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Ran a 10k - Official Thread (13 Viewers)
- Thread starter Ned
- Start date
tri-man 47
Footballguy
I like marathons, but I don't like marathon training ...you do become a slave to the schedule. Chicago will be a fun race - plenty of sights and sounds to enjoy, both within the race and with all those watching.
If not mentioned, a tip that a friend used last year (and was very appreciative of knowing): You'll have a long wait in the shoots before starting ...maybe 30-45 minutes as they get everyone onto the course. Bring along a long garbage bag with holes for your head and arms, and bring along (or empty the last of) a Gatorade bottle. If it's cold, the bag will keep the wind off of you. But more importantly, you can discretely get in a last pee before taking off. Retract your arms, open your bottle, and take care of business. My friend did this, then noticed that the porta-potties early on the course had very long lines. And it's an urban course, so there's nowhere to step off course.
Brony
Footballguy
Plus you can probably sell a Lemon-Lime Gatorade for a buck or two.
I like marathons, but I don't like marathon training ...you do become a slave to the schedule. Chicago will be a fun race - plenty of sights and sounds to enjoy, both within the race and with all those watching.
If not mentioned, a tip that a friend used last year (and was very appreciative of knowing): You'll have a long wait in the shoots before starting ...maybe 30-45 minutes as they get everyone onto the course. Bring along a long garbage bag with holes for your head and arms, and bring along (or empty the last of) a Gatorade bottle. If it's cold, the bag will keep the wind off of you. But more importantly, you can discretely get in a last pee before taking off. Retract your arms, open your bottle, and take care of business. My friend did this, then noticed that the porta-potties early on the course had very long lines. And it's an urban course, so there's nowhere to step off course.
Juxtatarot
Footballguy
I don't recall porta potties being too much of a problem before the start although I don't let myself go down to the wire. There are always pee-ers under the Columbus Dr. bridge during the first mile similar to (I presume) those woods shortly after the start of the Boston Marathon.
I like marathons, but I don't like marathon training ...you do become a slave to the schedule. Chicago will be a fun race - plenty of sights and sounds to enjoy, both within the race and with all those watching.
If not mentioned, a tip that a friend used last year (and was very appreciative of knowing): You'll have a long wait in the shoots before starting ...maybe 30-45 minutes as they get everyone onto the course. Bring along a long garbage bag with holes for your head and arms, and bring along (or empty the last of) a Gatorade bottle. If it's cold, the bag will keep the wind off of you. But more importantly, you can discretely get in a last pee before taking off. Retract your arms, open your bottle, and take care of business. My friend did this, then noticed that the porta-potties early on the course had very long lines. And it's an urban course, so there's nowhere to step off course.
Nigel
Footballguy
My daughter started XC this week, she's a freshman and has been running all summer to get ready. Today was the first practice and afterwards the coach pulled her aside and told her that starting tomorrow she'll be running with the varsity girls instead of JV, the only freshman to get that call. She's thrilled, love seeing her so happy.
NREC34
Footballguy
I run on treadmill 3-4 times a week and outside on weekends so I don't really track it all. Probably average 30-35 miles a week if I had to guess. I think I could at least finish one. Not sure if I could keep running the whole time though. Well time to go on a run....later guys.
FUBAR
Footballguy
I guess it sounds like a lot until I mention that 399 miles and 20 hours of it was bike. somewhere around 6 hours and 10 miles was swim, 3 hours strength training, leaving around 69 miles ran in 10 hours.
I need to ramp up my running. Seriously. Looking at the numbers, what the hell am I thinking contemplating an ultra?
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FUBAR
Footballguy
if you're putting in 30-35 miles each week (heck, that's double what I've done), you'll be fine to complete a marathon in 10 weeks. Just be smart about the training.
ChiefD
Footballguy
Juxtatarot
Footballguy
I didn't run this morning but will later tonight. I'm at 295.2 for the month. 300.4 sounds like a nice August total.
pbm107
Footballguy
Good to hear, I knew where you stood for the month and started getting worried when I didn't see your run yet.
