My husband glanced at me the other day while I was busily writing a blog post and said, “you’re a hippy.” What? Then I noticed that he was looking at my arms and the multiple things that I wear on my wrists. They do look kind of hippy-like. But they all have a purpose (and they all help my running)!
Friday is for fun, and Friday is for Friday 5 2.0, so I thought I’d share!
5 Things I Wear on My Wrists and How They Help My Running
1. My RoadID
Years ago, Alan and I were on a century ride in Malibu with a group of people including a few friends and a lot of people we were meeting for the first time. It was not an organized event, just a group of people who shared a love of long bike rides getting together.
During that ride, the frame of the bike that one of the men was riding fell apart. It was shocking really, one moment he was riding along, then he was on the ground, unconscious and quite severely injured. We did what we could, called 911, kept the traffic away from him, and did basic first aid, but the one thing we couldn’t do was call his loved ones to let them know what was going on.
Why? Well, because he was carrying no identification on him. We were at least 30 miles from where our cars were parked and no one in our group knew anything more than his name. Fortunately, it all eventually worked out. He came to and was able to provide his wife’s name.
That was the moment that I first heard about RoadID. My girlfriend, who had invited us for the ride, wore hers all the time. The first thing I did when I went home was to order a RoadID for both Alan and myself.
While I wore my RoadID consistently when I was cycling (as does Alan), I admit that I have slacked off wearing it on the run. I still have it, though I’ve let the online aspect expire, but I hadn’t worn it for a few years.
I also hadn’t looked at the website for a while, so when I was contacted to see if I was interested in trying out the new Wrist ID Slim 2 I was excited. RoadID has come a long way and the new ones are a little more fashionable than my old school ID Sport.
Honestly, my new Slim 2 is so pretty in plum with its rose gold clasp and faceplate I’ve been pretty much wearing it all the time, not just when I’m running!
How it helps my running: The extra level of safety and security eases my mind and allows me to relax and focus on my running.
By the way, Peter, who was the man who was injured on the ride, had a long hospitalization and rehab, but eventually recovered.
2. My Zoom HRV
I was recently invited to try out the LifeTrak Zoom HRV. The Zoom measures your heart rate variability, which is the variation of the intervals between heartbeats. This is used as a measurement of fitness as well as fitness preparedness.
A low variability means that you are stressed, and can also indicate overtraining or inflammation. On the other hand, a high variability indicates that you are calm, rested, and ready to train. Therefore, measuring heart rate variability can let a runner know when they can train hard and make advances, and when they should take the time to rest and recover.
I have just started running with the Zoom HRV so I don’t have a full report yet. That will be coming soon in a separate post. I do like the data that I get from the Zoom though. In addition to my V-Score, which measures HRV, and indicates fitness and readiness to train, the Zoom also measures heart rate, calories, steps, sleep time, and other metrics.
How it helps my running: I should say how it will potentially help my running. Knowing my heart rate variability can help me measure fitness, as well as how prepared I am to train.
3. My Momentum Jewelry Motivate Wrap
You know that I am a Momentum Jewelry fan and that I was so pleased to be chosen as an Ambassador this year. I love the idea of wearing my mantra on my wrist (or around my neck). Since I’ve been collecting the Motivate Wraps for a couple years, I have many motivating phrases that I can wear depending on my mood.
How it helps my running: I have written about how having a running mantra helps motivate me to go the distance. Wearing it right on my wrist is an extra bonus.
My Momentum Jewelry Wrap Giveaway ends Sunday! Don’t miss your chance to enter!
4. My Garmin 235
Alan got me my Garmin 235 for Christmas and I loved it immediately. While I’ve had Garmins for both running and cycling for years, the 235 has more bells and whistles than my previous models.
I have always been a running data junkie. In the time before GPS I measured all of my regular running routes by car so that I would know exactly how far and how fast I was running. I was an early adopter of GPS watches as soon as they were available.
How it helps my running: These days I’m a lot slower, but I still love my data. The Garmin 235 also measures heart rate, counts steps, and syncs with my phone and Garmin Connect. I can also set up measured intervals, either for speed work, tempo training, or even run/walk interludes.
