I write this surrounded by a howling gale, how's things where you are? 🥳😂 And how is your running going?
I got a new "gadget" recently! Not sure if that's an accurate word for it really though. It's a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for use by sporting people to try and figure out their "fueling strategies" by monitoring glucose availability. It's a biosensor that sticks a little filament under the skin and sends information about blood glucose levels to an app - it's by a company called Supersapiens. It was offered as a freebie by the London Triathlon, so I thought I'd give it a go!
Tbh I feel a bit conflicted about this thing, because the technology was developed for diabetics, who have no choice but to monitor their blood glucose levels. Healthy athletes, it seems to me, do not need to do this! It's maybe a case of tech for tech's sake - and expensive too...
But anyhow, it's pretty interesting so see what happens when I eat something or do some exercise 🤓 I haven't been for a run with it yet - I applied it on Saturday, but it's supposed to last for two weeks, so there's plenty of time. I'm also wondering how many people will notice it on my arm, since it looks pretty outlandish as you can see in the pic 😂 The actual biosensor is pretty small and unnoticeable, but I have put one of the offered "performance patches" over it to help keep it in place. Looks like a target on my arm, or a weird tattoo!
I know a lot of us are already following our blood pressure, sleep, steps, etc. Are you hooked on data or not so fussed?
Anyway, whatever you're up to this week, have a great one!
The Marathon Team xxx
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If you have an event coming up next month, or would like to find out what our VRBs are up to, check out Irishprincess' brand new October Events post! healthunlocked.com/marathon...
I had Science in Sport and High 5. The SiS ones were OK, easy to open and the orange ones tasted nice - the cola ones not so much, but at least they had caffeine 😂 The High 5s tasted very nice but they ended up more on the outside of my body than on the inside 😂😂. Both brands were the kind that don't need to be chased down with water which was convenient.
Sorry roseabi ! One more question from the rookie. I normally use nunn sport for hydration as it’s hot here. If I’m using gels to test on my longer runs would you just hydrate with water?
I really enjoyed the Hal Higdon HM plan I’ve just done and if I was ever to consider a FM then I’d look at his plans first. Let us know how you get on!
Hi Roseabi and thank you for hosting the chat this week.
I’ve seen quite a few of those this summer. A diabetic friend has one too and it has made a massive difference to his quality of life. I think you can get other ones that monitor all kinds of stuff too.
I’d try one because I’m really interested in improving performance and seeing how my body works during a run but in I’m not sure I’d want it stuck in my arm for too long. 🤷♂️
I’m going for a very short jeffing run later today to see how it is. I’m no longer feeling it like I was a week ago. Back is still a little dodgy so I’ll just take it easy. 😬😊
Yes thanks 😊 looks like things are on the mend 😀. Also, Could you please consider writing a post about your implant and how get on with it? I would be very interested to hear any feedback you have 👍😀
Ooh, that looks like target practise! Let’s hope no-one takes an aim at you 😱Sounds very interesting but I think I’d be too distracted with that on my arm and keep fiddling with it. How does it cope in the shower?
Apart from my Garmin I don't use any other gadget. As long as I’m still breathing and fit and healthy I’m happy 🤗 simple pleasures 😂
First recovery week done after Bristol and so only a few short, slow runs. I’m in Ireland and it’s always lovely running somewhere different 😍
It is hard not to fiddle with it 😂 I'm finally getting out for a run soon, so I will try not to get shot at! It's fine in the shower, though it feels unpleasantly clammy for a short while afterwards 🤔
It looks like one of the machine interface ports from the first Matrix film!
Curiously the day I did my Half Marathon distance I only ate six jelly babies and the fluid I had with me was a zero calorie orange squash. I did have two large slices of buttered toast about an hour before and had had a large meal the previous evening.
Hi roseabi! Ooo, funky! Knowing my luck with gadgets it would end up being more of a faff for me personally. I don’t even like taking water or snacks on runs - the faff! My Garmin is on 24/7 though, and my phone is always by my side or in a pocket, so I guess I am a bit gadgety in some respects!
I ran very little last week. Post Bristol HM recovery and grandchild number 2 arriving meant I only did a 3k! However, I did 5k yesterday (humid 🥵) and 10k today (windy 💨), so I’m not letting myself slack. GSR is too close for that! Arghhh, I must get back to yoga though. 🙄 My time is being stretched and that’s what I’m sacrificing. 😩
I carry out clinical trials for the performance of continuous glucose monitors and they are great for diabetics. It’ll be interesting to see if you derive any useful info from it. They do lag behind blood glucose so it’s best to take readings about 20-30 minutes after you’ve eaten. Looking forward to seeing how useful it is 🤓
The left hand image in my collage seems to show that I had a spike about half an hour after I finished my lunch, so I suppose that tallies with what you are saying?