SFBayDuck
Footballguy
Mt. Diablo 50K
As I've mentioned here a few times recently, my training has been a little aimless lately without a race on the schedule. The positive of getting my WS100 qualifier done in May was that I could do anything I wanted the rest of the year. The negative has been that with my primary goal for the year out of the way it's been tough to get motivated to keep everything clicking. While I'm still pretty much getting in my normal miles and hill workouts, I haven't been climbing as much as usual, and more importantly without that goal in mind my diet/nutrition have suffered and I'm carrying 15 more pounds than I was this time last year.
Last year I ran 5 races in the build up to Pine to Palm 100, with all but the first one of them a trail marathon or longer. But this year I've had just Way Too Cool 50K in March and then Quicksilver 100K in May, with nothing since. That's been bothering me lately, so I knew, despite not being in great condition, that I needed to get in a race. I put myself on the waitlist for the Tamalpa 50K a couple of weeks ago, but as of Thursday I knew that wasn't happening. I had the Mt. Diablo 50K on Sunday as an alternative, but I honestly didn't commit to it mentally until Saturday afternoon. I can thank a morning of online tracking of friends and athletes I admire running the UTMB 100M (the de facto world mountain 100M championships in the Alps) on Saturday for giving me that little motivational push to get out there and tackle something tough.
With so many people I know racing or spectating at either UTMB or the 50K here in Marin on Saturday I didn't really expect to know anybody at Diablo. So it was a nice surprise to see a few people I have run with before, including the guy who I finished the Firetrails 50M with two years ago (we pushed each other to get it done just under eleven hours) and a young married couple that seems to be at every race around here. I had never run Mt. Diablo before, I just knew that 100 degree temps are pretty normal in August, at 3,848' it is the tallest peak in the Bay Area, and judging by the elevation chart it looked to be pretty steep as well.
The race was about what I expected - hot and hard. We actually got lucky with the weather as I don't think it got above the high 80s - plenty hot but not stifling. The climbs were as expected - hard and steep, mostly pretty smooth but a few small technical sections. I actually climbed pretty well up to the first summit, passing people along the way. We turned back down the hill and the 50K runners veered off on to another trail (there were also 10M, 1/2 marathon, and marathon races). At just over the 13 mile mark, we hit a section of downhill unlike anything I have ever seen before. It was a smooth fireroad, but it was so steep that it was actually scary - a drop of over 500' in about .4 miles, with a grade ranging from -20% to -43% according to Strava! I tried to move my feet as quickly as I could, trying to stay under control, but after a bit I knew I was going to wipe out so I veered off into the soft side of the fire road to try and slow the momentum, eventually coming to a stop. I did that one more time on the way down, but that was something that was way out of my comfort zone! My Hoka Stinson Trails had enough grip to hold on the dirt, but it felt like the soles of my feet were going to shear right off! Thankfully we didn't have to go this way again at the end of the race, as I don't know how I would've gotten down that 25 miles in on tired quads.
The climb back up to the top is where things really fell apart for me. It was heating up, I was working so hard, and just didn't have enough power to move quickly. This is where the extra weight really hurt, lugging it up 3,800' with 15 miles in my legs already. It was a brutal slog, and I was actually passed by 4-5 people which doesn't happen very often to me on uphills, but as I pretty much expected I just didn't have my climbing legs. I was so beat up by the time I got to the top that on the way down I had to resort to a run-walk strategy, going downhill! I was moving ok (miles 27-30 were 9:20, 9:49, 9:20, 10:20), but I should've been able to finish stronger than that. At least I didn't get caught on the downhill by the several people I had seen just after the turnaround at the summit, but it wasn't the finish I was hoping for, and I finally hit the line at 7:32 and change. So while this was definitely the toughest 50K I've done, it was my slowest by a full hour.
