June 19, 2011. Paul Hixon
The running scene is one of the most grateful beneficiaries as GPS technology advanced over the last few years. Before, a runner’s bet for accurate speed tracking is to measure the time and distance ran and calculate his speed only after the run is done.
Alternatively, a runner in the olden days can use mile markers to calculate how he is doing versus his time goals but there was no real tool available to allow runners to definitely determine pace in mid-run and take the guesswork out of the whole exercise… Until GPS for runners, came about, that is…
Today, GPS for runners is a common fixture among elite or recreational athletes. As everyone seeks to improve their personal best, every single advancement in technology has become essential in driving performance forward. There is now no guesswork in training; every facet of an athlete’s performance is monitored and studied to mine useful data so improvements can be made. GPS for runners makes this possible by allowing for very accurate time splits. Speed, distance, and pace numbers are available during any moment in training so minute adjustments to performance can easily be made.
Watches such as the Timex Ironman Global Trainer and the Garmin Forerunner 305 make these measurements possible. These two watches are prime examples of running watches that have very good GPS reception allowing for accurate measurements of pace at any point while running. It has to be said though that these are not cheap watches, and if one is to truly improve on his performance, certain investments will have to be made.
There are other running watches that offer GPS for runners. Polar watches have been in existence since the early 1990s and they have developed watches that provide so much more data than just GPS. Nike and Adidas are also starting to dabble in running watches making the market for running watches extremely competitive.
GPS for runners remains a high-sought after function but it hasn’t gone to the level where everyone has access to such technology. Cheap watches with GPS functionality are hard to come by. Perhaps the cheapest available in the market is the Garmin Forerunner 110 retailing at just under $200. This is an old predecessor of the currently popular Garmin Forerunner family and will just about meet your every need for GPS functionality.
Your best bet is saving up before buying a running watch packed-full of features. In fact, if you plan to do better in your running, you should invest in a good running watch. It will provide you with essential data to quantify your training runs, a trusty friend that will not let you down when the miles are tough and the hills are tougher.
Start saving for one today. It might just be the best running-and-health-related purchase you have ever made.
The running scene is one of the most grateful beneficiaries as GPS technology advanced over the last few years. Before, a runner’s bet for accurate speed tracking is to measure the time and distance ran and calculate his speed only after the run is done. Alternatively, a runner in the olden days can use mile markers to calculate how he is doing versus his time goals but there was no real tool available to allow runners to definitely determine pace in mid-run and take the guesswork out of the whole exercise… Until GPS for runners, came about, that is…
Today, GPS for runners is a common fixture among elite or recreational athletes. As everyone seeks to improve their personal best, every single advancement in technology has become essential in driving performance forward. There is now no guesswork in training; every facet of an athlete’s performance is monitored and studied to mine useful data so improvements can be made. GPS for runners makes this possible by allowing for very accurate time splits. Speed, distance, and pace numbers are available during any moment in training so minute adjustments to performance can easily be made.
Watches such as the Timex Ironman Global Trainer and the Garmin Forerunner 305 make these measurements possible. These two watches are prime examples of running watches that have very good GPS reception allowing for accurate measurements of pace at any point while running. It has to be said though that these are not cheap watches, and if one is to truly improve on his performance, certain investments will have to be made.
There are other running watches that offer GPS for runners. Polar watches have been in existence since the early 1990s and they have developed watches that provide so much more data than just GPS. Nike and Adidas are also starting to dabble in running watches making the market for running watches extremely competitive.
GPS for runners remains a high-sought after function but it hasn’t gone to the level where everyone has access to such technology. Cheap watches with GPS functionality are hard to come by. Perhaps the cheapest available in the market is the Garmin Forerunner 110 retailing at just under $200. This is an old predecessor of the currently popular Garmin Forerunner family and will just about meet your every need for GPS functionality.
Your best bet is saving up before buying a running watch packed-full of features. In fact, if you plan to do better in your running, you should invest in a good running watch. It will provide you with essential data to quantify your training runs, a trusty friend that will not let you down when the miles are tough and the hills are tougher.
Start saving for one today. It might just be the best running-and-health-related purchase you have ever made.
Updated June 19, 2011. Published February 21, 2011. Paul Hixon
