Making the Commitment: #watchless Monday
I think most runners are guilty of being way too addicted to their times/paces and their Garmins/watches/other GPS-related devices. So I, and quite a few others, are here to stop it for at least one day a week.
Late last week, a few of us on Twitter started a conversation about running without a watch to kick off the week. Several tweets and a few emails later between me, @AHealthyDad, @262milejourney, and @suzistorm here’s what we’ve come up with — #watchlessmonday.
Here’s what you do: for the first run of your week, don’t wear a watch. It’s that simple. While I’d really like to make this a completely unplugged commitment, I’ll forgive you for now if you have to have music to listen to. I hope, eventually, you’d give that up for at least a day. If you don’t run on Mondays or your change your weekly plans, don’t let that be an excuse. Whether your first run is Monday, Tuesday or whenever, make that first one watchless.
When you’re done with your run, come back and let everyone know you did it on Twitter with the #watchlessmonday tag (if it’s later in the week, still use #watchlessmonday so we can easily keep track).
Why are we doing this? Simply put, to get rid of the addiction. Is your pace or time important? Sure. But do you need to know what it is every single time you go out. Absolutely not. This is about running for the fun of running. That’s what I’m adding this to my #2011commitments posts (I know, I know, I’m behind on my weigh-in posts).
Be on the lookout for more posts about #watchlessmonday from the above tweeters. Suzi’s site can be found here, and she’s actually discussing #watchlessmonday over on the Geeks in Running Shoes show tonight. You can find Brandon here. (You’ll see him on my blog in a Q&A later this week!) And 262milejourney can be found here.
Lastly, a lot of people on Twitter have already said, “I’m in.” Some of those people are: @wordsbykara, @SuprHero, @cheekysu, @hotbirdrunning, @Blanda_Amania, @sarahtbland, @teamoptimus, @therunningwench, @welcometoboston, @CocosFight2BFit, @corriemaeowen, @tryn2bfit and @laidbackchick. If I’ve missed you, please let me know in the comments section below (please include your Twitter handle) or on Twitter and I’ll continue to update this list. If you’re not on Twitter, but want to make this commitment, leave a comment below. Being on Twitter is not a requirement to join in on this.
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I love this idea and feel not so alone now in wanting to not clock a run once in a while. It's Monday for me, so I shall report after my run.
Damn, I was going to use the "I don't run on Mondays" excuse. You guys thought this out too well.
So.. I like this idea, I do, if I participate can I wear my watch with duct tape over the screen so I can just hit stop when I'm finished? That way I at least know how far I've gone after the fact. I hate having to map it on mapmyrun.
I don't really obsess with my watch when I run, I usually glance at it to see how far I've gone.
Steena, use the map function on DailyMile. It's so much easier the mapmyrun - http://www.dailymile.com/routes
Of course my first run of the week is Tuesday and it's speed work… Haha, but I'm more than willing to throw in a few watchless miles in tomorrow afternoon
Kali´s last blog post ..more than halfway through
I'll forgive you for speedwork for wearing a watch.
Okay, I'm in - and surprised at how hard it was to commit to this! I hadn't realized how addicted I've become!
I'm a new convert to watchless running. I leave it at home for most easy runs and have stopped looking at it on my long runs/races. My times are better and I'm enjoying running more!
Darn! I thought I was off the hook since I don't plan to run on Monday. I'm not sure I can do this now since I'm training for my Half, but I think I can do one of my short runs watchless. I do think it's a good idea.
Great idea guys. Ditching the technology is a great way to go about getting in tune with your body when you run. Its a great way to pay homage to your ancestoral past as well.
Will be interested to see if #watchlessmonday can turn into @watchlessweek and beyond.
I will give it a try this week. So weird but it seems like sucha challenge. Can I atleast track the distance even if I dont know the time? My handle is @laidbackchick
@Tina - there are several sites out there in which you can map your run (mapmyrun.com, there's a mapping feature on DailyMile). You can always map it out before you head out the door. Part of this is to liberate yourself. Not having the watch on feels great. All it takes is one try!
OK this sounds like an awesome idea!! I am a little obsessed with wearing my Polar HRM and I keep an eye on my heart rate the whole time and the timing of the run and the mile age. So Mondays I will go watch-less and just enjoy being outside. This is great with my future plans to slowly convert to minimalist running
I am on twitter @tryn2bfit
I'm in! Tried on Monday and didn't get in a "groove" but I will definitely keep trying! I'm too much of a data whore not to give this a faithful try. Must be the math major in me! My twitter handle is @kaitlyn1229
[...] few weeks ago when #WatchlessMonday first made its appearance I was like, “Noooooo, ugggghhh…I don’t want to map my run!! [...]
[...] from RunningBecauseICan (Twitter: @RunningBecause) has been promoting “watchless Monday” runs for a while now. [...]