In an period of ever-advancing know-how, GPS watches have turn into a vital accent for many runners. These high-tech gadgets promise to trace each step and minute of sleep, in addition to supplying you with real-time information on distance, tempo and coronary heart charge. Whereas GPS watches can undoubtedly improve your coaching, in addition they have their downsides.
In an interview with The New York Instances, current Canadian 3,000m report holder Kieran Lumb revealed that he has not worn a GPS watch since his senior 12 months of highschool, saying he switched as a result of he believed he was weak to the tempting attract of data-at-a-glance.
One of many pitfalls of GPS watches is the potential for over-reliance on information–metrics like tempo, distance and coronary heart charge–usually on the expense of different essential facets of their coaching. If you’re over-analyzing these metrics, it may result in self-doubt and even damage.
In his first 12 months of college, Lumb made the swap to a Casio calculator watch that didn’t actually have a correct lap operate for observe exercises. “I’d simply have to recollect all my splits,” Lumb informed the Instances. Now, his coach, Andy Powell, the pinnacle coach on the College of Washington, creates weekly exercise sheets for him, which is he required to fill out and file in a three-ring binder.
“There’s one thing good about slowing down and writing it by hand that I discover nearly endearing,” Lumb mentioned. “It’s taken some time for me to be much less neurotic, however it’s liberating.”
With the info out of your watch being uploaded to on-line social media websites like Strava, RunKeeper and Coaching Peaks, it’s straightforward to get caught up within the tradition of comparability. Whereas pleasant competitors will be motivating, it may additionally result in anxiousness, discouragement and unhealthy and unsustainable coaching habits.
Lumb famous that since runners are naturally aggressive, it’s straightforward to turn into obsessive about the numbers, and focusing solely on the numbers can lead you to turn into disconnected out of your purpose for operating. Working provides us a possibility to join with nature, breathe recent air, and let our minds wander freely. GPS watches usually encourage a tunnel-vision strategy to operating.
So, whereas GPS watches supply simple advantages for monitoring your well being and bettering your operating efficiency, they aren’t the very best match for everybody. If you’re studying this and really feel that you just may be caught up within the information, strive leaving the GPS watch at dwelling to reconnect with the game. Take heed to your physique, benefit from the second and let your runs turn into a conscious journey, moderately than a data-driven race.
