SerioUS TIMING
Serious running needs serious equipment.
I consider myself a wise buyer and believe in investing in any product based on the following:
1. The rate of return is long. Not necessarily in terms of monetary value but in time.
2. It is practical. Serves my basic intent and then some.
3. It is durable. It can last barring major disaster of my personal handling.
4. It is easily maintained. Easy for me or someone to tinker and fix if the need arises.
5. The track record of product (pun intended) is proven. Users of the product can attest to its performance. While all customers (or products) are not created equal with their needs (or wants), the positives should REALLY outweigh the negative reviews.
Money is really of no object if most of my above criteria are met.
As a runner, I have always been a Timex person. From 2002 until today, I have owned five various models. Unfortunately, whenever a house help leaves, the person decides to help themselves with it. I have never learned my lesson in this regard and until recently, never search through our departing maids stuff. I was too trusting with them. No longer, though. But that’s another story.
I currently own a Timex Ironman 50-Lap Full, courtesy of my wife last Christmas when she saw me getting interested with running once more. After all, I started with a 10-Lap full.
Last week, as I “saw” signs that I was moving up to the next level, I decided to purchase my first Garmin. I have decided to get the Forerunner 305. Value for money, it is the right choice for me. It would be able to show my pace as I run, distance I covered, store my training and with its computer interface, enable quick upload of my workouts without manually encoding it in excel.
The price is also within my price range. A running watch I am interested in, which does not have a heart rate monitor and features a 16 interval timer with a large display, cost 1200 pesos more than the Garmin I ordered through a friend who is working in the US. It will be a month’s wait before she comes home. But it’s all going to be worth it. I already saved on cost, shipping, got more features and truly fit-for-purpose.
The 310 XT is too heavy on the pocket, and while it is a triathlete’s dream tool, I do not even know if I will get there. Plus, a 310 XT will not surely make me a better athlete more than what the 305 could offer already. I can buy a good bike with the price difference.
I have read reviews on the difficulty of replacing the batteries, but thanks to the net, there are self help guides to fix this issue. The fix is doable. Plus, with the reviews and exchanges, I should know better to take care of it. Armed and prepared, I am.
So, here’s hoping that this major purchase will indeed provide me with the necessary measuring stick to bring my running to the next level.
I consider myself a wise buyer and believe in investing in any product based on the following:
1. The rate of return is long. Not necessarily in terms of monetary value but in time.
2. It is practical. Serves my basic intent and then some.
3. It is durable. It can last barring major disaster of my personal handling.
4. It is easily maintained. Easy for me or someone to tinker and fix if the need arises.
5. The track record of product (pun intended) is proven. Users of the product can attest to its performance. While all customers (or products) are not created equal with their needs (or wants), the positives should REALLY outweigh the negative reviews.
Money is really of no object if most of my above criteria are met.
As a runner, I have always been a Timex person. From 2002 until today, I have owned five various models. Unfortunately, whenever a house help leaves, the person decides to help themselves with it. I have never learned my lesson in this regard and until recently, never search through our departing maids stuff. I was too trusting with them. No longer, though. But that’s another story.
I currently own a Timex Ironman 50-Lap Full, courtesy of my wife last Christmas when she saw me getting interested with running once more. After all, I started with a 10-Lap full.
Last week, as I “saw” signs that I was moving up to the next level, I decided to purchase my first Garmin. I have decided to get the Forerunner 305. Value for money, it is the right choice for me. It would be able to show my pace as I run, distance I covered, store my training and with its computer interface, enable quick upload of my workouts without manually encoding it in excel.
The price is also within my price range. A running watch I am interested in, which does not have a heart rate monitor and features a 16 interval timer with a large display, cost 1200 pesos more than the Garmin I ordered through a friend who is working in the US. It will be a month’s wait before she comes home. But it’s all going to be worth it. I already saved on cost, shipping, got more features and truly fit-for-purpose.
The 310 XT is too heavy on the pocket, and while it is a triathlete’s dream tool, I do not even know if I will get there. Plus, a 310 XT will not surely make me a better athlete more than what the 305 could offer already. I can buy a good bike with the price difference.
I have read reviews on the difficulty of replacing the batteries, but thanks to the net, there are self help guides to fix this issue. The fix is doable. Plus, with the reviews and exchanges, I should know better to take care of it. Armed and prepared, I am.
So, here’s hoping that this major purchase will indeed provide me with the necessary measuring stick to bring my running to the next level.