So really it was about what I expected - I struggled on the climbs in the 2nd half of the race and didn't have enough in me to finish strong. Two big positives, though. First, my stomach was largely fine. I've had trouble after about the 6-7 hour mark in the heat, and while I did get a little nauseous at one point right as I hit the peak the 2nd time, a ginger chew settled it right down and it never kept me from eating or drinking. I stuck with mostly sports drink (Tailwind in my bottles to start, then Cliff Shot electrolyte drink from the Aid Stations), with 4 gels and a few cups of Coke at the last couple of aid stations. The other positive was that my IT bands held up just fine, and with all of that descent there was plenty of opportunity for them not to. While I haven't been as consistent as I should be with my strengthening routines (band walks, lunges, reverse lunges, etc), I have been doing them and combined with a few focused long downhill sessions the past couple of months I'm hopefully getting that weakness addressed.
It feels good to have gotten it done, while at the same time reinforcing what I need to do to be able to meet my potential at these things - namely get back to climbing more on long runs and get my weight back down. I need to increase my power, and losing some weight is like free power you don't even need to train for. And I'm still not sure what I'm going to do the rest of the year - a couple more 50Ks, or a return to Firetrails 50M on 10/10, or Rio del Lago 100M in November. This was my eleventh ultra, and I've still got a lot of work to do - let alone figure out what my 12th will be.
A few pics:
View from the observatory at the top, looking toward the Bay
As close to "real mountains" as we get in the Bay Area
Ran into two of these guys out there, that was a first
Exposed singletrack on an 85 degree day
As I've mentioned here a few times recently, my training has been a little aimless lately without a race on the schedule. The positive of getting my WS100 qualifier done in May was that I could do anything I wanted the rest of the year. The negative has been that with my primary goal for the year out of the way it's been tough to get motivated to keep everything clicking. While I'm still pretty much getting in my normal miles and hill workouts, I haven't been climbing as much as usual, and more importantly without that goal in mind my diet/nutrition have suffered and I'm carrying 15 more pounds than I was this time last year.
Last year I ran 5 races in the build up to Pine to Palm 100, with all but the first one of them a trail marathon or longer. But this year I've had just Way Too Cool 50K in March and then Quicksilver 100K in May, with nothing since. That's been bothering me lately, so I knew, despite not being in great condition, that I needed to get in a race. I put myself on the waitlist for the Tamalpa 50K a couple of weeks ago, but as of Thursday I knew that wasn't happening. I had the Mt. Diablo 50K on Sunday as an alternative, but I honestly didn't commit to it mentally until Saturday afternoon. I can thank a morning of online tracking of friends and athletes I admire running the UTMB 100M (the de facto world mountain 100M championships in the Alps) on Saturday for giving me that little motivational push to get out there and tackle something tough.
With so many people I know racing or spectating at either UTMB or the 50K here in Marin on Saturday I didn't really expect to know anybody at Diablo. So it was a nice surprise to see a few people I have run with before, including the guy who I finished the Firetrails 50M with two years ago (we pushed each other to get it done just under eleven hours) and a young married couple that seems to be at every race around here. I had never run Mt. Diablo before, I just knew that 100 degree temps are pretty normal in August, at 3,848' it is the tallest peak in the Bay Area, and judging by the elevation chart it looked to be pretty steep as well.
The race was about what I expected - hot and hard. We actually got lucky with the weather as I don't think it got above the high 80s - plenty hot but not stifling. The climbs were as expected - hard and steep, mostly pretty smooth but a few small technical sections. I actually climbed pretty well up to the first summit, passing people along the way. We turned back down the hill and the 50K runners veered off on to another trail (there were also 10M, 1/2 marathon, and marathon races). At just over the 13 mile mark, we hit a section of downhill unlike anything I have ever seen before. It was a smooth fireroad, but it was so steep that it was actually scary - a drop of over 500' in about .4 miles, with a grade ranging from -20% to -43% according to Strava! I tried to move my feet as quickly as I could, trying to stay under control, but after a bit I knew I was going to wipe out so I veered off into the soft side of the fire road to try and slow the momentum, eventually coming to a stop. I did that one more time on the way down, but that was something that was way out of my comfort zone! My Hoka Stinson Trails had enough grip to hold on the dirt, but it felt like the soles of my feet were going to shear right off! Thankfully we didn't have to go this way again at the end of the race, as I don't know how I would've gotten down that 25 miles in on tired quads.
