Marathon Weekend 2016

[Kathymford]

I have been reading about the 225. Question - Is it comfortable wearing the watch higher on the wrist as they recommend for the HR monitor? I am so used to wearing 610 all the way down by my hand.

I had to adjust to this for the Apple Watch too. I was always a in front of my wrist bone watch wearer and getting used to this was odd. I still have a tendency to want to push it down, but it's not uncomfortable ... just odd.

Also, for anyone else who is a RunKeeper/Apple Watch person (anyone??), RunKeeper just created a standalone app for the apple watch , so now you don't have to run with your phone and will use the heart rate monitor from the watch. It will also have music analytics with a full rundown of your playlist and pace for each song. I thought this part was kind of cool.

 

[SeattleSuz]

I am already compiling a running playlist on my spotify, so that I can start my training! You guys are seriously inspiring me so much!!!

 

[opusone]

...RunKeeper just created a standalone app for the apple watch , so now you don't have to run with your phone and will use the heart rate monitor from the watch.

Without the phone, however, RunKeeper will not use GPS (since that is on the phone), but instead will use the Apple Watch accelerometer to track distance. This is usually not as accurate as GPS, and you will also not get a nice map of your route afterwards. It will, however, self calibrate, so the accuracy should be decent after you first run several times with the phone (GPS).

 

[rteetz]

On the subject of watches and apps. I use RunKeeper and have recently bought an Apple Watch. I know the Apple Watch isn't quite there in some of the running stats, but I'm hopeful it will get there some day. I do like the heart rate monitor on it and I've been using that to tell me when I'm running too fast. I don't necessarily want another device, but I do like the lap pace information @DopeyBadger was mentioning. Is there an inexpensive one that you guys could recommend?

I have an Apple Watch too but normally use Mapmyrun. I have also tried the apple workout app which isn't bad either. I don't know much about run keeper.

 

[SarahDisney]

What do you guys think of the fitbit app and the running portion that they have built into it?

Until I got my Garmin, I mostly used the Fitbit app to track my runs. When it worked, I thought it was great, but I had problems stopping and starting runs and occasionally with the GPS. I had switched over to MapMyRun at one point, but I kept switching back to Fitbit to see if the problems were fixed.

That said ... I like the Garmin better. The biggest differences for me are that the Garmin is on my wrist so I can see it when I'm running, and it gives me the lap pace at the end of each mile, which I could never get Fitbit to do (I could only get overall pace).

If you don't want to buy something, I think the Fitbit app will be fine, but if you're willing to spend the money, I think the Garmin watches are better.
Oh, and never trust any info you get from the Fitbit itself. That thing is never accurate. The app is more accurate because it uses GPS.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I have read those comments as well, but I'm not sure what they are talking about. I wear the 225 at the same position as my older watches (just above the wrist bone, see picture below), and the heart rate has been very accurate. I find that the only time the HR is not accurate is if you have the watch too loose, so you do need to keep it fairly snug.

View attachment 130525

Thank you - the picture really helps.

 

[Kathymford]

I have an Apple Watch too but normally use Mapmyrun. I have also tried the apple workout app which isn't bad either. I don't know much about run keeper.

I usually run both, myself. I've tried MapMyRun, but I have more friends on RunKeeper and I need that positive reinforcement. It's not too different, except MapMyRun saves/gives you routes. RunKeeper is really just a tracker.

 

[IamTrike]

I've been a long-time user of Garmin watches and highly recommend them. Their latest budget version (which does include Lap Pace as a data field) is the Garmin Forerunner 25. At about the same price point, the Polar M400 gets pretty good reviews, and I'm almost certain that it has Lap Pace as a data field.

A great website for GPS watch reviews is DC Rainmaker.

BTW, I use the Garmin Forerunner 225 which, like the Apple Watch, has the HR monitor on the back of the watch. I am very happy that I do not have to wear a chest strap anymore.

