The Running Thread Vol 2

[Willy Nilly]

TiminYorkshire said:

I've an old Garmin forerunner. What would be a good replacement, ideally easily Strava compatible, and long battery life when running as I'm looking at doing some ultras.

The new sports watches do seem to have a lot of crap features on them that you probably don't need, use a lot of battery and don't make them any easier to use.

[johnwilliams77]

TiminYorkshire said:

I've an old Garmin forerunner. What would be a good replacement, ideally easily Strava compatible, and long battery life when running as I'm looking at doing some ultras.

The fenix5 or 935 has significantly better battery life than forerunner 10/235 even. But they both come at quite a cost. A 235 should be sufficient depending on what ultra you are doing

[tenohfive]

Willy Nilly said:

TiminYorkshire said:

I've an old Garmin forerunner. What would be a good replacement, ideally easily Strava compatible, and long battery life when running as I'm looking at doing some ultras.

The new sports watches do seem to have a lot of crap features on them that you probably don't need, use a lot of battery and don't make them any easier to use.

Actually the highest specced ones (935/Fenix 5) have the longest battery life. I've got one (the 935.)

There's a tonne of stuff I don't use, but there's a fair bit I do. Some simple ones (like the 24 hour battery life, barometric altimeter), some less simple ones (navigation, custom workouts, apps to turn my house lights off.)
None of the stuff I don't use gets in the way of that which I do use. And unless you're talking 24/7 HR monitoring (something which can be turned off), think of any of those extra things using any more battery as 90% of them are software based.

FWIW, I tend to get 5 days use (including runs) out of my 935 between charges. That's with everything going - sleep, 24*7 HR monitoring, stress monitoring etc. I don't turn them off because, well, they don't do any harm. I just shunt things around on GC so I can see the things that are important and not the other information it's gathering.

OP, as others have said - if you just want more of the same with longer battery, look for the cheapest model with (allowing a margin of error) enough battery life to last your planned races. Or treat yourself to something with all the bells and whistles. Or use a USB battery pack for OTG charging with one of the cheaper ones if you're otherwise happy with the features.

Edited by tenohfive on Friday 5th January 19:30

[johnwilliams77]

But you would loose some of your run if you used USB pack?

[tenohfive]

johnwilliams77 said:

But you would loose some of your run if you used USB pack?

Not with the Garmin, it should just carry on recording. If it's a serious consideration for anyone I'll test it next time I'm out.

[MattS5]

johnwilliams77 said:

But you would loose some of your run if you used USB pack?

Just have to lose it off your wrist while you sling it in your backpack to charge. Which might not be ideal I guess, dependant how much you like to look at it during the latter stages of an event.

[johnwilliams77]

MattS5 said:

Just have to lose it off your wrist while you sling it in your backpack to charge. Which might not be ideal I guess, dependant how much you like to look at it during the latter stages of an event.

No use to me as HR is tracked via wrist (not that I have the issue for 50/65km runs

[JimmyConwayNW]

KTF said:

Seems like an appropriate time for the annual plug of the PH Running Club on Strava

https://www.strava.com/clubs/pistonheads-running

Never knew, joined yesterday. Should cover some good distance next week.

[Rich_W]

Willy Nilly said:

TiminYorkshire said:

I've an old Garmin forerunner. What would be a good replacement, ideally easily Strava compatible, and long battery life when running as I'm looking at doing some ultras.

The new sports watches do seem to have a lot of crap features on them that you probably don't need, use a lot of battery and don't make them any easier to use.

https://www.runnersworld.com/gps-watches/timex-iro...


Hence why in due course I plan to get one of these. It's roughly £70 and does GPS (for distance and Strava) and does pace, and has a timer. That's all I need.

AND

Unlike my stupid Forerunner it has a mini usb connector not that stupid, stupid clip thing that never works!

[john2443]

I've never understood why shorter distance for womens XC has persisted for so long, hopefully this will get somewhere.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/equalise-cr...

[MelbourneWoody]

I saw today, although I'm sure it's been out for some time. That Garmin have finally launched a watch that will allow you to also play music.

I've always hated having to run with my phone to play music through my blue tooth headphones. Mainly because I've resorted to closing my short pockets with a safety pin to stop my phone falling out. Fingers crossed this is a feature they add across their whole range.

[The jiffle king]

Signed the x country petition.

[RizzoTheRat]

MelbourneWoody said:

I saw today, although I'm sure it's been out for some time. That Garmin have finally launched a watch that will allow you to also play music.

I've always hated having to run with my phone to play music through my blue tooth headphones. Mainly because I've resorted to closing my short pockets with a safety pin to stop my phone falling out. Fingers crossed this is a feature they add across their whole range.

Also includes contactless payment, which I don't really see the point of in a smart watch normally, but makes a lot of sense for a running watch as when I'm running is about the only time I'm not carrying my wallet.

Sadly my 610 is still working fine though so I really can't justify a new watch

[Mothersruin]

A new shoes day is always a good day.

Got the wife's first pair of trail shoes (Montrail Bajada IIs) and decided on a set of La Sportiva Mutants for myself.

