The Garmin is a great training aid for some runners. It is a combination of GPS and heart rate monitor. When running, it tracks your position and computes distance, speed and pace. In addition, it monitors and records heart rate data. This data can be very useful for planning and optimizing training.
Whether a Garmin is for you depends a lot on your personality. If you are very analytical and like to keep detailed training logs, you will be in heaven. On the other hand, some runners don’t like to see all of this information. For them it can take the fun out of a pleasant relaxing run. For example, while it’s nice to see a fast pace on a run it can be discouraging to see a slower than normal pace on a bad day.
I fall into the analytical side and like the information. My recomendation would be to purchase a Garmin if it encourages and motivates you to train and you can afford it. However, I know many successful runners who run without this type of technology so it definitely isn’t necessary for either a beginner or an elite runner.
YES
I wish I had one back in high school or college when i ran competetively. Having one now jsut running casually is absolutely huge.
No way to delude yourself about your pace or mileage, keeps you honest and working harder. And you see real and incremental results.
I bought my garmin when I started really focusing on 1/2 marathons and full marathon training. Where pacing and distances was important. I am sorry I did not buy the 305 with the heart monitor, but the 205 is a handy tool to help you run the distance without haveing to preplan a route.
It also keeps information through out the route such as pacing, elevation etc…, but do you need it, Not really but its has been nice to have for me.
harry
The Garmin is a great training aid for some runners. It is a combination of GPS and heart rate monitor. When running, it tracks your position and computes distance, speed and pace. In addition, it monitors and records heart rate data. This data can be very useful for planning and optimizing training.
Whether a Garmin is for you depends a lot on your personality. If you are very analytical and like to keep detailed training logs, you will be in heaven. On the other hand, some runners don’t like to see all of this information. For them it can take the fun out of a pleasant relaxing run. For example, while it’s nice to see a fast pace on a run it can be discouraging to see a slower than normal pace on a bad day.
I fall into the analytical side and like the information. My recomendation would be to purchase a Garmin if it encourages and motivates you to train and you can afford it. However, I know many successful runners who run without this type of technology so it definitely isn’t necessary for either a beginner or an elite runner.
YES
I wish I had one back in high school or college when i ran competetively. Having one now jsut running casually is absolutely huge.
No way to delude yourself about your pace or mileage, keeps you honest and working harder. And you see real and incremental results.
I bought my garmin when I started really focusing on 1/2 marathons and full marathon training. Where pacing and distances was important. I am sorry I did not buy the 305 with the heart monitor, but the 205 is a handy tool to help you run the distance without haveing to preplan a route.
It also keeps information through out the route such as pacing, elevation etc…, but do you need it, Not really but its has been nice to have for me.
harry