The Running Thread - 2016

[opusone]

Very interesting option!! Thank you! In that write-up it says I should be looking at the Vivoactive HR too, but I had excluded that from my final list for some reason and I don't remember why now. Ha. Back to the reviews I go!! Ha.

The Vivoactive HR doesn't have GPS, so I imagine that is why you excluded it, but the new one (HR+) does.

The VivoActive HR does have GPS. It turns on based on the activity and turns back off when you are in fitness tracker mode. I really like it and find the battery life extremely good. I have never been below 80% charge even when going past a full day wearing it. I think it is a good substituted for the entry level Garmin running watches.

@GreatLakes is correct. Sorry, I meant the Vivosmart HR didn't have have GPS, not the Vivoactive HR.

 

[SueInBoston]

What I really want is the Garmin 235, but since I wouldn't be wearing it all the time the idea of spending $300+ really did not appeal to me.

REI will have the 235 for $250. Anniversary Sale starts on 5/20

 

[Kathymford]

REI will have the 235 for $250. Anniversary Sale starts on 5/20

SAY WHAT!! Sorry ... I was excited. Just when I was thinking the Vivioactive HR might work ... Thank you!

 

[alexce]

I have the Nike watch but have wondered if I'm missing anything by not having a Garmin. I like it though - gives me the stats I want (though only two at any given time), and since I usually have headphones I don't use the interval beeps.

 

[derekleigh]

The half course was nice although it was a little confusing. The roads were not closed and with all the out and backs, there were runners on both sides of the roads at a lot of points with local traffic also trying to make their way down the roads, and to make things more confusing, there were points in the race where we were supposed to switch sides across the road and there were not always race marshals there. Like at one part of the course somewhere between miles 7-8 on the way out and 10-11 on the way back, both sides were running with the traffic, but at some point about halfway down that road we were supposed to swap sides and be running against the traffic, and I totally did not realize it until I was dodging people running straight at me on their way back while I was still going out. The volunteers were terrific but I think they may have been a little bit short, and the narrow roads and traffic caused a lot of confusion in spots, but it was a really nice course overall. Lots of scenic ocean views and nice houses.

Thanks for notes! The half does sound a bit confusing by your experience. Will you do this race again at some point?

Sorry to hear the run didn't go great, but the positive thing is you gutted it out and finished. You story also shows that our running community is awesome.

With only a week to recover a 5k PR would have been difficult. I doubt that race time is a reflection of your current level of fitness. If you have a 5k this weekend you should be recovered enough for a solid outing!!

I think had the races been switch, things might have been different. Either way it was a great race and run event. I'm actually at a point where I don't like 5Ks because I know they will hurt. Feels great when it's over but during the race it will hurt. My ultimate goal is to hit a solid sub-7:00 MM 5K. My best time is 7:02.

QOTD: What type of device do you use to track your runs? What do you like and dislike about it?

ATTQOTD: Currently a Garmin Forerunner 620. When I first got it I loved the Bluetooth/wifi features, as well as the race predictor, virtual running partner, and all the other data. What I dislike is I am always having some sort of issue with it and after it loaded my run Saturday it turned off. Got home to charge it and it wont take a charge. It does for about 10 seconds and then stops, stats looking for a GPS signal and then turns off. Very frustrated!!!!

I mostly use my runningahead.com site for plotting my normal courses. However for routes or places I cannot plot ahead of time, I use a GarminForerunner 220. My biggest dislike is sometimes the distance is under by .05 -.10 miles.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Great question and loving the input!

Garmin 620 here. Haven't had trouble with it, thankfully. The running metrics are not particularly enlightening, but totally cool and I check them occasionally. I use the HR strap, and have been pleasantly surprised that it hasn't been that uncomfortable or chaffed so far. I'm very interested in the 735XT, especially as I'm thinking about triathlons after Dopey next year.

But, I am a slave to the thing. @DopeyBadger mentioned in his Wisconsin Marathon recap that he 'removed the blind' in mile 25. I'd like to get better at relying on feel, instead of the device, but still want to keep track of my data. Anybody else try this, and does it work for you? (And how do you do it, exactly? Thanks!

