Satellite Run

When I was in high school, well before NAVSTAR and GPS, tracking the distance I ran involved borrowing my dad's car and using the odometer, which was time consuming, and produced moderately accurate results.  For unmapped trail runs, unless I wanted to push a measuring wheel up and down hills for miles, I was out of luck.  Currently, with the advances made in GPS, it's possible to track not only where you are, but how far you've gone with a wristwatch.  With the touch of a button on these slim profile watches, weighing in at less than 2 oz., you can determine where you are and where you've been to within 3 meters, instantly.

These high-tech gadgets don't just mark position, they do SO much more.  GPS watches, like the Garmin Forerunner 110, track your travels and record heart rates.  That data is converted into a heartrate based calorie consumption, which is more accurate than a pace/duration computation.  More sophisticated models not only track time, distance, and heart rate, but also track pace and elevation.  Some models have virtual runners you can compete with.  The data during your workout is stored in the device for comparison with previous workouts, or can be downloaded to your computer for extensive study with various software available online (Garmin Connect for Garmin products). 

If you're looking to enhance your performance, a GPS watch is an invaluable tool.  Being able to monitor your pace, while running, with accuracy, helps keep you on target, especially on days when motivation is low.  If you've been disastisfied with GPS in the past, give it another try.  The new high-sensitivity GPS receivers lock onto satellites quickly and stay locked on even under tree cover or near tall buildings.  Although instances of dropped signals occasionally happen, they are few and far between.  Virtually every step you take is recorded.

Good news ladies--the Garmin Forerunner 110 comes in gray with pink accents!

Assignment for the week:

day 1 - run 30 minutes     day 4 - run 30 minutes
day 2 - run 40 minutes     day 5 - run 40 minutes
day 3 - run 45 minutes     day 6 - run 45 minutes

LACE UP, strap on and keep those satellites busy!  




Ass