The climb back up to the top is where things really fell apart for me. It was heating up, I was working so hard, and just didn't have enough power to move quickly. This is where the extra weight really hurt, lugging it up 3,800' with 15 miles in my legs already. It was a brutal slog, and I was actually passed by 4-5 people which doesn't happen very often to me on uphills, but as I pretty much expected I just didn't have my climbing legs. I was so beat up by the time I got to the top that on the way down I had to resort to a run-walk strategy, going downhill! I was moving ok (miles 27-30 were 9:20, 9:49, 9:20, 10:20), but I should've been able to finish stronger than that. At least I didn't get caught on the downhill by the several people I had seen just after the turnaround at the summit, but it wasn't the finish I was hoping for, and I finally hit the line at 7:32 and change. So while this was definitely the toughest 50K I've done, it was my slowest by a full hour.
So really it was about what I expected - I struggled on the climbs in the 2nd half of the race and didn't have enough in me to finish strong. Two big positives, though. First, my stomach was largely fine. I've had trouble after about the 6-7 hour mark in the heat, and while I did get a little nauseous at one point right as I hit the peak the 2nd time, a ginger chew settled it right down and it never kept me from eating or drinking. I stuck with mostly sports drink (Tailwind in my bottles to start, then Cliff Shot electrolyte drink from the Aid Stations), with 4 gels and a few cups of Coke at the last couple of aid stations. The other positive was that my IT bands held up just fine, and with all of that descent there was plenty of opportunity for them not to. While I haven't been as consistent as I should be with my strengthening routines (band walks, lunges, reverse lunges, etc), I have been doing them and combined with a few focused long downhill sessions the past couple of months I'm hopefully getting that weakness addressed.
It feels good to have gotten it done, while at the same time reinforcing what I need to do to be able to meet my potential at these things - namely get back to climbing more on long runs and get my weight back down. I need to increase my power, and losing some weight is like free power you don't even need to train for. And I'm still not sure what I'm going to do the rest of the year - a couple more 50Ks, or a return to Firetrails 50M on 10/10, or Rio del Lago 100M in November. This was my eleventh ultra, and I've still got a lot of work to do - let alone figure out what my 12th will be.
A few pics:
View from the observatory at the top, looking toward the Bay
As close to "real mountains" as we get in the Bay Area
Ran into two of these guys out there, that was a first
Exposed singletrack on an 85 degree day
Hang 10
Footballguy
AAABatteries
Footballguy
I know some of you guys go out to run and just hit your stride immediately. I don't know if it's just that my legs are weak, that my knees are bad, that I'm old or all 3 but it takes me a while to warmup and get in to a groove. Some days I just walk until I feel warmed up but it's annoying and usually I'm never really warm until I run a mile or so.
So, any routines or recommendations for this? Is it just a matter of weak legs and I need to continue to strengthen them? I'm worried to start out too fast and risk some kind of injury.
So, any routines or recommendations for this? Is it just a matter of weak legs and I need to continue to strengthen them? I'm worried to start out too fast and risk some kind of injury.
MAC_32
Footballguy
I used to be able to go out and hit my stride immediately. That's not the case anymore. There's no consistency, some days it's a half mile while others it's several, but I'm never right until after I've been going for a bit. I never really got it when others talked about needing time to get in a groove...until it happened to me. Now it's the new normal, and I think it is for many. Not just in here either.
So, it's not you. It's normal. Start off at a comfortable pace then once you've loosened up then get going and maintain. I'm still figuring out how to adjust in regards to the raceday approach, so maybe others can offer some advice as far as that's concerned.
FUBAR
Footballguy
IMO, you're doing it right.
Ideally, when I'm just running and haven't otherwise warmed up, I'll stay below 130bpm for the first 3 minutes, then go into the 130s for 3 minutes, then get into whatever it is I'm doing that day.
Tawnee and Lucho agree.
