The Running Thread --2025

[Erika10021]

ETA: just discovered the Coros Pace 3 - a little more expensive, but worth considering?

I have the Coros Pace 3. It is fabulous for intervals, pacing and other details. The best part is that you can customize the watch faces to show the facts that you want. So I have a couple of watch faces I use, one for regular runs and one for blind runs (no pace info). I mostly only use it for pace, distance, heart rate, and elevation gain and remove all the other details. I highly recommend.

 

[The Expert]

But more importantly it will be before I turn 50 and it’s something I’ve wanted to do for a decade and a half

That's exactly when and why I did my first marathon! Januarys are going to feel very different without Bob and friends in town, I'm sure, but so glad you'll be able to join for MW races now.

 

[PrincessV]

Buy a new band from Amazon? Or just the loops?
Also, you could try contacting Garmin, they will sometimes replace things that have broken. I got a whole new band from them at one of their races, when I was just asking if they happened to have any of the little loops because mine had broken (and I might have been using a hair band to hold it down).

But maybe you are wanting a new watch anyways. I’ve heard good things about Coros, but I really can’t recommend the best watch for what you would use it for.

I’ve replaced the bands before. Just searched online

A quick Amazon search shows that replacement band loops (and watch bands themselves) are available for this watch.

I probably didn’t explain it well, but it’s not the band that’s broken - it’s the hard plastic holes permanently attached to the watch itself, the ones through which the screws need to go to attach the band, that are snapped in half. They basically weakened and shattered. There’s no way to attach the band now, other than glue. Which after almost 24 hours of drying does seem to be holding, though I haven’t actually tried putting it on my wrist yet…

I don’t think Garmin will do anything, as it’s very old and the only option would be to replace it entirely - and the 45s isn’t available anymore.

I have the Coros Pace 3. It is fabulous for intervals, pacing and other details. The best part is that you can customize the watch faces to show the facts that you want. So I have a couple of watch faces I use, one for regular runs and one for blind runs (no pace info). I mostly only use it for pace, distance, heart rate, and elevation gain and remove all the other details. I highly recommend.

One thing I like about my 45s is that I can set up what’s visible, so I’ve only got time, distance (and pace, which I don’t care about, but it requires me to have 3 items) in one screen, and can toggle to another screen for over options, With the Pace 3, are you able to shift between faces during a workout? Also, are intervals easy to set up and turn on/off? I’ll use the same intervals through an entire run, but I don’t use them on every run. Thanks for your review and input!

 

[AaronB]

I have the Coros Pace 3. It is fabulous for intervals, pacing and other details. The best part is that you can customize the watch faces to show the facts that you want. So I have a couple of watch faces I use, one for regular runs and one for blind runs (no pace info). I mostly only use it for pace, distance, heart rate, and elevation gain and remove all the other details. I highly recommend.

I'll add a recommend for Coros as well. Have been using the Pace 2 for a long time, and probably will get the Pace 3 at some point. Really like how thin and light it is. I also am pretty basic when it comes to details as I run (not doing intervals, setting targets, etc.), just looking at time, pace, and distance, which Coros has been great for.

 

[AaronB]

One thing I like about my 45s is that I can set up what’s visible, so I’ve only got time, distance (and pace, which I don’t care about, but it requires me to have 3 items) in one screen, and can toggle to another screen for over options, With the Pace 3, are you able to shift between faces during a workout? Also, are intervals easy to set up and turn on/off? I’ll use the same intervals through an entire run, but I don’t use them on every run. Thanks for your review and input!

I can't say much on intervals, since I don't use them, but can answer yes, you can set multiple faces and just swipe between them, and customize whatever you want to see on those faces. It also seperates things into "activities", which you can create custom ones of those as well. So, say you want to see different stuff on a treadmill run vs an outdoor run, you can have an activity with different settings for each.

For the intervals, I know the features are there, I just don't know much about them. Their app is where you customize everything, and it is pretty intuitive, so I think creating an interval workout is probably pretty straight forward.

