More and more runners are beginning to realize just how much a GPS watch can improve their training, and now that the watches equipped with GPS are the same size as a normal watch, these are becoming as necessary to a runner as a good pair of shoes. One of the most difficult aspects of training for races of any distance used to be tracking the pace and distance of each run, as it used to be the case that the only way to gauge these vital training components was through an educated guess based on perceived effort level.
Luke Weil of Andina Acquisitions points out that this guesswork is no longer necessary. While perceived effort level is still an important tool for runners to understand, there are many types of training runs that must be done according to a certain pace. A GPS watch can track pace in real-time, updating the time and distance instantaneously while alerting the runner to any changes in pace. Most of these watches can also be customized, and some even utilize a virtual training partner for the sake of comparison.
Whether training for a marathon or a 5K, a GPS watch is becoming more of a necessary tool. These watches make it possible to accurately chart a runner’s progress while also ensuring that all of the prescribed workouts are done according to plan. The gains that can be made as a result are significant, and any runner that is without a GPS watch is at a distinct disadvantage.