TIMEX Ironman Triathlon with Flix Techonology
Last Tuesday, I finally decided to get myself a watch. For the past weeks or so, I’ve been mulling over getting a Garmin. I could not decided whether I’d get a Garmin 305 or 405. Jaymie, the Bull Runner, prefers the 305 for its functionality and ease of use while her husband is enjoying his 405. Most people such as myself would prefer the 405 for several reasons: 1) It’s aesthetic value, 2) it’s new, 3) it looks cool and 4) having the new 450 somewhat serves as a status symbol.
I was calculating how much it would actually cost. Being around $300 (Amazon.com), it would be roughly Php 12,000. Was it worth it? I got Coach Rio’s opinion on the matter, and he says, “May nakita ka na bang elite runner na naka-Garmin?” I guess that answers my question. Does it really matter if you got a GPS enabled watch to track you distance, pace, time, heartrate and all the bells and whistles? Apparently not. For serious athletes, what matters most is time. Sure, all the features of the Garmin and other similar devices are things most runners would want to have, but are they neccessary? Well, apparently not.
Ben, aka Photographer on the Run, and Coach Rio suggested I get myself a TIMEX watch. Coach told me to look for one with lap/split timing and 100 lap memory. He suggested that I look for FLIX. So last Sunday after our long run at Los Baños, he accompanied me to Market! Market! to check out the watch stores there. In one of the boutiques we went to, the TIMEX watches were on sale at 50% off but the one he was telling me wasn’t there.
Last Tuesday, after class, I had made up my mind to finally get a watch. My budget was around P1,500-2,000. I went around Ayala Center looking for a TIMEX store but I only chanced upon a stall inside SM and saw one that was similar to Coach Rio’s TIMEX Ironman Triathlon Flix watch. It was at P2,290. There were other similar watches of the same price but I still wasn’t so sure. So I asked the sales attendant if there was a real TIMEX store around. He directed me to Glorietta 3. When I got there, I saw the newer models and finally decided to get it even though it was more expensive at P2,490. It was the last piece.
I’m happy with my new watch. It has lap/split timing with 100lap memory, indiglo and FLIX technology which illuminates the watch screen when you FLIX (flick) your wrist/arm or when the watch senses movement. It also has 5 alarm settings, as well as 9 intervals which you can set-up. It has 2 times, which can also be set up.
The following day, I used my new watch to time my track session. I even timed my warm-up jog! haha!
These are my times using my new watch 
(this is lifted from my 1,000km club page)
| TIME | DATE | DURATION | DISTANCE | LOCATION | TOTAL |
| 06:30 | 7-23-2008 | 14:10.57 | 2.0 | ULTRA | 382.8 |
| 04:12.27 | 1.0 | 383.8 | |||
| 02:23.14 | 0.6 | 384.4 | |||
| 01:31.41 | 0.4 | 384.8 | |||
| 00:39.95 | 0.2 | 385.0 |
Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Was it worth it? I got Coach Rio’s opinion on the matter, and he says, “May nakita ka na bang elite runner na naka-Garmin?” I guess that answers my question.
….Was a Garmin worth it for me? Yes. Absolutely. And it doesn’t bother me that none of the elite runners wear it. I don’t think they like the weight. I’m not an elite runner. Never will be. But the Garmin allowed me track my distance and my pace which guided me in my training.
Does it really matter if you got a GPS enabled watch to track you distance, pace, time, heartrate and all the bells and whistles? Apparently not.
…This is relative. It may not matter to you. But to runners who want to train based on their HRM, or those who want to maintain a certain pace or those who enjoy seeing how far they run, without a worry about budget, it makes a big difference.
Hope you enjoy your Timex! I’m sure you’ll beat PRs and enjoy your runs even more. See you at the next race
Jul 24th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Hi Jaymie!
Haha! This is just me consoling myself to the fact that I still don’t own a Garmin… YET! Santa… if you’re reading this, I want a Garmin
Jul 24th, 2008 at 10:47 am
My philosophy is if it helps you enjoy your running experience, GET IT! Whether its a garmin, a nike sportsband, a new pair of shoes, an original Nike running shirt or one from Greenhills, an ipod or just your trusty cellphone, if it motivates you to run I think its a worthwhile purchase.
Some of my friends say its just to “make yabang” or “make porma”, well hey if it makes me “feel pogi” while running thereby motivating me to keep on running (especially since I’m just a newbie) … works for me
Jul 24th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I agree! Hehe… pampapogi lang
Hahahaha…
I mean, people can run barefoot, topless or what. Maybe to a certain degree, it’s all in the mind?
Running gear really do help motivate runners in different ways. Pero tama… “if it helps you enjoy your running experience…” it’s worth it
Jul 24th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
tama…tama… =)
Jul 25th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Flix technology is nice. I got the same thing for my gf for her first 10K run. Using a Timex too. Hopefully a Garmin someday. Haaaay…
Jul 25th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
yan bang nakasabit sa branch ang passion fruit?
wow, saan ka makakakita ng watches that grow from plants? astig. Idol kita passion fruit
Jul 26th, 2008 at 10:41 am
Jinoe, yeah, the Garmin will still be on my wishlist
Niel, Hahaha! Pa-effect lang yan para gumanda ‘yong watch
Jul 30th, 2008 at 8:59 am
For me Timex or Garmin??? Either, if it will help me enjoy my running experience (as to what bong z mentioned) i’ll get it either of the two, if it will motivate me, why not? ako din naman ang makikinabang. pwede namang mag higpit ng sinturon for a couple of months para mapagipunan, d b?
who would not want to get a Garmin??? Passion Runner, tell Santa, i want a Garmin too.