Not understanding the training!

[Mormor1]

HI all, I've not posted for a while as I've felt a marked lack of direction in my running. I've been running just over a year now and have felt good at reaching the various milestones I set myself, namely 5k, 10k, 10miles.... And then I had a tumble and hurt the cartilage in my right knee more than I thought... That was in June and it's still not better. I'm doing exercises, which, maybe are helping slowly. Despite the knee I've not stopped running or tennis because it doesn't hurt to do those. I reduced my running to just 5Ks / week in case it impacted my knee, but the physio said I was OK to run so I thought about building up to 10 k again. First time round I did it on my own, gradually increased my weekly longer run...not a problem tho it never seemed to get easier! ( and my VO2 Max was going down.....from 32 to currently 28.. I assume this is because I'm not increasing my speed/ fitness)So....I decided to follow Greg on Garmin...I went for 3 sessions a week..first day was something called Benchmark run...which I did...today was 2nd day...my phone seemed to suggest I do another benchmark run, followed by laps? How many k in a lap?? Followed by stride repeats x8.....question (finally) am I really meant to do all 3 exercises? Also I don't seem able to get his voice in my headphones so have to look at watch, which is a bore! Am I expect ing too little of myself, or indeed too much? Will the coaching really increase my level of fitness? Thanks for reading!

[Cmoi Graduate10]

I can't help you re coaching, sorry, as I've no experience of it at all.

What I can say is that when I did a couple of really easy 5-7k runs on holiday a month ago Garmin upped my VO2Max by three points, and promptly knocked them off again when I went back to long runs. Since the latter are what I enjoy, Garmin can do one!

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks, I know I shouldn't get so hooked by vo2max but it is so tempting to try to up it.

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Mormor1]

Why not, if you can find ways to run that makes you and Garmin's estimation of your VO2Max happy? Lots of people do, I just happen to be an outlier who's not hugely bothered by Garmin stats provided I can enjoy my running. 😀

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

I am pretty competitive and like a goal to aim for...it seems to come naturally!

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Mormor1]

Oh I have goals, it's just that unlike many runners, mine aren't related to related to VO2Max, heart rate, PBs etc.

[Week7 Graduate10]

Hi there.I have used a couple of Greg's HM plans on Garmin The benchmark run is a sort of test run which I think is then used to pitch the adaptive program to the right level. When you have completed and saved the run on your Garmin it should sync with your phone so that you can read the data.The next time you run on the scheduled day the next run should show on your Garmin when you press run.

On a stride run after the warm up run when you are ready to start the main work out you press the lap button (on forerunner 45s it is the bottom right-you don't say what model you have) and the watch will start the strides workout buzzing when you need to change speed-it counts the number of repeats for you etc. I have only ever had to touch it once in a run.

I found it all took a bit of getting used to but the plans worked for me .There is no sound on the runs on my plans as far I know.

Not sure if the above helps or confuses things further. Good luck!

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to Week7]

Thanks, it definitely helps with the explanation... I shall test it on my watch tomorrow... I have a vivoactive 4s...pressy from the kids for my birthday.

[roseabi]

After you have done the benchmark run you do a lap button press to take you to the stride repeats - it doesn't mean 'do laps' xxx

[Mormor1 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

That's such a relief... Was thinking I'd failed on day 1! Think I'll start again and see if I can get into it.

[roseabi in reply to Mormor1]

Excellent! xxx