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Naked running!

It’s time for a quick update on my training for the Chester Triple!

To recap, I ticked off the 10k on March 8th. Next up is the Half Marathon on May 17th, which is officially just 3 weeks and 1 day away.

It’s been about two months since I ditched the running watch, and honestly? It’s been a bit of a roller coaster. Here is how the 'watch-free' life is treating me:

The Pros

I love the freedom. When I decide to run, I just go. There’s no standing around waiting for a GPS signal, no mid-run distractions from flashing numbers, and no post-run over-analysing.

The best part? It’s made me more social. My crew at work has been incredibly supportive, and we’ve been hitting the pavement together after shifts. Before, I probably would have turned down those runs because they didn't fit the 'strict plan' on my watch. Now, I run for the enjoyment and the company.

The Cons

I’ll be honest: there’s a confidence gap. Without a digital 'record' of my miles, I sometimes fall into the trap of feeling like I haven’t trained enough, even when I have. Without that data for reassurance, the gaps between runs feel longer than they actually are.

The Verdict

Despite the occasional wobble in confidence, the benefits outweigh the negatives. I’m sticking with the watch-free plan! To help bridge the gap and keep a 'memory' of my progress, I’ve started taking more photos of my routes instead of tracking miles.






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