SFBayDuck
Footballguy
I don't usually feel "right" until 20 or 30 minutes in. Ideally I'll walk for 5-10 minutes, stop and do some dynamic movements (leg swings, leg kicks, lunges, butt kicks) then start running slowly and ease into it for 5-10 minutes. I usually have to stop and stretch my calves again at that point and then I'm good to go.
Unfortunately that applies even in races. If I was running a 10K or half marathon I'd do that entire warmup before the race, but with an ultra I just walk around first and do the dynamic movements, but then just warm up as the race begins. This weekend I stopped right at the mile mark to take advantage of a bench I could lean against to stretch my calves. I heard another runner say, "that's not a good sign, what distance is he going?" while looking at my bib number (those that started with a "5" were 50K runners).
2Young2BBald
Footbaldguy
This is so cool. This fall is my 6th XC season as a parent between my 2 kids. I thought I'd share some tips I've picked up that make the meets and the season more fun for me.
- Learn as many of the kids names on both the boys and girls teams. I don't get the parents that drive all the way to these events for 20 minutes of action. i LOVE taking in all four races (2 varsity, 2 JV) tearing around the course to cheer them on.
- Search up and download the course maps. Typically every course can be found somewhere. Wear a sports watch or use your phone and try to get to the mile splits and finish (if other dad are runners, it fun to sprint around the course in a pack). I also used to talk to the parents of older runners to learn how to best watch events.
- Learn the team's records. I have found both the boys and girls team here very rich with records of all types. If there is, say, a top-10 freshman list all time at your daughter's school, it'd be fun to see her progress towards the list.
- Get as many photos and video as you can. Its a blast to look back and how both kids changed from one season to the next. My wife has an awesome knack of getting the race clock in finish photos; these are my favorites.
side of things, but make it fun for me.- I started an Excel spreadsheet on my son's first race that includes the location/course name, the time and where he finished overall and on his team. The time and location are graphed. This makes it fun to see how he has progressed and is also a cool graphic my wife stick in my son's running scrapbook after each track and XC season.
- I subscribe to MileSplit on their pay site and also use Athletic.Net to follow the teams in the district and region and typically "study up" on the teams attending list from Athletic,Net. Its over the top, but it makes me enjoy all of the action a lot more.
ThreeThousand
Footballguy
4300 meters in the pool this morning for me - 1:27:00. 20.11 miles on the bike trainer at lunch. Down to three more weeks of peak volume before IM Louisville taper.
FUBAR
Footballguy
Hang 10
Footballguy
Read something interesting about heart rate training yesterday. It said that 60-75% of MHR was where you wanted to be build endurance but 75-80% was where you should be to enhance your endurance. Then 60-70% to maintain endurance. So basically if you have trained at 60-75% for 12-16 weeks to build a base, you then switch to 75-80% to improve your base endurance. I feel like maybe this was the issue with why I felt like I hit a wall with the long slow training. I have been pretty consistently running slow since April and it was time to slightly up the intensity.
I feel a lot better overall training at close to 76-80%. The spring in my legs feels like it's back and I doesn't feel like such a chore to stay in the proper zone. Actually had a pretty decent run this morning despite the 145+ SI. Ran 13 @ 8:21 (155). I'll definitely take that.
This weekend I have my first real MP test. Supposed to run 15 with 12 @ MP. It just so happens that the RnR Virginia Beach half marathon is this Sunday. Gonna warm up with a couple and then just try to run a 1:34ish half. Kinda looking forward to it.
I feel a lot better overall training at close to 76-80%. The spring in my legs feels like it's back and I doesn't feel like such a chore to stay in the proper zone. Actually had a pretty decent run this morning despite the 145+ SI. Ran 13 @ 8:21 (155). I'll definitely take that.
This weekend I have my first real MP test. Supposed to run 15 with 12 @ MP. It just so happens that the RnR Virginia Beach half marathon is this Sunday. Gonna warm up with a couple and then just try to run a 1:34ish half. Kinda looking forward to it.
ThreeThousand
Footballguy
I hope so. The date change was the only reason I'm signed up. Otherwise I'd be back in Chattanooga, which was also a great, great race.
