My own running watch, what matters to me!

Decent running watches have been out for more than 20 years now. Before that, I remember driving the route in my truck almost every time to get a decent idea of how far I had gone. The odometer was not perfect, but it was the only measure we had.

Then came Garmin and some of the early GPS satellite watches, providing an almost to the instant measure of distance, pace and time of run. At first, I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have all that data at hand. Other runners thought the same and often we would compare watches and discuss their accuracy.

Then, other companies, and Garmin too, kept pushing the envelope to make the watches even more attractive to runners, specifically the high tech younger runners. Thinking that more was better, watches were marketed with more and more amenities, while getting smaller and lighter.

Shortly after my return from the recent Alaska bike ride, my trusty Garmin 310X lost its ability to track the satellites, a death knell. I had two more retired 310X watches and tried both of them, eventually getting one of them to work.

In the meantime, I read reviews, shopped, both online and in person, looking to step forward in technology. My limitation was poor enough eyesight that I needed big numbers on the screen so as not to wear reading glasses during my run. The 310X displays pace, distance and time of run all at the same time with a good backlight, all needed for a good run in the dark.

What I found was only a few watches that could display these same important things at the same time, still large enough for me to see. I read a long thread on Amazon from a seasoned runner who questioned why current running watches need to check sport scores, get directions, update social media, check your calendar, order food, keep track of to-do lists and talk to your car.

Luann Fesperman found that her watch checks all her golfing stats, including distance to the pin. One of the upper end running watches analyzes golf swing.

As a running purist, all I want are the basics and a clear mind to test myself and help me “beat yesterday”. I would never need to track my relaxation level or vertical oscillation, whatever that is.
I’m still looking, but my new Garmin 310X is set to arrive today and I couldn’t be happier, just glad to know that it can’t take calls or respond to texts. Just run!

Remember the upcoming Beginning Runners Class at the Salisbury PD, beginning on Thursday, Sept. 5. Find this event and others at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org

Also, the Rowan Public Library Main Branch on Fisher Street and I invite you all to an evening of celebration of my bike ride to Alaska this Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. Food, fun and I will share lots of secrets from an incredible adventure. No reservation required. On this or the Beginning Runners Class, call 704-310-6741 for more information.

The Rowan County Pre-County cross country meet will be held on Tuesday too. All the county high schools have been practicing in the heat and will find out just what they have, starting at 5 p.m. at Dan Nicholas Park. This is true grassroots running competition and surprises are common at this first competition of a season that will last into early November for at least some of the participants.