Garmin or Timex or ????

[TnTsParty]

I am trying to figure out what I want my DH to get me for Christmas and the one thing I really need is some sort of watch that can keep me on a more normal pace - like run 5 walk 2 etc. I am not sure if I can get away with a Timex run watch like the Ironman or if it would be better to go for the Garmin. Obviously I really want a Garmin for the GPS feature but I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on something to basically keep me on pace - beep at intervals mainly. Thanks

 

[cewait]

The Garmin also beeps at intervals, either time or distance. BUT you have to tell it how many of thos intervals you plan on where with the Ironman (100 lap version) you set the two intervals and set the watch to continuous and it will beep until you turn it off. I ran with the 100 lap Timex for years.

 

[VernRDH]

I love my Garmin, couldn't live without it. Unfortunately, I do not have the footpod (yet) so when I am stuck inside on the treadmill, I can't use the Garmin. I really like the fact that I can download my run info into the computer and look at the data. Using the Garmin Connect site, it even "plays" back your run. I am not familiar with the Timex watch, but if you really want the GPS feature of the Garmin, I say go for it. I'd rather have something with features I don't use quite yet but can in the future vs. one that doesn't have them, then decide I want them and have to buy something else.

 

[K80K]

With the Garmin 310XT you can set up workouts to repeat intervals until you reach a certain distance. Unfortunately I have noticed that the distance it repeats until is slightly off from the actual distance you travel - I will hit 18 miles and the watch will say I am at 17.4. Just not sure why the watch is reporting two different distances. It also vibrates, which I love, since I usually run at an airport and sometimes the planes can drown out the beeping. It does have a high price tag though so you have to evaluate how important those features are to you.

 

[luvsTink]

If all you want is an interval time, the cheapest way to go is the gym boss...if you google it you will see it. I like that it vibrates as well as beeps. I clip it on the strap of my sports bra.

BUT, if you have a need for a GPS....as in "how far have I gone? ....what is my pace???"....then, I agree, better to get it now than to collect a number of gadgets simply to end up with the Garmin anyway.

Anne

 

[solotraveler]

If you think you'll want the Garmin eventually, then go ahead and get the Garmin.

From my own personal experience, I don't think I could train for a distance event without it. It has also held up really well... I'm still using my Garmin 201 from 5 years ago.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I started out with a Timex and ended up with a Garmin 405. I like seeing the distance I've run on the watch and being able to compare splits from different days.

 

[MouseDogMom]

I'm distance obsessed. I admit it. I have the Garmin 205 AND the Gymboss. Oh yeah, and an older Garmin 201. I won't even walk the dog without my Garmin.

The reason I have both is that on race day I really like being able to see the mile splits, and you can't set the Garmin up for intervals and still be able to see those. So I use the Gymboss for interval timing, and the Garmin purely for distance and pace. Overkill, maybe, but it keeps me happy.

I love being able to upload all my info to Garmin Connect and see the elevation charts and all my pace data.

If money were no object, I'd have the 405 for Christmas!

Jackie

 

[cewait]

I love my Garmin, couldn't live without it. Unfortunately, I do not have the footpod (yet) so when I am stuck inside on the treadmill, I can't use the Garmin. I really like the fact that I can download my run info into the computer and look at the data. Using the Garmin Connect site, it even "plays" back your run. I am not familiar with the Timex watch, but if you really want the GPS feature of the Garmin, I say go for it. I'd rather have something with features I don't use quite yet but can in the future vs. one that doesn't have them, then decide I want them and have to buy something else.

My Polar HR monitor died so I am dependent upon my 305 for TM workouts, also. You really do not need the foot pod IF you are deiligent. As the TM come up to a mile simply hit the lap button. Now you have the splits preserved on the Garmie and ready to upload! It will then give you the exact same data that the pod will.

 

[liznboys]

I just got the Garmin Forerunner 205 this week (from Amazon) and used it for the first time this morning. I'm a new runner this year so everything running related is new and exciting to me. haha But this thing is so cool! I love it already!!!

 

[JimB.]

I have used a Garmin for years. Would not use anything else, but be forewarned: They do NOT like being dropped from the kitchen counter onto a tile floor.

 

[VernRDH]

My Polar HR monitor died so I am dependent upon my 305 for TM workouts, also. You really do not need the foot pod IF you are deiligent. As the TM come up to a mile simply hit the lap button. Now you have the splits preserved on the Garmie and ready to upload! It will then give you the exact same data that the pod will.

Thanks Coach!! I will try this with my next TM workout.

 

[luvsTink]

So I use the Gymboss for interval timing, and the Garmin purely for distance and pace. Overkill, maybe, but it keeps me happy.

Since I am so cheap, I went with the nike/ipod plus system to go along with the gymboss. I absolutley love having that soothing voice say "400 meters to go!" and then having Lance Armstrong tell me "Congratulations! that's your longest workout yet!"

Anne

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I'm distance obsessed. I admit it. I have the Garmin 205 AND the Gymboss. Oh yeah, and an older Garmin 201. I won't even walk the dog without my Garmin.

The reason I have both is that on race day I really like being able to see the mile splits, and you can't set the Garmin up for intervals and still be able to see those. So I use the Gymboss for interval timing, and the Garmin purely for distance and pace. Overkill, maybe, but it keeps me happy.

I love being able to upload all my info to Garmin Connect and see the elevation charts and all my pace data.

If money were no object, I'd have the 405 for Christmas!

Jackie

Oh I am not alone! Me too! Love Garmin and have been enjoying playing with Gymboss recently.

Anne, be careful on the Nike+, I find that mine often tells me I am running farther than I really go. I've tried calibrating, but it just is not as accurate as Garmin.

 

[cewait]

Oh I am not alone! Me too! Love Garmin and have been enjoying playing with Gymboss recently.

Anne, be careful on the Nike+, I find that mine often tells me I am running farther than I really go. I've tried calibrating, but it just is not as accurate as Garmin.

The foot pad devices CAN be as accurate as anything else out there. It is a function of calibrating. A suggestion I have is to use the longest interval the device will allow and it MUST be done on a track. Center of the inner lane is where you must calibrate. Note that if you run 4 minutes and walk a minute you should calibrate on the same intervals. Finally, most WISH runners should calibrate every 6-8 weeks as they build up to a long race. You will be gaining strength and increasing foot accelerations, thus the calibration will need verification.

Regardless of type or brand of device it is always interesting to read accounts of how the course is 'long'. Starting about the third day post race you will read a post of two about the course being 26.6 miles or longer; sometimes as high as 27+. THis is usually due to runner error. the course is measured along tangents or from the inner radius of the center of a corner. You you have a lot of left and right turns in a crowd you will never run the tangents; at best tangent on one side and mid course on the other. Add it verering from the centerline of the course to the water table 21 times a trip to the potty zigging and zagging and you can easily run an extra 0.4 miles.