Brian Peabody

My running habits have gone through several transformations. A few times each year, I'd lace up my shoes and participate in a local race, but faced with ever-growing finish times and a waistline to match, I resolved to get more serious about my running. My training got more consistent and I entered more races, but my speed stagnated and I started calling myself "The Fastest Loser." Cursed with a very deep age group, I was frequently the first person across the finish line who didn't collect a trophy or medal.

I decided that if I couldn't go fast, I would go long, and began training for my first half-marathon. After a few of those, a first marathon seemed reasonable. Immediately after finishing, it seemed LESS reasonable, but the "never again" eventually wore off, and I entered a second, and a third marathon.

After my third marathon, my performance had again plateaued, so I sought help from revered local coach, "Mad Dog."

Coach did two things -- he ramped up my training mileage, and he recommended I train with a Polar Training Computer. With guidance from both, my fourth marathon was my best ever, earning a qualifying time for Boston in 2010 and 2011. I also gained a series of Personal Records in virtually every shorter distance I competed in, and much coveted "Elite Runner" status in the outsized Peachtree Road Race.

While the sweat and the effort were mine, it was training smarter, and expert guidance from my Polar Training Computer and Coach Mad Dog that made the difference. I now serve as a volunteer coach to other runners, and the use of a Polar device is high on my list of recommendations.