Like an Old Boyfriend

I am the first to admit that technology intimidates me. I get into my comfort zone with certain items (i.e. laptop, watch, etc.) and I don’t deviate much. Anytime I get a new device, I get in a bad mood. Which is weird because a true materialist would never be in a bad mood when they got something shiny and new. So, I am either 1) not materialistic or, 2) easily overwhelmed and resistant to change. Between you and me, it’s #2. It’s always about #2.

I got the Timex Global Trainer for Christmas. Ever since I laid my eyes on this GPS watch several months ago, I’ve been drooling over it. Or, the idea of it. Multisport distance/pace tracking, water proof, altitude indicators, heart rate monitor, bike mount. When I priced it however, it was $300. Turns out, the price came down considerably and Ken found it on Amazon for $122. Major score.

For the past ten days, the watch has sat in the packaging on the table. I’ve been afraid. My brain was so fried from Christmas, work, having the kids home and The Bachelor that I didn’t want to learn something new. But, last night I did it. I decided to do something that scared me because I preach that shit all of the time.

The almighty watch came out of its packaging.

At first glance, this thing is freaking huge. Like the size of a microwave. I already run with a ginormous (hate that word) watch (the Garmin 205), but this is bigger, or at least feels that way on my wrist.

The “little” watch is not synched

I knew to really understand this watch I’d have to invest some time. I sat on the heating vent with my iPad and read DC Rainmaker’s review, which is like the War and Peace version of a gear review it was so thorough. (BTW, what you are reading here is not a review, but more my personal experience. For kick ass reviews on many things do check out DC Rainmaker’s blog).

I stole this picture from DCRM if you want to compare the Timex to your own watch or need another use for your rolling pin:

I also read all of the reviews on Amazon (some good, some terrible) as well as the user manual. I charged the watch, did my set up and went outside to test the satellites. I couldn’t get a signal (one of the problems many people had reported). “It’s nighttime,” I thought. “Maybe the satellites are having sex or are asleep.” Benefit of the doubt. Wishful thinking.

This morning I quickly learned that the sheer size of the watch is not the issue. It is the way it fits on my wrist. It knocks up against my wrist bone and hurts like a mother. If I wear it further up on my arm, it slips. I decided that if I ran with the watch and LOVED it, I could find a way to deal with the “fit” issue, maybe by wearing an armband underneath or gaining weight in my wrist.

I got to the trailhead in Boulder, ready to go with my new watch and my new Asics running mittens. Yes, mittens. Genius. Totally necessary for someone like me who has Raynauds and needs the whole team of fingers to keep me warm. Gloves just don’t do the trick.

Yeah, as always feel free to go on about what a crap hole I live in

The six mile running experience with the watch stunk. Some of it was admittedly user error and a learning curve so tight it looked like this:

However, these are the non-user-error-issues:

• Took a long time (2 minutes) to get a GPS signal. My Garmin never takes more than 30 seconds.
• The watch wasn’t comfortable. I wanted it to be, but it wasn’t.
• Despite the size of the watch, the display is harder to read than on my Garmin

• And, one last complaint that I did not experience today, but found out last night: while the watch is waterproof, the GPS signal does not work in the water. This means if you want to track your distance while swimming, you can’t or you have to wear it in your swim cap.

Like an old boyfriend who you ditched because you wanted to have a quick and exciting fling with your neighbor (not that I ever did that or anything), I longed for my Garmin. He’s so dependable. He starts and stops when I need him to. He doesn’t hit up against my bone (TWSS). He tracks distance in the water. What? No. Never mind that last one.

Some may say I didn’t give it enough of a chance. I say that it’s just not worth it to me. My Garmin is  fine. Maybe when they work the kinks out of this one or make it sleek enough for my tender and petite wrist, I’ll be back. I mean, really, it’s not like I’m some pro athlete who needs all the bells and whistles anyway.  Maybe I’ll go back to driving my car before a run to see how far it is. Like the good ol’ days.

What kind of watch do you run with? Love it, hate it or indifferent?

SUAR