Today I need advice. I’m suddenly in the market for a new GPS watch and I need help starting my research.
Let me start off by saying that I LOVE my Nike+ Sportwatch and it is really hard for me to switch to a different brand. But I’ve had several watches in the past couple of years (all have been replaced by Nike because the watch was under warranty) and I just can’t justify buying a new Nike watch at this point. Their customer service is amazing, by the way.
On Saturday 19.55 miles into my long run my watch died on me. I thought this might be a possibility (it beeped low battery at me last week after 18 miles) so I had charged my watch before running and taken it off the charger right as I was heading out the door. My run lasted just under 3.5 hours and luckily for me I knew exactly where my 20 miles needed to end. I also had a very good idea of time and pace right before my watch died so I have a pretty accurate read of that run even though my data ends .45 miles before I finished.
Obviously, I’m training for a marathon and I need a watch that can last all 26.2 miles. That’s my number 1 criteria. I also would like a watch that I can program a workout ahead of time and give me an accurate actual pace. Those are the top things that my Nike+ watch is missing and they are all important features to me.
I’m hoping to make my purchase before my next 20 miler in a couple of weeks so I have some time to do a little research. I’m hoping you’ll have some good ideas for me to help me get started.
Weekly Workouts
Monday: 2.10 miles (9:31 pace) + 10 minutes Kettlebells and Core Work + 20 minutes Spin Bike
My training plan for today called for a FUN workout. I literally didn’t know what I was going to do until I woke up in the morning. I decided to head downstairs and do a little circuit workout with the spin bike, treadmill and kettlebells. I spent 10 minutes with each and then repeated the bike and the treadmill but ran out of time for more weights.
Tuesday: 10.01 miles (10:32 pace)
I’m pretty sure this is my first ever double digit run during the week. I know during my last marathon training my highest midweek run capped at 8 miles. It felt great to get out and run long during the week. I ran a negative split run today, the first 5 slower than the last 5.
Wednesday: 25 minutes Kettlebells and Core
This is my rest or cross training day of the week. I wasn’t up for the spin bike today so I just got in a new kettlebell workout from greatist.com.
Thursday: 6.01 miles (9:29 pace)
Intervals today. 6 x 4 minute repeats in zone 3 with 3 minutes of recovery between.
Friday: 3.11 miles (9:29 pace)
I love that point in marathon training when 3 miles feels like nothing. All the other runs are much longer making 3 miles feel like such a treat!
Saturday: 20 miles (10:24 pace)
Today I ran from our current neighborhood past my old neighborhood and through old routes that I haven’t ran in almost 3 years since we have moved. I loved my old neighborhood routes. It was hot and humid out today so I stopped at a drinking fountain to refill my hydration pack and I stopped again at the farmer’s market for a refill and a bathroom break. I don’t want to get in the habit of stopping for a bathroom break on my long runs because I want to avoid stopping on race day. Hopefully it won’t be this warm and humid on race day so I won’t need to drink as much water.
Sunday: REST
One of my main goals for 2014 is to Run This Year in kilometers. That’s 2,014 kilometers or 1,251.44 miles.
Weekly Running Miles: 41.23
Weekly Average Pace: 10:14
July Running Miles: 144.78
2014 Running Miles: 759.90
2014 Running Kilometers: 1222.94
What’s your favorite GPS watch? How does the battery hold up? What are your favorite features of a watch?
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I’m running the Chicago Marathon with Team RMHC!
To find out more read my post about Running for Charity or head over to my fundraising page to make a donation.
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