Keeping track of your pace

How many people here keep track of your pace?  Do you recommend it?

Hi Ed

I have a Garmon, so it records my pace as well as a number of other things.  I don't pay too much attention to it on a daily basis but it is great to look back occassionally and see how things have changed.

I did a long trail run yesterday and  was both suprised and motivated when I discoverd my pace this year is already better then it was at the end of the trail running season last year.  I was feeling a bit down, about not being able to get out on the trails this year due to snow so that discovery really helped my spirits and made me feel better about the training I have been doing.

I have a garmin as well but haven't used it too much.  Now that I am starting to run/walk and hopefully increase my running, I'll definitely use the garmin more...good comparison of past runs on the same course.  :)

I have the cheapy Garmin - I like it alot and it is able to help me track what my splits are on the trails. I don't have the GPS capability - I just hated having to wear that BIG of a watch.  I compare runs every few months to see if I am improving. If I am not improving my pace then I start to pick apart my running. On the track I tend to use a Nike watch or Timex Ironman as it is easier to do splits and get info the way I am used to seeing it. 

I have the Nike + iPod system and it keeps pace for you. You just have to make sure you have it calibrated correctly. I would suggest using a track. Before I got it I used a $20 Timex watch from WalMart. It worked just fine.

I do keep track of pace. I have my run mapped and know where my mile marks are. I just have a cheap-o digital watch with a stopwatch on it. Works pretty well for a general idea. I like to keep track of the pace so I can see how I'm progressing and getting more fit.  It's a cool feeling to get to the first mile marker, look at your watch and see a full minute faster than you were expecting. Good motivation to pick up anad maintain the pace. :)

Ed,

I actually use a Nike Plus, which is a small device that I attached to my ipod nano and a sensor goes into my shoes (preferable Nike plus shoes too) but I bought a velcro pouch for my saucony shoes, it works just fine.  Then I sync the information online Nikeplus.com to record my run...another great site to keep track of your running activities - w/ challenges, goals, resolutions, etc.

I used to not really care about my pace before because I was only running short distances (5K and 10K) - now that I'm training for a half marathon, I started paying attention to my pace, just to make sure that I don't run out of energy before the end of my 13th mile run....

I have a garmin and I agree--it's a big watch.  It does work well though once the satellite starts.  I need to use it more often. 

I keep track of my pace but I really focus on my heart rate.  I try to keep most of my runs between 60% and 70% of my maximum heart rate.  I've read that this can improve your pace over the long run.  My suggestion in finding your maximum heart rate is to NOT use the formula but go to www.runnersworld.com and search for maximum heart rate.  They give a couple of different ways to find MHR that involve running on a track.  The formula says that my MHR should be 175.  I got it up to 195 running on a track.  I also check my resting heart rate as I lie in bed before I go to sleep.  I then use the formula of (MHR - RHR) x 60% + RHR = Target heart rate at 60% effort.  I know it sounds like a lot of work but once you have this information you can really use a heart rate monitor to make yourself a better runner.  I'm trainng for my first marathon (did a 1/2 last year) and I have run 16 miles staying between 60% and 70% of my THR and felt great when I was done.  I also see my times getting better even though I'm staying in that 60% to 70% zone.  Lots of info on the net if you've got the time and curiosity!

I have a garmin 305 and the Nike+ iPod, thing.  I like my garmin because I can glance down and see my pace, I go by feel for long runs but for speed work/tempo/races I watch the pace pretty closely.  Eileen is right in that HR is good to watch too.

The Nike+ is not very accurate unless you hold a steady pace at the exact pace you calibrated it.  I've had it be off by over 1/2 mile on a fairly short run (under 10 miles).  But if you are just looking for a ball park idea of information you get your moneys worth.

The Garmin 305 isn't to big, I have small wrists and don't have any real issues with it, and I've worn mine for a full year.  I have run a marathin, 3-half marathons and several other shorter races with it.  I just wore it on Sat. for my first half marathon of the year and it says I went 13.24 miles, and since I took some of the corners wide I'm sure I did run the extra .14 miles.

I really like the web site RunningAhead.com- it has a very good feature for mapping runs.  It also has a running log component, which can calculate paces for you.

Hi, I also use the Garmin (the 405 which isn't too huge   lol)

I almost always use it. When training I try to run different paces for different workouts. (generally when training for a race)

You don't need the fancy watch though, distance markers and any watch will do.