Yep, in training I'm a slave to my Garmin 620 as well. I try and hit my training interval paces within a tight window of +/- 10 seconds or 5 seconds on every workout. I check my watch every 0.15-0.25 miles. During those workouts I try and memorize what the effort feels like. This is my calibration process. It always takes a few weeks at the beginning of the new training cycle to match effort with pace. Then, I implement a few blind runs into my normal workout routine. These blinded test runs are done during all types of workouts (speed, tempo, long run, easy). At the conclusion, I see how well my perceived effort matched the pace I thought it should be.

This also gives me a gauge as to where my fitness sits and allows me to make estimated guesses as to how fast I'll run. It's how I trained for a 3:26 but knew about 4 weeks ahead of race day that I was in shape for a 3:18 (would have hit it too if it weren't for that darn headwind). I did a blind easy run 6ish weeks out that was suppose to be 9:33, but ended up about 9:15 even though the effort was equal. Earlier in the cycle I did a blind easy at 9:50 when it was suppose to be 9:33, and knew at that time I was still off where I was trying to get to.

Towards the end of the cycle and as I get close to race day I could literally toss the watch out the window and run almost any pace of those I've done over the last 18 weeks without fail. When it comes to race day it's the all about trusting that trained perceived effort. It's a process and takes time to get used to, but when it comes to race day it's a golden method. Then you're not a slave to the time you want and can run faster/slower based on the conditions and how you feel that day.

 

[Slogger]

Great question and loving the input!



But, I am a slave to the thing. @DopeyBadger mentioned in his Wisconsin Marathon recap that he 'removed the blind' in mile 25. I'd like to get better at relying on feel, instead of the device, but still want to keep track of my data. Anybody else try this, and does it work for you? (And how do you do it, exactly? Thanks!

I'm the worst at looking at my pace and distance about every 3 seconds. Aarrrghhh!
I've tried going a couple of minutes "blind"....it's hard!
Next week I am going to try an entire run "blind".....relying solely on effort and not technology.

 

[Slogger]

Yep, in training I'm a slave to my Garmin 620 as well. I try and hit my training interval paces within a tight window of +/- 10 seconds or 5 seconds on every workout. I check my watch every 0.15-0.25 miles. During those workouts I try and memorize what the effort feels like. This is my calibration process. It always takes a few weeks at the beginning of the new training cycle to match effort with pace. Then, I implement a few blind runs into my normal workout routine. These blinded test runs are done during all types of workouts (speed, tempo, long run, easy). At the conclusion, I see how well my perceived effort matched the pace I thought it should be.

... Then you're not a slave to the time you want and can run faster/slower based on the conditions and how you feel that day.

How long did it take you to master the effort vs. technology curve? Hopefully it will get easier with practice!

 

[DopeyBadger]

How long did it take you to master the effort vs. technology curve? Hopefully it will get easier with practice!

Initially, it took a few months. Problem is with each new training cycle and new paces it takes a few weeks to recalibrate. But it seems like the recalibration phase gets easier each time I have a new cycle. Trust the results and whether you're too fast or too slow it isn't a negative, just a miss. I just see it as an assessment. You just have to make sure you're being honest with yourself in the perceived effort. Only way to get better at it.

 

[Dis5150]

ATTQOTD: I have a Garmin 10. I love everything about it except battery life. It was great for training for half's but it won't last for long runs during marathon training. Don't want to spend big bucks though so idk what to get.

 

[Waiting2goback]

QOTD: I use RunKeeper on my phone. I bring my phone with me in case of an emergency and also because I sometimes run when the kids are in school and if they get sick I need to be reached to come get them. So my phone works fine for me.

 

[Miranda]

since I usually have headphones I don't use the interval beeps.

That's a nice thing about the Garmins... you can have them vibrate instead of beep.

 

[Miranda]

Thanks for notes! The half does sound a bit confusing by your experience. Will you do this race again at some point?

Yes, I think so... it was a very well run race, other than the traffic and a couple of course glitches, and the traffic was really only an issue on small portions of the course. I heard there was a pirate themed water stop that a lot of people loved but I totally missed that? I am kind of oblivious sometimes when I'm running. SO did the ChEAR thing last year at Tink so he was on Main Street when I was going through there and asked if I'd seen Goofy and somehow I totally missed him? He was like how could you miss him, he was on a giant drum or something right in front of you! I don't know, I felt like I missed a lot of characters.

