I feel 20 years younger lol

[Yesletsgo]

This morning I decided I'd do a recovery run. It was warm and sunny and we set off slowly once we reached the fields five minutes away from the house.

About 10 minutes into the run I realised that when husband and I were chatting there was no effort attached, lightbulb moment, this is the conversational pace we aspire to. Had a look at my heart rate, way lower than usual too.

We usually run 5 km but took a shorter route today. As we passed 3.5 km we were nearly home so rather than continue I stopped at 3.62 km. Not far but enough.

When I checked the stats the splits were negative (OK I know there weren't very many of them) and my VO2 is in the the blue, the top 15% for my age and gender so that nice Mr Garmin has now knocked 20 years off my age.

No wonder I'm smiling

[CBDB Graduate10]

Nnnnnnnice!! Sounds like that delicious of runs that refreshes you for the rest of the day! Enjoy!

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Yep, it hit that sweet spot

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

That sounds like a superb run. Nice one!

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks, it was great!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

Woohoo 🎉🤸‍♀️👏👏👏 what a brilliant run, yay well done 👍😃

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks, definitely enjoyed it

[nowster Graduate10]

On Monday I held a phone conversation with my sister whilst I was running. I'd say that was possibly conversational pace. 🤣

Well done! 👍

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thanks, my guess is that you cracked the conversational pace too

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

What a wonderful run, and in the blue 😀I was there briefly once, now sliding back towards yellow 😳

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

You'll get back to where you want to be SueAppleRun , this is the first time I've been there for more than a day!! It seems to be a matter of gaming the system and doing the runs the VO2 calculator likes

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Yes,I seem to remember running daily for 20 minutes each day and V02max going up and up, haven’t the energy at the moment, but it’s ok as long as i can get out, a while ago there was too much pain to even contemplate running so I’m really happy with what i can do

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I really hope your pain eases soon, you have worked so hard it seems so sad you're suffering like this. At least you now seem to be able to get out and about a bit, here's hoping you're on the road to a full recovery

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Thank you, I am feeling positive

[Marvincat]

A very enjoyable run by the sound of it, uplifting 👏Sorry to be thick but how would I measure my VO2? I've not come across this before being relatively new to running.

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Marvincat]

If you have a Garmin running watch it will give you your approximate VO2Max.

You could also do a calculation yourself using this formula: VO2 Max = Max Heart Rate / Resting Heart Rate x 15.3

For an accurate assessment, you'd need a lab test.

Here's some more info: trailrunnerworld.com/vo2-ma...

Personally I'm cynical about V02Max scores as reported by Garmin, since the algorithm essentially rewards short fast runs and penalises longer, slower ones. So a couple of flat, boring 5k runs boosted my score, whereas a hilly half-marathon reduced it.

[Marvincat in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you I do have a Garmin watch so I'll check this out. I have a very low resting heart rate sometimes goes below 50. Thank you 😊

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Marvincat]

You're welcome. The other thing to be aware of is that the raw number doesn't tell you much, as age and sex need to be taken into account too. Garmin's coloured-coded results indicate the range you're in.

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

Thanks Cmoi for explaining. If a 25 year old man had my VO2 number he probably wouldn't be celebrating 😀

[Marvincat in reply to Cmoi]

I've found it and my fitness age is apparently 28!! I'm 67!! Max is in the top 5% for my age and gender. This can't be right 🤔

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Marvincat]

Woo hoo! Better than it telling you you're 108 Personally I take these stats with a pinch of salt. My VO2 varies from run to run and is normally green. I take it as an indication I'm on the right track rather than it being the key to eternal youth.

[Marvincat in reply to Yesletsgo]

I'll take that, it's definitely made my day! My VO2 is pink. 😂

[Cmoi Graduate10 in reply to Marvincat]

I'm 61, and Garmin thinks I'm also in the top 5% , fitness age 20. That's delusional, and in any case will almost certainly be increased next time I do one of my preferred longer, slower, properly hilly trails. But I'm not going to stop doing those just to please an algorithm!

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Cmoi]

For me it's the same idea as horoscopes (though maybe slightly more scientific). If my horoscope says 'Aries, today you will take on the world and win' I'll go with it. If it's 'the moon is in retrograde and Pluto is exerting a malign influence' it's mumbo jumbo.

So I'm happy with top 15% and 20 years younger.

[grumpyoldgirl]

Take that all day long! Cheaper and less painful than Botox 😉 and better for you too 🏃‍♀️☺️