Running

p.s. hope your ankle fixes fast Dammit

the garmin forerunner 305 has pretty good battery have done 12 hour rides and it's held charge

Another vote for the 305 here, a top bit of kit.
If you're a mac user, Ascent is a bit better than the Garmin software I recon.

It does much more than tell you where you've been. You can upload routes and times, training sessions (intervals, pacework etc etc) set zone limits, race virtual partners, or yourself on a previous run of the route. Also calculates height etc to give true distance and gradient. Keeps an accurate training log very simply. And so on.

Don't think they are exploiting. OK, the units aren't that cheap, but they are well designed and roubust, and the analysis software is free.

If you don't want the usb element, you can get a 105 - just GPS distance and stopwatch, as well as the training functions, or less than a decent dig watch. I have one I used to use as bike computer before I got me 305 and Edge.

I find they give structure to my training, and an addition point of interest, which is motivational.

It does much more than tell you where you've been. You can upload routes and times, training sessions (intervals, pacework etc etc) set zone limits, race virtual partners, or yourself on a previous run of the route. Also calculates height etc to give true distance and gradient. Keeps an accurate training log very simply. And so on.

Don't think they are exploiting. OK, the units aren't that cheap, but they are well designed and roubust, and the analysis software is free.

If you don't want the usb element, you can get a 105 - just GPS distance and stopwatch, as well as the training functions, or less than a decent dig watch. I have one I used to use as bike computer before I got me 305 and Edge.

I find they give structure to my training, and an addition point of interest, which is motivational.

This with the added benefit of being waterproof in the case of my 310xt

So I notices - neat, but can't justify the extra cost just for pool work. Actually I did swim in my 305 by mistake once, though not the HRM. DIdn't do any harm, luckily!

Yeah, I know it does much more as you say.

If you run set routes regularly & keep a training diary (takes just as long to punch numbers into a spreadsheet/website or write them down in a book, as it does to download data ;) ), exact distance isn't that important to measure progress as if you're getting faster / feeling easier over appx but constant distance then that's great!

Having a "virtual partner" strikes me as over rated too - just remember your PB, or look it up in training diary, and try to run faster (or whatever goal you set vs the training partner) - learn pacing on your routes by thinking about how you run over that course... In some ways virtual partner can be counter productive, as you could easily end up racing more training sessions, which from experience can lead to long injury layoff.

Additionally - if you rely too much on this stuff in training, and it fails on race day, you're fucked for that race.

That's my tuppence on GPS, and I'm no fan of compression fit technology, forefoot/barefoot running technology, super high mileage training plans, or much else that is often touted as the new thing either. Just call me grumpy.

You. Are. Grumpy.

Seriously, when you've been running for 30+ years, anything that adds a new dimension and improvement is very welcome.

When I've been running 30yrs, still being able to bend down and tie my laces will be enough for me ;)

Actually, on that point, I use "lock laces". They're worth 1% over normal ones in a race.

Didn't say I could touch my toes...

Lock laces - pffft. I have a vibram dual-density skin bonded to the bottom of my feet. I'm a hi-tec Zola Bud.

Actually, other plus of Garmin is that when you are away from home, you can just search and download a suitable run/ride, and it will guide you round - saves pissing about getting lost down dead ends and ditches etc - nice.

That's my tuppence on GPS, and I'm no fan of compression fit technology, forefoot/barefoot running technology, super high mileage training plans, or much else that is often touted as the new thing either. Just call me grumpy.

Ha... Last race: calf compression, newtons (I often train in vibrams), 310xt

compression lycra makes you look better, harder, faster and stronger,
Im all for it.

Compression Lycra=spanx?

I only have calf compression. Cheerio 2012 glory.

Hang on a minute; I've got some very tight jeans up in the loft somewhere...

Actually, other plus of Garmin is that when you are away from home, you can just search and download a suitable run/ride, and it will guide you round - saves pissing about getting lost down dead ends and ditches etc - nice.

compression lycra makes you look better, harder, faster and stronger,
Im all for it.

You bringing your trainers to Brum next week? You can leave your Lycra in poolemouth tho thanks...

guy on MTB ride tonight lost his garmin after falling off, wouldnt happen with a map
Andy yeah why not,
lets run on some, er, canals that will be o.k.
yoga 7 a.m too, got a few interested

Lost? How far did he fall?

Nice one, will bring my Speedos too, we can do a canal swim before the run...

s'all about the compression lycra, as you said makes you look super cool and surely that is half the point of running no?

Yeah, I know it does much more as you say.

If you run set routes regularly & keep a training diary (takes just as long to punch numbers into a spreadsheet/website or write them down in a book, as it does to download data ;) ), exact distance isn't that important to measure progress as if you're getting faster / feeling easier over appx but constant distance then that's great!

Having a "virtual partner" strikes me as over rated too - just remember your PB, or look it up in training diary, and try to run faster (or whatever goal you set vs the training partner) - learn pacing on your routes by thinking about how you run over that course... In some ways virtual partner can be counter productive, as you could easily end up racing more training sessions, which from experience can lead to long injury layoff.

Additionally - if you rely too much on this stuff in training, and it fails on race day, you're fucked for that race.

That's my tuppence on GPS, and I'm no fan of compression fit technology, forefoot/barefoot running technology, super high mileage training plans, or much else that is often touted as the new thing either. Just call me grumpy.

Agree with the point about racing training session. When I know my PB and current pace all I wanna do is beat it. But I think for running new routes or areas its good to know how far you've been etc. I know running routes you've have experience on has advantages but for interests sake, its all about somewhere new.

Point taken, although as I do most of my training around time on feet knowing how far I've gone isn't so important (although I do record appx distance in training log).

considering doing 3000m for my uni in february....any tips anyone? Don't really have a clue about track running rather that road.

If you start training on the track don't always go the same way round - you'll wear your inside leg down and be walking in circles forever.

If you start training on the track don't always go the same way round - you'll wear your inside leg down and be walking in circles forever.

If i train everyday doing 3000m on each leg will I be 3'2" by february? Might be a disadvantage having a 10cm stride.

I'm going to give this Run Keeper Pro app a go too. Would be nice to keep a log of my runs and to check progress. Going to test it out tonight in fact!

I started using this this week, i found the 5 minute updates on pace really useful and the the 3 runs i used it on were faster than anything I'd done previously, I was delighted. However I was a bit puzzled how my speed could vary so much when I felt it was constant and the total length was always less than the distance I planned on Goolemaps, which was a bit of a blow as I'm training for an April Marathon.
Last night 6 miles into an 8 mile run my pace dropped by a minute per mile, I nearly gave my self a heart attack to bring it back to my target, I've never run so fast over a prolonged distance.
When i got home i checked the route and the GPS signal had obviously dropped out when i was doing a loop of a park, it plotted 3 points rather than the loop, shortened the section of my run from a circle to a triangle and made my pace slower accordingly.

Back to the drawing board. Looking for a way to check pace during a run that is relaible and ideally cheap.

practice, watch your heart rate, time the same distance over successive days,
its running