I ran my first half marathon back in the fall of 2004. I was married, working full time as a 6th grade teacher, a cheerleading coach, had a puppy and had no children. Life was drastically different back in 2004. Technology was different. Dare I say that life was easier?
I ran for fun. I ran because it was my me time (some things never change). I ran because it was how I enjoyed my down time and relaxed. I ran for fitness.
We lived in St. Charles (a suburb of St. Louis) and I loved running on the Katy Trail. Training for my first half marathon was a way for me to stay motivated as well as challenge myself to running longer and further than before. It was also a fun way to explore and see parts of my new town.
Back in 2004, I did not own a smart phone. I don’t think they were made back then. I did not own or wear a GPS watch or device. Again, I do not think they were made back then. I ran and trained using the method to run for time… not miles. Keep in mind we didn’t have fancy GPS watches to tell us our mileage.
I would start out on my run knowing that I would run my long slow run and be home in approximately x amount of hours. I used only a sports fitness watch and later would track my mileage online using mapquest or similar.
Running was simple back then. Get dressed. Lace up. Go run.
Nowadays, I find that I have to make sure my gear is charged and ready to go. Heart rate monitor? Check. GPS watch? Check. Bluetooth headphones? Check. iPhone? Check. Hydration pack? Check. Fuel? Check. Everything… it takes me almost as long to just get ready as it does to actually run.
I miss the simplicity of the earlier days of running… sometimes.
I am thankful for the advancement of technology and all the amazing running gadgets that are on the market today. Ya’ll know I love my heart rate and GPS running watch.
Sometimes less is more. Running or working out solely based on time. Are you setting a goal to run or walk for a certain amount of minutes? Perhaps you are wanting to get back to basics and have a sporty watch for your daily activity?
Kohls sent me a set of their Armitron Sport Fitness Watches to share with one lucky reader. Kohls is passionate about helping people #MakeYourMove to a healthy and active lifestyle. Me too!
To enter to win a set of these watches, leave a comment below:
For extra entries: Follow Kohl’s on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (come back here and let me know you did in a separate comment).
What technology did you use when you first started running?
What technology do you currently use when running and/or working out?
Do you use a sport fitness watch?
Disclosure: I was compensated to write about my fitness experience and share with you the Armitron Fitness Watches.
Lindsay Ingalls (@RunWithTongs) says
I started out just using my iphone and eventually upgraded to a Garmin. Currently I use my Polar watch and my phone as well.
Lindsay Ingalls (@RunWithTongs) says
I follow Kohl’s on IG
Lindsay Ingalls (@RunWithTongs) says
I follow Kohl’s on Twitter
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I love this! I wore a Timex ironman watch for years, just to keep an eye on the time. I finally got a Garmin a year ago. Not saying I didn’t time my runs, but I used Map my run and Endomondo on my phone for the longest time. I resisted technology for so long and now I just love it. Who knew?
steph says
I still don’t have anything fancy, but glad I found an app. I was running probably close to 5 miles and thought it was about 3. Ha — humanities folks cannot estimate 🙂
Gina says
I do not own any piece of running equipment. I do not run…….yet. I am a mother of two young boys, ages 3.5 and 11 months. I need some me time and to lose some baby weight. I am a stay at home mom who needs a different focus than just the everyday chores. All I can remember is being a kid and running barefoot through the grass and just feeling like nothing could stop me and no one could catch me. I felt free and alive. I want to start running again but this time I want to run for my future and with my future. My boys mean everything to me and I want to start something new and fresh and positive to do with them.
Kristy H. says
I own a heart rate monitor and used it a lot when I first started running.
I dont use anything now but would love to try this watch out.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
When I first started running, I had Nike’s with the little tracker that worked with Nike +. I trained for my first half using that app, but it always drained my battery. When I signed up for my first marathon, I decided to get a GPS watch to track my progress and I love it!
Mary Sue says
I still usually run for time, not mileage. But I do love all of the technology that lets me know how far I’ve gone and my HR.
Mary Sue says
I follow Kohl’s on Instagram (golfbikerun), Twitter (@mary_sue_t), and Facebook.
Coach Henness says
Ha! Just last night I went to a group run without my watch or phone and just ran along with people. No water bottle even. At first I felt a little naked but then I saw the girl wearing all the things with her headphones on and was immediately glad that I can run naked if I want too and sometimes its really freeing. I do love my watch though. 🙂
Keith Andrews says
I started running seriously in Iraq. The only technology I used was a Timex Ironman with a Stopwatch and a urn around point. I could make it to the end of the road and back in 40 minutes–I guess I went 4 miles! Now, I use a Nike Plus GPS which is nice to have. I too miss those days where I kinda made it up as I went along. Thank you for sharing!!
jill conyers says
Then technology, Garmin. Now technology, Garmin with an added HRM. I like to run with as little as possible.
MCM Mama Runs says
I used to just run. Set the stop watch and go. I bought my first Garmin to train for my first marathon and I’ve pretty much used a Garmin of one sort or another since then…
James @ HalfMarathonJames says
I used a stopwatch on my wrist. After the run, I’d get in my car and drive along the route, using the milometer to see how far I’d ran. I had no idea what splits were in those days. Only something you made with bananas..
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
This would be awesome! I could really use a new tracker and watch.
Rachel says
The giveaway is for the watch only (Armitron sports fitness watch)
Artney @ My Pretty Brown says
My first piece of running tech was my Galloway run/walk timer then I got a Garmin Forerunner 10. I have acquired a lot more since then because I am a gadget junkie. I do like to run sans gadgets occasionally.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says
When I first started I would look at maps on my computer to plan a route and then just go. No real idea how slow or fast I was (slow).
Toni says
I like a regular watch when I do running intervals by time. Plus sometimes I just don’t want to see my actual pace in real time. Great giveaway!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
When I first started running, I just used a basic Timex watch to keep track of my time, and had to estimate my distance. My how times have changed!
patty @ Reach Your Peak says
I so remember the days of mapping out your runs! I used mapmyrun when it was mainly a tracking tool (not an app yet). So funny how things change. I always ask my mom, “How did we go on road trips without a GPS?? I don’t get it!”
I’ve been trying to run without a watch more lately and it really is more relaxing.
tmart says
I am trying to get back in shape after being pregnant and breast feeding for 11 bajillion years in a row!
And I don’t have any fancy gadgets. Just my iPhone.