Do you need a running watch to be a “real” runner? In this first episode of Just Keep Running, Evan Blakeney shares his honest experience buying a used Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar on eBay for $250 — what works, what doesn’t, and whether a watch is actually worth it for beginner and intermediate runners.

Evan walks through his two running journeys: the first one in college with no watch, no Strava, no goals — just running for the joy of it after reading Born to Run. And the second one now, training for the Jigger Johnson 20-mile ultra in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, where suddenly every pace, heart rate, and Strava notification can become a source of imposter syndrome.

In this episode:

• The trap of comparing your numbers to David Goggins, Cam Hanes, David Roche, and Ashley Paulson (who just broke the women’s 100-mile world record at 12:19:34)

• Whether training readiness scores and suggested workouts actually help

• Multi-band GPS accuracy vs. your phone

• Battery life on the 955 Solar (he got almost 14 days)

• Buying used on eBay: what to look for, what to avoid, and the rule he uses (it has to be at least half off new)

• Why he probably didn’t need a flagship watch — and what he’d tell you to buy instead

• Who actually benefits from a running watch, and who should just go run

Whether you’re a beginner deciding on your first watch, eyeing a used deal, or talking yourself out of buying one — this episode lays out the real trade-offs from someone going through it right now.

Connect with Evan:

Instagram: @evan_blakeney

Have a question or topic you want covered? DM or email.

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Until next time, Just Keep Running

Until Next Time: Just Keep Running