No More Watching the Watch!

A couple of months ago, I asked for advice on a sports watch, and got some good recommendations - a Timex Ironman. A week ago, I bought one, but there are many models and the one I ended up with was missing a very key feature for a "runalker" - the ability to set timed intervals. Mostly, I want to set a run interval and a walk interval, but it could work the same way for speed work: a short speed interval and a longer recovery interval. Without that feature, the watch would not work for me.

I did some research on-line and found a model that does everything I need, but it was a ladies watch. I can see it now: I'm running along in the Seattle half-marathon. The crowd is going nuts. Then suddenly, a spectator points at me and screams, "Oh my God!!!! He's wearing a woman's watch! And he has purple hair!" The cheers of the crowd turn to derisive laughter.

So I found a black and orange Timex Ironman manly-man watch with everything I need: light, chronometer (stop watch) with split timing, alarms, a timer, and two linked timers. The latter is what I need to do interval training. It cost a little more, about $55 at REI, but I used a 20% member's coupon discount and so only paid $45 or so.

I ran with it last night and it works just as I had hoped. I set a 6 minute run and 2.5 minute walk interval for my four milers. So I no longer have to keep staring at the watch and trying to remember when I started running or walking. It is harder to cheat, and if I do, I know it. One thing is plain: I need to lower the run interval for now. I am running seven miles in the morning and think I will try 4.5 run and 2.5 walk. I am very happy with this watch! I do need to work on understanding the stop watch and splits timer, though.