Timing

I never used to be a runner who was very concerned with time.  I'm certainly not the fastest runner (although my dad thinks I am - without fail every time I run a race he asks if there's a chance I'll win).  And I never really used to take much notice of my pacing during training runs.  As long as I was covering the distance, I was happy.

But this has all changed with my new Garmin GPS watch.  It shows you how fast you're going, beeps every mile, and after the run displays on a website all your mile splits, a map of your exact running route, and even your heart rate.  For a Type-A person such as myself, this device is a dream.  However, it's made me slightly obsessed with how fast I'm going - whether it's because I'm trying to go slower on "easy run" days, or trying to go "marathon speed" on other days.  I don't even really know what's a realistic pace to expect for a marathon - heck, I'll be happy to just finish the thing.  But being able to track my pacing with the watch has really changed the way I run by throwing a little bit of accountability into the mix.  Accountability just to myself (and the people monitoring the GPS airwaves), but still. 

All in all, it's an amazing thing.  I love being able to go out for a run without mapping out the course beforehand and having the watch tell me when I've gone the right distance.  And I really do appreciate knowing my pace, because its about time I learn how to pace myself for slow runs and tempo runs.  But I think that sometimes, as a treat, I may just leave it at home and let my legs carry me at the speed they feel is right.

Me, at the CPC Run for Central Park 4 Miler last Saturday.  I didn't win, but I did come in 1649th place with a time of 33:32!