Nowadays, technology is more than just a convenience – it can be a true partner in sports. For runners, that means tracking more than just pace and distance: load, recovery, training efficiency, and even stress levels all come into play. When all this data is accessible from your wrist, with clear visuals and meaningful analysis, both motivation and performance improve significantly.

That’s exactly the case with the Garmin Forerunner 965 – a premium GPS smartwatch designed specifically for runners and triathletes who want to train smarter, not just harder. With its bright AMOLED display, adaptive race plans, built-in color maps, detailed training and recovery analytics, real-time effort management, and sleep and HRV tracking, the Forerunner 965 gives you a full picture of your physical condition and athletic progress. Lightweight and comfortable, it offers up to 31 hours of GPS usage on a single charge – more than enough for marathons, ultramarathons, and all the training in between.

We now meet Veronika Kuzeva from the Garmin team, who shows us how this watch has become her personal coach, transforming the way she trains, races, and recovers.

What does running mean to you, and what does it give you?
I’ve been running for as long as I can remember. I trained in competitive tennis for 9–10 years, and sport – especially running – has been an inseparable part of my daily life ever since. For me, running is the best thing that ever happened to me. As a triathlete, I also use the watch for swimming, and for cycling I rely on the Garmin EDGE 530 bike computer. I started a few years ago just to keep up with sports after ending my tennis career, but it quickly became a passion – and a kind of personal therapy. Running gives me freedom, time to disconnect, clear my mind, and feel like I can do anything. I’ve participated in the Wizz Air Sofia Marathon, and every race is incredibly exciting – there’s nothing like the energy at the starting line!

How long have you been using the Forerunner?
It’s been over three years now, and it’s always with me. Honestly, I don’t know how I trained before it! It quickly became a part of my everyday life. I used to take it off at night, but after all the new sleep and recovery features, I stopped doing that altogether. Now, even when I take it off briefly, you can see the white tan line on my wrist from afar.

How does this sports smartwatch help you prepare for races like the Wizz Air Sofia Marathon?
The Garmin Forerunner is like a personal coach on my wrist – always by my side and always accurate. Garmin watches offer excellent training planning and monitoring options for running, cycling, and swimming – from pre-planned workouts to post-session analysis. As a triathlete who has to combine training in three sports – and while finishing a Master’s degree in High-Performance Sports at the NSA – I started creating my own training plans and using the watch to execute them properly. Beyond the built-in Garmin coaches and plans, it also allows syncing with external platforms for importing training plans. So every morning, I know exactly what my training is for the day and what shape I’m in, based on sleep and recovery data. I use the Forerunner for three levels of control – real-time, operational, and periodic. It also helps me plan and pace my races accurately.

Which functions do you use most often – and which ones surprised you?
During a training session, I monitor my heart rate, pace, and perceived effort using the watch. I try to optimize my performance by studying running dynamics data. These metrics help me get the most out of every workout. I also use the Forerunner for swimming – both in pools and open water. For cycling, I mostly use my bike computer, but sometimes I use the watch to track speed, heart rate, and other data.

Do you track sleep, stress, and recovery metrics – and how do they fit into your training plan?
Absolutely! These metrics are key to smart training. Proper recovery is the key to progress. Sleep and stress data are great indicators – if my body isn’t ready, I adjust the plan. Garmin taught me balance. I track Body Battery, Sleep Score, Stress, Training Readiness, Resting HR, and more. These help me understand how recovered I am and whether I’m ready to train. They even help predict when my period is approaching or when I might be getting sick.

What are your favorite running routes – and how has the watch helped you discover new ones?
I love running in South Park and Borisova Garden in Sofia, but the best part is that with the Forerunner and Garmin Connect, I can create routes anywhere – even when traveling. The watch has led me to some amazing trails I didn’t even know existed. Running becomes a little adventure! Wherever I go abroad, I run and explore new places, and the map I leave behind becomes a memory in itself.

Will we see you at the Garmin zone during the marathon?
Oh, definitely! I’ll be there early on the morning of October 12th – I love the energy, meeting other runners, and the good vibes. The Garmin zone is always a motivation hub before the race – see you there!

You can learn more about the Forerunner 965 in person at the Garmin zone during the Marathon Expo (October 8–12), where other Garmin products for runners of all levels will also be on display. And of course, you’ll have the chance to meet Veronika Kuzeva and hear more about her training and experience with Garmin.