 

[Keels]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

I used to have BAD bouts of paranoia late last year when I was training for Dopey (mostly triggered by this story - not for the faint of heart - and the constant coverage of it: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crim...ndom-on-white-rock-creek-trail-police-say.ece), and then I had a subtle panic attack in the corral the morning of the half marathon during Dopey ... but that was largely because I'd never done a large race at WDW before (both DLH and W&D pale in comparison to the Half), but I know that was largely due to just the sheer number of people and overall massiveness of everything.

Lately, I've been noticing I'm becoming a little more paranoid on my solo runs - especially when I don't take a dog with me. Like, I tend to notice cars I see more than once pass me during the two-mile loop I do in my neighborhood. Things like that.

Surely, I can't be the only one that feels this way from time-to-time, right?

 

[MommaoffherRocker]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

I used to have BAD bouts of paranoia late last year when I was training for Dopey (mostly triggered by this story - not for the faint of heart - and the constant coverage of it: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crim...ndom-on-white-rock-creek-trail-police-say.ece), and then I had a subtle panic attack in the corral the morning of the half marathon during Dopey ... but that was largely because I'd never done a large race at WDW before (both DLH and W&D pale in comparison to the Half), but I know that was largely due to just the sheer number of people and overall massiveness of everything.

Lately, I've been noticing I'm becoming a little more paranoid on my solo runs - especially when I don't take a dog with me. Like, I tend to notice cars I see more than once pass me during the two-mile loop I do in my neighborhood. Things like that.

Surely, I can't be the only one that feels this way from time-to-time, right?

Your not the only one, I get paranoid too. I will see someone coming at me and I'll hide my phone cause I swear they are going to rob me and it usually ends up being a kind elderly man. There is other times when I think a car is driving by a little too slow or gone by multiple times and I'll call DH until I think the danger has passed. It got really bad after a man came up to me in a parking lot while I was buckling my kids in and wouldn't leave me alone and another woman came up and stood with me until he left. DH wanted me to carry mace after that but I haven't gotten around to getting it yet.

 

[keahgirl8]

I know it's frustrating. I missed my October marathon last year because of my foot and I was trying to make sure I was OK for Disney in January. I know I did the right thing but it still bothers me to this day to miss it. It bothers me to be missing my training runs right now because of my ankle. It is messing up all my plans for my races coming up next month as well as my yearly mileage goals. But, as I learned last year, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Thank you. I know you're right, and I've learned that the hard way. I just get tired of missing out on things I want to do.

QOTD: What type of device do you use to track your runs? What do you like and dislike about it?

I have a Garmin 220. It has an interval timer and tracks my time, distance, and pace. It actually has a heart rate monitor I can sync with it, but now I use my Fitbit for that. I love what it does for my running, but I kind of wish it was a fitness tracker. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to wear a bulky watch all day every day, so I guess I can put up with it.

That's a nice thing about the Garmins... you can have them vibrate instead of beep.

I have to. In Disney races especially, there are WAY too many beeps happening.

 

[ebradley23]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

I used to have BAD bouts of paranoia late last year when I was training for Dopey (mostly triggered by this story - not for the faint of heart - and the constant coverage of it: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crim...ndom-on-white-rock-creek-trail-police-say.ece), and then I had a subtle panic attack in the corral the morning of the half marathon during Dopey ... but that was largely because I'd never done a large race at WDW before (both DLH and W&D pale in comparison to the Half), but I know that was largely due to just the sheer number of people and overall massiveness of everything.

Lately, I've been noticing I'm becoming a little more paranoid on my solo runs - especially when I don't take a dog with me. Like, I tend to notice cars I see more than once pass me during the two-mile loop I do in my neighborhood. Things like that.

Surely, I can't be the only one that feels this way from time-to-time, right?

I run with pepper spray clipped on my belt which gives me a (probably false) sense of safety. I have studied martial arts for much of my life too, so I can defend myself if necessary. Anyone wanting to grab me better be prepared for a fight. I highly recommend some women's self defense classes for ladies. At the very least they teach us how to be aware and carry ourselves with confidence.

With all that said, I've watched one too many episodes of Criminal Minds for my own good. I can freak myself out if I start thinking about it too much. I usually run through scenarios of what I would do if grabbed (I'm going for their eyes, throat and/or groin BTW) to shake myself out of the morbid thoughts. I also jokingly say to myself that bad guys always grab joggers, and I'm not a jogger ... I'm a runner. It's a stupid thought, but it makes me laugh which snaps me out of the morbid thoughts.

