I have not spent a great deal of time talking about products, but I have to give a shout out to Garmin for their Forerunner 610 GPS watch. When I got serious about running, I purchased their base model, the 110, and used it constantly to track my progress and to measure and map my runs. It was a great race watch to start with, but it had a few limitations. Nothing terribly significant, but I began to feel like my running had gotten to the level where an upgrade was warranted. After doing some research, I settled on the 610 and my wife was nice enough to give it to me for Christmas.
Now, bear in mind, the 610 will set you back about $400, so you should only consider it if you are a serious junkie for running data. Guilty as charged. Otherwise, the 110 or a myriad of other cheaper race watches will fit the bill. I have enjoyed the 610 so far as I have learned to use it. Mine came with the heart rate monitor, which is a great way to track your fitness during runs. I also love the fact that it is wireless, so I can upload my run data using the ANT+ system by having the within 10 feet of the computer. The other feature that I have enjoyed using is the "Virtual Partner," which allows you to program your desired pace and then track your actual performance against that pace. The watch shows you whether you are ahead or behind your pace, so you can adjust. Love it!
If you are just starting your running journey, you can probably wait, because I think the 610 caters to an intermediate or advanced runner. If, on the other hand, you are tracking your pace and adjusting your running style to improve your speed and endurance, the 610 may be ideal for you.
I know that it has been months since I updated this blog. I have had good intentions along the way and have run lots of races to talk about, but just didn't seem to get around to updating this blog. Anyway, my apologies. It's time to get back into keeping track of my running experiences.
From my post about the Richmond Marathon in November, you can tell that I was elated about my finish. Like most runners going into their first marathon, there is a lot of apprehension about whether you can finish the race, let along the time it will take. I had trained long and hard for Richmond and had extended my long runs up over 22 miles, so I was pretty confident that I was going to finish the race. Still, in the back of you mind, you are thinking....what can go wrong. I had heard plenty of horror stories about "hitting the wall" and having to drag yourself to the finish line. Fortunately, my first marathon experience was, by and large, a good one. I started the race with two other friends from Suffolk, David Pace and Ted Bennett. We had all trained together and were running about the same pace. We managed to stay together for much of the race, although Ted quickened his pace around Mile 14 and left David and I in his wake. David and I hung together until about Mile 19 and lost one another, but reunited later. The point is that you run a marathon at your own pace and comfort level. The objective is to finish. Apart from some minor cramping in my calves around Mile 24-25, my race was pretty uneventful. I walked out the cramps and finished strong. I am convinced the cramping was just some mild dehydration.
What did I learn from running the Richmond Marathon? A few things. First, I learned that I can accomplish amazing things given the willingness to commit to them. Second, I learned that running a marathon or, any marathon, is a process that unfolds gradually. Although you can train and plan, you have to be able to react to unexpected changes. For example, the weather. We were lucky and had a spectacular day on which to run. What if it had rained or was hot? You take things as they come. Training is essential, but so is the ability to adjust yourself physically and mentally to react to the unexpected. My advice is that if you are thinking about doing a marathon, by all means do it! It is a great experience that you will always remember.
Since the Richmond Marathon, I have had the chance to run a few other races including the Santa Shuffle 5K in Portsmouth in December, the Herothon Half Marathon in San Antonio in January and the Virginia is For Lovers 14K in Virginia Beach a couple weeks ago. All of these races were good performances for me with new PR's. My next race is the Shamrock Marathon coming up in March. I have been training and just reached the 22-mile mark for my long runs. I feel pretty good about the race, but will be running it without the company of David and Ted. Fortunately, I have been training with another friend from Cornerstone Striders, Kate, who is also getting ready for Shamrock.
Sorry for my long absence, but I hope to update this blog with my running experiences a little more frequently in the future. In the meantime, keep running!
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