Dead easy to use. Once you press and hold the bezel for "training" it finds the sattelite signal and then you hit start when you're ready. You can lock the bezel but the stop/start button still works.
You'd have to be not moving around for some time before it went to power save mode so I wouldn't worry about it. About 2 mins before the race starts just press training and get ready. Easy peasey....
I use Google earth/maps sometimes when I get home so I know where and how far I've run. You can also use mapmyrun.com. I would still keep a record of length (time) of run though.
It wasn't just the stretching that did it for me but calf raises on stairs or anywhere I could find a ledge in the house. I still do them now when I'm on my way upstairs!
Also, you don't have to take your old shoes in to a running shop for a gait analysis. The analysis is to see how you run and how your feet strike the ground so they can determine the correct type of shoe for you. Perhaps you should take your shoes in so they can see what you've been running in, however chances are they are going to recommend another type of running shoe.
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