You Know Better Than Your Watch
Smart watches are getting smarter every day. Additional features and data options are added to every new model. Watches are starting to tell us whether our training is productive or not, and how long we should recover.
But you know better than your watch.
At least - you SHOULD know better than your watch.
Now, I’m not one to poo-poo data. I LOVE tracking mileage, minutes, splits and paces. I’ve kept a training log for decades. I also use data as a tool in coaching. But I also think runners depend way too much on their watches, to the point that it’s detrimental to performance and to the overall enjoyment of running.
Recently I put out a poll on the Sifuentes Coaching instagram account, and a whopping 62% of the participants replied they NEVER run without their watch. This blows my mind.
Maybe you don’t think it matters. Here’s why I think it matters SO MUCH:
Depending on your watch to report splits, power, and HR takes your focus away from your own body signals and your perceived effort.
Trying to stay in a specific zone or target pace range means you may run too fast or too slow, especially if that target range is prescribed by a coach or training plan. The coach or training plan does NOT know how you feel on any given day.
A watch reading that conflicts with your own perception of effort causes self-doubt or confusion, ultimately we trust the watch and dismiss our own feelings.
Your watch doesn’t know if you have stress if your life and even if it did, your watch can’t factor that in to your goals.
You may feel like you should actually recover in “X hours” because your watch says you should. You may even forget to check in with how you actually FEEL after “X hours” because your watch says you’re ready to work hard again.
Your watch may tell you a training day is unproductive if you run easy or simply rest, because your watch doesn’t understand that rest days ARE training days.
You may feel pressured to run faster than you should simply by knowing the pace is being recorded.
You’ll have a really ugly watch tan at the end of the summer (half kidding here!)
I could go on and on and on.
Watch dependency and data obsession is seriously problematic because it interferes with building our confidence that we can actually interpret our body’s signals. Many runners don’t even bother trying to listen their body! When it comes to racing, there is nothing more valuable than being able to adjust in the moment, based on how we feel. This is the only way to get the most out of ourselves.
How to Change
If you want to take control of your own training and seriously improve your racing ability, learning to run without a watch is absolutely crucial. But if you’re already totally dependent on your watch, this is going to take time and effort. You will need baby steps. And I am going to give you those baby steps! Check back tomorrow for the next blog post: Free Yourself From Your Watch.
Nicole Sifuentes is a full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. She is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.