My New Running Toy: Garmin Forerunner 10

I've been wanting to buy a new GPS running watch for quite some time now, but have been putting it off due to the expense.  However, this weekend when my trusty Timex Ironman watch, which I've had pretty much since I started running back in high school, finally ran out of batteries, I decided it was a sign! 

Dear Timex, I still love you!

So off I went to my favorite running store, the Greater Boston Running Company in Hingham.  I love GBRC for so many reasons... not the least of which is that it is part of the Derby Street outdoor mall, so a trip to the running store always seems to end in a shopping spree at Ann Taylor, White House Black Market, the Paper Store, and Barnes & Noble, and lunch at Whole Foods!  This weekend was no exception! 

Doesn't it just look like a special place??

After dragging myself away from rows of running accessories and new workout clothes that I just HAD to have, I forced myself to focus on the reason I was really there... Oh right, a running watch.  Yes... Which is when I fell in love with this beautiful piece of technology!

I feel so official now!

Oh Garmin, you just had to make a GPS watch in my favorite shade of green, didn't you??  Sold!  I really liked the Forerunner 10's simplicity.  It did everything I wanted it to do - interval timing, pacing, biking compatibility, and computer download - but none of those high-tech "extras" that can make running watches so complicated to use!  

After getting home, I was like a little kid at Christmas - I couldn't wait to tear open the box and play with my new toy!  Luckily the wonderful folks at Garmin must know that runners can barely control themselves when it comes to new purchases, so the watch came fully charged and ready for a workout, right out of the package!  It was just begging to be taken out for a test drive... 

I love everything about this!

I absolutely loved using the watch on a long bike ride on Saturday and my Sunday morning run.  Most of all, I was amazed by the technology available through Garmin Connect after downloading my workouts to the website.  I can see my workout calendar, courses, pace intervals, elevation maps, and even the weather during each workout.  For someone who LOVES data, I could play around on Garmin Connect all day!

Holy hills!  No wonder I always feel like death after this run!

I was amazed to see how hilly my favorite long run course truly was.  Don't get me wrong - I feel every one of those hills - but I always thought that I was just being a little bit wussy!  Now, my new Garmin gives me a great sense of validation!  It was clearly worth every penny...

What type of running watch do you use?  Do you use Garmin Connect or a different online running tool to track your workouts?