7.54 mile run for me this morning, 58:52. That's flying for me (I'm more of a mid-8's kinda guy), on a hilly loop around my house before work. Afternoon trainer ride on tap again.
FUBAR
Footballguy
I'm feeling ignorant now. What do they mean by enhance your endurance? Sounds like they mean increase your speed on long runs, but I'm not entirely following. Also, why so slow for maintaining? That's under 140 which makes for a nice recovery run.
The zones roughly work, I think.
To your personal experience, that makes sense IMO. I think that's the biggest difference in marathon+ training vs. tri training, I never got completely sluggish with IM training even though there was big volume, because there was enough variety.
GamerBoy61
Footballguy
Wow, you guys are amazing. As stated before I am training for my first half marathon. On Saturday I was out trying to get 11 miles done but at mile 5.5 my hamstring popped. 
I had to call my wife to come pick me up.
I have had lower back / hip issues for years so the hamstrings were under constant tension and I didn't do enough stretching and mobility work to loosen everything up.
I have 24 more days to the half so I hope with rest and therapy I can still run it but now the focus will be on finishing and having a good time instead of pushing myself to an arbitrary goal. Maybe this is a good thing in the long run. Still very disappointed but gets me motivated to work on mobility and flexibility.
I had to call my wife to come pick me up.I have had lower back / hip issues for years so the hamstrings were under constant tension and I didn't do enough stretching and mobility work to loosen everything up.
I have 24 more days to the half so I hope with rest and therapy I can still run it but now the focus will be on finishing and having a good time instead of pushing myself to an arbitrary goal. Maybe this is a good thing in the long run. Still very disappointed but gets me motivated to work on mobility and flexibility.
Hang 10
Footballguy
When I get back to my computer I'll post some of the book exerts. They will give it more context than I ever could.
Brony
Footballguy
Ouch. Don't rush back on those hammies.Wow, you guys are amazing. As stated before I am training for my first half marathon. On Saturday I was out trying to get 11 miles done but at mile 5.5 my hamstring popped.
I have had lower back / hip issues for years so the hamstrings were under constant tension and I didn't do enough stretching and mobility work to loosen everything up.
I have 24 more days to the half so I hope with rest and therapy I can still run it but now the focus will be on finishing and having a good time instead of pushing myself to an arbitrary goal. Maybe this is a good thing in the long run. Still very disappointed but gets me motivated to work on mobility and flexibility.
Good luck with the training!
Hang 10
Footballguy
Here's what it says about transitioning to from 60-75% to 75-80%:
A consequence of lower-intensity, easier endurance development training is the less-than-complete strengthening of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Another, by the very definition of aerobic work (no huffing and puffing allowed), is that your respiratory system’s muscles are just beginning to get into good shape. Now it’s time to move those parts of your body through a transition zone that will focus on the upper edge of your aerobic capacity. The extra effort and speed will put a little more stress on these systems and will prepare you for the strains of high-intensity anaerobic conditioning that will come when you move up the training triangle into the stamina, economy, and speed zones. This transition work will be in the steady-state zone of 75 to 80 percent MHR. These two percentages are, respectively, right at the top of the aerobic zone and right at the bottom of the anaerobic zone. Workouts in this zone can put a modest stress on your respiratory system while you push your biomechanical system through bigger and faster ranges of motion.
Benson, Roy; Connolly, Declan (2011-04-14). Heart Rate Training (Kindle Locations 1185-1187). Human Kinetics - A. Kindle Edition.
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Juxtatarot
Footballguy
That's interesting. How often is he suggesting running in that zone during this phase? Personally I suspect running a lot of 80% miles would be too much for me but I often enjoy running around 75%.
Hang 10
Footballguy
I guess I will have to find out because I'm only part way through the book. I think it's a periodization type thing. Maybe once you get past your base phase of conditioning you transition to the higher end of the aerobic zone and then you dial it back when you start doing more anaerobic/threshold workouts.
You obviously have great aerobic fitness now. Cardio probably isn't your limiting factor of getting faster. You are probably better off just maintaining your current level of fitness while working on pure speed.
