When I started running I used my cell phone to track my miles and couldn’t have been happier with it. My Nike+ app was $1.99 and showed me elevation, speed, time, etc on the phone and on the Nike+ website. However, the more I ran the more I became annoyed with the size of the phone (plus the iPhone battery is not the best). It started to feel heavy and checking my bicep to see my speed/distance/whatev is awkward and uncomfortable. So, being the wonderful BF he is/getting tired of hearing me whine, Matt gave me a Garmin for Christmas:
I had been casually researching Garmins for a while now and honestly it can be a little overwhelming. There are dozens of options. All I knew was that I wanted a fairly basic watch with a heart rate monitor and I didn’t want it to cost an arm and leg. So on Christmas morning I got all of that in my Forerunner 410. I got a little nervous when I opened the box and saw this:
All this stuff for a watch?!
I decided I might need the manual after all…
Literally a manual in every language ever spoken.
After a few minutes though, I was good to go!
On my first run I realized just how easy it is to use good ol’ Garmy. I was able to set my desired pace and Garmy let’s me know how ahead/behind I am. I was also able to locate the satellite very quickly (under a minute). This was the case on all of my runs except for yesterdays. It took a few minutes (maybe 4?) before it could locate the satellites. It was a very gloomy day so maybe that was the cause? Hopefully this was a once in a blue moon kind of thing. There are plenty of display options, I have it set with time, distance and pace shown while in training mode.
The manual claims that the watch can operate for 8 hours straight without needing a charge. I charged it on Christmas, ran a few times, played with it lots, and hiked for 3 hours with it a week later before the low battery beep went off. I was impressed.
The watch wirelessly updates all of your run info to Garmin Connect just by plugging in the included USB stick to your computer and placing your watch next to it. Easy peasy. From there you can see splits, elevation, calories, speed, satellite map of your course, etc. You can save routes, compare runs, and basically anything else you would ever want to do. Really. It is awesome.
One of the things I really wanted, the heart monitor, has yet to make it on a run yet. I know, I know. Honestly I keep forgetting about it :/ My goal for tomorrow is to bring it on my long run and report back.
But since nothing is perfect (except red velvet cake), I do have one teeny tiny complaint about Garmy…
This watch is huge on me. Yes, I do have the smallest wrists ever, but I am pretty sure this would be large on any female. 
There is about a finger’s width between my wrist and the edge of the face of the watch. This hasn’t bothered me at all while running yet but it does look a little ridiculous.I know there are other options for smaller watches but they are more limited in their features. And let’s be honest, an oversized watch is not even close to being the most ridiculous looking thing happening on my runs.
I do not know the exact dets about what Matt paid but he said it was under $200. As far as Garmins go that is a deal. I do not miss my iPhone Nike+ situation at all and am very excited to spend many,many miles hanging with my new arm candy. Overall, two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
Please tell me you love this movie as much as I do.
Do you have a Garmin? Which one?
How to you keep track of your miles?
Favorite cheesy 90′s flick?
Clueless and Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead.
Lauren @ Powered by Oatmeal
/ January 9, 2013I am jealous of your 410. I got a 210 because of the deal I was able to get (there was a special on that model at the time) but I really really wish I could set my desired pace. It gets tiring trying to run a 5:55 for three minutes and constantly checking your wrist to see if you’re actually hitting your paces. Garmin envy!!!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I’m really happy with this one. I’m still discovering new features!
Amy @ Writing While Running
/ January 9, 2013My fear of Garmins is primarily from how big they are! I hate things on my wrist. Also, I hate being able to look and see how far I have left to go and knowing what my pace is at all times. I run with my phone tucked away in a back pocket so I can’t see it until after the run. so old fashioned!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013Whatever works! Every once in a while I like to leave the tech gear at home and just run by feel but I usually like to glance and see my progress mid run.
