I’m so excited so many of you are interested in joining the Book Club. I’ll send out an email before the end of the month for September dates, times etc.
Today, I’m introducing something else new, Q & A Thursday. It’s simple and easy. Each week I’ll answer a fitness/health/running related question submitted by YOU via twitter, Facebook, email, or good ole fashioned snail mail (though if you know my address I might be a little worried).
Today’s question comes from Kim:
I live in NYC and am a NYRR member. I have done numerous half marathons and other races, but have never used a Garmin or any other watch for my time. I am doing the NYC marathon this year (my first) and want to keep a good pace. I would love any suggestions for a good solid watch that would also track my heart rate. Also, I was wondering if you knew of any good run clubs for this years marathon that I should look into? I usually run alone and I am starting to feel that meeting new people and doing long runs with them might help keep my pace where I want it to be. I would appreciate any advice.
The best GPS running watch I have owned thus far is the Garmin 210. It isn’t perfect by any means and has had a few hiccups but overall I think it’s a good watch.
Personally, I don’t run with a heart rate monitor for many reasons. However, the Garmin 210 can either be purchased with or without it.
You are totally right that running with other people during long runs can help. Not all these groups are specific to marathon training but here are a few to check out:
- Niketown: Saturdays @ 8 am 6 East 57th Street
- NY Flyers
- Paragon Sports
- Athleta and Urban Girl Squad
- Various Lululemon Locations, check each store for details (& of course speedwork with the awesome coaches @ E.66th Street on Wednesday nights at 6:30)
Kim, good luck with those long runs and the rest of your marathon training!
Have a question you’d like to see answered here next week? Leave a comment, tweet me or write on my Facebook wall.
Katie says
I have a Garmin and love it (hiccups aside) but a coworker yesterday told me that she uses the nike+ app and likes it better than a watch. It does all the same things but the graphs and metrics are available inside the app. I am thinking about giving it a whirl. At $2, it can’t hurt.
Jess says
Sounds like a great option for people who run with music, phones, etc. For people like myself who don’t run with gear, unfortunately apps don’t work well.