Am contemplating getting a Garmin. To date, I've always run with an iPhone and I've stored all my runs in both Strava and Nike Run Club. I particularly use the Nike Guided Runs, they really help motivate me!
I believe a Garmin syncs with both Strava and NRC, and in theory, you can run without your phone and then the run syncs to the apps afterwards.
I assume, but please correct me if I am wrong, that if ( want the *audio* of either the Nike guided run itself or the announcements of km and time from Strava, these will need to come from my phone and not the Garmin? Does that mean I need to launch Strava/NRC on my phone as well as using the Garmin and if so, will I end up with duplicated activities when the Garmin then syncs to my phone?!
I am all at a loss (as you can probably tell) about how it might work! What appeals to me is not having the phone strapped to my arm as I find this distracting and being able to operate things from a wrist device strikes me as being much easier on the move but perhaps I am over complicating and I just need to stick with what I am doing already to achieve my desired outcome. Maybe I need a better phone holder!
Grateful for ANY tips (and feel free to tell me I have got it all wrong!). Thanks.
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Joster
Half Marathon
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Hi Joster I’m not too tech savvy I’m afraid, but I do use Garmin, NRC and Strava. My Garmin is one of the fairly basic models (Forerunner 30) but I can sync it to Strava using Garmin connect (which is an app). In theory, I can use my watch to start and finish an activity and it will sync automatically with Strava and upload the details there. It sometimes takes a bit of time, particularly if the Bluetooth connection between my watch and phone is lost for some reason. I’ve never tried to connect Garmin to NRC so sadly I can’t help with that😕. I do tend to start NRC manually on my phone at the same time as starting the activity on Garmin (and therefore Strava).
I know some of the more advanced Garmin watches can be used in place of the phone and can also connect to apps like Spotify for music, so they may be able to connect to NRC too🤔
Sorry it’s not much of an answer, but I don’t want to mislead you😊
My Venu 2 plus doesn't connect with NRC but I wear leggings with a pocket on outside of thigh for phone and it's not in the way, I found the music on Garmin a bit patchy as I swing my arms, but it usually gets better the longer I'm out
I think you'll get duplicate runs. You can tell the various apps to not sync in certain directions (don't sync the Garmin to Strava for example).
I use just a Garmin watch which I can easily flick over to maps and then heart rate or something like that. I think it's an outstanding watch (fenix 6s) which has allowed me to dispense with everything else I used to carry. However, it sounds like you want to listen to a coach (have I understood that?) In which case you could still take the coach and Garmin but tell the coach not to sync. You'd still get a run recorded with the coach and one with the Garmin, the Garmin would then sync with Strava. That's another great thing I like. I finish my run, walk through the door and by the time I've taken my runners off, Garmin has synced back to Garmin and to Strava.
You are correct - I want to listen to Coach Bennett/Cory and so on. I would like to be able to start and stop with a quick click to my wrist rather than wrestle with the phone in the armband and I do want the heart monitor (one of the main reasons for getting it in the first place). Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it, it's helpful in making me understand how it might work.
When I run, I don’t start Strava as my Garmin syncs with it and adds the run afterwards to Strava itself. It means you wouldn’t get audible pace/time announcements but you can glance at your Garmin watch whenever you want to get this info. Also the Garmin tends to buzz when you complete a km or mile (whichever your preference) and any goals you’ve set up.
When using guided runs i think you will still need your phone with you to activate the app you are using unless you can download these runs individually to the watch like you can do with some music songs. This is (in the case of music) depending on what model Garmin you go for (I don’t know if that’s possible as I don’t use NRC but I’d think it unlikely).
Thank you - I entirely follow what you say and I think you are right that the guided run will only be on my phone. Interesting that the Garmin buzzes at the end of a km and so on... thank you. I am happy to have my phone with me, for safety apart from anything else (I have taken a couple of tumbles in my time!) it's just the faff of dealing with it in the armband and I am keen to include heart rate data in my run info on Strava etc as I am keeping an eye on Blood pressure and pulse rates etc (on doctor's advice).
I think the watch will likely work well for you then as you will be able to start/stop the run with it and see real-time info when running (including heart rate) plus look at this afterwards in Strava when it syncs 👍🏻
Hi Joster. In short I don’t know either. I have a lovely new watch (Forerunner 255) which would make me a cuppa and do the laundry if I asked it, I’m sure.
Having said that I still launch NRC from my phone as always, then use the Garmin-Strava sync afterwards. I don’t tend to use the NRC stats after a run.
I suppose it doesn’t bother me because I prefer having my phone on me for emergencies, and my holder is comfy enough. My watch buzzes distance etc, but my phone provides the NRC audio. Old school? Probably!
So that’s what I do and I know it hasn’t answered your question. Hope you can work it out. 😀
It has answered it, I suspect I will be the same - NRC audio on my phone, Garmin/Strava link up for the rest! I haven't looked at the 255 - is it more advanced that 45/55? JUST out of interest if you are running with your phone anyway, what made you want a Garmin? I am trying to figure out what I gain by having one over and above the phone (which will come with me on every run anyway for safety/in case I trip). I like the fact the watch buzzes distance,, that's really useful, but if I just go with phone, I get the km in my ears. The main extra I see I get is heart rate data.... but please persuade me that I gain more than just that (so I can justify buying a new toy!!!). Thanks for your reply.