5. My Fitbit
So you would think that with all the electronics I wear around my wrists, I wouldn’t need a simple Fitbit, even if it is the Charge HR. Still, I love the Fitbit because it is simple! It tracks my steps, which is my favorite part.
How it helps my running: In a nutshell, I love the Fitbit community! I have quite a few Fitbit friends, and we help encourage each other to stay motivated. I have a few challenges every week, where I’m actually competing against other members to get the most steps or beat my own goals.
What do you wear on your wrist when you work out? Have you heard of heart rate variability? What do you think? Can you guess what my favorite color is?
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Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Dixya
Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Erika, and Patty
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Michelle, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant-Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Suz, Lora Marie, and Me!
Giveaway Roundup and Try Out Thursdays with Smitha
The Blogger’s Pit Stop with Kathleen, Janice, Julie, and Menaka
Friday 5 2.0 with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda
I always wear my Garmin vivosmart (similar to a FitBit) and my Garmin watch. Sometimes I wear my momentum jewelry wraps, especially for long runs, and I have a Road ID but I haven’t assembled it yet (I know, I know – bad runner)!
Do it! It really could be important. Especially if you run alone.
Interesting you use the fitbit and the Garmin? Can they do the same thing in terms of tracking steps?
Yes, the Garmn counts steps, though it’s mainly used as my GPS. It’s just that I had the Fitbit first, plus two others prior to this. I love the challenges and seeing what my friends are doing. I guess I could get past that, but the Fitbit also counts more steps! 😉
I use the Garmin 10 for running. It’s simple and basic. I’d like to try the Zoom. I’ve heard about heart rate variability, sounds interesting. I used a Fitbit for several months but I got too obsessed with the steps so I quit wearing it.
Purple! My Garmin is purple as well as my road id, my momentum wrap and Fitbit.
Purple for the win! My Garmin 10 (or 15, I forget which) was also purple!
Now i don’t feel so bad wearing two. I wear my Garmin 235 and my fitbit. I like wearing my fit bit all day bc I alsodo challenges w my friends and I need to beat them. I like my Garmin bc it gives me notifications.
Exactly! That’s why I need to keep wearing my Fitbit!
I freaking love “nevertheless she persisted”. 🙂 Go girl!!!!
It’s my current favorite too!
I have the same Garmin–my parents gave it to me for my birthday last year–and I love it! What took me so long? I guess the old lady in me was stubborn and kept thinking, who needs all that data?
I was always very data oriented even before the days of GPS. I look back at my old running logs (from the 90s!) and they all have the exact mileage, pace, type of run, plus a running total on my shoe mileage. A little anal but fun to look back and feel a little impressed about my running back then. 😊
Great picks! :] I love my momentum wrap + think I’d definitely feel more motivated to power through with it! 😛
I agree. They help me in my regular, non-running life too.
Wow lady, you’ve got a lot going on on those wrists of yours! I wear my Garmin and my Road ID. And sometimes a Motivate Wrap. I ordinarily save those for when I’m *not* running though — to keep the motivation up! I know that sounds backwards but it totally works!
I wear my wraps both when I’m running and when I’m not. I love the extra motivation.
I wear my Garmin for long runs, mainly to monitor my pace at the mile marks…I seldom even glance at it. But I do like seeing all the splits when I’m finished. I also have a Road ID…I don’t wear it for every run, but it does get used. I’m going with purple as a possible favorite color (?)
Purple for the win! I don’t always look at my Garmin unless I’m trying to hit a pace. I’m just a data lover though, so I can’t imagine not having it. 🙂
My husband teases me for wearing my Fitbit and my Garmin. Now I know I’m not alone!
To me, my Garmin and Fitbit are for different purposes. Garmin = Time and distance. Fitbit = Steps. So, of course we need both! 🙂
I usually don’t wear anything but now I am convinced to start. Awesome post, Debbie!
Not even a watch? I can’t imagine! 🙂
Hey, great article! I only wear my Garmin though – it’s really great. I don’t feel like I need anything more for motivation or so right now 😛