 

[avondale]

One thing I like about my 45s is that I can set up what’s visible, so I’ve only got time, distance (and pace, which I don’t care about, but it requires me to have 3 items) in one screen, and can toggle to another screen for over options, With the Pace 3, are you able to shift between faces during a workout? Also, are intervals easy to set up and turn on/off? I’ll use the same intervals through an entire run, but I don’t use them on every run. Thanks for your review and input!

A number of Garmins have the functionality of setting up what's on the "data screens" for your various activities, like runs, walks, cycling, etc. And you can set up more than one data screen per activity - for example, for trail runs, I have a screen with pace/time info and another screen for elevation info, etc.

So that's definitely not just a Coros feature. But I'm not up on Garmins enough to know which ones can do this. I used to have a Venu that could do it, but my Garmin 2-something before that, I can't remember.

 

[rick1zoo2]

Another Coros pace 3 plug - I like the band that came with ours - its a nylon strap that secures with velcro, so it can be adjusted perfectly, and can be rinsed out and dries quickly. Also, I think you can have up to six customized screens per activity (run, walk, hike, indoor/treadmill, etc.). You can also set up workouts, alarms for paces, heartrate, etc. Mostly I just start it and go. We use if for runs and walks.

 

[JediKnightXan]

I probably didn’t explain it well, but it’s not the band that’s broken - it’s the hard plastic holes permanently attached to the watch itself, the ones through which the screws need to go to attach the band, that are snapped in half. They basically weakened and shattered. There’s no way to attach the band now, other than glue. Which after almost 24 hours of drying does seem to be holding, though I haven’t actually tried putting it on my wrist yet…

If the glue doesn't hold another thing that may be worth trying is UV resin/adhesive. It can be drilled through (in theory) and might hold a little better than super glue.

*Edit*
Sorry reading that thought it could be taken a couple of ways. What I was trying to explain was fill the broken holes on the watch with the UV then drill the screw holes back in so the band could attach like normal not glueing the watch band to the watch if that makes sense.

A 5 min epoxy or similar might work too but would be a bit harder to not get where you don't want.

 

[Erika10021]

One thing I like about my 45s is that I can set up what’s visible, so I’ve only got time, distance (and pace, which I don’t care about, but it requires me to have 3 items) in one screen, and can toggle to another screen for over options, With the Pace 3, are you able to shift between faces during a workout? Also, are intervals easy to set up and turn on/off? I’ll use the same intervals through an entire run, but I don’t use them on every run. Thanks for your review and input!

As others have noted, you can toggle through the different screens while you are on your run. You can set up intervals on the watch itself or you can create a plan that includes intervals. You cannot, however, switch in and out of plans or intervals on any particular run. But it is easy enough to finish the one run and start the next one.

ETA: you can skip an interval too. Sometimes I just run through the walk interval or walk through the run interval.

 

[PrincessV]

Another Coros pace 3 plug - I like the band that came with ours - it’s a nylon strap that secures with velcro, so it can be adjusted perfectly, and can be rinsed out and dries quickly. Also, I think you can have up to six customized screens per activity (run, walk, hike, indoor/treadmill, etc.). You can also set up workouts, alarms for paces, heartrate, etc. Mostly I just start it and go. We use if for runs and walks.

I was just coming back to ask if any Coros users went for the nylon band, so thank you so much for this! The silicone band on my Garmin irritates the heck out of me: I can mostly ignore it while running or at a theme park, where I’m distracted, but cannot tolerate it in everyday life. I know both Garmin and Coros have nylon options and was wondering if I might like that better.

As others have noted, you can toggle through the different screens while you are on your run. You can set up intervals on the watch itself or you can create a plan that includes intervals. You cannot, however, switch in and out of plans or intervals on any particular run. But it is easy enough to finish the one run and start the next one.

ETA: you can skip an interval too. Sometimes I just run through the walk interval or walk through the run interval.

I do the interval skipping, too. It was a lot easier when it was cool enough for :30/:30 intervals - I could skip one, skip a couple, always easy to jump right back to :30! But the heat is so bad now I’m down to :20/:40s… though the heat is also so bad that I have no interest in running longer than :20 in the first place lol!

