TIMEX Ironman Easy Trainer GPS Giveaway!

RunnerDude has partnered with TIMEX to bring you this awesome giveaway! Follow the directions below to enter for a chance to win one of two TIMEX Ironman Easy Trainer GPS watches. One male and one female winner will be selected at random by Rafflecopter. The winners will be announced on the blog on June 17th, 2014. Good Luck!

After registering, be sure to check out my interviews with TIMEX Multisport Team Members Susanne Davis and Meredith Dolhare.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RunnerDude's Gear Review: The TIMEX Run Trainer 2.0

Many moons ago, while at the beach, I found a TIMEX Ironman sports watch that washed ashore. The band was ratty, but the watch looked good. It was still working, so I bought a new band and wore that foundling for several years. I was hooked on TIMEX. Ever since, I've had many different Ironman watches. I usually wear them until I lose them not because of technical difficulties. So, a few years back I was very excited when I saw a print ad for a new TIMEX GPS watch. I wondered when TIMEX was going to get into the GPS watch business. Seemed like such a natural fit.

TIMEX's first venture into the world of GPS produced a rather large and hard to use watch--the TIMEX Global Trainer. The next model that came out was the TIMEX Ironman Run Trainer  1.0. This version was much smaller and sleeker than the Global Trainer, but very difficult to use (at least for this runner). I found myself often very frustrated with it. I had a hard time getting the satellite signal quickly and really difficult time scrolling from screen to screen.

Because I'm such a loyal TIMEX user, I was excited to see that TIMEX updated the TIMEX Ironman Run Trainer to a 2.0 version. The old saying, "Three times the charm" held true. This version is not much bigger than a regular watch and is very much "out-of-the-box" ready to use.


My test for a GPS is....how quickly can I figure out how to get the GPS signal, pace, and distance, and can I do it without having to dig into a manual. I figure for all the other bells and whistles, I'll need to do a little reading, but for the basics (to me anyway) I feel like it should be "in-your-face" simple. This time TIMEX got it dead on!

I love the large display (I'm 48, so if you're getting close to this age you'll know why this is nice). As compared to the 1.0 version, the 2.0 has a smaller case size and will fit both men and women. The TIMEX Run Trainer 2.0 GPS has a new menu-based system, which makes is much easier to navigate the various features. The 2.0 also has vibrating alerts, which is cool because you can still get your alerts while listening to music. The 2.0 is a little lighter than the 1.0 version too. It also has interval timers based on time or distance. Like the 1.0 version it's still water resistant to 50M and is approved for swim.

The 2.0 also includes:
* real-time distance, pace, speed, heart rate, etc.
* quick signal with SiRFstarIV technology
* 15-workout memory with dated summary
* free access to online training log
* desktop device agent allowing for easy changes to watch and performance settings
* 100-lap chrono with customizable 2- or 3-line display
* hands-free chrono operation based on distance and time
* pace, speed, and distance vibrating/audible alerts
* hydration and nutrition alerts
* interval timer with segments based on time or distance
* customizable alarm with backup
* rechargeable LI-Ion batter with 8-hour life if full GPS mode
* compatible with ANT+ sensors for heart rate and foot pod data
* INDIGLO night-light with NIGHT-MODE feature and Constant-On options.

Retails for $225 ($275 w/heart rate monitor)

So, if you're looking for a great easy-to-use GPS from a dependable company, check out the TIMEX GPS Run Trainer 2.0 GPS. Ultra Marathoner Meredith Dolhare also trains and races with the TIMEX Run Trainer 2.0. Check out her bio here. To see all the TIMEX GPS models click here.

PS: Be on the lookout for a giveway soon!!!!

Notice: While TIMEX provided the featured product for review, they in no way requested a positive review nor did I receive compensation for my reveiw. My review is based on my personal experience with the product. 

Timex Ironman Run Trainer GPS Watch Giveaway!

J.R. Martinez in Training for the NYC Marathon
toRaise Money for the NYRR Youth Programs

Hear the name J.R. Martinez and Dancing With the Stars probably comes to mind. The actor and motivational speaker was the winner of season 13 of the dancing competition show watched by millions. He's also famous for his role on the soap, All My Children. Martinez began his motivational speaking after being severely burned over 34% of his body while deployed in Iraq. Since then he's been speaking to thousands on the topic of resilience and optimism.

Martinez has now partnered with Timex for an awesome adventure to benefit the New York Road Runners (NYRR) Youth Programs. These programs serve over 100,000 children in schools and community centers nationwide, promoting health and fitness, character development and personal achievement in underserved communities.

Timex isn't just getting Martinez ready to run the marathon. No, they're getting him ready to be the last place runner. Well, at least at the start. You see, Timex is going to donate $1 for every person that Martinez passes in the race. So, you can already guess, that Martinez is getting in the best shape of his life in order to pass as many runners as possible!

