G-SHOCK Watch Tops the Podium with Joseph Gray
An in-depth look at the G-Shock GBDH1000 and how it helps Joseph Gray stay on top
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In Partnership with G-SHOCK
By Jeff Colt
Since 1983, G-SHOCK has designed the toughest watches on the planet. Now, G-SHOCK introduces the GBDH1000, building on the reputation of toughness with a feature set that may make it the most versatile running watch. The GBDH1000 is a shock-resistant and 20-bar water-resistant GPS watch with wrist-heart-rate monitoring. Additionally, it tracks a suite of metrics that help Joseph Gray, the king of distance running versatility, keep his competitive edge.
Gray, 36, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, has represented the USA an astonishing 31 times and won 18 national championships, and is a two-time World Mountain Running Champion. He is a favorite to win every time he toes the starting line and now credits some of his training improvements to the G-SHOCK GBDH1000.
Even with Gray’s efficient cadence and fine-tuned metronome, training on mountainous trails and at elevation makes it tough to dial in pace.
“I was really good at that when we were at sea level,” says Gray, “but since moving to the Springs, there has been a big transition in learning what the correct training paces feel like.”
Enter heart rate and perceived effort—the metrics Gray relies on to digest his performance and track the progression of his fitness.
“With the new G-SHOCK watch,” Gray says, “I’ve started to monitor my heart rate more to make sure my effort is consistent, and it’s more accurate than other wrist monitors I’ve used. The data helps me understand my body, and know how my pace should feel in a race.”
Five sensors ensure the GBDH1000 transmits accurate data to the screen in real time:
Optical Sensor (Heart Rate Monitor)—detects the blood flow under the skin and measures heart rate.
Accelerometer—detects body movements and measures step count and distance traveled. It also interpolates distance measurements in environments where GPS measurement is unavailable.
Magnetic Sensor, Pressure Sensor and Thermo Sensor—takes measurements of compass bearing, altitude, barometric pressure and temperature. Compass bearing and altitude information improve the accuracy of GPS distance measurements.
G-SHOCK’s new GBDH1000 and accompanying app, G-SHOCK Move, have helped Gray to accurately and more easily monitor his training progress.
“I set my training plan in the watch and it holds me accountable,” says Gray. “Being able to look back at my training is key. I can go to my log on the watch and view my last few days of training, my pace, my mileage and other details.”
After a training effort, the log displays elapsed time, distance, pace, calories burned, heart rate, maximum heart rate, aerobic training effect and anaerobic training effect. These metrics can help a new runner find their stride and comfort zone while helping aspiring competitors and elites comprehend their base fitness and fine-tune for races.
Equipped with a workout split function, the GBDH1000 can give updates based on distance traveled or based on time interval, and can record up to 140 laps per run. Customizable displays help show critical information and metrics, while mobile link connectivity can display notifications of incoming calls or reminders.
While using the GBDH1000 with continuous GPS measurement and the optical sensor for heart rate, the battery can last up to 14 hours, or up 18 hours using intermittent GPS measurement. Additionally, the GBDH1000 is equipped with both traditional USB charging and a solar charging system that charges the watch during regular use, prolonging your next adventure.