On April 24, 2015, the first Apple Watch was launched, marking a significant milestone in wearable technology and personal fitness. I still vividly recall the moment when mine arrived, little did I know that strapping on the Apple Watch would serve as the catalyst for my transformation into a half-marathon runner.

At the age of 24, fitness was not anywhere near my identity or daily routine. Much like many habits, my fitness journey began with a streaka commitment to closing my Activity rings each day.

2015: Starting from Zero

Reflecting back, my earliest recollection of running goes all the way to eighth grade, around 2005. The only thing I achieved during gym class was completing a mile run by walking alongside my friends for a leisurely 20 minutes. Fast forward to May 9, 2015, when I engaged in my first exercise endeavor in years, solely motivated by the need to capture a screenshot of my Activity rings for an Apple Watch review.

Encouraged by the watchs motivational features, I committed to standing up and moving around for at least 12 hours each day, achieving at least 30 minutes of brisk walking, and burning a self-imposed target of 500 active calories. This commitment marked the inception of a streak that would see me consistently close my Activity rings, using the original Apple Watch, which would later be referred to as Series 0 after Apple launched subsequent models.

2016: The Rise of Series 2 with Standalone GPS

In early 2016, Apple introduced the Apple Watch Series 1, which came equipped with a new chip that enhanced performance. The subsequent release, Apple Watch Series 2, not only retained the speed improvements but also incorporated the first built-in GPS functionality. I embraced my ring-closing streak by taking daily outdoor walks while sporting the original model. Initially, I had to carry my iPhone to accurately map outdoor workouts using assisted GPS.

As the summer rolled in, bringing with it heat and humidity, I opted to purchase a used elliptical machine for home workouts, ensuring my fitness journey continued without the risk of overheating outdoors. However, when it came time to review the Apple Watch Series 2 for 9to5Mac, I felt compelled to demonstrate its GPS capabilities without relying on my iPhone. I decided to put the watch to the test by going for a run, despite my complete lack of running experience.

Lucky for me, the cardio workouts I had been doing with the elliptical and the original Apple Watch eased my transition into running. I committed to closing my rings as soon as possible each day, and with the summer heat still lingering, I encouraged myself to run even when the conditions were less than ideal. My initial attempts at running were limited to just a few seconds before I needed to walk and catch my breath, but gradually, I improved my stamina to the point where I could run a mile without stopping. This marked a turning point in my journey, as I began utilizing the Apple Watch Series 2 as intended, ultimately falling in love with running.

2017: Series 3 Introduces LTE Connectivity

A significant upgrade came with the Apple Watch Series 3, which introduced LTE connectivity, allowing users to listen to music while running without needing their iPhones. Music had always been a crucial element in making running enjoyable for me. I had previously relied on syncing songs to the watch ahead of time and using Bluetooth headphones during my outdoor runs. Initially, I started with a budget-friendly pair of wireless earbuds that were connected by a wire, which limited my mobility during workouts.

The launch of AirPods changed everything, as they provided a truly wireless experience, seamlessly pairing with my Apple Watch right from my iPhone. With the Series 3s LTE capabilities, I was finally able to go for runs without my iPhone strapped to my arm, allowing me to stream music directly from Apple Music through my AirPods.

It was remarkable how the combination of the Apple Watch Series 3, LTE connectivity, and AirPods transformed my running experience. No longer was exercise just a means to an end; it became a source of joy, a space for solitude, and an opportunity for reflection. I began to set and surpass personal goals, witnessing my progress firsthand.

Throughout my journey, I logged my first workout with the original Apple Watch, ran my first mile with the Series 2, and celebrated completing my first 5K, 10K, and even a half marathonthanks to the capabilities of the Series 3.

2018-2019: New Models and New Milestones

The introduction of the Apple Watch Series 4 brought forth a larger display, while the Series 5 introduced an always-on display, enhancing user experience and functionality. Throughout this period, I had the pleasure of testing the accuracy and battery life of these new models during various races, making the evaluation process thrilling.

Between 2015 and 2019, my life transformed utterly. What began as an effort to become more active blossomed into a passion for running, culminating in the completion of seven different half-marathon races. Now, I identify not just as someone who enjoys fitness but as a runner at heart.

While its important to note that the Apple Watch doesnt inherently make someone a runnerafter all, the act of running itself is what truly defines a runnerI cant help but feel that my journey would have been drastically different without it.