Tuesdays on the Run: Running Technology

Another Tuesday, another Tuesday on the Run hosted by our favorites: 
April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Erika from MCM Mama Runs, and Patty from No-Guilt Life. 

Today we will talk about Running Technology. Everyone has of course heard of the amazing Garmins but I am old-school and don't have one...yet. 

I currently use my ipod nano for running tracking and also for my music. I can't use my phone because it's heavy (I run with it during races for pictures though!), I don't keep music on my phone and I can't use an app to track my running because I don't have unlimited data. 

However, I have come to love my Ipod nano for running.

What I love about it:

• It comes with built in Nike+ plus sensor that makes it so easy to track your runs as well as upload it to the Nike+ website
  
• It's small and light. I barely feel it on my arm.
  
• I can put playlists on it and not worry about anything
  
• I can add a powersong (a song to use when you need to be pumped up!). My current powersong is Turn Down for What by DJ Snake and Lil Jon
  
• My armband fits my Galloway timer perfectly
  
• It gives you mile or km markers so I know how far I have gone
  
• I can analyze my runs after right from my computer
  
• It tracks my fastest splits online (because I definitely can't remember them!)
  
• I love the headphones from Apple. they are no fuss and don't bother my ears. 
  
  
  What I don't like: 
  • It is not an accurate GPS. I have to track all of runs with mapmyrun so I know how long it actually is (it used to over estimate, now it underestimates by about .1-.3 for every run). 
    
  • if I hit it for too much information or go through too many songs,  it will randomly reset (and has during races, training runs). One thing is it always resets after telling me my time and distance, but then it requires me to do math haha. 
    
    
    The other gadget I use religiously is my Galloway timer. I love it for the following reasons:
    • It is very easy to learn to set and barely uses any power (I have used the same battery for over a year now). 
      
    • It lets you set intervals very easy and will remember them from run to run. 
      
    • It lets you set it to vibrate or beep or both (I always have my set on vibrate so I can feel it)
      
    • I bought it at the Tinkerbell Expo and got to meet Jeff Galloway and he signed it! (sadly it has worn off since then).
      
    • It is cheap and affordable! 19.95 is a great price! 
      
      
      Between my ipod nano and Galloway timer, I have rocked it for over 2 years. They are both still in good condition and I plan on using that combination for a long time. 
      
      So my goal is in the next year to get a Garmin (I plan on asking for one for Christmas!). I have done my research on them and I would like the Garmin Forerunner 220. It is long enough for a marathon and not to mention looks beautiful!
      
      Do you have running gadgets? Which ones do you like?

My timer, iPod nano, and case before a run!

Garmin Forerunner 220 (Picture Credit garmin.com)