Running Watches - Why keeping time keeps you improving.

What are the best running watches out there? It all depends on what you want your watch to do. There are plenty of great watches for running. Make the best decision by determining what you will use your watch for.

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You can always go on the cheap and by a kids digital watch. I make all the runners I coach wear a watch. I once had a runner get his free buy purchasing a cereal box with a watch included inside. This watch has a stopwatch mode, I so didn't complain. If you want something nicer than this, you can compare prices right here for a quality running watch. The best brand names for a watch include Asics, Nike, Polar, and Timex.

All running watches you buy will have a stopwatch mode. Some call this the "chrono" mode, or chronograph. This will save your times as you run. You can record "laps" at any time you wish. Depending on the watch, you can record a lot or just a little information. If you want to be on the cutting edge, get a GPS Watch. GPS watches are much more expensive though.

I use a watch that can record a lot of laps because I use it for keeping time on my cross country runners. If I have a lot of runners in a race, I have to record numerous splits. My current watch can record 100 laps in its memory. Before I coached, I only had a watch that recorded 10. If you don't plan on recording a lot of information, you probably only need 10 to 50 laps of memory. The watches will be cheaper too if you only want a little information to be stored.

An Additional tool that running watches have include countdown timers. This helps if you are trying to keep a steady pace when running a loop. Say for instance you want to run an eight minute 1600 meters on a 400 meter track. You could set your watch to beep every minute. You can tell if you are on pace if the watch beeps every half lap.

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This isn't really necessary if you just want to look at your watch for the time. I do find it useful for a harder workout. This way, I don't have to slow down to look at the watch. I can just listen for the beep to see if I am on pace.

Most watches also have alarms, different time zone settings, and a glow in the dark option. The glow in the dark is nice when it is dark, but sometimes it is hard to remember what button makes the watch glow. Sometimes I push five buttons before I find it and end up setting my watch for a different time zone.

Some watches can even monitor your heart rate during a run. If you are interested in this option, look at watches made by Polar. Heart rate monitors is their specialty for their products.

When I purchased my last watch, I bought one that didn't look so runnerish. I don't think runnerish is a word, but I think you understand what I mean. I wanted a quality watch that I could wear to work too. Don't sacrifice style when buying your watch. Be selective and get a watch that can fit all of your needs.

I have a Timex watch right now. I have always used one for running because I am familiar with their format. I have gone through quite a number of them since high school. This is not because they are bad. I just lose them often. The one that I have currently is over one year old. A personal record!

There you have it. Running watches are important because they can keep you motivated to improve. Put one on, start the timer and get out the door for a nice run.

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