Hi All,

I need to step up my training, had a few bad weeks and am now seriously in need of getting back into my training schedule. I have been considering buying a Garmin, not sure which one (birthday coming up!), I have read a few reports, but would rather get some advice off anyone using one. Is the 305 too complicated (blonde!) or has too many features that I wouldn't use. I have heard that the GPs signal is better on this model??? Not wishing to spend a fortune though, I know that Sweatshop have the 201 at £75, seem to remember S.E. having one of these?

I know many would say just get out there and run, but I have been doing this with my £3.50 sports watch and think I might benefit from a bit more. I am trying to improve my times and structure my training, I find that I stick to things more if I can set myself some goals, I can't join a club as I work shifts and it doesn't work out.

I don't expect a watch to make me do something I can't, but maybe it will help.

help.............................................. ..

I picked up a Forerunner 201 second hand on Ebay and I love it although I haven't used any of the training features yet such as the virtual training partner but it gives me lots of feedback on my pace and distance etc.

GPS is quite sophisticated so even if the signal is weak the Garmin will plot a line between the next available waypoints - for instance I run through a tunnel and it still plotted the route. The basic operation is quite straight forward you turn it on, wait for it to pick up a GPS signal from the satelites, start the timer, run, stop the timer and (this is the important bit) then hold the reset button for 3 seconds until everything resets to zero. You can then download your data onto your PC. Even if you don't do this you can still access the data on your Garmin in the history menu.

I also have a HRM monitor as well, which I think has helped me with my pacing for HM training but with all these gadets you get out of them what you put into them - for me I just love gadgets not very girlie I know.

I have also got a 201 ( also from eBay about 15 months ago ! ). I love it as i am a bit of a gadget geek - but used in conjunction with software called SportTracks ( free ) it is great.

The best thing ( for me ) about GPS is that it lets me control my pace. As well as telling me how far I have run ( no longer need to drive the routes to measure them ! ) it tells me how fast I am running. I always used to suffer from setting off too fast, but the GPS lets me monitor that now.

I would never be without one now. In fact I am so geeky I recently took it with me on a business trip to Cologne - just so I could get a german map into my training log.

As far as reception goes, I very rarely have problems. Very occassionaly on very cloudy days it takes a while to pick up the satelites - but it always manages in the end.

Richard

I've read good things about Sportstracks but its not Mac compatible so I use a piece of shareware called IB Running Log - it also interacts with google earth.

Bagpuss if you do get a Forerunner 201 and not the more expensive 205/305 it would be worthwhil investing in a USB-serial adapter

Thanks S.E. and Rk. good to have the feedback. I like to monitor my pace and distances etc and currently putting in some speedwork and the dreaded hill work, my running partner is very much slower than me and whilst its great to get out together once a week and catch up with the gossip, it doesn't 'push' me enough.

I'll keep doing the research!

Lyn.

Bagpuss I have the 305 and if I can work so can you, and like rkavanagh says it really does make you geeky, there are a lot of things on there that you may not use, but just the gps alone makes it so much easier planning your route.

__________________
Bird in Boots

Thanks Twinks, just need to weigh up how much I can justify spending to help my running.
Do you use the virtual training partner?

Lyn.

I have not used that yet, I would be really miffed if it beat me ha ha, but it's something I am thinking about using

It does seem like a lot of money I was the same as you, but once I got my hands on it I won't go anywhere without it.

__________________
Bird in Boots

I need help too Baggy...nothing to do with needing a watch tho!!





Barely run since FLM.....BLOOMIN' INJURIES!!

[quote=Steve]I need help too Baggy...nothing to do with needing a watch tho!!





Think you might be beyond help Steve!