A Lunchtime Interval Workout - Mr Garmin is not impressed

[Birdlady64]

The last time I did an interval run was back in October. I set up a workout on my watch of 16 repeating 60 second sprints with 90 second recovery intervals which I used on my weekly 4k runs on the Magic Plan. I just kept going until I reached 4k.

I really wasn’t looking forward to doing this today and almost just went for a comfy 5k trot out, but I know it is good for me. I was still dithering having reached the end of my warm-up walk, but what the heck? Let’s go for it! So I set my watch going and off I went. 🏃‍♀️

I’d forgotten that I’d originally set a target pace for the sprint intervals and my watch kept buzzing all over the shop. I was never sure if it was a pace alert, or signalling the end of an interval. I couldn’t remember what I’d set it to anyway. So annoying!😡 I had to keep checking my watch and you all know I’ve been trying to do exactly the opposite on my runs recently.

Nothing much to report on my run today. I was following part of my 7k route from Sunday. Still lots of traffic on the roads – maybe because it was lunchtime. One dog walker and a few couples out for a constitutional all of whom moved onto the grass verge to let me pass them at an appropriate social distance. Of course I smiled and thanked each of them. Some smiled back and some did not. The kids on roller skates from Sunday were absent at the Leisure Centre, though there was a small child riding a bicycle fitted with stabilisers round and round in circles in the car park. I assume the parent was hanging around somewhere.

Today I just kept going until the workout ended - which took me to 5.24km and a convenient 7 minute walk home.

My pace wasn't that different today from back in October, although my average heart rate on this run was 21bpm less.

Strava gives me PRs on 3 segments and a second fastest on my lap of the Leisure Centre.

Evidently it was also my 3rd fastest time over 5k today. 😀

After all that effort, and the rumours that Mr Garmin likes interval workouts, my V02 Max stays steadfastly stuck in the same place it's been in since Boxing Day. 🙄

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great run, I'm impressed with everyone who follows a plan, I'm too free spirited with my running🤣 vo2max staying the same is great, far better than taking a dip and struggling to pull it back up again. Happy running 🤗

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks Yes I guess you are right about the vo2max. I've no idea how the watch figures it out tbh but I take it with a generous pinch of salt🧂

Free spirited is good I think. Sometimes I think I need a bit of structure - otherwise I find myself just coasting along in my comfort zone

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

My only goal is 100k a month, how that comes about doesnt matter but I do like longer runs when it's not icy

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Impressive. The most I've managed in a month is 72.8km back in October last year.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

If I hit 100 again this month that will be 12 in a row, my highest was 143 in April. I think I’m a little bit mad and very driven

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

That's what running does to you

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

I see what you mean about the VO2 Max, now 😂

That’s really good about pace being the same and heart rate less, though. A sign of getting fitter, surely.

Note to self - must do some more speed work! I did consider it this morning, but the lane I do my speed work on had quite a bit of traffic this morning because of the lateness of my run. Maybe next week!

A good interval workout for you, though, with PRs as well! Well done 👏👏👏👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Ha ha! I don't really take too much notice of it tbh but I remember it jumped a bit when I did the interval training before. Nothing today though. Maybe I need to repeat the run a few times.

[dijep Graduate10]

Oh Mr Garmin is just so mean!Sounds like a great run of you ate matched time wise to back in October

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Yes he is really mean. I think he hates me.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

That mixes it up a bit, you are lucky Garmin left you in the same place vo2max mine went down and down fir a while

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes. Well I take that stat with a pinch of salt really. I have no idea how it works it out.The fact that my heart rate was lower over the run is a positive so yes thank you that is a positive

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Great interval training and run Birdlady

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thanks Rebecca!

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Longer, fast intervals will push the VO2 max up. But then mine will drop back with the steady in between runs anyway 🤦🏽‍♀️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Yes it definitely does that after longer slower runs

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Well done on your interval run 👍I feel it's something I need to do more of .

Mr Garmin is certainly not happy with me lately 😐

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thanks Ian. I think I might try one of the NRC ones next time - lets see. I have to work myself up to it!

[Hareshaw-Granny Graduate10]

Interesting run, think I must try it sometime. Thankfully Mr Garmin doesn't watch me. It Mrs Huawei who has her beady eye on me 😱😱. What would we do without these devices. 🤣

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Hareshaw-Granny]

Mrs Huawei, Mr Garmin - they are all as bad as each other! And yes - we would be lost without them! 😂

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

A great run despite the annoying buzzing and mean Mr Garmin 😡🤣 I'm just ignoring my vo2max and concentrating on hr running instead 🙂 Fantastic to have a few PRs and to see a slower HR while keeping to the same pace, a sure sign that your fitness is improving 💪👍😃

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

I don't really look at vo2max that much. I was just intrigued to see if it would make any difference. Maybe I need to do more of this sort of thingI'm sure you are right about the heart rate though 👍

[roseabi]

Here's an article on the Garmin blog about how to increase your VO2 max:

garmin.com/en-US/blog/fitne...

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Thanks for this - interesting. I don't have a fancy enough watch to get the training effect or recovery time feedback but obviously the same principles apply. I guess I need to experiment a bit and mix things up a bit more.However, I can say that it definitely isn't due to point No. 4: Highly trained athletes 🤣🤣🤣

[roseabi in reply to Birdlady64]

Oh I don't know! 😊 xxx