Can't always trust the data: Run 2 completed... - Bridge to 10K

Bridge to 10K

16,337 members26,025 posts

Can't always trust the data

Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_RunGraduate10
5 Replies

Run 2 completed tonight.

Target : 5km or 30min

Actual : Not entirely sure...

I have 1km markers on my GPS watch so the plan was to keep running til I get to 5km. I should be able to work out an appropriate route to cover that pretty accurately, especially with all the experience of C25K routes.

All seemed to be going as planned, except it felt like a really long hard 5k. It actually took me 30mins which is the longest I've ever taken to run 5k (since graduating C25K) so I was a bit confused as to why. I thought I was running pretty darn quick tonight

Upload the data to Strava, and low and behold, their algorithms and data magic calculated I had only been running for 21mins.

Turns out my watch started the timer straight away, but the GPS didn't actually lock on to the satellites until I had already run about 1.2km.

A little calculations and comparisons between my watch, Strava and google maps and it looks like I actually ran 6km in 29mins.

Let's hope my short 2.5km on Thursday is a little more accurate because I want my legs to be rested for Saturday's Parkrun. (At least I know that will be the correct distance 🤣)

Written by
Bike_and_Run profile image
Bike_and_Run
Graduate10
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
5 Replies
Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10

Crikey, you are a speedster🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️, I generally stick to the same route so I have a pretty good idea of where I should be.

What a nippy 6 k, well done 👍

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

Goodness you are super fast, well done. I think your little ones have been letting you get all the recovery sleep you need.😉

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10

My watch buzzes when it picks up

the GPS. Maybe you can set yours that way too? Meanwhile 👏🏼🎉 for the 6k!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10

Well done.

Maybe you need to decide which is your target before you run... I’m kind of assuming the distance based is best for you as you’re already comfortably running 5k. Also if hitting 6k in 29 minutes, you could do with learning to slow down a little for the long runs, by using that watch! There are times when they show a GPS lock but lose it as soon as you run, and the best way to avoid this happening is to get the lock before the warmup walk, and keep it from going into battery save as you go... this will get a much stronger gps lock in time for your run and increase the accuracy of the device... have a go at parkrun and see if this makes it record a different distance to previous weeks.

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

speedy . well done

You may also like...

Data discrepancies!

understanding how the world works! My Garmin Watch records all my running stats. It then syncs...

How much can I trust FitBit/Strava's tracking?

bang on 5km, which was great news to us as we are on the last week of C25K. But today's run was...

Oh font of all knowledge - who do we trust? NRC or garmin?

read my healthunlocked updates etc. Then to plan my run - route/distance/background listening etc....

Always be training?! Sending Coach Garmin on leave.

Forerunner 235 that provided the spark for me to do C25K in August 2019. Several weeks ago I got a...

Always tough coming back

just good to get any run in at the moment. it could take me some time to build my run frequency...