drive the route to figure it out. What I waste in gas and my time (which is very expensive, by the way since I'm a part-time social worker) in a year probably would pay for the watch. I was just introduced to the map my run website, which is incredibly cool. You can map your runs and it tells you how long the runs are, elevation, etc. You can also look at suggested runs in your area and how long they are. The truth is, with this website I probably don't need the big honking watch, but I WANT it.

I had my heart set on the new Garmin. Until I tried it on. That thing is bulky and stiff and looked ridiculous on my wrist. The appeal of it was the built in GPS (or UPS as Erin would say, it's the new brown edition). I then looked at the Polars and fell in love with the Polar RS200sd. It has a pod you put on your shoe and it measures speed, distance, heart rate and a bazillion other things that I am not intelligent enough to figure out. Sam asked if it told the time. Hah! I forgot to look, but I'm guessing it does. In the running store this watch was $220, but I found it on eBay (a "buy it now") for $189, no tax and free shipping. It's my birthday gift to myself, from myself, Ken, the kids and mom/dad.


Can't wait to get even more anal about my runs. Just kidding. The last thing I want to do is to become so focused on the details of my runs that I forget to look around and take in the scenery or to feel my body and the sensation of running. One of the reasons I so prefer running outside to the dreaded treadmill is the scenery, the sounds, the smells (lots of cow manure), the wind in my face and the sun. This for me is the true appeal of running - what happens to me when I am on the open road or trail and when I feel a one-ness with it all.

But I still want my watch.

11 comments:

  1. I resisted...seriously for years. I just wouldn't do it, didn't want one, but now I can run anywhere and know how far I've gone. It's amazing! I try not to look at it very often during the run though unless I have a specific pace in mind..I don't want to get crazy obsessed

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  2. I know what you mean, I don't want to be so glued to it during the run that I get obsessed. That would take all the fun out of it. I tend to not look at my watch ever during a run b/c I just want to know my time when I'm done, not during. We'll see how it goes with the new watch...

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  3. I can relate. I'm "anti-gadget" but that's the top temptation that I've had in terms of getting a gadget.

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  4. i LOVE my garmin :) it is big but it actually turns out to be a good thing... sometimes my eyes just dont like to focus on small numbers. my garmin was cheaper than 189 too, but i dont have a heart rate monitor.

    hope you loooove your new watch!!

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  5. I just got my garmin for Christmas and love it. I don't really even notice the bulk anymore. What a fun birthday present - happy birthday!

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  6. I know this is a really old post but I just came across your blog and had to comment......I love the smell of cow manure when Im runing. I haven't found anyone that agrees with me until I read this post :D

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  7. I resisted...seriously for years. I just wouldn't do it, didn't want one, but now I can run anywhere and know how far I've gone. It's amazing! I try not to look at it very often during the run though unless I have a specific pace in mind..I don't want to get crazy obsessed slope


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