Want This: Garmin GPS Watch

I've been using Joel's Garmin watch when we run at different times. Other times, he's measured a distance while wearing it and told me where to go and that's how I gauge my distance. It's helpful to know how fast I'm going and how long it's taking me, so I need my own!

I used to run with the nike+ sensor/watch which I liked, but the sensor's battery can never be changed, so if it stops working (which it did), you have to buy a new $20 sensor!

I also don't have a swanky smartphone with GPS or running apps to take with me on runs, nor would I really want to run with my phone. So a GPS watch is the way to go!

I found this one on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-GPS-Enabled-Sport-Monitor/dp/B003JTLKIA/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2T9HKJXR0YWW3&colid=VFCNZFPAMA45

It also comes in a cuter/girly pink and grey model, but for some reason it is more expensive than this red/black model. This one is $180, the pink one is $188.

It is a women's watch, but they don't have any pics on an actual model, so it is probably bigger than it appears. Joel's watch is pretty big, but not as big and clunky as some of the other GPS watches I have seen.

So...who wants to get me one!? :D I already bought myself a nearly $2000 30th birthday present (which I am still paying for, and my birthday isn't until December), so I can't afford this watch right now. haha

I also need a new mp3 player.... I used to run with a SanDisk clip player - super tiny and awesome, but it decided to stop working after over a year of neglect, as I have recently discovered. :(

2.11 miles - Ft. Washington Park

August 31, 2011, Wednesday
6:54 pm 

2.11 miles (used Joel's GPS watch)
23:21

mile 1 (flat) - 10:33:09

mile 2 (flat) - 11:32:31

I thought I was going at a faster pace in the beginning, but I guess not. I did not look down at the watch until I hit 2 miles (it beeps at every mile) because I wanted to see if checking my pace the whole time affected it... which I guess it does make me go faster! 

I signed up for the Chick-Fil-A 5k on September 10th. I think my cousin is going to do it too. Joel is not. It's going to be an early morning. The race starts at 8, but I have to be there early to pick up race packets and it will take an hour to get there. Definitely not setting any PRs here, but I needed to register for one to keep me motivated and running more often than once a week.

3 miles - Wilson Bridge Trail

August 28, 2011, Sunday
12:58 pm
3 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch, but probably almost a 5k)
34 minutes (approx.)

We didn't go in the morning because it was still raining from the tail end of Irene. We drove past lost of downed trees. Crazness, but at least nothing worse than that.

Anyway, after the storm passed, the sun came out. The run was HOT (this time of day had no shade at all on the trail), but not too bad. Not as humid as I thought it would be, but it was windy at least. I felt good the whole time and did not have to stop. I was tempted on the long uphill at the end, but I kept going, as slow pace, as it was.

Knees are fine and still keeping away from those sweets!

3 miles - Wison Bridge Trail

August 21, 2011, Sunday
8:15 am
3 miles - unofficial (was not wearing a watch)
33 minutes (approx.)

It was later than I would have liked to started, but it wasn't bad. I felt great in the beginning, but then there was a charity walk taking place at the National Harbor which went almost the same route as mine. There were lots of clusters of people scatted throughout the trail that I had to maneuver around (the trail is not that wide), so that added to the work involved. It made me feel like I was in a race, even though everyone else was just walking. You know when you pass people, you get that extra pep in your step to make yourself look better and faster. haha

I had to walk for a few steps near the end before the huge hill. It was getting hot at that point and my legs were pretty tired.

It was a good run. I think I am getting a little faster.

In other news, I am still sticking to my no-sweets diet! :)

2.18 miles - Ft Washington Park

August 16, 2011, Tuesday
7:19 pm - great running weather
2.18 miles
23:49

 

mile 1 (flat) - 10:07

mile 2 (some hills) - 11:31

For not running in 2 weeks, I felt great. I felt refreshed and ready to go. I had a good pace going in the beginning and tried to keep it up for the whole first mile. For the second mile, I decided to veer off to other paths for variation (the normal path I run is a flat loop). I didn't feel extremely tired. I think it is mostly due to the weather change, how it is getting cooler and a little darker earlier. That humidity really gets to you! 

 

I wore my stability bands this time - on both knees. No pain!

 

Next run will probably be this weekend on the Wilson Bridge Trail. Or the 5k trail course at the Park (Fort Washington).

 

Neglecting myself

It's been 2-3 weeks since I've run or done any type of real exercise. I'm so ashamed. I was ready to go running at the harbor this past weekend, but something happened to me that necessitated a visit to urgent care Saturday morning. So I may be out for another few days.

In lieu of anything physical, I have not been eating ravenously like I have been. haha I've been cutting back on everything, no sweets (although I did have one cupcake on Joel's bday last Wednesday and 4 mini-cupcakes for taste-test purposes for my cousin's bridal shower on Saturday) or unnecessary food intake. Just what I need to get by.

I need to find a balance of work, freelance/personal projects, sleep, family time and exercising. Lately, I've been putting more effort into one or two of those areas and snubbing the rest. Family time is never lacking... but exercise is the easiest one to ignore. Last week, I had a freelance project that I stayed up til' 5 am every other night to work on, so I sacrificed sleep and exercise to get it done. I'm sure my lack of sleep contributed to my ailments - lack of sleep compromises the immune system, so my body wasn't able to fight the symptoms of my medical issues.

P.S. My knees are back to normal. They started feeling better after a few days.

Back to the Rowing Machine for Now...

Something funky happened to my knee on Saturday. Not sure what, but I was just walking normally and then felt something weird at my right knee and now I feel a little discomfort when I extend my leg. It doesn't hurt, but it's something that I probably should not ignore. Joel thinks it might be runner's knee. I have not been wearing my stability bands when I run... maybe that could be a cause?

Well, it's not like I've had the time to run lately anyway. I will probably take [another] week off from running and just use the rowing machine as well as some strength training and workout DVDs/video games.

In other news, I'm giving up sweets until after my cousin's wedding on October 1st. I need to go down one dress size! I bought a dress one size smaller than I normally wear for the wedding. I am determined NOT to buy another one!! I've had the hugest sweet tooth for the past few months. I've been bad! Wish me luck. It will be a hard withdrawal process...