I recently mentioned that Mark started running. Being the techie that he is, running bare wristed just wouldn’t do.
Now, he has a Garmin.
Since he took yesterday off running, I decided to strap that baby on and hit the road.
Superior stats [to a non-gps Nike+ watch]:
Likes:
- I love that I can see the elevation changes of my run!
- More accurate than my Nike+ shoe pod.
- I can monitor my heart rate.
Dislikes:
- It felt like the longest run ever, since I kept looking down at my stats.
- It’s bulky.
- Takes a while to find a satellite.
Still, it was fun. 
Actually, Mark bought this Garmin for me originally! But before it was even shipped to our house, we spoke to the Nike+ SportsWatch reps at the Big Peach 5k.
[source]
Since I’ve had my Nike+ SportsBand, I’ve logged over 1,000 miles, and each one is recorded on the Nike website.
After hearing about all of the features of the new GPS-enabled SportsWatch, and the fact that I’d be able to continue to use the Nike website to log my miles, I decided to go with the Nike over the Garmin.
Mark was originally going to return the Garmin, but when he decided to start running, he realized that the Garmin [and watching the miles add up and reviewing the stats] would be a big motivator for him to keep it up. Plus, he’d have to justify spending that cash. 
As for me, I get to pick my new piece of running gear up today from Big Peach Running Company!
I can’t wait to go for my first run with it tonight!!!
Speaking of the Big Peach 5k, the official race photos are now available!
What’s your favorite thing about having a GPS-enabled watch (Garmin or Nike+)?
I have a Garmin 405 and it’s a POS. LOL.
Turn on the Garmin and leave on the window ledge while you get ready, that way it finds the satellite on its own sweet time. Also, you can get a different band that isn’t that stiff plastic which makes it more comfy.
Ahhh! I need to get a Garmin, then I can answer your question lol. I think I’ll ask for that for my birthday..
I used to use a Nike+ and I like it, then I swtiched to Mapmyrun ap on my phone and now I have the Garmin 405 and I am in LOVE! Love Love Love.
I try to run with as little stuff on me as possible. No ipod, no phone, no heavy GPS watch
. Just a tiny Timex Ironman watch with a timer. It’s all in the run!
I was thinking about the Nike+ set cause it’s nicely in-built but I don’t wear Nikes.
They don’t fit me as well as my beloved Saucony’s.
I’m with Chris, I run with NOTHING. Just my sneaks, I do not run barefoot
But, I don’t listen to music (just sweet nature), and I run by feel, not a clock. Works for me! I do have some pace markers, so I have a general idea of how fast I’m going. When I do run races, I am always happily surprised and never discouraged with my times. Hoping to do a sub 40:00 10 k in August, same race last year I was 40:22. So, I guess the minimalist running this isn’t that bad! Besides, we are all so plugged in all the time. Running is my time to UN-plug from technology.
You are so fast!!!! I used to be a “zen runner” too. No watch and no music. I still don’t listen to music and never will. I do like having a watch though that shows distance, hence the GPS watch. I try to explore new places in the city and want to start tracking my routes. I hate looking at the pace or time while I run though! It makes the run seem so much longer!
I have a Garmin 305 and I love it… but I do tend to get too concerned with pace and distance. It can drive me nuts!
My absolute favorite thing about my Garmin 205 (I know, old school!) is that I can run anywhere and am not bound by a route to know what my distance is! I could never go back to mapping my runs like I used to.