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Mike Barry
248 Posts |
 Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 8:44:40 PM
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Why should I buy a) a garmin style thing and b) a HRM ?
So I've been running for roughly a year and a half now with two major injury breaks - shinsplints and itbs. The last 4 months have been the first decent uninterupted spell I've had. My training is very unscientific. Low intensity followed by higher intensity next time followed by lower etc etc.
It seems I'm in line for a bonus this weekend ! Hurrah. I'm noticing that it seems everyone on here uses heart rate training and a garmin type thing of sorts. Why ? I don't mean this in a funny way as I am not to hot on these things, but why will my training/times improve ? A forerunner 405 with HRM looks like a cool piece of kit but do I need one ?
Please can someone explain in simple dummies guide style why I should get one.
Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Edited by - Mike Barry on 23 Apr 2008 8:46:12 PM |
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StephenPrice
2113 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 10:29:06 PM
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a) not something I own, or want to own (at the moment) so I won't pass comment.
b) I wouldn't be without my HRM, but mainly just to use the data afterwards to gauge fitness etc. I used to have the zones alarms set and stuck to them religiously but don't do that now. Find it useful to try and find my zones without being beeped at.
The HRM will allow you to train in different zones more effectively and will ultimately help you to improve.
As for speed/distance watches, I've just invested in a footpod for my HRM. This is different from a Garmin as it doesn't use GPS. I've bought it for use on my interval runs so I can judge pace better and know the exact length of each interval (I don't train on the track). For mappin gmy runs I use mapmyrun.com and so don't need a garmin for that bit. |
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Dips
4077 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 10:48:49 PM
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I've got a garmin with a HRM and to be honest I don't use it much at all.
I know I should and I know the guys on here like a bit of gadgetary but I simply use my garmin for distance, monitoring my pace on tempo runs etc and knowing how many calories I'v burnt!! 
I think you need to decide if you will get value for money out of it and perhaps as Stephen suggests just go for a HRM.
Dips x
The difference between the mile and the marathon is the difference between burning your fingers with a match and being slowly roasted over hot coals.
Hal Higdon |
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aluaka
1727 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2008 : 10:55:05 PM
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Mike,
I've owned a Garmin for years now - and although it is not the latest model it has been the piece of kit that has been most useful to me when on my solo runs (which is all the time other than races!)
Great for comparison of regular routes, motivation, measurement of distances & profiles and the HRM that is part of the Garmin pack is a useful piece of kit too (although my HRM hasn't been used for a while - my HRM is always high and I find it best to avoid it - not a good idea guys I know and certain HRM using members will see this as unforgivable!)
I'm no ace runner (as many could testify) but am a gadget freak and I can categorically say that the Garmin has made a difference to my training - and I always feel sad when I forget to charge it and have to go out without it pacing me round!
Features such as virtual partner and being able to upload your runs onto your pc make the kit even more useful.
My advice - if you fancy a great running gadget get one, if you get by with a stop watch and can't see the benefits then it is a lot of money to spend (although shop around as prices have come down a lot on the latest models - there are other threads on here which give ideas of retailers)
Wiggle is always a reliable retailer to use (and the club gets a % of all wiggle.com purchases!)
Alan Lacey
Chairman UKnetrunner |
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lincsfella
1209 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 05:41:09 AM
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Ive a 305, i love it to bits. It is possible to get a bit caried away and get a bit bessoted by the info its throwing at you but i really wouldnt be without it now. Ive resisted the HRM function and still run to how i feel, so far its worked but gains now are starting to get smaller so i may need to look at other ways of training i.e..... HRM, but i am old too so that may have an effect ha ha. There is a new garmin out real soon, its got most of the same functions as 405 but its a little smaller and more watch like..... i think i'll be sending Santa a very nice letter this year. 
"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
Edited by - lincsfella on 24 Apr 2008 1:16:30 PM |
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Laura Foster
1146 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 06:47:22 AM
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I have a Garmin because I am a bit of a gadget fan and I find it endless interesting to see how my performance changes with terrain, fitness, time of day etc.
That being said, I have had some real benefit from it.
1. I downloaded the RW training schedules onto my Garmin, then used them whenever feasible. So for interval training, the Garmin was perfect for timing/measuring the intervals, and for telling me when I was going to fast or too slow. It meant that I did the training session I planned to do rather than something vaguely approximating to it. Despite not reaching my target marathon time, this was the marathon I enjoyed the most because my fitness and training was in line with how I ran on the day.
2. I use the virtual partner when racing to tell me where I am with respect to my target pace. The display shows either white or black according to whether I am 'fast' or 'slow' so is really quick to read, and allows me to adjust quickly.
Overall I think it has added to my enjoyment of my running 
Laura
Running FLM 2008 for UKNetrunner.co uk |
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fishyweb
2311 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 06:57:36 AM
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I've got both a Forerunner 305 for running and an Edge 305 for cycling. It goes without saying that I think they are great. Some of my favourite features:
- You can do properly measured intervals without being at a track
- You can upload a route to navigate you around a trail you've not run before
- You can compete against your performance from a previous run
- Ensure that your low intensity workouts are low enough (you can do that with any HRM)
- Ensure your high intensity workouts are high enough (you can do that with any HRM)
- Etc
Also, I enjoy being able to upload my runs to my PC to check progress over the longer term.
BTW, I did a review of the Forerunner for our web site when it first came out - see http://www.uknetrunner.co.uk/news.php?item.38.4
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Steve |
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domstevens
579 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 07:29:39 AM
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I have the 305 which comines heart rate mnitor and GPS and have found it a great help in monitoring progress, can get some good deals now the 405 is out.
