running gear review – Tips with Marie

Let me guess — you’re standing in the middle of Best Buy, confused, overwhelmed, possibly holding an overpriced coffee or matcha, and wondering:
Do I go Apple? Do I go Garmin? Am I about to make a personality-defining decision?

Honestly… kinda.
But here’s the deal: it really depends on what you’re looking for.

🍎 Team Apple Watch – For the Lifestyle Athlete

If you’re someone who wants your watch to do a little bit of everything — from replying to texts mid-run to checking your calendar while pretending you’re listening in class (guilty) — the Apple Watch is where it’s at.

Seamless iPhone integration
Reply to messages and emails from your wrist
Can work as a standalone device if you add it to your phone plan
Looks good — let’s be real, she’s sleek

I had my Apple Watch SE for four solid years. That’s a long-term relationship in tech years. It was dependable, cute, and gave me all my notifications without constantly pulling out my phone. But when I got serious about running and training for races, I realized… I needed more.

🏃‍♀️ Team Garmin – For the Fitness-Obsessed

Enter: my new love. The Garmin Forerunner.
Listen. I’ve only had it for a month, but I’m in deep.

Custom running workouts
Suggested training based on your goals (yes, she’s smart)
Ability to save and follow routes
Battery life that actually lasts (I go 5 days without charging — Apple could never)

It’s not as cute or flashy, but it is 100% a runner’s watch. I feel like it gets me. Like, “Oh, you have a marathon coming up? Let’s train smart.”
Meanwhile, Apple is like, “Your standing goal is almost there, wanna close your rings?” Cute, but… not the same.

So Which One’s Better?

If you’re someone who:

Loves techy convenience
Wants a versatile smartwatch
Stays active but not obsessed…

→ Go with Apple Watch.

If you:

Are training for a race (5K to marathon)
Like data, stats, and custom training plans
Want a watch that’s here for your fitness glow-up

→ Go Garmin all the way.

Bonus: What About Fitbit?

Lemme stop you right there. I had one once upon a time. It died in under a year and never came back. RIP, Fitbit.
It was cute while it lasted, but let’s just say I didn’t go to the funeral.

Final Thoughts

Right now, Garmin is my MVP. I’m in my “training for a marathon while juggling school, mom life, and building a running brand” era. I need something that trains with me, not just tracks my steps.

But if Apple ever drops a watch with Garmin-level training features AND 5-day battery life, I’ll be the first in line.