Are We Addicted to Our Watches?

If your watch didn’t record it, did it even happen?

Hey Friend!! Welcome back to the Big Adventure Club. I hope you’re feeling good wherever you’re reading this!

Just yesterday, I ran my 9th half marathon in none other than Track Town USA — Eugene! Two years ago, I ran my very first full marathon here, and in just 5 weeks, I will be done running my second.

The last two half marathons have made me feel both excited and encouraged that I am right where I need to be heading into the June Tunnel Marathon. Every race feels like another step closer to the big goal I have been working toward all season.

If you are not already following me on Strava, come join me there! I love seeing all of your hikes, runs, and races too. It is seriously one of the most motivating parts of training — cheering each other on and celebrating every little win along the way.

Alright, let’s jump into today’s mindful musing...

Mindful Musings

Are We Addicted to Our Watches?

Why does it sometimes feel like a workout doesn't "count" unless your watch says it does?

I have had some version of a step tracker on my wrist since childhood. My mom got us pedometers for fun. My school hosted step-counting competitions. Then came the Fitbit. I remember getting one in high school and watching the steps roll into calories burned. That was my first exposure to “earned movement.”

Now I wear a GPS watch that tracks everything: pace, distance, heart rate, VO2 max, sleep, recovery, training readiness... and still, sometimes I ask myself: for who?

I have started intentionally taking my watch off during yoga. I have stopped tracking strength workouts. Because if the goal is to tune into your body, why does it matter what a screen says?

And yet, I still feel that subtle panic when I forget to press “start” on a run. Or when my battery dies halfway through. Like the miles don’t count. Like I did something wrong.

We even wear our clunky black sports watches to weddings. We chase the satisfaction of closing our circles at the end of the day. We track steps on vacation.

I get it. The data can be helpful. Sometimes motivating. But I also think it is important to pause and ask:

• What is my relationship with this device?

• Is it helping me connect to my body?

• Or is it pulling me away?

Sometimes unplugging, even just for one run or walk, reminds me that my worth is not measured in steps, calories, or "training readiness scores." It is in how I feel. How I show up. How deeply I listen.

This Week’s Journaling Prompt

Take 5-10 minutes this week to reflect:

What would it feel like to move your body without tracking it? What fears come up when you think about letting go of the numbers?

(You might surprise yourself.)

Leaving Notes

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Thank you again for being part of this little community. I’ll see you next time! Where we will dive into an exciting new outdoor guide for spring adventures!

Happiest Outside,
Lauren 💙