The Running Thread Vol 2

[dieselgrunt]

i'd recommend the garmin 935 over the fenix. much, much lighter.
i had the 235 previously and the 935 just does everything better. More reliable heart rate monitoring and bluetooth, connects via wireless and bluetooth, more customisable screens etc

[Smitters]

I've found Garmin to be consistently disappointing. The Fenix line in particular has been a struggle. Garmin tend to release something a little too early, with a too little testing. I would go for another brand, or if it must be Garmin, one of the running oriented watches, with tried and tested features, not something that's on the watch for the first time.

[johnwilliams77]

Smitters said:

I've found Garmin to be consistently disappointing. The Fenix line in particular has been a struggle. Garmin tend to release something a little too early, with a too little testing. I would go for another brand, or if it must be Garmin, one of the running oriented watches, with tried and tested features, not something that's on the watch for the first time.

They're app/garmin connect software is crap too but I quite like their product, my 235 (for less than 200quid) so I think I will stick with it for now.

[GTO-3R]

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't have to be a Garmin but based on reviews i've read and also chatting to a couple of people at my running club, they seem to be the market leader and the one to go for. I prefer the look of the Fenix as I will be wearing it as a daily watch too and it looks more like a watch than the 235 does.

I'm talking myself in to the Fenix aren't I

[SpydieNut]

GTO-3R said:

Thanks for the replies. It doesn't have to be a Garmin but based on reviews i've read and also chatting to a couple of people at my running club, they seem to be the market leader and the one to go for. I prefer the look of the Fenix as I will be wearing it as a daily watch too and it looks more like a watch than the 235 does.

I'm talking myself in to the Fenix aren't I

sounds like it, but you won't be alone in that

if my Suunto Ambit 2 saphire wasn't so good, I'd be getting the 935 without question. But it is and despite being 4 yr old, is perfect, so I really can't justify the change now.

in your case, as in mine, want vs need is not the same thing. I do cycle and run, and plan to try get into triathlons in future, so while I probably didn't need my watch, i've never regretted buying it for a second.

The Fenix 5 is a stunning looking watch (if you're getting it over the 935 to use as daily watch)

[Smitters]

GTO-3R said:

I'm talking myself in to the Fenix aren't I

I did that too. I've had quite a few calls with Garmin, a replacement issued, some more calls with Garmin, a full watch reset, a watch that won't connect to the Garmin software, won't hold it's charge, lies on the battery indicator, hapazardly ignores button pushes, takes an age to present data, has illogical menus, is occasional at best in synching to the Connect app via bluetooth, the app's are poo, the software's poo, the GPS connection is variable and often slow, the breadcrumb trail to follow is harder to use than the Garmin 305, which is about ten years old (and mine still works well, incidentally, another nod to the Forerunner product line if it has to be Garmin) but it does look good on my wrist. Of course, sometimes it's not showing the time, because the battery ran out, but hey ho.

Can you tell I'm a bit fed up with my Fenix. Honestly, buy a watch you like for day to day, and a watch that has the functions you need to run with. Also, definitely use DCRainmaker to baffle yourself with the unending possibilities out there. And then buy a Fenix anyway.

[Cybertronian]

dieselgrunt said:

i'd recommend the garmin 935 over the fenix. much, much lighter.
i had the 235 previously and the 935 just does everything better. More reliable heart rate monitoring and bluetooth, connects via wireless and bluetooth, more customisable screens etc

Agree wholeheartedly with this.

I recently picked up the 935 due to a 30% discount via my Vitality insurance policy. Sold my outgoing Fenix 3 and a brand new warranty replacement Fitbit and the upgrade was cost neutral.

The 935 is half the weight and more comfortable on the wrist. The new training load calculator also seems accurate - got an alert that it estimated I'm peaking based on a recent block of increased volume, so will give it a good go at a 10k this weekend to see what comes out the other side.

Crucially, the 935 tracks via GPS very, very well and hasn't missed a beat for me yet, whereas you only have to take a look at the Garmin forum for all the people griping about the Fenix 5's GPS accuracy, which I suspect is due to the use of metal in its construction that carried over from the Fenix 3 range.

[dave0010]

So completed the Melbourne Half Marathon today, really great event and brilliant route around the city. I did struggle towards the end but thats because I was pushing my pace. Ended up with an AVG pace of 4:52/K and a total time of 1:42:35.

Now its just full steam ahead marathon training for October. 2/3 weekly runs and a paced long run.

[The jiffle king]

dave0010 said:

So completed the Melbourne Half Marathon today, really great event and brilliant route around the city. I did struggle towards the end but thats because I was pushing my pace. Ended up with an AVG pace of 4:52/K and a total time of 1:42:35.

