Before you buy any running watch, you should stop to think about yourself as a runner.

Are you a casual runner who just likes to get outside in the fresh air every once in a while and run a few laps around the park?

Or are you a serious, advanced runner who runs every day, rain or shine, possibly even training to run in a marathon?

The type of runner you are should determine the type of running watch you need. A basic running watch will suffice for the casual runner, while a serious runner needs a running watch with more advanced features.

Whichever type of runner you may be, here are the top 3 things to consider when you are buying a running watch:

1. Does the watch have a countdown timer?

Even if you are just a casual, occasional runner now, you might eventually kick it up a notch and start taking your running more seriously. In that event, you will want to know your time. A countdown timer on a running watch will count down from a certain value until it reaches zero. You might want to keep up with your time as a casual runner, as well, to see if you can beat your own time after a set period. For example, you might want to record your times every time you run a particular route for a month, to see if your speed has improved at the end of that period.

2. Does the watch have a clear display?

The last thing you want when you are out running is a watch with an inferior display! You need to be sure and buy a watch with large enough numbers that you can easily see them at arm’s length while running. Also, make sure that the stop watch display is adequate. You want something easy to see and read while you are running, so that you can keep up with your time.

3. Does the watch have lap storage capabilities?

You want to be able to store each record of your sessions, so that you can track your progress as time goes on. So, look for a running watch that will store the data of each session: speed, distance, time.

Before buying a running watch, make sure it comes with those three features!

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Some runners are also cycling enthusiasts, while others do both and may be in training to participate in a duathlon.

A duathlon is an event that features one running leg, followed by a cycling leg, and then another running leg in a format that is very similar to a triathlon, minus the swimming.

Many of the running watches on the market today have features that render them suitable to be used in both running and cycling.

There are various attachments and accessories that coordinate well for use on a bicycle.

For example, one accessory of a running watch that adapts well to cycling use is the foot pod, used to measure stride length. This feature is great to use when cycling, to measure pedal cadence.

If you have a digitally recorded, mapped report of cadence during your entire cycle ride, you will have vital information that can be used to improve your performance. This is especially handy for competitive cyclists!

Another feature found in many running watches that adapts very well to cycling enthusiasts is the heart rate monitor.

Many of the top rated running watches either come with a heart rate monitor, or are compatible with a heart rate monitor, usually in belt form.

The belts are designed to be comfortable while running or exercising, and can easily be worn while cycling, as well.

The heart rate monitor will wirelessly transmit your heart rate information back to the wrist or handlebar display on a bicycle, so that you can easily read it while running or cycling.

This provides instant, immediate feedback on how your body—specifically your heart—is responding to the activity.

The information is also recorded in a post-ride report that is analyzed when you plug the display into your home computer. Some GPS running watches also record changes in altitude; you would be able to see how your heart rate responded to inclines, for instance.

Everything is all analyzed together: distance, speed, time, heart rate, cadence or stride length and more. This can be an invaluable training tool for you!

So, although running watches are great for runners, they are equally wonderful and useful for cyclists, too!

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There are many GPS running watches available by such well known brands as Magellan, Casio, Timex and Garmin. However, many other manufacturers produce some perfectly adequate running watches as well.

GPS running watches come in a wide range of prices, so you are bound to find one to fit your budget quite nicely.

If the gift recipient is a female, you might wonder if you can find a great looking running watch.

You might have a vague impression in your mind of a running watch as a big, clunky thing in basic black since a running watch is, after all,  a sports watch. If so, you will be happily surprised to see the great selection of women’s running watches and the sleek styling and beautiful “Girly” colors available!

Male or female, the running enthusiast on your list will be thrilled to find a new running watch from Santa under the Christmas tree this year!

GPS running watches are basically the crème de la crème of running watches in general. The GPS feature enables the wearer to map out routes, and to know within a few feet exactly where they are at any given point. This can come in handy for those who go on long runs through rugged terrain where it would be relatively easy to get lost.

You can find running watches that are PC compatible and will integrate with the user’s computer. This allows runners to upload and download maps, routes, as well as pertinent data from each session.

If you are buying a running watch for someone who has taken up running for health reasons, there are running watches available with built-in heart rate monitors. Some versions will even tell the wearer how many calories have been burned!