With the 255, I believe you can set it so the phone announces the "laps". I have it that way with its big brother the 955.
There is a quirk, though, in that all numbers are read out as single digits. For example, "Lap 19, 6:42" is read out as "Lap one nine six four two", which takes a bit of mental gymnastics to decode.
I think the 255 simply provides more stats - which you may or may not need. The simpler models provide more than enough essential information, so it’s down to how much you’re prepared to pay - or in my case, how generous Santa was! I know lots of people who swear by their trusty 30s, 35s and 45s. I like a stat, so the more the merrier for me (no, I don’t understand what half of them mean, but I’m learning!) 😅 I used to have a FR 235 which I gave to my daughter and I thought I’d prefer Mr Cheeky’s redundant Vivoactive 3. Lesson learned, I didn’t!
So stats was main reason I wanted a Garmin in the first place. I believe their GPS is more accurate than on the phone, and I also record my gym workouts, yoga and dog walks too. A bit of a toy, but one I use a lot.
You sound tempted! If you go for one, please let us know how you get on. 😀
Garmin will link to Strava but not to NRC, you will need phone for that I'm afraid. I don't think NRC has the capability of linking any device.
A running belt might be a good idea for your phone or a pair of shorts from Decathlon. Their shorts are brilliant for pockets, by far the best on the market.
Its also best not to get a watch that has a touch screen for running, their too sensative and could pause or prematurely stop a run by being touched by clothing etc. I would also recommend the Forerunner 255. Don't go for the music one if your going to continue with NRC as that comes from your phone and it will be a waste of money to purchase a feature you may never use.
Really useful advice, thank you. I have only looked at 45/55 so far, not the 255. I do have a running belt, and did think that if I go with Garmin I can tuck the phone away. I need it with me for NRC audio (I agree, it doesn't seem to link to device, not in the way I want anyway) and I want the phone in case of emergency/safety regardless. Appreciate you taking the time to reply.
PS. you say not to get a touch screen - I had (wrongly) assumed this is how they operate. How do you start and stop your run if it's not by touch? Thank you.
With the touch screen Garmin Forerunners you can tell them to disable touch during an activity, and only use the buttons (of which they have five).
During an activity for short presses of the buttons: Top right is "Start/Stop", Bottom right is "Lap", Top left is "Backlight", Middle left is "previous data screen", Bottom left is "next data screen".
Nowster has answered re touchscreen, I've only had 1 Garmin so far and didn't know about disabling the touch on them.I also didn't think that you were using the phone for its audio as well, so apologies for that.. I've only ever used earphones. The bone conducting ones are the best for hearing surrounding noises.
I agree 100% about the touch screen issue Freecloud. I found my Vivoactive 3 very irritating for that reason, and it’s a right pain to use when you’re wearing gloves. The special touchscreen ones don’t work. 🙄 Oh, and I also agree about not needing a music watch if you carry a phone.
All I have to add is that I had a Garmin forerunner 35 for 3 years, as Strava doesn't pick up gps very well in my area. I've just upgraded to a 245 so I can record swimming and yoga too. I'm finding the extra stats interesting. It also has a navigate back to the start feature which I find helpful in the pinewoods. I take my phone in my running belt too.The 245 has similar features to the 255, but is a little cheaper. You may get a good deal as they've stopped making the 245. A friend of mine has just done her research and purchased a Garmin 55 as that meets her needs.
There's so much choice, have fun deciding what you want! 😃
Much of your question has been answered above, but I can add how I use GArmin, strava and NRC.
I use my Garmin watch as my primary recording method. It buzzes every kilometre and displays pace (the displays and alerts are all customisable). I take my phone with me (safety as much as anything); Garmin is connected to my phone so I also get announcements on distance and pace (again customisable) through my headphones. If I want an NRC guided run, I also start that on my phone as I set off and leave it running. My phone remains in the pocket of my leggings or run belt until I stop. When I have finished my run I first stop my watch (the primary record) and then stop NRC on my phone. My Garmin account is linked to strava so the run will appear there automatically with all the additional data my watch recorded. The run is also stored in NRC (based on what the NRC app recorded on my phone) but isn't sync'd with anything else. So I end up with the run in Garmin, Strava and NRC with no duplication as such.
I was going to add exactly the same comment as linda9389 , I do the same. I only have the Garmin forerunner45 (which have to say, does everything I need it to do) . I set off my watch and start whichever guided run I want on NRC via my phone. I have several running belts and like Linda prefer to have my phone with me for safety reasons as I live really rural. When I finish my run, I stop my watch and save the run which as it is linked to Strava automatically uploads and I manually stop NRC on my phone. So again as Linda has said, the run is then recorded in all 3 places, NRC, Garmin connect and Strava.
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