Sport watches for half marathon training
You need a sport watch to train for a half marathon so you can know when to take your walk breaks during your long runs. You can also time your 30 minute “maintenance” runs during the week. There are many watches out there, with a dizzying array of features. This article discusses what watch features are “must-haves” for your half marathon training as well as those that are “nice to have”, and provides suggestions to simplify your buying decision.
For the price, the Timex Ironman is the best all-around offering for half marathoners. It has everything you need to implement the training programs we discuss on this site.
There are several pricier options with even more bells and whistles on them, such as the Nike+ Sportband and the Garmin Forerunner series. Each of these watches will be discussed later in the article.
Must-have watch features
Interval Timer
The interval timer is a must-have watch feature for half marathon training. The interval timer allows you to set a series of countdown timers that run in sequence. This allows the athlete to do workouts that involve bursts of exercise followed by rest periods. This is the easiest way for you to determine when to take your walk breaks.
For example, suppose you are training at a 10 min/mile pace using the Galloway method. This pace requires you to run for 3 minutes and then walk for 1 minute on your long runs. The interval timer allows you to set a 3 minute timer and a 1 minute timer to run in sequence. When you start the timer, the 3 minute timer will count down and sound an alarm when it finishes. Then the watch will automatically start the 1 minute timer, which will sound an alarm when it finishes. Then the watch will automatically start the 3 minute timer again, and the whole process repeats itself.
This video is a good demonstration of how to use the interval timer on a Timex Ironman watch:
Thus, the interval timer allows you to do your run without having to constantly press buttons to reset the timer. Avoiding that distraction allows you to stay focused on your running, which is incredibly helpful to your performance.
Stopwatch
Virtually every digital sports watch has a stopwatch feature. The stopwatch is designed to measure the amount of time elapsed from a particular time when activated to when the piece is deactivated. This feature is critical for runners who are training for a time goal in their half marathon because both the Galloway and Higdon methods specify track workouts for speed training.
Most stopwatches come with multi-lap memory that will allow you to compare lap times after a track workout, which will help you benchmark your performance.
Nice-to-have watch features
GPS
A GPS-enabled watch can keep track of the distance and speed you run in realtime. These devices allow you to avoid mapping your training routes with a service like Gmap-pedometer.com. You can leave the house and start running, and the watch will track how far you’ve run.
RuntheLine.com has a great review of several popular GPS watches that can be found here.
Heart rate monitor
Many of the popular sports watch brands offer pieces with integrated heart rate monitors. You can see your heart rate in realtime as well as look at the average rate per lap and over your entire workout.
Web integration
Several device makers allow you to connect your watch to their online training communities to upload your workouts. Their software provides in-depth analysis of your workouts over long periods. If you have a GPS-enabled watch, you can also view a map of the route you ran.