I'm a big fan of DC rainmaker. I wanted the 225 to replace my Nike + watch. A buddy was selling his 220 because he got a vivofit so I bought that instead. I saw that the 230 and 235 were announced yesterday. I was excited for the vo2 max tracking but I was bummed you still need a chest strap for that.

I feel like I need to post this here because I am not sure many of my friends would care. I got my corral assignment for my hot chocolate race. It draws something ridiculous like 20,000 or 40,000 people or something. It takes over an hour to get through Corral A through W.

AND I GOT CORRAL C!!!! Sorry if this is not exciting for you all...but I'm over the moon. My first thought was "I get to pretend like I'm a fast runner" but then I thought...no no no, this is proof I am a fast runner...right? Anyways, who cares. I'm sure there are faster behind me who just didn't submit proof of time.

My hubby got F and that's not too shabby either!

Woot woot! You are faster than about 80% of the people. I'd say that makes you fast.

I am already compiling a running playlist on my spotify, so that I can start my training! You guys are seriously inspiring me so much!!!

Are you going to share your playlist?

 

[opusone]

I'm a big fan of DC rainmaker. I wanted the 225 to replace my Nike + watch. A buddy was selling his 220 because he got a vivofit so I bought that instead. I saw that the 230 and 235 were announced yesterday. I was excited for the vo2 max tracking but I was bummed you still need a chest strap for that.

Yes, I saw the 230/235/630 announcement on DC Rainmaker. If I had known the new ones would come out this quickly, I would have waited when I purchased my 225 a few months back. Oh well. It will be interesting to see how well the 235 HR monitor works given that they are now making it in-house (instead of using the tried-and-true Mio unit they used on the 225).

 

[mrsg00fy]

I am finding the treadmill comments interesting. I have had a treadmill for more than twenty years. This is actually my second one and it is a pretty good quality one. For various reasons including convenience and safety I find the treadmill far more pleasant than running outside. we all have different preferences and I would rather run ten miles on the treadmill than have to run outside for even three miles and have to deal with the elements, cracked sidewalks and curbs, dogs, running past smokers, etc. For the cold weather in particular there is no way I will run outside. Just too miserable. Also, I have had chilblains and it is just not worth risking that. If it is below 50 degrees I don't like to even be outside.

Needless to say that I was miserable in the corrals in January and February at the marathon weekend and princess half!!! I much prefer warmer conditions. All that said I ran my fastest ever time in philly last March .....it was 27 degrees at race time. But man was I miserable!!!!!!!

 

[IamTrike]

I have mixed feelings about the treadmill. I think it's a height thing but I find I'm slower on the treadmill than when I run road. For me the treadmill is also a mental thing. When I run outside I have lots of things to distract me. On a treadmill I have to fight through the urge to just push the stop button and and go do something else. I actually like the mental training aspect of it. I also like the fact that I can use the treadmill to push me to a specific pace. With a lot of the speedwork I was doing it was nice to be able to set the treadmill to know what pace I should be running.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Man alive, good stuff again guys! I am going to work on trying to find a running buddy locally, who can help me with distance and endurance. My hubby has already gotten past his exercised-induced asthma issue, so he is no help! I ran a mile yesterday (my nice, slow trot) and was thinking, 'Dang, I need to step up my running cuz this seems so long. What is a Half going to feel like to me?!'
Honestly, my fitness level is not that of a runner, by any means at all. I lift weights (nearly to muscle failure by the end) twice a week and run/jog twice a week, but my endurance with running needs some help... I am hoping that committing to this half will help me with that.

To someone just starting to run a 1/2 marathon seems impossible. It just takes work and consistency and you will build the endurance. You just need to decide what you want, commit to it, and do the work to make it happen.

 

[Waiting2goback]

As for the treadmill discussion, I don't really enjoy it but living in MA it is a necessary evil. Last winter we got some ridiculous amount of snow, like 104" in 3 weeks, so there was nowhere to run. But I am way faster on the treadmill. When I do an 8:00 mile pace it feels like a jog. Not to mention your feet and ankles don't get used to the pounding of the road.

