Well I am back at it again and am wanting to try a new tact to keep me physically capable of running.  I want to train with an HRM and either foot pod or GPS.  My target is a 5k on April 18th  a 10-k in August, a 1/2 marathon in October and potentially a marathon in Jan. of next year.

This past weekend I completed a 5k in 25:21 and know that I would have been faster if my training were better.

So what watches does everyone suggest.  I am currently looking at the Garmin 305, Polar 400SD, and the Timex Bodylink.  Does anyone have a suggestion or experience that would push one one way or the other.

The heart rate monitor is pretty decent I'd say. I like to use mine to check my resting heart rate (just to make sure the readings I get are accurate). Generally it is within a couple beats per minute of what I get, so thats good.

The watch itself is pretty cool, but I'm left wanting more.

Probably not worth paying full price, but if you can get a decent discount somewhere, then it might be worth it. 

                                                                 Garmin.com 

Now that Garmin is coming out with the Forerunner 405 the 305's should be coming down in price. Personally I'm holding out for the 405. It has all the features of the 305 and more packed into regular size sports watch!  I've never owned a watch like this but I just can't get over my gadget giddiness. I fell in love at first read.

Tonight I did a 6 miler and started just fine with a nice slow rate.   By the 1/2 way point I was on target for my plodding starter self at about 10:00 per mile, not great not good, but where I need to be at this point in training.  Then I looked at my watch saw the pitiful time thought back 12 years ago to my college days.  And all of a sudden I was back at it and running quicker.  Ran the last 3 miles at a nice 8:02 clip or so and didn't realize it fully until it was too late. 

 Really need to get something to keep me amped down and reminded of my goals and I think heart rate will do that for me.  Adding in a stride measurement and speed is just icing on the cake and something I would like to have for pure HRM training when I am not concerned about distance except for logging shoe wear.

The distance is pretty accurate when compared to map my run but it does vary each time I run the same route.

I like the Garmin when I'm on a new route it gives me an accurate distance and time without having to drive or plot it to find out how far I've run.

The new one with the foot pod option looks good and i have read good reviews. But I would be tempted to just get a real basic model to start with perhaps even second hand to make sure it does the trick for you!

Plus the pacing beeper is a nice touch.

Here is the info I got from my run today:

Data  Value  Unit 
Duration 1:16:00   
Sampling Rate 5 s 
      
Energy Expenditure 890 kcal 
Number of Heart Beats 12782 beats 
Recovery -94 beats 
Minimum Heart Rate 86 bpm 
Average Heart Rate 168 bpm 
Maximum Heart Rate 180 bpm 
Standard Deviation 9.4 bpm 
      
Minimum Speed 4.8 mph 
Average Speed  7.9 mph 
Maximum Speed   14.5 mph 
Distance  9.9 miles 
Odometer 190 miles 
      
Minimum Altitude  30 ft 
Average Altitude  84 ft 
Maximum Altitude  120 ft 
Ascent 400 ft 
      
The website also gives me a pace. Avg of 7:40 minute mile

I also wear a cheapy pedometer for steps taken. 14112 total.

It's fun info to compare one run to the other and overall improvement.

Jeff

 None of them are brilliant really. But this one has some nice features.

 Software doesn't have many great features but you should need them if you are in a serious training program. 

Using this site with the 405 is the goods though.

cons: waterproofing. I'm sure my acidic sweat will melt holes in it soon enough...

I really wanted the Suunto T6C. Fully kitted out it is costly , but can atleast go in the water at the pool or beach.

But the navigation functions in the Garmin are good if you are also an outdoor person as well as athlete and sealed the deal.