Anne
/ January 9, 2013I got my mom the basic version of the forerunner for Christmas (hoping she would do the same for me
)
I have always been afraid of getting one thinking I would become addicted to it, but I think it’s worth the risk!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I am guilty of glancing at my stats mid run all the time so I love having easy access to it. 100% addicted!
Nicole@TheKidlessKronicles
/ January 9, 2013I have one of the old ones, the really big ones. And I bought this one when it was on sale on Amazon (the dangers of having internet access on a plane). But I haven’t taken it out of the box yet. It is in reserve, for when the other ones dies.
The Kidless Kronicles
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I love mine! I talked to a few other people that have been using it for a while too and they are all big fans if this model.
myneonrunningshoes
/ January 9, 2013I don’t use a garmin but I’d like to! And this year I have made a plan to keep track of miles. I think it’s really cool to look back on when I have in the past.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I agree. I love to look back at the stats and see the progress I’ve made. It really helps me mentally with training.
pickyrunner
/ January 9, 2013I have the 410 and actually don’t really like it. I agree that it’s huge but mine can take like 30 minutes to locate the satellites. By that point I could be halfway done with my run. My battery also dies REALLY fast. For those reasons, I don’t use it very often which is too bad because it could be a really great training tool!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013Oh no! The longest I’ve waiting to find the satellite was under 5 minutes. After about 3 minutes I canceled it and restarted it and it connected fine. Sorry you didn’t have luck with the 410
Chelsea @ LittleOneRuns
/ January 9, 2013i ahve the forerunner 10, it’s basically the simplest model lol tracks calroies burned, distance, speed, and time. it does other things but i don’t use the other things. and i noticed if you try to get it to locate inside the house, it takes FOREVER, but go outside and it finds it immediately lol
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013Yea I haven’t had any real issues with the satellites when I am outside. So far I’m really happy with it
Whine Less
/ January 9, 2013I don’t have a Garmin yet, but I do have my eye on the new pink, Forerunner 10. Simple enough for me, I hope!
Right now I track my miles on DailyMile.com. http://www.dailymile.com/people/WhineLess#ref=tophd
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I was between the 410 and 10 but Matt found a great deal on the 410 so he was able to get it for almost the same price as the 10 so decided to go for The fancier option. But I think the 10 would have been more than enough for my basic needs.
Korlynne
/ January 9, 2013My new 410 just arrived on my doorstep yesterday! So excited…
I got an awesome deal at Costco.com and they have a great return policy.
Only thing is the bezel…has that been annoying to you yet? Seems like it might take me awhile to get used to it…
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013The first run it drive me crazy! But once I got used to it I havent had any issues and now I find it really easy to use. Enjoy!!
Jade
/ January 9, 2013Good to know, I want one bad!!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I am soooo happy with it! There are a million diff models and options do I’m sure you’ll find one perfect for you
Natalie @ Free Range Human
/ January 9, 2013We got my dad the newest one for Christmas, and he’s loving it so far. I think it’s the 110? As a non-runner, I’m not exactly sure!
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013Nice! I have heard really good things about their new one.
mypeachlife
/ January 9, 2013Oh I love my garmin. I have actually increased my times/pace because I can now keep track of my splits and adjust each one rather than just run a distance for total time.
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I have noticed I’m running better speeds to because its so much easier to track progress as I go!
Amanda
/ January 9, 2013I actually just started tracking my pace with the MapMyRun app on my iPhone. I kind of love it, honestly. I’ve wanted a Garmin, but I can’t really justify the purchase when I’m using this app for free and essentially get the same thing (splits, course map, etc.)
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013I put it off as long as possible because I liked using my phone. But as my runs get longer and my iphone battery life got shorter, I was ready for the upgrade!
Amanda
/ January 10, 2013Totally understandable. My phone is relatively new, so the battery lasts pretty long, even with the app running. Hopefully it stays that way!
Fitcupcaker
/ January 9, 2013My friend has a Garmin and its great! I have the Polar RCX 3, a little cheaper but still great
Runner Girl Eats
/ January 9, 2013Whatever works