Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Running Watches?


I think it is time that I invest in a sports watch.  I usually turn RunKeeper on in my iPhone, but it kills my battery.  As my runs get longer, I need another option.  What watch do you use and how do you like it?  I am kind of tech stupid.  I need something very simple to use—nothing fancy, just enough to know how far I went and how long it took me.  I saw a Timex at Wal-Mart for $50.  Do you know anything that one?  There are so many choices!  Garmin or Nike?  GPS or not?  Is an older model ok?  What about used?  Please help!  What easy to use sports watch do you recommend?

This past week has been a tough one for me Weight Watchers wise.  I don’t weigh in until tomorrow, but I know it will not be good.  I totally went off plan over holiday the weekend.  Today I started over.  I stayed on plan and got in a nice run.  I have five weeks until Diva and seven until San Diego.  It would be nice to have a few less pounds to drag alone for the run. 

In other running news, registration for the 20th annual Disney World Marathon has opened.  Will you be there?  I think I will skip 2013 and do Goofy in 2014.  I got a message from Nike earlier confirming that the rumors about a Nike Women’s Half Marathon in Washington DC next spring are true.  That is about all the details I have--more to come when I get them. 


A dream is a wish…

--Amy

***I still have Bondi Bands for sale!  All proceeds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  

18 comments:

  1. Garmin! They can be spendy but are worth it when you compare accuracy with some others. I use the Forerunner 110, which runs $150+, and it makes me extra competitive with myself that I love running even more! Every second counts when you know you are being timed with accuracy!

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  2. I have a simple Timex from Kohls that I just use as a timer when I run. It doesn't measure distance, but I use my phone for that, but my battery gets used up too fast as well. I wish I had the funds for a Garmin. If you find a cheaper watch that does distance, let me know!

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  3. If you don't absolutely HAVE to measure distance or map it, I think you'd get by with an inexpensive running watch. (Not that Garmnin's aren't awesome, they are... just expensive.:) I don't usually need the distance becuse I always map out and drive my routes ahead of time so I know what my total distance and mile markers are. Mine suits me fine for my purposes but hopefully I can graduate to a Garmin one day!

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  4. I have the Tech that you have in the picture and I love it. It is great as an interval timer. It works more like a pedometer so you have to calibrate it to your stride but once you do that, it will give you your distance. It is much cheaper than a gps watch and pretty simple to use.

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  5. I have been using the Garmin Forerunner 110 as well and love it. It's pretty much Garmin's base model (and least expensive I think), but it works great for what I needed it for...distance and pace at a glance. You can get tons of other info on your run too when you download the info after your run, but all I need during a run is distance since I do distance-based intervals. I also liked this one because it came in a "feminine" version of gray and pink with a very low-key floral pattern around the edge of the face. Mine came with a heart rate monitor too, but I've never used it. I don't think you'd regret it if you spent the $$ on any Garmin though.

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  6. Word to the wise, if you are looking at a used watch, do not get a used Garmin if the previous owner already registered it on line. It is a pain and the best part of the garmin is the on line stuff ;) Beats the software you get with it each day.
    I had a Garmin Forerunner 305 I think and hated it, it was big and bulky and I lost satelite at the Princess and never was able to get it back right. After that complaint, Hubby bought me the best - Garmin 610. Love it but probably more than you might need. It is slick though and the touch screen works with your fingernails! Perfect for me. I have been very pleased with it and how responsive it is. I have a review of it on my blog if you look under the label section. Good luck, there are alot of them out there.

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  7. Love my Garmin 110; it is less bulky than other Garmins and is way easy to use! Gives time, distance, pace and has a cool download for your computer so you can see exactly where you ran including elevations etc. Least expensive Garmin on the market and even cheaper if you don't want the heart rate monitor. Happy shopping!

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  8. I want a real running watch someday, but for now I just use my $30 Timex from Target. It's so reliable - water resistant (though I really think it's water proof) and durable (I have worn one consistently for the last 4 years, from work at the Aquarium to outside trail work and now all my garden work). I have replaced it once, but that was because I wanted to - never needed a new battery and even after my cat chewed off the face plate (ok, it held on my by a thread, but the entire piece could be lifted up) it was STILL water tight!

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  9. I guess it's $35 now...

    http://www.target.com/p/Women-s-Timex-Expedition-Digital-Watch-Black/-/A-12278671#?lnk=sc_qi_detailbutton

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  10. I LOVE my garmin 405cx. I use it for intervals and gps - I just go out and run anywhere and it tells how far. It has many other functions that I haven't really used yet. I haven't had any problems with it so far. It is awesome for tracking pace, distance, heart rate, and time on the computer! I totally want a Garmin 610 but my 405cx is less than a year old and I just can't justify it...yet! LOL

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  11. I have the Nike+ sportswatch. I've heard mixed reviews on it, but I love it. I love the large display- it makes it easier to read. Good luck on you search!

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  12. I have a garmin 210 and I love it. It does intervals which is huge for me because I use a run/walk training plan. I took me 3 years to convince myself that the garmin was a good idea and for me it has been worth every penny.

    Prior to that I had a timex woman's ironman watch that was awesome and only about $50.

    Soleus just released a couple of GPS models and I heard good things about them. My husband had a timex GPS watch and it was terrible so I would stay away from those.

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  13. I love love love my Nike+ that I bought at the Nike store with my coke reward points. SO... I got it for FREE. That is my favorite price. I have had no trouble with it at all. I studied for a while before I bought, and what I finally came to was, with women, whatever we buy, we choose to like. Men were pickier. I went to amazon and lots of other sites and read all of the comments. Most of the comments that were from women were positive, no matter which watch it was. Men were hit or miss. In the end, I picked the free watch and I have been very happy. I did have to get a gizmo to put it on my shoe, because the nike shoe and my feet do not get along. The gizmo, holds the sensor on my laces and I am good to go. Hope this helps.

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  14. Thanks for all the great info everyone! Is there a specific place you would recommend buying the watch? Amazon? I have so many great options now thanks to all of your reviews. What to get? I will let you know what I decide.

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  15. Got mine on Amazon. It is grey with a pink stripe! Hubby got his on Amazon as well. Good luck getting even more addicted to running! :)

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  16. A surprise proof observe like the G-Shock wristwatch provided by Casio can make sure that your observe will not come to damage if decreased of engaged in some other kind of accident and some of the Casio Baby-G range timepieces are designed with women mainly in mind. Some other nice features to look for include electronic Europe activity, altimeter, electronic compass feature, measure, alert with quick sleep and stop-watch.

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  17. Are you still using it? is it still working for you?

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