 

[FFigawi]

But, I am a slave to the thing. @DopeyBadger mentioned in his Wisconsin Marathon recap that he 'removed the blind' in mile 25. I'd like to get better at relying on feel, instead of the device, but still want to keep track of my data. Anybody else try this, and does it work for you? (And how do you do it, exactly? Thanks!

I never run without my watch, but I do most of my running by feel. After many years of practice, I know what various places feel like for me from a level of effort perspective. One way to learn to do this is to run the same route several times at what feels like the same level of effort. At the end of each run, you can look at your watch to see what your time and pace were. Assuming no drastic changes in your fitness, you should be able to come pretty close to the same time after a few repetitions. Having a buddy run along with you to talk to will help you learn to run by feel to. You'll quickly find your "conversational pace" because you won't be able to converse much if you're running too hard. Running by feel is really important if you're training in heat and humidity, or at altitude. You won't be able to hold your normal pace when the conditions are difficult or extreme, but if you run by feel, you'll exert the same effort as your pace drops. Then when you go someplace cooler form your race, your pace will naturally increase since your effort will be the same.

Really? I tried it a month or so ago and it didn't work, but noticed that there is an upgrade availabel...will try that out for sure! No more hand-written swim workouts stuck to my kickboard! Who am I kidding...I'll still go with the slip of paper in a ziplock bag too

I haven't tried it yet because I wanted to make sure the upgraded pool algorithm fixed the missing laps issue. After two big swims this week, the watch has only missed one lap out of 320, so I'd say that problem has been resolved. I'll tinker with loading a workout later this week, but I'll still have my ziplock bag just in case.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

So, does anyone experience panic attacks or little bouts of paranoia when they run?

I used to have BAD bouts of paranoia late last year when I was training for Dopey (mostly triggered by this story - not for the faint of heart - and the constant coverage of it: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/crim...ndom-on-white-rock-creek-trail-police-say.ece), and then I had a subtle panic attack in the corral the morning of the half marathon during Dopey ... but that was largely because I'd never done a large race at WDW before (both DLH and W&D pale in comparison to the Half), but I know that was largely due to just the sheer number of people and overall massiveness of everything.

Lately, I've been noticing I'm becoming a little more paranoid on my solo runs - especially when I don't take a dog with me. Like, I tend to notice cars I see more than once pass me during the two-mile loop I do in my neighborhood. Things like that.

Surely, I can't be the only one that feels this way from time-to-time, right?

I don't even think about my safety when I run. I plan for safety, but once my run starts I am in another place mentally. But when I run with my wife, I find myself thinking about her safety constantly. One time we were about a half mile into a 5 mile out and back trail run when I came up lame - my calf wasn't having it. She wanted to finish the run, so she went on without me while I hobbled back to our car on my own. I was totally stressed out until she got back safely. So I totally understand.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I never run without my watch, but I do most of my running by feel. After many years of practice, I know what various places feel like for me from a level of effort perspective. One way to learn to do this is to run the same route several times at what feels like the same level of effort. At the end of each run, you can look at your watch to see what your time and pace were. Assuming no drastic changes in your fitness, you should be able to come pretty close to the same time after a few repetitions. Having a buddy run along with you to talk to will help you learn to run by feel to. You'll quickly find your "conversational pace" because you won't be able to converse much if you're running too hard. Running by feel is really important if you're training in heat and humidity, or at altitude. You won't be able to hold your normal pace when the conditions are difficult or extreme, but if you run by feel, you'll exert the same effort as your pace drops. Then when you go someplace cooler form your race, your pace will naturally increase since your effort will be the same.

I also always wear my Garmin but try not to use it for pacing - just to verify my pacing afterward. I think that running by perceived effort is the ideal, but (as @DopeyBadger said) it takes some practice if you have specific run/race goals. With almost 4 months off I am just now getting back to the point that I can stop thinking about my pace and still run my desired pace based on how I "feel". By the time the Dopey rolls around, I hope to be back where I was before my injury, when I could run at a desired pace without thinking about it at all during my run. I could totally check out mentally and enjoy the run while still meeting my run goals. That is the nirvana of running - being able to totally disappear into a run without compromising your results.