Confessions Of A Low Tech Runner

One of the most common discussion topics of my running friends is running gadgets and gear.  It is hard to go more than a few days or conversations with out hearing about someone enjoying their Garman or their rank/total miles on Nike.   And even on the running blogs, technology is everpresent.  In the last few weeks alone, Mike, Jason, Joe, Dankinia, Grant, Brian, Cory...were a few of many chatting about their Garmins.

I smile.  I nod my head.  I listen intently in an effort to become a good student of the new technology.   But folks - huge confession.  I have none of that stuff.   My best guess is that I am stuck somewhere in the 1980's for my running gadgets and gizmos.    How do I survive?   What do I subsitute?   Oh, thank you for asking!  I have been dying to have something to say in one of these techie conversations.

Headphones.  Need fashion and functionality?  Ditch those earbuds and return to the headphones. The great thing about headphones is that they serve a triple purpose - tune delivery, headband/fashion statement and the big absorbant ear pads that act like a sweat band.

iPod or Shuffle.   Forgot your tunes at home?  Grab a 3 or 7 year old and pack them along.  They not only add a little weight (which is cross training) to your running schedule, but they are on permanent shuffle.  The benefits:  You never quite know what is going come out next, the questions or topics will make you forget about your running and you will be highly motivated/energized to finish the run.   My favorite playlists from my kids:  What is an egg made out of?  What besides space and numbers go on forever?  If I lived with God before I was born, what was my address? 

Heart Rate Monitor.  Need to know if you are running in your zone?  Here's one of my heart rate monitor substitute: easy runs are not measured by if you can carry on a conversation but instead if you can discuss it in so much detail that you actually solve one of the world's problem.   Running too hard?  If your breathing is so heavy that you have to turn up your tunes to actually hear them - lordy be - slow down.   

Nike iPOD+, GPS, Garmin, etc.  Need to know your time, splits and distance?  If you are slow like me, continue to use the sundial and rock method or even the calendar.  Since I am in a small town, I also use the coming and going of my neighbors.  Where these methods fall short, my handy dandy cell phone is always around to tell me I am late for this or that.  Heck with splits and PR's, a successful run is one that is measured in how close to on time I am to my next engagement.  I have also found that trying to calculate my splits or pace in my head can occupy my brain cells for many, many miles.   

Next time your gizmo/gadget is not cooperating, you are welcome to try any of my substitutions absolutely free of charge with no postage charge or waiting.   Try one today!

Photo of 1980's by plecojan

Photo of running gear by SmartGoat

Photo of  sundial by key lime pie

Comments

[jason]

I don't know if I could live without my Ipod. I can't stand to hear myself breathing while I'm running. For some reason, when I hear the breathes go in and out, I tend to kind of hyperventilate or something. I know it sounds weird, but the more I don't hear myself breathe, the better off I am.

So I turn up the Ipod and get lost in the music :)

[Rob]

I don't know how I would survive without my Garmin. It makes the information so handy. You are a better person than I.

[David in Johnston]

You are so right about the ear buds, when you get sweaty they slip out easily so I use those 80's style headphones. The best thing about the absorbency of them is that no one else in the family wants to use them.

[david]

This posting has me rolling ... and no offense to those who comment, but the "I don't know how I would survive without ..." are pretty funny. I love my ipod and my Garmin and it's awesome to have them, but sometimes they hold me down. I am a firm believer that hearing yourself breathe will help, so I take off my ipod at least once a week. I want to make sure that nothing sounds like it shouldn't. And after running once without my Garmin, I no longer look at it every five minutes. We can all live and survive without these things!!

[Joe]

I posted some similar thoughts a few days ago. I started out with iPod always in play, but now that I am running longer I use it much less. I have been learning to enjoy the run itself. I can see value in having a Garmin, though I would rather spend that kind of money on other things.

[Amy]

Again, each of you help me feel that my personal quirks aren't so unusual. I do have a beat up 3 year+ MP3 player that works most of the time that I run with. I don't like hearing myself pant so I wear it a good amount of the time.

There is a part of me that really wants all these gadgets, but I don't think my husband has time to figure them out for me and I think I would be depressed to see exactly how slow I am. But, you never know...I remember long ago when I was little and didn't even have a blog. :}

[Art Dinkin]

I have to listen to something when I run. My favorites are (in order):

1. My son in the jog stroller ("No Daddy, that way!" pointing further down the trail whenever I turn around). He is always quick to point out every deer, bike, bunny, and bird and you had *best* acknowledge him! :)
2. A good conversation with a running partner (who runs as slow as I do).
3. My iPod brick. You know, the 'old' ones.

I do have to admit a growing desire to get a iPod nano and one of those nike chips.