I am really not sure I will get anything very useful from it though! I'm a bit annoyed with myself for not getting it installed in time for my marathon actually, I think that might have been more interesting. Still, I have another one...
Hi roseabi I’m not sure I’d go as far as getting one of those unless it was medical reasons.😳I’m training for the GSR (along with many others on here!) 🏃♂️🏃♀️ So far I’m up to 12K and aiming to run either 13K or 14K on Wednesday then maybe 15K next week🤞
I haven’t felt the need to use any gels so far, but I do use Torq gels (which I think you suggested many moons ago🤔) and occasionally some water.
Once the GSR is out of the way I’ll aim to build up again to HU distance in time for the HU Autumn challenge🏃♂️😊
That's an interesting piece of body adornment roseabi !
The more I run, the more I hate data and performance metrics. I use the free version of Strava, only wear my Forerunner 45 for running, and don't use other gadgets.
This isn't out of some sort of technology phobia, or rejection of the science, it's simply that measuring the success of my running in terms of numbers doesn't work for me. I've realised that it'd be way too easy for me to get obsessed with the data, so now I prefer to reflect upon the overall experience. I can almost guarantee that if I enjoy a run, Garmin will hate it. I see no point in making myself miserable just to up my V02Max by a fraction, or to shave a few seconds off a PB.
I didn't really bother about hydration or fuelling until I was running 10+ miles in warmer weather. Obviously I've had to take it more seriously for the trail marathon training; still can't do gels though. We're required to carry an emergency food supply, so I'm likely to be heading out with Decathlon almond paste bars, honey-and-salt cashews, choc-and-nut mix, and mini saucisson! According to the race website, feeding stations will be offering such items as water, cola, Gruyère cheese, sweet and savoury biscuits, bananas, oranges, and chocolate. I just hope I don't arrive so late that everything's been scoffed!
That gadget looks intriguing Roseabi!I've only just upgraded from my 6yr old basic garmin to one with heart rate data and find that interesting . Mainly I just like seeing the km splits!
Life seems to have got in the way the past week so tomorrow will be my 1st run for a week😒but hoping for a bit more activity and might even head to parkrun on Saturday. Ours has moved cos iow festival took over and is now more of a hike to get to but on plus side is at the seaside. 😁Did do horseriding last Saturday so rediscovered some long lost muscles!
Me and my partner have signed up for 10k race for life in Southsea end of October so something to train for a bit and a change of scene! Have a good week everyone xxx
That’s interesting tech. I’ve read about it but doubt I’d ever use it myself. It’s certainly not subtle on the arm is it? How does it feel? 😁I got my last Suunto watch on sale and it’s older and simple. Just like me. No HR monitor, just pace and distance. There is a barometer also to let you know a storm is coming but I’ve never used it 😅. I fuelled my last 40 on nutella dinner rolls and tailwind. It seemed to work well that day. No danger of glucose dropping when you are scarfing Nutella sandwiches every 10k 👍🏼😅
It was a tiny bit sore for the first day, but I don't notice it much now - although I think I might try it on the other arm next time. It's on my left arm and I sleep mostly on my left side, and I feel a bit too conscious of it at night.
My watch has a barometer too, and I also have never used it 😂
Love the idea of Nutella dinner rolls, great tip! 😊😊😊
Ooh looks scary and interesting all at once! I've gone off data a bit ... mostly because mine is all going in the wrong direction! Never mind, I'm currently running three times a week again so mustn't complain. As for the weather? Been sat in my work vehicle for over half an hour waiting for the rain to stop. There's rain and there's rain ... and I ain't working in this rain!!!
Fully understand your conflict, but I guess it can indeed be helpful for athletes in regards to their fueling. I skip though, I don't feel an athlete and for a lil runner like me it would just be a waist.
I do am thinking about my fueling though. I have now done 3x10K and 1x11K and my hope is to someday reach the 10 miles. So far I have just been using gel-jellies. It's a package of jellies from the same company that makes gels, but it takes 5 jellies to equal the fuel of 1 gel. I am now taking 1 jelly every 30 minutes. But I guess that won't be enough for those distances over 10K? Something to figure out.
My Garmin is on my wrist 24/7 except in the shower / bath. I do synch my watch every morning and look at how much I slept according to Garmin (which is absolutely not accurate I think) and my body battery (which I think is pretty much accurate). And I like seeing my heartrate, cadence, pace and such after a run. But I'm not really doing anything with those stats. It's just fun to look at I guess...
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