 

[PrincessV]

If the glue doesn't hold another thing that may be worth trying is UV resin/adhesive. It can be drilled through (in theory) and might hold a little better than super glue.

*Edit*
Sorry reading that thought it could be taken a couple of ways. What I was trying to explain was fill the broken holes on the watch with the UV then drill the screw holes back in so the band could attach like normal not glueing the watch band to the watch if that makes sense.

A 5 min epoxy or similar might work too but would be a bit harder to not get where you don't want.

I was pondering something like that. I used what I happened to have on hand - which turned out to be Gorilla Construction Glue because the ancient bottle of Super Glue was dried up. The Gorilla stuff re-attached an entire ceramic towel bar to my wall and has held up, so this watch repair just might work better than expected. The unknown is how well it’ll hold up to the combination of sunscreen, sweat, heat, and water…

 

[Professor_Cookie]

I probably didn’t explain it well, but it’s not the band that’s broken - it’s the hard plastic holes permanently attached to the watch itself, the ones through which the screws need to go to attach the band, that are snapped in half. They basically weakened and shattered. There’s no way to attach the band now, other than glue. Which after almost 24 hours of drying does seem to be holding, though I haven’t actually tried putting it on my wrist yet…

I don’t think Garmin will do anything, as it’s very old and the only option would be to replace it entirely - and the 45s isn’t available anymore.


One thing I like about my 45s is that I can set up what’s visible, so I’ve only got time, distance (and pace, which I don’t care about, but it requires me to have 3 items) in one screen, and can toggle to another screen for over options, With the Pace 3, are you able to shift between faces during a workout? Also, are intervals easy to set up and turn on/off? I’ll use the same intervals through an entire run, but I don’t use them on every run. Thanks for your review and input!

Oh yeah, in that case, sorry!

 

[jrsharp21]

I went to a triathlon clinic yesterday, and part of that clinic was a session on race day nutrition and nutrition leading up to race day. One thing the instructor told us that you should either eat at least 3 hours before a race or don't eat at all before the race. She said if you take in food in that 3 hour before the race, your body directs extra blood to your stomach to process that food. She said you want that blood flow to be going to the muscles in your legs (and arms in the case of the triathlon). She said if you don't eat before, then 5 minutes before the race starts, take a Gu or gel. Since they are fast absorbing carbs, your body doesn't need that blood source to absorb them and it will also help top off your glycogen levels.

Interesting concept. Back when I started the rD runs, I didn't eat before races. But then I started thinking I needed to. So I would bring a Honey Stinger waffle and an Uncrustable in the car with me and would eat it on the walk out to the meet up area. With some upcoming races in the fall, I am going to try going back to not eating and just popping a GU five minutes before.

 

[rick1zoo2]

I went to a triathlon clinic yesterday, and part of that clinic was a session on race day nutrition and nutrition leading up to race day. One thing the instructor told us that you should either eat at least 3 hours before a race or don't eat at all before the race. She said if you take in food in that 3 hour before the race, your body directs extra blood to your stomach to process that food. She said you want that blood flow to be going to the muscles in your legs (and arms in the case of the triathlon). She said if you don't eat before, then 5 minutes before the race starts, take a Gu or gel. Since they are fast absorbing carbs, your body doesn't need that blood source to absorb them and it will also help top off your glycogen levels.

Interesting concept. Back when I started the rD runs, I didn't eat before races. But then I started thinking I needed to. So I would bring a Honey Stinger waffle and an Uncrustable in the car with me and would eat it on the walk out to the meet up area. With some upcoming races in the fall, I am going to try going back to not eating and just popping a GU five minutes before.

