I just wear a normal watch

GPS watch is useful to force you to run slow on recovery runs, and to force a slow pace early in a marathon. But other than that, I prefer the simplicity of a $20 digital watch.

TriBruh wrote:

Wonderin' wrote:

Then nothing you do counts.

The true sign of a weekend warrior TriBruh right here.

Yep. Cause if I was full-time, I'd be getting paid to wear somebody's watch and wouldn't be having this conversation.

Wonderin' wrote:

Wonderin' wrote:

Then nothing you do counts.

I started this year keeping a paper log as well. I mean what confidence do we have that Garmin connect, Strava will be around in 10-20 years? Garmin Connect sure, but a running social media site?

None.

I used to use MapMyRun. I uploaded a marathon in 2010 there and while they've got the time and distance, they can't show me any lap splits or the route.

Likewise Garmin don't have the maps from my runs in 2012. They don't have the graphs of elevation, heart-rate or pace data. Just summary stats and splits.

So definitely no guarantees.

The earth has not expanded or contracted enough since I started running my favorite routes to make them any longer or shorter than the ever were. I might time them with a time-only watch, but I rarely do. I just run them. Cognitive dissonance anyone?

FFF wrote:

The earth has not expanded or contracted enough since I started running my favorite routes to make them any longer or shorter than the ever were. I might time them with a time-only watch, but I rarely do. I just run them. Cognitive dissonance anyone?

This is what I don't understand about people who are slave to their GPS. 95% of the runs you do are the same routes. Once you know the mileage, why do you need a GPS watch? A simple $8 watch with a stopwatch function works fine. You can even hit the "lap" button every mile if you need to.

If you feel like crap, back off. If you feel good, speed up until you don't feel good anymore. That simple.

Regular Running Guy wrote:

I am amazed at how many of you wear GPS watches and iPhones to go on runs.

I ran D1 and have run over 60 mpw for like 25 years. I am not a Luddite. I just don't see value in Strava and all of that garbage. I just like to go run with a digital watch.

Why do you people need so many gadgets?

+1 and I agree! I just use a digital chronograph watch. Start/Stop is really all I need.

If it isn't on Strava, it didn't happen.

Barabbas wrote:Get this - I started running before digital watches were invented. We used to time our runs with a regular analog watch. Unless a coach with a stopwatch was involved, speedwork was guess work with that second hand. A decent digital watch is all you need. I would never carry a phone on a run.

Me Too! When I first started running there were no "running watches" on the market. My first shoes were from some little shoe company out of Oregon that was barely getting started. I wonder if they ever amounted to much??

For the children wrote:

If it isn't on Strava, it didn't happen.

+1

For the children wrote:

If it isn't on Strava, it didn't happen.

If it's on Strava, you're a hobby jogger!

MeHereYouWhere?! wrote:

FFF wrote:

The earth has not expanded or contracted enough since I started running my favorite routes to make them any longer or shorter than the ever were. I might time them with a time-only watch, but I rarely do. I just run them. Cognitive dissonance anyone?

This is what I don't understand about people who are slave to their GPS. 95% of the runs you do are the same routes. Once you know the mileage, why do you need a GPS watch? A simple $8 watch with a stopwatch function works fine. You can even hit the "lap" button every mile if you need to.

If you feel like crap, back off. If you feel good, speed up until you don't feel good anymore. That simple.

But why throw your GPS watch away just to prove a point with a $8 watch?

The Children Replied wrote:

For the children wrote:

If it isn't on Strava, it didn't happen.

If it's on Strava, you're a hobby jogger!

So all the professional runners who put their workouts on Strava are hobby joggers. Got it.

Uhhh wrote:

But why throw your GPS watch away just to prove a point with a $8 watch?

Uhhh, there are several ways to know distance that don't require a GPS watch. Remember the old way of doing things and driving your route beforehand and watching to odometer? How about running with people who do have a GPS watch on the same route? How about looking on websites like gmap-pedometer and planning out your route like that? GPS watches die and maybe they didn't want to spend the money to replace?

Regular Running Guy wrote:

I am amazed at how many of you wear GPS watches and iPhones to go on runs.

I ran D1 and have run over 60 mpw for like 25 years. I am not a Luddite. I just don't see value in Strava and all of that garbage. I just like to go run with a digital watch.

Why do you people need so many gadgets?

How do you know you run over 60mpw if you don't have a GPS? You would never be able to run anywhere new because you wouldn't actually know the distance, you'd just be guessing.

GPSmakesforbettertraining wrote:

Regular Running Guy wrote:

I am amazed at how many of you wear GPS watches and iPhones to go on runs.

I ran D1 and have run over 60 mpw for like 25 years. I am not a Luddite. I just don't see value in Strava and all of that garbage. I just like to go run with a digital watch.

Why do you people need so many gadgets?

How do you know you run over 60mpw if you don't have a GPS? You would never be able to run anywhere new because you wouldn't actually know the distance, you'd just be guessing.

You don't know when you've run 10m, more or less? Aftera few years training one can judge pretty well how long 1000m is. Later one can check on a map. In the worst case I count my steps to measure intervals. I know roughly how many steps is 500m at different speeds.

Oh yeah? Well, I plunge a sharpened stake into my chest and use my body as a MF sundial.

Watch-wearing pu$$y.

back woods wrote:

GPSmakesforbettertraining wrote:

How do you know you run over 60mpw if you don't have a GPS? You would never be able to run anywhere new because you wouldn't actually know the distance, you'd just be guessing.

You don't know when you've run 10m, more or less? Aftera few years training one can judge pretty well how long 1000m is. Later one can check on a map. In the worst case I count my steps to measure intervals. I know roughly how many steps is 500m at different speeds.

Or use Badger Miles.

Gravy wrote:

I wear a sundial. Sucks for rainy days, but who runs in the rain anyway lol.

Also, cotton socks.

I never run in the rain because it will ruin my ipod and headphones.

Wonderin' wrote:

Then nothing you do counts.

Why does every activity you do need peer validation. Why does all if your movements need to be traceable and on grid. Running regardless of ability is an escape so I don't get this social media aspect of a individual and often introverted activity. Just go for a run, enjoy running against your own performances, there is always someone quicker.