It has helped me to focus on pace and monitoring heart rate is great. Especially as all my running is out and about and not on the track. No more maps and strings Don't rate the software that comes with it and use Sports Tracks instead, ut whatever works best for you. As Laura say virtual traininer is grat at monitoring pace without too much trouble.
In all a great way to monitor the impact of your training. I am also quite in to gadgets! Stereotypical boy then 
Our Greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall - Confucius |
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Heavyweight
1453 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 08:24:41 AM
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Hi Mike - you've had lots of advice already I see. I'm in a similar position to you in wondering whether to take the plunge and go with a Garmin. The concern I have is that as I am something of a stats freak I will be so concerned with the output of Garmin I will stop enjoying my running. I remember when I first had a on-board computer in my car I spent far more time looking at average mph etc. than loOking at the road. I do have a hrm though which is a very much more reasonable investment (about £30) which I wear sometimes although I'm not that comfortable wearing a chest strap - especially at faster paces.
One other thing - I really dont want to have to 'rely' on a bit of gadetry to be able to run - I often go out without even a watch on what is from a training point of view slighty purposeless runs - but these are often the ones I enjoy the most. |
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MarkWillcocks
1275 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 08:51:32 AM
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Hello Mike,
i have just brought a Garmin 101 ( billy basic ) just yesterday......i have a couple of polar hr watches and another basic hr watch from jjb, (cheap as chips but does the job )
I allways struggle to raise my hr so that training dosent suit me, my resting hr is quite low and my recovery rate is good also, BUT IT IS GOOD TO SEE WHEN THE OLD TICKER IS WORKING HARDER!!!
I brought the Garmin for the reasons quoted above by other posters , ie training partner, distance, pace etc etc but mainly pace as i can go between 7 and 10 mph and not notice the difference, as a foot note to that just trying it out on a brisk walk to the pool today from home, i slowed 1 mph just walking up a small incline!!!
Mark |
Edited by - MarkWillcocks on 24 Apr 2008 08:52:27 AM |
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Finchy
240 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 08:54:08 AM
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Hi Mike- there are advantages to be had in monitoring and tracking your heartrate. Making sure you don't overtrain, which ultimately leads to injury prevention has got to be one of the key ones, and there is definately acceptance now that HRM training is the way to go. I wear a HRM but have never used it to its full potential, at the moment I simply use it to gauge fitness and perceived effort. Bear in mind though that to get the most of these things you have to have an accurate measure of your maximum heart rate (something I haven't done yet, but looks like it can be tricky to get a reliable figure).
Can't really comment on the other Garmin style features because I haven't got one. Although I have to say that hours of fun can be hide on sites like mapmyrun.com planning and measuring routes, and it's free!
Ultimately it will come to whether tou are gadget freak, want to monitor to the nth degree, and want to spend that sort of money. The physical size of the Garmins has always out me off though!! |
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krissienewton
1269 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 09:59:54 AM
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Echo what finchey said, it depends if you are a gadgety person. The countdown timer on my watch for intervals still feels like modern technology for me at the moment! I have just started using a hrm on long runs to make sure I stay at around 70% and also use map my run to measure my disctnce. I really do see the benefits that can be gained from garmins but dont see it as an essential unless you really feel enthusiastic to give it a go like many people I know who love them. I like to feel as free as possbile when I run from any kinds of technology and just refer to my watch from time to time.
Krissie
A ship in the harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are made for |
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DaveM
608 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 12:43:34 PM
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Think I had better add a comment regarding gadgets - even though I wont be adding anything new.
I am also a gadget freak and a stats freak. I love to review the output from my Garmin (although I use the free version of Motion Based rather than the Garmin analysis tool - which doesnt work well anyway). As well as the benefits already listed I download the courses I use from Fetch, and also download the logged run to google earth and look at where I have run on a 'satellite' picture (although I believe they are not from the satellite at all!)
I also regularly use the training partner during a race - I find it easier than picking someone to pace who you think is doing the same pace as yourself.
If I dont use my Garmin, I always run with a Polar HRM - especially when on the treadmill (Garmin doesnt work well on the tready! - I wonder why?.....) _ even wore my HRM in bed once to see what my heart rate was when sleeping and to see how many calories I burned whislt asleep.
So unless you are a sad gadget / stat freak spend you money on something more useful!
DaveM
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you always got! |
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aluaka
1727 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 1:05:13 PM
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Wearing your HRM in bed could produce some interesting findings .... especially during certain bedtime activity !!!
Sleeping of course !!!! 
And brings a new meaning to the Garmin's Virtual Partner ..... think i'll wear my Garmin in bed tonight and set up my virtual partner!
What will my wife will think about that ?!! Grounds for divorce ? 
Alan Lacey
Chairman UKnetrunner |
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lincsfella
1209 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 1:22:06 PM
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my bliddy battery will be flat before anything happens in our bed, thats unless its my birthday or ive remembered our anniversary
"Always aim for the moon...... because if you miss, you'll still land amongst the stars" |
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krissienewton
1269 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2008 : 1:28:35 PM
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Aw poor Lincs!!
I once wore my hrm in bed whilst relaxing to see how low I could get my resting heart rate....got it down to 38! I also once forgot to take it off when I went out after a run and was suprised that it got up to about 120 when I was walking around the supermarket. must have been all the excitement of the buy one gets one free offers. What a geek I am
Krissie
A ship in the harbour is safe, but that's not what ships are made for |
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Topic |
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Why should I buy a) a garmin style thing and b) a