"I have learned to embrace every challenge and I am especially excited to train for the ING NYC Marathon." Martinez said. "As a motivational speaker, I want to continue to spread the message that you can accomplish anything that you put your mind to. I'm excited that together, Timex and I will make an impact on the lives of children benefiting from NYRR Youth Programs."

Timex is supplying Martinez with Timex Multisport Team athlete, Mac Brown as his coach who has created a specific training program for Martinez in order to maximize safety and performance.

Of course Martinez will be sporting the new Timex Ironman Run Trainer GPS Watch while training for and during the marathon to help keep track of pace and distance covered. (Be sure to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win one of the same watches!)

Fans will be able to track Martinez's progress during the marathon on November 4th via the TIMEX Sports Facebook page as well as @TIMEXSports and @iamjrmartinez on Twitter. Watch the video clip below to hear Martinez tell more about his upcoming adventure.




Enter for a chance to Win a TIMEX Ironman Run Trainer GPS Watch! To Enter for a chance to win a Timex Ironman Run Trainer GPS Watch like J.R. Martinez, complete the info below! a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the Winner of the Free Soleus GPS 1.0 Is...

CONGRATULATIONS 

to Trish Imiela of Ferny Hills DC Queensland, Australia,winner of the Soleus GPS 1.0 Running Watch! And a huge thanks to all who entered and who support the blog. 


A Big Thanks to Soleus for providing such an awesome giveaway! If you haven't already, be sure to visit their website and check out all their products including the GPS 1.0.


If you haven't had a chance to check out my review of the Soleus GPS 1.0 Running Watch, click here.


Your support and readership of the blog means so much. If so inclined, a vote of support for RunnerDude's Blog at The Top 100 Running Sites would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your readership!


Note: While Soleus requested the product review and provided the GPS watch for testing, I received no payment for completing the review, nor was I encouraged to write a positive review. The review results are strictly based on my experience using the Soleus GPS 1.0.

Soleus Is In the House!

Garmin has reigned king over the GPS running watch market for years. Not so much because they're the best, but rather they've been the only thing available. Not knocking Garmin, they have a good product (except I did have a horrendous time with a 405 that was a lemon from the get-go and never worked right), but they are a bit pricey. 

If you're looking for a basic GPS watch to measure your distance, speed, pace, and calories burned that's not going to bust your budget, there really hasn't been much available....until now. A new competitor has entered the market--Soleus. The Soleus GPS 1.0 Digital Running Watch is very much affordable ($99) as compared to Garmin's lowest priced GPS watch the Forerunner 110 (not really sure of it's price because on the Garmin website it's listed at $179.99 on one page and then on the page where you order it, it's listed at $229.99).

I've been testing out the Soleus GPS 1.0 for a little over a month now and I've really enjoyed using it. It has everything I need. It's very simple to use right out of the box. It's provided accurate pace and distance each time I've used it. I have really small wrist and the other GPS watches on the market always felt so huge and bulky on my wrist. The Soleus GPS 1.0 is about as close to the size of a regular sports watch that I've seen. It fits well. I think both women and men will be surprised and happy with the size and feel when wearing it. Another cool thing about the Soleus GPS 1.0 is that you can input your personal data to help you track calories burned during your workout.

More specifically, the Soleus GPS 1.0 comes with the following:

• GPS: high-sensitivity receiver

• Distance: current & total in Miles or Km

• Pace/Speed: current & average

• Calories Burned: current & total Kcal burned

• Chrono: 1/100 second resolution

• Data Storage: 100-lap memory

• Water-Resistant: 3 ATM

• World Time: 106 cities covering all time zones

• Rechargeable Battery: USB rechargeable lithium-ion

• Weight= 2 ounces

Fits my small wrist well and is very light!

Some GPS users who like downloading all their data so they can analyze their runs, may not like not having that ability with the Soleus GPS 1.0. It does have a certain amount of memory to store each run's data so you can look back at past runs directly on the watch.

What it doesn't have in data "downloadability" it makes up for in reams with it's high sensitivity GPS receiver. The runs with my clients take me into all kinds of terrain much of which is thickly covered with trees, even a tunnel! So having a GPS that can quickly find the satellite and keep it is a must and Soleus delivers on both. Love that!

The Soleus website provides great easy-to-follow videos on how to use the GPS 1.0. This really helped me get up and running very quickly.

Soleus GPS 1.0 - Basic User Guide from Soleus UK on Vimeo.

So, if you're thinking about getting a GPS watch and don't want to (or can't) take out a bank loan to get one, try the Soleus GPS 1.0. I'm very pleased with my experience with the Soleus. It does everything I need it to. It's dependable. It's small. Best of all, it's affordable!

Note: While Soleus requested the product review and provided the GPS watch for testing, I received no payment for completing the review, nor was I encouraged to write a positive review. The review results are strictly based on my experience using the Soleus GPS 1.0. 

Your support and readership of the blog means so much. If so inclined, a vote of support for RunnerDude's Blog at The Top 100 Running Sites would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your readership!