Nerdy Running Gadgets

If you are a nerd, like I am a nerd, you might enjoy some different running gadgets. My favorite is the Garmin Forerunner. Sadly, I've had 3 different models of this cool running device. As a Christmas gift one year, I received my first Forerunner - the 201. This one uses GPS Satellites to track your miles, and then it calculates your pace.

Then, after a couple of months wearing this device and a separate heart rate monitor watch, I upgraded to the Forerunner 301 which has heart rate tracking. Now I was totally hooked! Not only will this cool device tell me exactly how far I've run and what my average pace is, it will also watch my heart rate for me. Now I can see how much my heart hates me when I run too fast (which is sadly not as fast as I'd like to run!).

Eventually, after wearing my 301 constantly, the heart rate monitoring broke. This, of course, happened right when I began learning more about training by using my heart rate. I had been getting very burned out on running, and then met someone who gave me amazing advice that was going to help me get out of my rut. But, darn it, I needed heart rate monitoring! So, since I couldn't fix my Garmin 301 fast enough - I bought the next model up...the 305! It is wonderful and works even better than the 301. Except, now they have ANOTHER new model, the 405 - and its even cooler than the 305!!!!

The only downfall is that the Garmin software that you upload your data to, for tracking your heart rate, is not up to par with Polar's! And, Polar's devices are not up to par with Garmin's when it comes to GPS capability! Such dilemma's. So, just decide what your priority is. If you don't care about your heart rate and just want to know how far you've run and what your pace is....get the older version of the Forerunner (maybe the 201) online cheap!

If you are a sick nerd like me and need it all....go for the Garmin 305 or the 405, or if you want GPS but care more about the heart rate tracking, then check out Polar's GPS/Heart Rate watch!

You could go broke buying gadets! But, man its fun!