Easy run? Garmin thought so

[linda9389]

So I've been wearing my Garmin for about 5 months now. It invariably tells me I have overworked.

My aerobic 'training effort' is very often at the maximum of 5.0 (a bright red, you are overdoing it old lady and WILL get hurt), occasionally I've managed a more reasonable 4.something (which is orange and means I'm working very, very hard).

My max heart rate tells the same story (more suited to 16 year olds than old ladies if you believe the 200-your age formula), the entire run is usually in heart rate zone 5 (another bright red one!).

Well listen up. I've just checked this morning's no pressure 5k- training effort 3.5!!!!!!!! a lovely shiny green, well done! almost the entire run in heart rate zone 4, a lovely (safer) looking amber! and my VO2 max? yup it's gone up another notch

It was supposed to be an easy run, it wasn't flat, it didn't feel particularly easy, but Garmin knows best today

Happy running everyone

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Ooo sounds intriguing Linda! Well done you for your effortless run! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

May I ask which Garmin you have? My hubby is buying me one for Christmas but I don’t really know enough about them to know which model to pick. Yours sounds like it has loads of fun stats to examine at length (which I will!) 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀😀

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I have the Forerunner 235. It wasn't a particularly scientific decision - I couldn't justify the cost of one that stored music, this came up on Amazon with a big discount and I fell right in (I had beenlloking at second hand 235's already as lots of people on here seemed to recommend them). I have to say I absolutely love it for running. All the information is right there and easy to see, without having to either take my phone out of my belt or holder OR having to listen to Strava or Mapmyrun constantly reading out statistics whether I want to hear them or not! There are loads of customisable faces for the Garmin which is great - I have a very easy to read one. I don't think Garmin records sleep very well compared to Fitbit - but hey, we're supposed to be running not sleeping! I also don't think it's very pretty or discrete. But it is brilliant for running - during and after!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Brilliant, thanks for all that info Linda. I’ve been doing Garmin comparisons and you’re right, some of the models are super expensive which seems a bit much for a leisure runner like me. I’ve been attracted to the Forerunner 235 and your glowing report has pretty much made up my mind now! Thanks, I shall pass that nugget of information onto my husband now! 😀👍

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I got quite a big discount at Amazon on some deal they were offering - took the price BELOW the secondhand price on Ebay at the time! Maybe they will have it in their Black Friday deals soon? Definitely worth shopping around though.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Yes I had wondered about Black Friday. Will keep my eyes peeled. Apparently it’s a relatively old model now, so hopefully the price will reflect that too. 😀

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

16th to 25th of this month!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

👍😀

[SlowLoris]

The heart rate formula is a bit suspect. I set mine to whatever is the highest it's recorded but apart from a some hill repeats I still haven't pushed it really hard yet. It's already way above the theoretical figure.

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to SlowLoris]

Glad I'm not the only one!

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Def not. I've increased max heart rate in settings too by about 20bpm. Stats come out much closer to Strava's workings now.

You should find over time the time in zones and effort improves as fitness does. 👍

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Fingers crossed! I did figure that whether it's accurate or not, at least it should be able to give an indication of progress. I can't remember if I have already altered the zones or not. I know I did on my Fitbit, but don't remember for this one. I will take a look

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

Absolutely. It's still a great guide 👍

[Sqkr]

Garmo tells me off all the time too. I've been trying to keep him a bit happier by doing at least one gentle MAF type run a week. That seems to placate him, and to be effective for me (more importantly!). Though he did drop my vo2max estimate again the other day, having kept me stable for five weeks. He really doesn't like when I go out for more than half an hour! Honestly Garmo, what do you actually want from me. I can't go fast, I can't go far. Shall I stay on the sofa 😡

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

That's pretty much how I feel too! Anything over half an hour and I'm right back up at a 5.0! The first 'hard' run I do after Garmin puts up my VO2 is guaranteed to drop it again

By the way, without meaning to show my ignorance, what's MAF apart from a new tool to defend myself from the warring Garmin?

[Sqkr in reply to linda9389]

gonefora.run/does-maf-train...

It's some running philosophy from a man called Phil... It's faddy, but the thing I like about it is it gives me a proper barrier, as I'm really bad at 'slow' running. If I give myself a maximum something I can stick to it more easily! So for me, a MAF run allows me a maximum heart rate of 147 or so. It's really hard to do, mostly because other people shoot past all the time. Even though I don't fully subscribe to the whole MAF philosophy or routine I think it's useful for me to do a bone fide slow run once a week. Garmo agrees 😉

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

Thanks. I'll take a look - come to think of it, I think I have read posts from other people on here doing a similar thing. It would be something more measurable than just setting off hoping not to upset the old watch! So long as I can pick a number realistic for me because I think, when I looked at the formula before, the only way I would be able to achieve my suggested max HR would be at a pace slower than my standard walking pace !!!

[Sqkr in reply to linda9389]

I have to pause my maf intentions occasionally—trying to get up a hill became utterly comical! I was doing tiny fairy steps, and still too much effort, then laughing at myself was raising my heart rate too. Flat routes are best! 😂

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

Haha. If I try to drink on the run my heart rate spikes ridiculously, likewise if I try to blow my nose on the run and inhale half the tissue as I'm breathing in Hazardous business this running, Garmin needs to cut me some slack!

[Sqkr in reply to linda9389]

If you read that link ignore the bit where they scoff about keeping their heart rate low meaning they take more than five minutes to run a km 🤣 it's taken me over a year to break that stupid five minute barrier and I think I nearly died at the end, then some Internet blogger comes along and belittles it 🙄😂 Gah running. It's so flipping subjective.

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Sqkr]

😳😳😳😳😳

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

I too have a forerunner 235 which I love! A really big easy to read face which helps me to manage pace as I run. I bought it as the cheapest option having its own GPS. The most underused element on my garmin app is the heart rate monitor; I decided that I was likely to scare myself to death if I looked too far into it. I am happy that my overall average heart rate on like for like runs (speed and distance) is reducing and the high "blips" are fewer and lower. Some of the blips are probably a result of the watch jumping about a bit anyway. So I am just happy that the general direction of travel is good.

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

It scared me to death at first! But like you say, it's the trend that counts

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

That kind of progress feels great, the training is working

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Must be yours and roseabi s strength exercises. I've done them three times now! Thanks 😂😂😂

[roseabi in reply to linda9389]

Ooh, how do you find them?

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Great - and clearly working 😀 I opt for the easy press up tho 🙁. I looked up the core exercises by the same person, and do both sets. Not sure how long my motivation will last, but a good start at least. Many thanks 🙂

[roseabi in reply to linda9389]

A fabulous start - well done!!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Oh, this made me smile Linda!! I have an ancient Garmin Forerunner 10 which does not tell me these fancy things! As someone who is prone to worrying about their health, I have carefully avoided any monitoring of my heart rate for fear I might be told I am about to collapse!! When it feels tough, I slow down...when it feels good I push on!🙂

[linda9389 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

You mean you don't live your life by numbers, charts and graphs? 😀 You're saying there is another way? 🤣🤣🤣

[ClareO65]

Is that what those colours are for that show up on the app as a background for the distance of the run? Now I know. Thanks 👍🏼