Only Statistics, But It Matters To Me...

[BethRF]

So, before I go for my first run with my new Garmin (eek!) I have a fundamental question about how we measure ourselves.

In overall distance measurements, do we count the warm up and cool down? So in terms of your 5k in 30 minutes, would that be JUST time spent running, or include the walking side of things, and extra 10 minutes?

[LMS2110 Graduate]

I think most folk start their Garmins when they set off so the walking distance/s is/are inevitably counted too. But I do know of at least one person who doesn't flick the start button until the running starts. Don't know how far along the C25K journey you are ... the main thing across the 9 stages is that you are out and about for the full 30 minutes. So, you won't be surprised to find out that lots of people graduate before achieving the full 5kms worth of pure running. It really doesn't matter! I suppose it's a decision you make for yourself, so that you can have consistency across your personal record keeping.

Hope this helps? Good luck with your running and enjoy your Garmin x

[BethRF Graduate]

I'm on the last run of Week 8 today, so I know where I'll be finishing in relation to the 5k etc, and that it's largely academic, really!

Just wondered if there was a sort of industry standard. I think I'm going to miss out the warm up and cool down- I'd feel like I was cheating if I included them! Plus they'd slow my pace down.. Albeit slightly. Haha.

[ajwyld Graduate]

I exclude the warm up and cool down - which can be a bit of a faff to be honest. I started doing this from week 7 onwards, as it obviously isn't feasable for the early part of the programme.

[Doodle1 Graduate]

Beth just going off your subject slightly. Did you get the garmin forerunner 10? And if so which colour did you choose? I keep looking at them now and quite like the idea of getting one.

Enjoy your running with your new garmin.

[BethRF Graduate]

I got the FR10 in black (as it's the only colour the shop had!).

I've just got in from my first run with it, and I love it. I think it will be a lot more useful after graduation- when I'm setting my own targets re:pace, distance, and time etc. It's great! Can't wait to start to use the Garmin express stuff to build up a picture of my progress!!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I start my Garmin as I leave the house to find signal so that its ready to go once I'm warmed up. Only press start once I'm running and stop when I stop running. You could use mapmyrun or similar to map your warm up/cool down distances if you want to know your overall distance covered. (only my way don't know what others do) Happy running I have FR110 which is the older version from yours and will be different as mine has to find signal before you can do anything with it.

[mark909 Graduate]

Just start it when you start running. You'll then be able to see how much distance you cover over 30 mins. Alternatively measure out 5km and see how much time it takes you to cover that distance.

[ZoomZoom Graduate]

I start my mapmyrun app as I start running. I use my 5 minute warm up to set the app up plus my music and then just push the start button as I start. Just the way I do it.

[Beads Graduate]

I start when I start running and stop when I stop as well (but usually stop when I get back to my front door, I'm bad, I know), so it's only running while I am. But I didn't get mine until about 6 months after I graduated, so not sure what I'd have done if I was still running intervals when I got it.