Getting serious about running

The time i really got serious about running was probably last year during AHM 2008 where i joined the 6km Fun Run. After that, i signed up for SCSM 2008 half marathon and started my workout training.

I have a goal for 2009 iin terms of running. I wanted to do a 42km. I desperately wanted to do a 42km marathon. I love running organised runs, especially by big organisations. ( nike, stand chart , SAF probably ) . Mrs Chan used to question me why pay $$$ to go run when you can just do it on your own time. I guessed the atmosphere and the mentality is different when u go for the run with 10,000 or 20,000 other people. Everyone wakes up early in the morning , head to the same starting line , and go for the same finishing line. Moreover, you do not really have much chance to run through the island city landscape. This is not only a run, is already beginning to be a lifestyle that i like to live in.

So now i got serious about running , and i happened to know a WoW mate who runs for a living. We first met up on the eve of Good Friday and i start to get to know more about how to impreove performance and reduce the timing goal i set for myself on Aug 16 ( AHM ) . I want to run below 2 hours ( my last 21km in Dec2008, i clocked 2hr 10 min ) . JF say no problem, and the topic centred around HRM. Heart Rate Monitor.

So over the weekend, i googled, forumed , discussed, facebooked this three words. H-R-M . I decided that i should invest on a reliable, affordable HRM device to facilitate my running dream and running goal. I narrowed down to 2 devices which i am still thinking which to get. Found this on the net comparing the 2 device..

Garmin ForeRunner 50 ( USD $50 )

The Garmin Forerunner 50 is the ideal heart rate monitor for ANY level of exerciser from amateur jogger / cyclist to very serious triathlete. What the Garmin Forerunner 50 will give you is heart rate, running speed, distance and pace (with optional foot pod) and bike speed, distance and pedal cadence (with opional GSC10 bike speed/cadence sensor). With the Garmin Forerunner 50 you also have the ability to download the training sessions to the PC using the Garmin Training Centre software and USB PC data stick (all included free of charge) - FANTASTIC VALUE for MONEY.

Garmin Forerunner 305 ( USD 160 )

The Garmin Forerunner 305 will do everything that the Garmin Forerunner 50 will do, plus the ability to download a TRACK of where you exercised (based on the GPS co-ordinates stored while exercising). Unlike the Foreruner 50, which uses FOOT POD (accelerometer) and BIKE POD (wheel revolutions) to calculate speed, distance and pace, the Garmin Forerunner 305 uses GPS. You may, if you wish, add the FOOT POD, or the GSC10 BIKE SPEED/CADENCE sensor to provide INDOOR running speed (on a treadmill) or bike speed / pedal cadence while (on a turbo trainer). The Garmin 305 also has a far more flexible method of presetting interval sessions (pretty well unlimited transitions), plus the ability to RACE YOURSELF using the VIRTUAL PARTNER option (you tell it you want to run 10K in 42 mins.. it paces you around)