Looking forward to getting them absolutely filthy soon!

[tenohfive]

MelbourneWoody said:

I saw today, although I'm sure it's been out for some time. That Garmin have finally launched a watch that will allow you to also play music.

I've always hated having to run with my phone to play music through my blue tooth headphones. Mainly because I've resorted to closing my short pockets with a safety pin to stop my phone falling out. Fingers crossed this is a feature they add across their whole range.

Never been that fussed, I'll always have my phone until I can be contacted via my watch without any phone present. Heaven forbid something happens and I need to get back to the wife and kids midway through a 3+ hour run I want to know about it straight away.

I'm more a podcast person in any event, and it's much easier to manage those through my phone (where I don't have to worry about syncing) and using the music controls on the watch means all I'd be saving is the weight of a phone anyway.

As for rolling it out to their others, if you mean as a software update - no chance, not possible. But if you mean to the next gen (Fenix 6 or whatever) then I'd be surprised if they didn't include it.

And I stand to be corrected, but I believe the Garmin Pay isn't a straight up means of paying with your card (like Android Pay for example) - I believe you have to top up your Garmin Pay account. Fine for emergency Mars Bars, but I wouldn't use it regularly like that. If you want you can buy a clip for your existing watch strap that's got Garmin Pay on it.

[okgo]

For those than run, I've a few questions.

I am going to do a bit more running for something different as bit bored of 10 hours a week of cycling training, and want to see if I can get OK at something else, that takes hopefully a little less time and doesn't require me to ride miles from my house to get good training in. But I have a few questions I suppose -

- I assume at 80kg I'll never be a good distance runner, but 5/10km (about the distances I did best at in cycling in terms of duration) doesn't worry TOO much about size?
- How long will it take my legs to get used to it - I ran today for first time properly I guess and feel like been shot even though I found it easy cardio wise...
- I assume fitness from cycling will help but despite being one of the better riders at time trial (similar to running in that regard) in the country it will only take me so far in running?
- I have some basic Asics shoes, will these be ok?
- I tried running forefoot first today and it felt easier until my calves didn't like it, is this something worth pursuing?

[Flibble]

okgo said:

- I assume at 80kg I'll never be a good distance runner, but 5/10km (about the distances I did best at in cycling in terms of duration) doesn't worry TOO much about size?

Shouldn't be a problem running marathon distance at that weight, height dependent of course. I can bash out a half and I'm heavier than you and barely train!

okgo said:

- How long will it take my legs to get used to it - I ran today for first time properly I guess and feel like been shot even though I found it easy cardio wise...

It'll get a fair bit easier after a few runs, but maybe up to a month before you're properly adjusted I think (been a while so I might be misremembering).

okgo said:

- I assume fitness from cycling will help but despite being one of the better riders at time trial (similar to running in that regard) in the country it will only take me so far in running?

Fitness will help, once your leg muscles strengthen up for running movements you should be laughing.

okgo said:

- I have some basic Asics shoes, will these be ok?

Yes to start with, you might want to get something more running or terrain specific as you improve though.

okgo said:

- I tried running forefoot first today and it felt easier until my calves didn't like it, is this something worth pursuing?

Yes, your knees will thank you. Will take a fair bit of building up before your calves are in shape for it though.

[okgo]

Thanks for that!

Immediate goal will be sub 20 parkrun I think, see how I get on. Plus means I can buy a load of new toys, garmin, shoes etc!

[MattS5]

I’m 79kg, 5ft 10” and ran 3h 22 at London last year! I don’t class myself as heavy....I like food and beer, but not heavy!
Likewise a sub 20 min 5k and a sub 90 min half have all been achieved at or around my current weight in the past 3 years.

Edited by MattS5 on Wednesday 10th January 20:31

[Challo]

okgo said:

For those than run, I've a few questions.

I am going to do a bit more running for something different as bit bored of 10 hours a week of cycling training, and want to see if I can get OK at something else, that takes hopefully a little less time and doesn't require me to ride miles from my house to get good training in. But I have a few questions I suppose -

- I assume at 80kg I'll never be a good distance runner, but 5/10km (about the distances I did best at in cycling in terms of duration) doesn't worry TOO much about size?
- How long will it take my legs to get used to it - I ran today for first time properly I guess and feel like been shot even though I found it easy cardio wise...
- I assume fitness from cycling will help but despite being one of the better riders at time trial (similar to running in that regard) in the country it will only take me so far in running?
- I have some basic Asics shoes, will these be ok?
- I tried running forefoot first today and it felt easier until my calves didn't like it, is this something worth pursuing?

I’m 6ft 2 around 86kg and run regular half’s and 10k and training for a marathon this year so you will be fine. I’m not brilliant with my diet and could do with losing a few kilos but happy enough as I am.
I suspect your cycling fitness will help but certainly you will need to run more to get used to it.
On the trainers front you should be ok, but if your going to get into running properly then go and get your gait analysis done just to check you don’t need a special type of trainers.

No idea on the forefront running, but I would just do what you feel is comfortable at the start.