The watch's benefits come from the sum of its parts, not any one particular feature. Since my training plan requires me to run a certain amount of minutes each session, I can keep an eye on my time using the stopwatch feature.
If I want to do a tempo run or interval workout (NOTE: I never want to do a tempo run or interval workout), I can hit the lap button to reset the time that's being displayed so I don't have to keep track of how long I've been running at a higher pace in my head. Or, if I just want to go for a distance run, I can set the watch to automatically clock a lap after the GPS hits one mile so I know if I'm hitting negative splits.
I've only had the watch for a couple weeks, so I'm still learning new things it can do with every run. It also has some features I'm too ignorant and/or stubborn to take advantage of. The watch measures the wearer's sleep duration and quality, but I feel like a weirdo wearing a watch to bed, so I can't speak to its accuracy.
It also came with a chest strap heart rate monitor that I used once before I bailed on it. It's hard enough to keep myself motivated to go for a run at the end of the day without adding an extra step of putting on and syncing up a heart rate monitor. Plus, I'm not training for the Rio Olympics over here — tracking my heart rate seems a little unnecessary.
My biggest takeaway from wearing the watch is that I'm a worthless slob on my rest days. Any day I go for a run I'll crush my activity goal for the day by like 200 percent, but on rest days I usually top out at like 17 percent of my daily goal. There is no happy medium.
What's your stance on wearable tech? Do you think it makes you a better runner or is it an unnecessary accessory? Any brands you think I should pledge my loyalty to? Let me know in the comments below or tweet @active using #TheRookieRunner.
And watch out for the next Rookie Runner, where I'll be rambling about everything from compression socks to fuel belts to the dreaded short shorts. See you on the next run!
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