Gator Shawn
Footballguy
Quick question. I have a Wahoo Tickr chest strap HR monitor. It works fine, but of course is is dependent on a device to connect to. I currently use my phone so I can track my run on Strava and get my HR there as well as pacing and music/audiobooks.
I run with an amphipod because I am thirsty like a fish. My headphones are bluetooth so my phone sits zippered in the amphipod and it's a pain to take it out and look when I need the information.
So I'm looking to move to a watch.
Since I already have the Tickr should I look at one of the watches that support an ANT or BT HR monitor or spend the extra $$ for one of the built-in HR watches?
I run with an amphipod because I am thirsty like a fish. My headphones are bluetooth so my phone sits zippered in the amphipod and it's a pain to take it out and look when I need the information.
So I'm looking to move to a watch.
Since I already have the Tickr should I look at one of the watches that support an ANT or BT HR monitor or spend the extra $$ for one of the built-in HR watches?
Hang 10
Footballguy
Ned
Footballguy
I read this book a few years ago (good informative book!). They're not advocating running at this range every day, its just another type of workout to add to your arsenal. One in which they call for recovery runs after each of them. IIRC, they still talk about running at the lower end of the aerobic range for your long runs (<75%). The closest Pfitz comparison is the GA.
Sand
Footballguy
Damn, and I never run at anything under about 85% MHR. For me 80% is 150 and I'd be practically walking.
ChiefD
Footballguy
I had the chest strap, and ended up biting the bullet for the Tom Tom watch for around $250. I will never go back to a chest strap. Never, ever. Well worth the extra dough, imo.
Gator Shawn
Footballguy
I'm going to go with as little as possible, but I don't want to be penny wise pound foolish here.
Considering my near term 1-year goal of a Sprint Tri, that means water and even more biking and running are in my future. I just need to convice the "budgeting commitee" aka Mrs Gator Shawn that it was a wise expenditure. Nice thing is, spending on a tool which monitors your heart and physical fitness health, when part of the reason I am doing this is for my family so I can be around healthy longer, is an easier sell, than say, a fancier bike.
FUBAR
Footballguy
I did a double take when I saw you posted this. Just surprised that a veteran from our group would say such a thing.
Gator Shawn
Footballguy
Hang 10
Footballguy
For around $200 you can get the garmin 220. It has bluetooth and is a pretty great watch. That's what I have now. But if I was a buyer today, I'd go with 225 because it does all the same things and it has a wrist monitor.
ChiefD
Footballguy
It depends. For runs shorter than about 8 miles or so, I don't carry a phone at all. I usually just have my Road ID strapped to my arm in case of emergency.
For longer runs, I wear a hydration belt that holds my water bottle (I hate carrying things in my hands). It has a pocket on there for my phone.
In the past, before I got all uppity and fancy with this belt, I would use an armband for my phone.
2Young2BBald
Footbaldguy
Going a completely different angle, I'd look at the VivoActive. From October of last year to present I have been travelling a lot for work. Initially, I bought a Fit Bit to track steps and to log calories so I wouldn't become a fat ###. I then pack my 910 XT for when I'd workout. Forgot the 910 on one trip where I was next to an LA Fitness and had to count my slaps, didn't get SWOLF, etc. Then the VivoActive came out. I LOVE this thing. It does everything the 910 does, plus its a step and sleep counter and even does hole locating for golf. I needed a new HR monitor (I don't mind a chest strap) so I got the watch and the monitor for around $250. I thought I'd use the 910 now and then, but haven't touched it since getting the Vivo. Now, I also haven't been racing due to my knee and would definitely race with the 910. Best part is no ANT+ stick to upload. Just hit save and on my next sync its uploaded to Garmin Connect and loaded to Strava. It also acts like a smart watch receiving texts, weather apps and other cool gadgets that can be downloaded.
ETA, there are a few negatives. Its made to be a "daylight" watch so the face is hard to see in low lighting (there is a soft back light that can be pushed). And, the battery life isn't all that great and it really drains the battery when in GPS mode and running the HR monitor.
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Footballguy
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