Pace bands

Everybody likes their own Garmins, TomToms or Polars GPS watches… I know that, just love my TomTom Multisport (actually have preordered new model recently)… but when running sometimes you focusining on it too much. You are glancing all the time, just to check what is your time, pace and you are forgetting to enjoy the run (maybe that is a little too harsh, but you are getting the idea). So where the pace bands are kicking in.

Simple band, either paper or rubber, placed on your wrist. Idea is to give you split time (and total) per km or mile to allow you not to do the math when running. Most of the time you have three columns of numbers, first with km/mile number, second with split time and the last one with total time for that distance. So what you just need to do is to make sure that you keeping the pace to match your target. But remember, do not overdo when running.

There is plenty websites where you can create your own wrist pace band but some of these contain bugs and viruses on the websites. So I will use list of links tested and created by Grace, runner from New Orleans on her blog ‘How I complicated my life today’ – http://complicatedday.blogspot.ie/2011/03/best-marathon-pace-bands-online-print.html.

Cliff Bars: I like that the band has larger print than most, but the smeary colored background at major miles makes it hard to read. Not my favorite.
Marathonguide:  I like this band because you can create different distances. I printed one up for a 30k this year. Then I left it at home. Awesome.
Runner’s World: Don’t use this one. It creates a PDF with a black background, so when you print it you waste a gallon of ink.
Taper madness: Simple, clear, easy to read.The basics.
Katy fit: Super extensive Excel spreadsheet that lets you really play with your times; you can choose to negative split and the band will adjust miles accordingly; your pace per mile will be shown to the right. Two different sizes to choose from.
Running Room: Prints in bold so it’s good for people with who are too vain to run in glasses (Abe? are you reading?) and has a variety of distance options.
My marathon pace: For an important race, download the paceband created specifically for your marathon! These bands actually take into account the terrain and course of several big name races. The full version you have to pay for. Just the band is free to download. There is A LOT of info here: even the “generic flat marathon” pace band has options; you can choose to “fade” at the end or “slow start”. If you choose a specific marathon, your band will be adjusted to account for hills, trails, etc. You can print in a variety of sizes.
Runner’s Toolbox: The most distance options, but the bracelet has remarkably small font. It might still be helpful if you wanted to create one for an unusual distance. If you hit “get splits” instead of “make a wristband” you can copy and paste the splits into Word and adjust the font and size to your own liking.
Fellrnr: This gentleman created a triple-pace band that adds in two safety cushion columns in addition to standard splits. In other words, if you know you fade at the end of a marathon, or if you expect late hills to kick your booty, you can build in a 1 or 2 minute cushion.