When you first start a running program it’s more important to focus on how long you are running vs how far you’ve gone. After running for specific time periods during early January, I graduated to distance. This meant that instead of setting out on a 15, 20, or 30 minute run – I needed to run 2, 3, 4, miles etc. etc. There are a few websites that you can look up pre-measured distances and then run them in order to get your mileage in. The problem with some of these “pre mapped” runs is that you don’t know how far you have gone while you are running. For example, there is a great 5 mile run right by my house. But at the time I found it I only needed to run 4 miles. Short of driving the route with my car, the only way to know (for this example) where the 2 mile turn-around is – would be to use a small GPS device or an app for my iPhone that tracks distance.
I looked at two different apps for the iPhone. Both Runmeter and RunKeeper were capable of tracking my runs. Runmeter had the added feature of sending out Tweets whenever I started or stopped my run. This was handy as it let my wife know when I had started and where I was running. While RunKeeper did not have the social media “extras” that Runmeter had, it was much better at keeping historical data online with their service that is included with the cost of the app. Ultimately I decided against these two applications due to how you interact with them while running…you really can’t. Sure they will give an audible alert at pre-defined mileage or times. But I want to be able to see my progress and/or pace without having to slide/unlock my iPhone, then scroll to the screen containing the information I am interested in…all while maintaining a decent pace. That, along with battery life, were the main reason I started running with the Garmin Forerunner 310XT.
The Garmin Forerunner 310XT is one of the newer releases by Garmin. I like this one over some of the other models Garmin offers because it is waterproof and can be used as a true triathlon trainer. It will track distance while you swim, bike and (of course) run. While this is by far the most expensive solution I have tried, it definitely meets all of my requirements for making sure I don’t run another inch than I have too. 
Can’t believe we used to run without GPS watches! I remember driving around – measuring how far I thought I went. And I ALWAYS had my $20 buck Casio watch on. I also remember the first GPS “watch” – it didn’t work very well at all and I had to strap it to my arm. GPS watches are so cool! I love knowing how far I went.
I must still be living in the dark ages! I still use my car to measure distance, although it’s a bit of a pain because some of the roads around my place are one way, and there’s a few lanes I use which I can’t drive down, so it makes it difficult! The GPS watches definitely sound interesting though, I think it may be time to upgrade. Either that or an iphone.
i am not a running enthusiast but i can get anywhere with my mountain bike.i can track my distance and discover new places using GPS. its very fun i do it every weekend.
We can do alot of things with our technology today. A lot of new gadgets are coming our way to help with our daily needs, life seems to be a lot of easier..:)
We can do alot of things with our technology today. A lot of new gadgets are coming our way to help with our daily needs, life seems to be a lot easier now..:)