COOL, HUH?
OK, it’s really just a Garmin 305 but it’s so frackin’ Space-Age, it might as well be one!
I bought this gadget (on sale because now there’s a 405 that’s supposedly better) when I decided to follow a structured training plan for the half-marathon and then promptly shelved it because it was too hot to run outdoors. I finally brought it out and got it set up a couple of weeks ago. I really love it!
It tells me how fast and far I’m going because it’s linked to GPS satellites. It tells me my best-paced lap, my current pace, and even how many calories I’ve burned. It also has a heart rate monitor, so I can keep track of my heart rate when working out. There are other functions I haven’t even tried yet, including training software that allows analyses of all the data collected. I’ve used it on my last two long runs and am thrilled damn-near senseless to have the information it gleans.
I’m not sure if being engaged in such a personalized data-driven traning program complete with space-age gadgetry makes me feel more like a legitimate athlete or if I just like having toys, but it makes me feel better every time I strap it on. That has got to be a good thing because it’s one of the reasons I keep throwing one leg out in front of the other mile after mile after grueling frackin’ mile.
To recap the week’s training:
Tuesday – upper body weight segments from Cathe’s Supersets DVD, 3 miles of speed intervals on treadmill
Wednesday – 13 hour shift at work….no workout
Thursday – 7.25 mile “long run”
Friday – worked in the AM then went to a wedding reception in the PM and got drunk
Saturday – worked 10 hours hungover….no workout
So far today, Sunday, I have gone on a 22 mile bike ride and cooked a nice hearty omelet breakfast. I have hopes of hitting the weights again later. I’ll report back in the near future.
Boldly running where I've never gone before 
There’s nothing cooler than “new” gadgets! I am so impressed by your dedication to this running thing. I liken it to my love for dancing … I wish I was athletic *but* there’s no soundtrack to motivate me. :-}
You really should check out, my friend, Julie’s blog; Jules and I were at Merrill Lynch together (but she worked at HQ in NYC). She’s doing the health thing; had two babies, lost 30 pounds, blogs on her regimen. Take a look, see if you’re interested:
http://greenteagrl.wordpress.com/
Plus, she’s a really cool person to know … like you! 😀