That makes sense - reminds me of the old advice not to swim after eating. We have gotten into the habit of having either an uncrustable or bagel and an applesauce pouch along with coffee that we eat on the bus from the resort to the race. I think that works out to be about 2 hours before the race. Then for the longer races, I have a Honey Singer waffle or gel when the corral starts moving towards the start. This seems to work out well for me, I don't think I could do a race without eating, but I agree, has to be a couple of hours prior.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

I went to a triathlon clinic yesterday, and part of that clinic was a session on race day nutrition and nutrition leading up to race day. One thing the instructor told us that you should either eat at least 3 hours before a race or don't eat at all before the race. She said if you take in food in that 3 hour before the race, your body directs extra blood to your stomach to process that food. She said you want that blood flow to be going to the muscles in your legs (and arms in the case of the triathlon). She said if you don't eat before, then 5 minutes before the race starts, take a Gu or gel. Since they are fast absorbing carbs, your body doesn't need that blood source to absorb them and it will also help top off your glycogen levels.

Interesting concept. Back when I started the rD runs, I didn't eat before races. But then I started thinking I needed to. So I would bring a Honey Stinger waffle and an Uncrustable in the car with me and would eat it on the walk out to the meet up area. With some upcoming races in the fall, I am going to try going back to not eating and just popping a GU five minutes before.

This advice makes me really nervous because so many people are underfueling their runs as it is. I think I'd rather have a little bit of blood flow to my stomach at the beginning of a race than hit the wall at mile 12 because I was glycogen-depleted. Having a gel right before the start is better than nothing, I guess. And everyone is different. But I would much rather have a real breakfast 90 minutes before the race.

I recently started listening to the podcast Your Diet Sucks, which focuses on nutrition for endurance athletes. They're very practical and research-based, and I find them quite funny as well. Highly recommend if you're interested in the topic.

 

[camaker]

I went to a triathlon clinic yesterday, and part of that clinic was a session on race day nutrition and nutrition leading up to race day. One thing the instructor told us that you should either eat at least 3 hours before a race or don't eat at all before the race. She said if you take in food in that 3 hour before the race, your body directs extra blood to your stomach to process that food. She said you want that blood flow to be going to the muscles in your legs (and arms in the case of the triathlon). She said if you don't eat before, then 5 minutes before the race starts, take a Gu or gel. Since they are fast absorbing carbs, your body doesn't need that blood source to absorb them and it will also help top off your glycogen levels.

Interesting concept. Back when I started the rD runs, I didn't eat before races. But then I started thinking I needed to. So I would bring a Honey Stinger waffle and an Uncrustable in the car with me and would eat it on the walk out to the meet up area. With some upcoming races in the fall, I am going to try going back to not eating and just popping a GU five minutes before.

The good thing for me is that the way RunDisney races are set up, it's very easy to eat 3+ hours beforehand. I usually get up about an hour before the buses start and eat a couple of Kind bars with my morning caffeine. That has me eating ~3.5 hours prior to the race.

 

[nancipants]

I get super hungry in the morning so I don’t think I could go without eating before a race. I usually eat in the car on the way to runDisney, and have an applesauce pouch beforehand.

 

[marty3d]

I get super hungry in the morning so I don’t think I could go without eating before a race. I usually eat in the car on the way to runDisney, and have an applesauce pouch beforehand.

Me too. While I'll struggle if I eat "real" food 60-90 minutes before a run I need to eat something. When I run in the morning in the summer, I'll have a yogurt or energy bar - or even a protein shake will do and then I'll have breakfast afterwards.

With rD races it's a little easier because I'm on the bus almost 3 hours before the start of the race. uncrustables are my go too on rD mornings and then la gel pack 30 min before the start and normal feeling for the rest. Exception is the full where I will grab a bacon & egg grilled cheese from the food truck on my way to the meet-up. (Don't judge! It works for me! )

 

[PrincessV]

As always, we’re all “an experiment of one”… I eat breakfast in my room before an rD race, and also have a granola bar or PBJ an hour before or so before starting my race - haven’t had a problem with that yet.

 

[sandam1]

Exception is the full where I will grab a bacon & egg grilled cheese from the food truck on my way to the meet-up. (Don't judge! It works for me! )

No judgement here! Grilled cheese is one of my favorite things to eat in the morning before a run although I usually don't add the protein.