Now its just full steam ahead marathon training for October. 2/3 weekly runs and a paced long run.

Well done and plenty of time to get in some long endurance building runs

[RB Will]

How many of you know big guys that can run fast?
Saw a post on Facebook on Saturday of a guy (friend of a friend) excited that he had finally broken the 18 min barrier and gone 17.56 for a 5k.
That's impressive enough by itself but the guy is 107kg - 16st11 !

I have never seen or heard of anyone of that size going near that quick. My PB is 18.46 and I had to get myself down to 12st10 and be training 5 days a week for months to get it.

[Cybertronian]

At my local parkrun, there have been a few bigger guys that produce some eye-wateringly fast times. Majority tended to be triathletes, so the training gave them very muscular physiques with no wasted mass, at least over 5k and 10k. For a while, there was a fella I often faced off against who was built like a rugby player and always finished just ahead of me, in spite of him training irregularly and also being a smoker!

I'd dare say the added power from the additional muscle mass will become more of hindrance as distances get longer, what with higher energy and oxygen requirements, but also trying to keep cool from generating more heat.

[johnwilliams77]

I have seen some bigger guys (>90kg, at a guess) do sub 20min, but haven't seen any heavy / big guys do sub 19 even. Sub 18 folks are usually very lean and tall too

[AbzST64]

RB Will said:

How many of you know big guys that can run fast?
Saw a post on Facebook on Saturday of a guy (friend of a friend) excited that he had finally broken the 18 min barrier and gone 17.56 for a 5k.
That's impressive enough by itself but the guy is 107kg - 16st11 !

I have never seen or heard of anyone of that size going near that quick. My PB is 18.46 and I had to get myself down to 12st10 and be training 5 days a week for months to get it.

Im sure the guy isn't lying but you can check the Parkrun website and double check his time.

I know of a few big guys and they are no way close to that, unless that is all muscle and he cycles ALOT then id be surprised. I train 4 times a week, 11 stone and even im only 17.40 for 5k!!

[Challo]

johnwilliams77 said:

I have seen some bigger guys (>90kg, at a guess) do sub 20min, but haven't seen any heavy / big guys do sub 19 even. Sub 18 folks are usually very lean and tall too

Not run a quick 5k in a race but I think i could get near a 22min time. Best for a 10k is 47.15 and I was around the 92-93kg at the time.

[RB Will]

AbzST64 said:

Im sure the guy isn't lying but you can check the Parkrun website and double check his time.

I know of a few big guys and they are no way close to that, unless that is all muscle and he cycles ALOT then id be surprised. I train 4 times a week, 11 stone and even im only 17.40 for 5k!!

It was just done on a training run by the looks of things rather than an actual event or parkrun. He did put up a screengrab from strava showing route and time etc so looks genuine. Got no reason to doubt it, I don't know the guy, its just a very exceptional result. I know a few bigger guys who can sprint but none could pull off a 2k at speed let alone a 5k.

[feef]

Been slacking recently, time just hadn't been there.

Was up at my folk's place in Scotland over the weekend and had planned on dong a run or two while up there. There are actually some hills, unlike in Cambs where I now live.

Unfortunately I knocked a G-Clamp off the workbench in my dad's workshop and now have a lovely bruise on my big toe, right behind the nail, which put paid to any thoughts of running while there.

I got home last night and I can walk without limping now, so might try a short one this evening

[egor110]

Strava query-

I've just got a iphone se and used it to record my tun tonight.

It locks onto gps fine but doesn't show me a map of where i am , it's just a grid like screen with nothing else on it.

Any ideas ?

[tenohfive]

egor110 said:

Strava query-

I've just got a iphone se and used it to record my tun tonight.

It locks onto gps fine but doesn't show me a map of where i am , it's just a grid like screen with nothing else on it.

Any ideas ?

No data connection/signal is what it sounds like?
I don't really talk Apple but that sounds like the classic Google maps based 'I know where you are, I'm just not telling you' that comes with online mobile mapping.

[feef]

Went out to push some distance the other night and think I've encountered my first case of shin splints. Couple of days off I think.

[tenohfive]

I'm looking forward to this years UTMB (purely as an online spectator, not a participant.) With Kilian, Francois D'haene, Walmsley, Luis Alberto Hernando, Xavier Thevenard et al all taking part there's going to be a lot of talent there and a mix of different approaches to the race. Personally I think it'll be one of the Salomon guys that'll do it, with Kilian the obvious favourite - but Francois has had a strong season too. And if Walmsley does his 'death or glory' routine it should make things interesting.

Anyone else going to be following it?