I need to start back. But I use Garmin Forerunner watches.
I like the Garmin, but it doesn’t work very well for me in day to day running. I run mostly in urban environments and have to stop and go frequently to avoid getting killed by a dumbass. Garmin is excellent for race events though.
I’m been running for about almost 20 years. My rant in no order of importance:
1. Invest in good running shoes. Yeah, I know they don’t look like much, but they will prevent you from a knee surgery down the road. Not to be a snob, but avoid buying your kicks from the nike outlet mall. You may get lucky every now and then, but for the most part, there is no real ‘one size fits all’ running shoe. You have to know your feet, your arches, your running style. I would suggest stopping by a running store like Pacers at least once. The staff will walk you through the whole eval.
2. Finds some running events in your area, or wherever you are traveling to. Them shits be fun as hell. I have never met a hater at the annual Turkey Trot 10k. Plus of you plan out your events for the year you can set measureable goals. In DC, the first decent race of the year is the St. Patricks Day 8k in March. It’s a shitty race, (potholes, dirty shit everywhere, damp) but it’s a good start because nobody gives a shit and just want to get the the Guiness Line. Then you move on to one of the spring races, more comp, but not so much. Strollers, dogs, little kids, that type of shit. But the point is you can move through the year with timed data points. Plus they be having fine ass women in them running outfits. I just run behind them. By the time you make it to the Fall Races you will be Usain Bolt!
3. Run at your own pace. When I first started I was intmidated by other people’s run times. I was over in the corner huffing and puffing and my co-worker(who was seriously overweight) was running past me without a care in the world.
4. Hydrate. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate! I remember when I first started, at the end of races my face would be damn near covered in white chalk. That was all salt, not sweat. Not good.