For the hard core runner on your Christmas list, a GPS running watch will provide the recipient with a set of valuable tools to assist in all phases of training and lap sessions.

GPS running watches can measure distance, speed, times, and more. Some models have a feature known as “speed and pace smoothing” that averages out the GPS readings and data over longer periods of time.

If you are going to be buying a Christmas present for a runner—do think about presenting them with a brand new running watch, and then sit back and watch their eyes light up when they open your gift!

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In fact, the most advanced models have all sorts of handy capabilities such as recording, tracking and analysis features that can do a lot to maximize your running and improve your performance and workouts.

There are 5 specific features in a running watch that can help you optimize your running sessions:

1. Lap Feature Recall: While a basic sports watch will keep a running stop watch, once it is reset, all of the time records are gone. But, a running watch with Lap Memory Recall allows you to keep a record of your sessions in the watch’s memory. This way, you can retrieve the information later and analyze it to help plan future sessions, and track your improvement. If you do quite a bit of repetition work, this is a perfect way to keep track of your times.

2. Countdown or Interval Timer: A basic countdown timer counts down to zero from a pre-set amount of time. When it reaches zero, an alarm sounds and it will either stop or start a running chrono. This is particularly helpful with timed repetition sessions. Interval timers are even handier than countdown timers because they allow you to structure a timed repetition with a timed recovery. For example, you could set the interval timer to count down to zero after three minutes, and then go to the next timer in the process and countdown after two minutes, and so on.

3. Finish Time: This feature comes in really handy if you want to predict the time it will take you to run a certain distance. You just enter your target time into the running watch, and then as you press each marker, you press a button on the watch and it will tell you if you’re on track on not.

4. Heart Rate Zones: This feature is found in running watches that support a hear rate monitor, and lets you set up an upper and lower limit for your heart rate. An alert will be triggered during your session if your heart rate drops too low or climbs too high. A lot of heart rate monitors will record how much time you spend actually in the zone, which is the optimum heart rate to reach for a good cardio workout.

5. Speed and Distance Tracking: It’s always helpful to know your speed. There are a lot of running watches that measure speed and distance in various ways. An accurate device is a foot pod unit, found on many running watches. This unit clips into your shoe and sends a signal back to your watch. It measures speed and distance, as well as cadence. Many running watches have GPS units, too. These are Global Positioning Satellite devices that calculate speed and distance based on a system of satellites that orbit earth and emit continuous signals.

If you are careful to choose a running watch with the above features, it can be a valuable tool in your exercise and running sessions!

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Besides investing in a good pair of serviceable running shoes, you might want to consider buying a running watch, too.

Running watches are designed to work with you and help you make the very most of your activity.

There are literally hundreds of sport watches on the market available to buy, so the buying process can seem a tad overwhelming. But there are certain features you should look for in a running watch that may not be found in a regular sport watch.

To complicate things even further, the type of running watch that will best suit your needs depends on certain factors, such as the type of running you do or plan to do.

If you are now or intend to be a serious runner, you would benefit from a running watch with all the bells and whistles. On the other hand, if you only plan on engaging in some light running a couple or three days a week to help stay in shape; a more basic, stripped down model would probably suffice.

A basic running watch will have these features:

• A stopwatch chronograph
• Lap storage and recall
• Countdown or interval timer

The stopwatch chronograph feature will keep a running time in hours, minutes, seconds and even fractions of seconds.

Cheaper running watches won’t have the memory capacity to actually store laps or sessions, so you lose all records and times when you reset the chronograph.

A better running watch will display two or more fields on the screen, and have memory capacity to store sessions.

Always be sure to choose a running watch with a digital display that can be read easily at arm’s length.

Running watches with lap recall and storage can maintain a session history, which is very helpful in tracking your progress, as well as helping plan future sessions.

A running watch with a countdown timer will allow you to set a time and then once started— it counts down to zero. An interval timer lets you program segments of different lengths into one session.

Some other important features to look for when shopping for a running watch are:

• A scratch resistant face
• Buttons you can press easily while running
• A comfortable watch band

Remember, not all sport watches are running watches. Make sure when you’re shopping that you purchase a watch that is designed for runners.

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