Befuddled by stats 🀯: In an attempt to slow... - Bridge to 10K

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Befuddled by stats 🀯

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In an attempt to slow down my running, take the heart rate down a notch, I thought heck that makes sense, slower, more relaxed running, less risk of injury, let's give it a go Ian πŸ™„.

So I went out on Friday after my HM on Wednesday nice slow sort of recovery type run just to flush out the legs V02 takes a dip from 48/47 down to 44 πŸ€” confusion. Rested across the weekend as per the garmin recovery advice and after an easy run this morning, trying to hold back on pace ( so tricky) the Mystery of the plummeting V02 figure strikes again and hits a low of 43.....

It's too easy I guess to get hooked up on stats and data but it's also kinda confusing..... But not wanting to be defeated I'll keep on with the slower running and see where it ends up........

16 Replies
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damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

Sorry I can't give any advice. I have my running watch completely dumbed down. All I care about is avg pace, distance and time. I never look at Heart Rate zones or V02 Max. Very well done on your recent HM.

Damien

in reply to damienair

Cheers damienair, that's what I've previously only ever used and the simplicity worked a treat, I can see myself heading back that way πŸ‘

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10

I don't understand VO2, but....how did you FEEL after it😊

in reply to Jell6

Hellllloo Jell6 well that answer is definitely refreshed πŸ‘ I was easily running at a pace that was relaxed, although I was mindful of my pace and had to reel it in a bit now and again, but I'm intrigued to see how it feels maybe to take myself to 10k at this new chilled out pace 🐒

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10 in reply to

Well that's good then isn't it. Keeping it joyful 😊

in reply to Jell6

Hmmmmmm joyful πŸ€” Okies funny enough it was only last night in the wee small hours ( of a chilly πŸ₯Ά nightshift) I was reading an article about the joys of the easy run πŸ‘.....

Here's to joyful-easy runs.... Next leg stretch 🀞 Wednesday.

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10 in reply to

πŸ˜ƒπŸ˜ƒ

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10

Looks like a great run to increase your vO2max over time, looking at the training effect score.

In a run by run basis there are too many outside factors that can affect a run to be taking the vO2max figure too seriously... looking at a trend over time is much more useful.

How did the run feel? Looking at the HR graph it was progressively harder over time, which when adding the elevation chart would be expected. When doing a run by HR I set alerts for the zone I want to run in... which for a long incline would have me running progressively slower as I ascend. While the vO2max calculations discard steep uphill and downhill sections, they will include long gradual rises, and if that’s your whole run it will see the increasing HR as a sign that you’re reaching your limits... an out and back or circular route would also let it see a long gradual decline, and then it would see the run getting easier again, giving a better estimate for vO2max.

How easy did the run feel? Looking at how long it thinks you were in zone 5 for, I’d suspect that your max HR setting is too low. Some watches will automatically change this figure, others need a manual intervention.

in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks UnfitNoMore great information and advice I'll take a look at my watch parameters, though I'm sure I looked and it's a bit mind boggling 😬

in reply to UnfitNoMore

Success and heart rate parameters adjusted πŸ‘

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

I had to change my max HR up a bit in the settings to match the max HR that I was seeing in the hard bits of runs. For most watches, it uses the age-based estimation which is much too low for some people, especially if they're reasonably fit to start with.

I was regularly seeing peak HRs of 186 towards the end of 30 minute runs but was feeling OK, breathing fine. This was well beyond the default max HR for my age (169). I could probably have set it at 195 (10 more than observed maximum), but have set it to 190 instead.

Once I'd done that, the subsequent run with a set of intervals caused the vO2Max to improve by a point.

in reply to nowster

Cheers nowster I've adjusted and we'll see what occurs πŸ‘

in reply to nowster

Adjusted and success πŸ‘

Absolutely my man, keep at it. Mine goes down a bit too if I go steady. I think it's so difficult to get the right levels without a lab test. I run slow and comfy almost all the time and do feel better for it. I'm usually in zone 3 though.

in reply to

Thanks GTFC the slowing it down is going to take some work but I think it'll assist my running and take me further 🀞

in reply to

I personally believe it does. At the end of long runs at a steady, comfy pace I occasionally speed up over the last mile or two just to make sure it's still there. I did a whole month once, every run slow and comfy. It took a few runs to stop myself picking it up but blimey it works. You end a long run and your breathing is like normal. Your fatigued from the run but not out of breath at all.

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