Here I go again!

You are the rocket, no?

Eric has a good point....

You know it! I think it's a little bit shorter than 5.5, maybe 5.3... but this really makes me want to get a Garmin, which I've been avoiding, convinced I'll break it in a second...

I tend to avoid Garmins as well for fear of becoming dependent upon them, as so many others already have.

Once you go Garmin you'll never go back!

You think so? I'm not worried about the dependency factor, I'm not the addicted type... It's just so much money... I've been on the verge for many months now, i need to make a decision!

hey! I like my Garmin, but don't depend on it. While I run, its basically a stop watch. Once the run is over, I like to see how I ran (fast, slow, splits, etc). Rarely look at it during a run except to see if I reached my target mileage.

Precisely what I'm afraid of...

I'm not opposed to the idea of a Garmin (or some other distance measuring device for running) to use when I just want to wander around on a run, potentially going where google maps dare not venture, but the idea of being held strictly to certain paces bothers me.

I have operated with an "effort-based" training philosophy the past several years, and I know I would get caught up in hitting certain paces if I had such a tool.

Also, when I do try to hit a certain pace, say, in a workout or a tempo run, I want to know how it feels, rather than having the Garmin tell me, so I don't get so caught up in it that I'm constantly checking a watch during an actual race rather than racing. An extreme case of this was illustrated to me a few months ago when I went to a track workout with some friends, most of whom use Garmins religiously, and one didn't know how he was going to hit his pace (on a 400m track) without his Garmin. I decided then and there that I would avoid them.

sorry for the vent; i'll get off my soapbox now....

I like getting opinions from both sides of the aisle! Eric, I would use it mostly the way you described it too, after the run, mostly out of curiosity.

I also like running by "feel", Nevels. I know when I'm pushing my limits and when I'm taking it easy, for the most part. I don't like the idea of having a device "dictate" how fast I should go, but I think it'd be nice to "know" how fast I'm going...

Every time I decide to buy a garmin, I read Sasha's comments about them and that's the end of that chapter...

It's true. One time on a run the battery died on my Garmin. I literally stopped running, and took a minute for me to realize that yes, I could go ahead and continue my run with an inoperable Garmin!

I like the GPS because it simplifies my existence (or so I've been convinced), I just go run. When I'm done, I have a reasonably accurate record of how far and at what pace I ran.

JD that is too funny!

Yes, I like the idea of not having to map my run when I get back from running... For crying out loud I cannot make a decision!!!

oh! just go and buy the darn thing!

=)

Well I enjoy my garmin. And since most of my runs I try to run at a certain pace for a certain amount or so many miles. I enjoy having it. It gives me freedom to run anywhere and know how far that I have gone. And how fast I get there. Mostly looking at it later. I have a hard time though doing the speedwork with one so far. But tempo and longs I really like having it. You should also read the write up there in runners world about all those different watches and people that use them. Just depends on what you want out of your watch and workout.

I have noticed when I am not training seriously for something. I am fine with just going by effort. But when I am more serious about it. Knowing distance and time is a must. Since each time its a different set of miles. I cant just do the 5 mile loop or 4. Or the 5.5 loop. I got to change it all up.

If you look to buy one too. You can get a older model of a garmin 205 or 305 for like 100-200 bucks now and they work great. And are great for your bike rides too.

Thanks Mark! I've read those reviews and think probably the 405 won't be good for me because apparently the buttons are very sensitive and people change things without realizing... so probably I'll go with a 305...

Ok, so that's 3 (JD, Eric, Huans) against 2 (Nevels and Sasha)... let's see if anyone else joins the discussion...

Yeah I have only heard bad things about the 405. It is just way to sensitive. I am not totally sure but I think the big difference between the 205 and 305 is that the 305 has a heart rate monitor.

305 is going for $150 at Costco right now -

I am in the "Nevel-camp". Don't have one, don't need one. All of my training is based on time (70 mins, 80 mins, etc.) except for speed workouts, which I do on the track. I estimate my mileage (likely underestimate since I assume I am running 9 min pace when some days I am likely running faster than that). I like doing it this way because, in my opinion, mileage is not as important as "time on your feet". Faster people can run 10 miles or moer in 70 mins, I can run about 6 - 6.5. We both spent 70 mins on our feet, and put similar amounts of stress on our bodies. One cavet to this is when I was training for the marathon and race specific training dictates you have to be able to train yourself to be on your feet for over 3 or 4 hours - then distance is a little more important - but I still could have done these runs based on time (e.g., run for over 3.5 hours). When it is important to know how fast, or how far, I have gone I will go to a marked course or better yet the track.

For me, I have made significant progress in my training (and racing) learning to run by feel. I am better able to adapt to weather, how I feel that day, etc. Old school all the way ;-).

I have the 405 and like it. Since I don't 'use' it while running, the sensitive bezel is not an issue. Anyways, there is a 'lock' option, so things don't move while you run.

I had a Polar (well, still have) and prefer the 405 many times over.

so? what did you decide?

Y'all made such good points! I cannot...make...up... my mind!!!

:)

I'm leaning towards getting it... I'm a numbers and data geek, and though clearly I don't need it, I think it'd be cool to have one... I haven't allowed myself to get anything "nice" in a very long time! I have an old crappy phone, a cheap mp3 player, no car, a cheap (though awesome) bike... I think I deserve it!

Thanks for the tip, Sno! I think if I get one it'll be from REI cause of their good return policies...

Thanks for the opinions guys! I'll let you know if I get one...

By the way - and this is not in reference to running - have you been to South Carolina lately ;) I can't help it, I thought of you when I heard about the current news from the governor, Will/Mark practically the same name.

he he he.

Ha ha ha Bonnie you made me laugh out loud! So many jokes here, "Don't cry for me South Carolina, I'll cry in Argentina"

It's actually not funny at all... I find it hard to believe that infidelities are so common in politics, and maybe in general? Is monogamy out of fashion completely? Or is it worse in politics cause they are so bored and have so much power that they need a "thrill" sorry, too deep of a question for a running blog :)

I think politics is a reflection of society, I don't think that any traits are more common in politicians than anyone else. I also don't think it is any worse now than at any other time, we hear about it more because there is less privacy (with 24 hour information updates, the internet, etc.). People are imperfect, make poor choices, and couples go through lots of trials over the course of their relationships. Not that every "trial" involoves infidelity, there are all sorts of personal issues. I know many people believe that people are more immoral today, but I personally believe that these issues are just more public now than in the past. If anything, compared to the 60's and 70's things are much more moral right now.

I think you are right, Bonnie.

I just bought the 305 online at Costco (thank you Sno!) thanks to a co-worker that had a costco account... I could not bring myself to spend $300 on the 405, I just couldn't, I had to draw the line somewhere! Some of the 405s are almost $400, crazy!... so I feel like it was a good compromise... I'll let you know when it arrives!

Congratulation on your new gift to yourself.:) I hope that you enjoy it. And it should last you for a long time. Hope it shows up very soon.

You will really like it...other than it's kind of bulky but you get used to that.

So now you carry a brick on your wrist... =)

Just kidding, hope you like it.

You'll love it.

Just a recommendation: read the users manual thoroughly, specifically the parts about charging the battery and loading the satellites. I've always followed the instructions as they are written out in the manual, and have never had a problem with short battery life or slow satellite loading that seem so common amongst Garmin owners.

Not that you wouldn't have done that anyway. Just saying.

Actually, I wouldn't have done it without your suggestion, JD! I'm stubborn like that, always try to figure out everything on my own...