Home|About|Races|Magazine|Directory|Blogroll|Press|Contact|Browse Content

My Polar Dream

Elite runners probably know their bodies so well that they know when to push harder, slow down, run longer, or stop. For the novice runners, it will take some time to listen and learn to what their previously indolent bodies have to say (I’m speaking for myself, really). For all types of runners though, it’s been said that monitoring your heart rate is still the best way to go to determine your pace, maximize your training runs, and track your progress.

For the longest time now, I’ve been using my hubby’s hand-me-down stopwatch that he received as a giveaway in a company sales conference. It’s not very attractive—it has a high-tech cum alien look to it—but it’s free so I don’t mind looking like a martian at all during my runs. Then, last week, Mayi and Jamike ran with us and Jamike was sporting his Polar. He even had the foot module on to track our distance and pace.

Oooh, I thought, I want one.

No, that’ll cost you, my conscience tells me.

You’ve worked hard and you deserve it.

You’re spending way too much on accessories.

Shut up, conscience, I said. Maybe my hubby can get me a second birthday gift? The following day, I drop by Time Depot at Festival Mall and pick up a Polar brochure. That evening, I show the Polar RS 200 to my Hubby and exclaim with much excitement “They are more affordable than I thought! I should’ve asked for this on my birthday instead of the ipod you gave!” Biting the bait, he replies “Yeah, if the budget permits then why don’t you get one?” I want to tap myself on the back for a job well done, but before I can celebrate my victory, my authoritarian conscience whispers “Isn’t it preschool enrollment next week?” Shucks, I nod in forced surrender.

So being the good mother that I am (don’t laugh), I shall patiently wait for the right time (read: Christmas) to buy my Polar Watch. In the meantime, I shall drool over and dream of the Polar that shall be mine.

Polar RS200

- the Polar RS 200 with the option to connect to the foot module (when I get it for my birthday 2008 haha!) –


Posted on 05.15.07 to 04 Gear & Product Reviews. Tags: , , , , , . Subscribe to follow comments on this post. 12 comments. Add your thoughts or trackback from your own site.

«
»

12 Responses to “My Polar Dream”

  1. Have you checked out the Garmin Forerunner 305??? it has GPS and HRM on one single unit. and it doesn’t look like from out of this world. Plus the price is close to what you’ll be paying for the RS 200SD (that’s with the foot pod). Oh and the garmin doesn’t have that huge foot pod. :)

    I’ve been eyeing this 2 units for 3 months now. still couldn’t get one cause of more important expenses din. hehehe so it’s very safe to say that i know how you feel. :D

    ~ben

    Ben said on May 15 07 at 10:39 AM Reply

  2. Hey ben,
    It looks very tempting too. I guess blessing in disguise that I cant buy the polar yet. I can ask around and browse the web before making the purchase.

    bullrunner said on May 15 07 at 10:56 AM Reply

  3. By the way, where in manila did you see the garmin?

    bullrunner said on May 15 07 at 10:59 AM Reply

  4. Christmas is just around the corner, your birthday’s still a year away ;-)

    Tonette said on May 15 07 at 2:12 PM Reply

  5. Is it really around the corner? I think 7 mos is a stretch. :P
    Wait a minute, tan hasn’t given me a gift yet! haha

    bullrunner said on May 15 07 at 2:20 PM Reply

  6. I did it! I was able to go directly to your blog! Sorry ha. I’m a novice on these hi-tech matters kasi. Anyway, do inform me if you find a polar watch on sale heh heh . . .

    Nora del Rosario said on May 15 07 at 4:22 PM Reply

  7. The one thing I learned about buying accessories or anything related to sports is get the “good” kind. I know it can be expensive so I wait for a sale or just like you, ask it for Xmas. Sometimes it is worth the wait bec they go on sale when new styles are introduced. Like I love my New Balance 825 running shoes–I got it cheap and I don’t care if it was last year’s model.

    Mayi said on May 15 07 at 6:19 PM Reply

  8. Hi Jaymie. I stand by my RS 200. Value for money talaga. Data it gathers from my workouts and races are quite accurate. Plus, data from your watch downloads easily to the Polars Electronic coach so you can track your performance and progress vis a vis the training goals you set in the site. I agree though with Ben that footpod is quite bulky but you hardy notice it’s there even on long runs. Am a bit wary kasi of GPS systems for this purpose. Before my RS 200, I bought a TIMEX HRM with GPS speed and distance. I found it clumsy and inaccurate as it loses it’s signal on cloudy days and when running too close to high-tension wires. Don’t know about the Garmin Forerunner 305 though. It might work better that the TIMEX I got.

    Bili ka na!!! Forget tuition fees!!!! Hahahaha

    BTW, great blog site

    Jamike said on May 15 07 at 7:14 PM Reply

  9. Hey Mayi and Jamike, ang sweet naman pati comments ninyo sabay dumating. The couple that runs together, reads blogs together too! :)
    Mayi, thanks for the shopping tips! I’m convinced you should start your shopping blog already. You know your stuff :)
    Jamike, I thought I’d be saving a few bucks by getting a model lower than yours! Turns out it’s the same. I guess it’s just missing the foot module?
    Hope you guys can come run with us tomorrow!

    bullrunner said on May 15 07 at 8:57 PM Reply

  10. Checked it out last march when i went to the states. The store was kind enough to let me try both units. i like the HRM Transmitter of the RS200SD. and the fact that it looks like any ordinary watch. :) pero yung garmin talaga…. kakagigil. hehehe price is about 30~40 dollars difference. not that much.

    ~ben

    Ben said on May 16 07 at 5:04 PM Reply

Leave a Reply

Return to Top