Metronome training?

I'm confused. You can't learn the fine art of pace judgement using a metronome. What you can use it for is to check and, if you need to, to improve your cadence -- your footstrikes per minute.

Learning how to run at specific paces is very useful, especially when you're racing. To do that you need to calibrate how each pace FEELS to you. And for that you'll need either a measured course, a track or a speed-distance monitor. I use a Garmin Forerunner, but am saving up for a Polar RS800sd, which as well as giving you your pace will also reveal your stride length -- and cadence!

Using a metronome will give you zero information about whether you are training aerobically or anaerobically. But then neither will using a heart rate monitor. You will have to work that out for yourself and then learn where your threshold heart rate values are.

It sounds like you would really benefit from working with a coach.

I'm debating between a Forerunner 101 and a 201. Is the 201 worth double the price of a 101?

Definitely. Otherwise you have to buy a separate heart rate monitor. The 101 is "just" a GPS that will give you speed and distance. Get the 201 and you get all your data in one place. Makes for good graphs and easy analysis (if you or your coach are that way inclined).

Star of the range is now the 301, so the 201s have really come down in price.

well to get Heartrate I'd have to buy the 301.

I don't really have a coach and I pretty much run by feel. The goal of getting a GPS is to more accurately guage my pacing, but I am interested in getting into the rest of that stuff as well.

Hey Guys, isn't the 305 the star these days? I was chatting with a guy using on this weekend and he loved it. Let's just say we had the same goal, he used his watch to pace himself to perfection and he hit his goal, I, on the other hand, ran by feel and although I was way ahead at the half, he blew by me by the end and beat me by 10 minutes.

Jeesh, you're right! Sorry guys -- brain a bit tired at the moment.

Yeah, 305 is the improved, new designed Forerunner.
101 and 201 are the same -- no heart rate monitor. The 101 uses batteries; the 201 is rechargable. The 301 has HR (and is the one I'd go for).

201 still worth the extra in my opinion, because if the GPS is having a hard time finding sattelites it really uses up the battery. The 201 is not only rechargable but has a USB connection so you can download info into your computer.

I like to run b y feel -- and then check what I'm actually doing. That way you get to calibrtate yourself accurately :)

The downside: when Gabino used to run alongside me in races he'd tell me that every time I looked at my Forerunner I lost seconds/yards on the pace. Trying to make sense of too much information when your brain has no glucose left can be very funny.

the 300 model ones have heartrate. There is a really good deal on a 301 and I think I'm gonna get it. I have a huge problem with pacing and I'm hoping that I can define my pace with a forerunner. Learn it. Perhaps even get myself to the point where I can feel out my own pace and heart rate.

Way to go! That's a sound way of training. You will definitely start to associate specific feelings in your body with specific paces. Of course, as you get fitter, you will have to recalibrate!

I would also recommend spending some time on a track -- where the going is level and smooth and you can concentrate on what's going on in your body without worrying about where you're putting your feet. On the track you can get away with just using an ordinary sports wristwatch. Pick the pace per mile you want to "learn" and divide it into 100m splits, then try to hit each 100m to the exact second. It gives you instant feedback and you'll soon find you can just "sit" there at your goal pace.