Reduce the frequency of checking your sports watch while running to prioritize listening to your body's sensations (breath, muscles) in order to better regulate your pace.

noli's read

The idea of regulating one's pace based on sensations is supported by a very solid concept in sports science: Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). A systematic review conducted by Brick et al. (2020), synthesizing several experimental and observational studies, confirms that focusing attention on internal bodily signals (such as breathing) promotes better management of pace and energy in distance runners. This active listening allows for real-time adjustments to external conditions (wind, elevation), which a watch cannot anticipate. Conversely, the assertion that looking at one's watch hinders stride fluidity or disrupts overall biomechanics is not based on any solid scientific evidence. While raising the arm briefly alters alignment, no kinematic study has demonstrated that this fleeting gesture impairs running economy. The suggested hybrid approach—running primarily by feel and then occasionally validating with technology—therefore remains excellent for developing runner autonomy.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.