I ran on the treadmill a few times before my doctor's appt just to keep running. Now that I am back on the road I am having to get used to the impact again. I ran back to back days these last 2 days. It was to soon. My feet and ankles are SORE.

 

[Neoflynn]

put me on the side of disliking the treadmill, I am lucky enough to have one in my living room and I like that its there when I need it in a pinch, but I feel I just don't get the same benefit from it and I feel so SLOW as well

 

[Baloo in MI]

I'm with you, @SarahDisney !
I just finished my first half marathon, and for the first time I wasn't too strict about my pace. And you know what? I had a blast!!

I wish we bump into each other during our races! I'd love to meet you all!

Congrats!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Thanks for all of the cold weather tips everyone, you guys rock! No hibernation for me this year, I've got a marathon to run! Last weekend I ran a half marathon and the temperature was around 38 degrees and I must have dressed appropriately because I was quite comfortable the whole time. So I'm feeling better about running in the cold temps, but a little worried about the snow - I loathe the treadmill. Let's hope El Nino will keep the snow away at least until I've run my last 20 miler.

Trying to catch up and saw all the feedback you have been getting on cold weather running. As a fellow Michigander just wanted to say don't let the cold temps get in your way. It is all about layers, and Yak Tracks when the ice is mingled with the snow! My treadmill died last year and I ran straight through the winter outdoors. It is doable! Good luck and enjoy the brisk air that is on the way!

 

[Baloo in MI]

Wow! The thread exploded the last few days. So exciting to see all the great thoughts and advice, even if it took me two hours to get caught up! Just wanted to send out a thank you to Ffigawi and LSUlakes for the feedback on my knee issue. I did go to the injury clinic yesterday and I am happy to say that the good news is my knee pain is disappating and the PT felt it was overuse from the marathon and time to upgrade my shoes. He suggested that I "prioritize the three S's: Stretching, Strengthening and Support. But I do not have to change any plans for Dopey, thank goodness. More stretching, new exercises and new shoes. I can work with that.

 

[JClimacus]

As for the treadmill discussion, I don't really enjoy it but living in MA it is a necessary evil. Last winter we got some ridiculous amount of snow, like 104" in 3 weeks, so there was nowhere to run. But I am way faster on the treadmill. When I do an 8:00 mile pace it feels like a jog. Not to mention your feet and ankles don't get used to the pounding of the road.

I ran on the treadmill a few times before my doctor's appt just to keep running. Now that I am back on the road I am having to get used to the impact again. I ran back to back days these last 2 days. It was to soon. My feet and ankles are SORE.

I live in MA as well and I remember dealing with the snow. I hate treadmills as well and was determined to stay on the roads. I rethought it after running in one of the big snowstorms and having to leap over a snowbank into a couple feet of snow to avoid getting sandwiched by two snowplow trucks. Doing 12 miles on a treadmill was brutal nonetheless. A friend of mine's alternative was to run on a 1/8 mile indoor track in Peabody. That's 96 laps! Not sure which is worse.

I ended up settling on running around the block, which involved carrying a clicker to count off the laps. Uggh.

 

[derekleigh]

Being from NH, I've dealt with snow much like some of you. So last year as a way to continue running outside (and avoiding injury via slipping) I purchased a pair of Stabl-Icers and they were AWESOME. They work well when you have a decent amount of snow on ground and they slip right over your shoes.

 

[SarahDisney]

NYC wasn't hit quite as badly as some other places last year, but we still had a decent amount of snow.
My general policy was that I didn't go out when it was actively snowing, but once I knew the streets (and park path) had been plowed, I walked to the park and ran there (I was hesitant to run on the streets for fear of being sandwiched between cars and snow). There was some running on snow involved because of black ice issues, but mostly it worked.

Of course, this probably only worked because at the time I was only running twice a week (and still fairly short distances) ... I'll have to wait and see how it works out this winter.