Why I'm ditching my running watch in January

Date:
Thu, 30 Dec 2021 10:00:40 +0000

Description:
A new year means new goals, but its also the perfect time to fall back in
love with running.

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Much as I love my running watch (Ive been lucky enough to try heaps of great running watches, but the Garmin Instinct Solar is still my favorite ), first thing in January I prefer to leave it in a drawer and head out with bare wrists. 3 tips for mindful running

Get stress out of your system

Before you warm up, take a moment to write down anything that's bothering you so it's not circling around in your head while you run.



Leave the headphones at home

Running without music or a podcast lets you be more aware of the world around you.



Disconnect from Strava

Take the pressure off by skipping the competitive networking app.

Its not permanent, and I still dont go out without a phone just in case of an emergency, but its a great time to remind myself that I dont need tech to enjoy running. When you allow yourself to get into the zone, the simple joy
of movement is enough.

It can feel unnatural to go out sans wristwear, particularly in January. A
new year means new goals, and if youre a runner you might have already
started by signing up for some races with a view to setting some new personal records. Perhaps a 10k in March, a half marathon in May, a full marathon in August, or even a combination of all three if youre feeling particularly ambitious.

You might have drawn up a training plan too, aiming to steadily increase your mileage each week alongside a sprinkling of interval and hill sessions. Its a great way to prepare and get yourself race-ready but you dont necessarily need to circle January 1 in red and head out with a new purpose first thing
in the morning. Free and easy

Instead, I like to use the new year, when the roads are quiet and the air is calm, to remind myself why I started running in the first place and thats
the escapism of it. When its just me alone, with only the rhythm of my feet and breathing, its wonderfully freeing. With no watch to check, I can spend
my time enjoying my surroundings, listening out for birds and insects. And with no particular time or pace in mind, Im free to explore and discover new places as you go. I can just move at a pace that feels comfortable, and go on a little adventure.

On a recent watch-free run, I spotted a little flash of electric blue by the river Avon quite small, but too large for a dragonfly. It was a gorgeous little kingfisher hunting for its lunch, and if Id glanced down at my watch I would have missed it completely. Not checking your stats means you're free to take things at your own pace and become immersed in your surroundings (Image credit: Shutterstock / Maridav)

Running without tech can also help avoid the disappointment that sometimes comes if youve been too busy to train as often as youd like towards the end
of the year, then taken a long break over Christmas. It can be disheartening when your pace suffers as a result of a little too much festive cheer, and making your first few runs untimed and untracked can take the pressure off.

Finally, it allows you to listen to your body rather than being governed by the digits on a screen. I can dial back the effort if I'm starting to tire,
or push myself a bit harder if everything feels good. It's turning the run from a conversation with an app or social media into one with yourself.

There's a saying that if a run or bike ride isn't on Strava , it didn't happen, but for me the new year isn't a time for keeping pace with the Joneses. It's about falling back in love with running, and that's what I intend do do.

This article is part of TechRadars Tech Resolutions series, a motivating
blast of encouragement showing you how to supercharge your new year with
tech. Running from Sunday December 26 to Sunday January 2, our series will also reveal how were aiming to level-up our gadget lives in 2022. So whether youre looking to become a Chromebook power-user, beat your takeaway obsession with a new air fryer, or use a smartwatch to propel you to new fitness heights, well show you how to get your new year off to a flier. And when it all inevitably goes wrong, you can always blame thegadgets. We've tested and ranked the best running headphones



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/why-im-ditching-my-running-watch-in-january/


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