Cyclists with a "Running" Problem

[ScottCM]

See next years Karkloof entries are opening on the 11th already

 

 

Edited October 4, 2018 by ScottC-M

[Chris_]

Western States is a HUGE race endorsement. 

 

Thats so awesome for the Karkloof team

[Frosty]

Hello all,

 

first off, good luck to those heading off for Amsterdam, I hope you SMASH it!

 

So, I need help. I am going to be purchasing a new running watch but having difficulty choosing one. I have narrowed it down to the Garmin Forerunner 235 and the Vivoactive 3. These are both at the end of my budget and I can't increase it.

 

The 235 is from what i can see, very runner focused and has good running features. The VA3 also has running features, but expands to more Smartphone capabilities and others (like golf, which I do play). the draw back is its not as runner focused like the 235.

 

any opinions? i need to purchase next week and cant make up my mind.

I like that it has the vo2 max, race predictor and assists with rest duration, hence the more focused running.

 

But also the watch will be everyday use, which is why the va3 comes into play

I have the 230 love it. Can wear it as an everyday and it has good battery life and nice features. It's not only running orientated as I have used it for the bike too

Wall of text warning:

 

Both the 235 and the VA3 integrate pretty well with your smartphone (alerts, controlling music on your phone, etc). The 235 is a great running watch with tons of customisability for setting up running workouts and the exact type of information you want during a race. But it is pretty much a dedicated sports watch (which I like as I don't want my watch interrupting the rest of my life). It also works with the Connect IQ store, which is where Garmin adds so much value as there are a ton of great 'apps' and widgets that extend the functionality of the watch. It also has great battery life at around 10 hours, I think.

 

That said, the VA3 does have Garmin Pay, which has already proven its worth with my 645. It's brilliant to be able to pay pretty much anywhere without having your card on you (currently only working with FNB). It also has about 3 hours more battery life during a workout. Like the Garmin 235 it has been software crippled to have a limited number of data screens but it has at least got 3 screens, one more than the 235. The caveat with that is they chose some weird system of forcing you to have the same number of data fields on each of those screens. So if you choose 4 data fields on 1 screen, your 2 remaining screens will also be set up for 4 data fields. I've got no idea why Garmin would do that. It also integrates with Connect IQ and I think it has native navigation, which, if it's anything like that on the 645, is extremely capable for trails and other routes. The 235 can also handle navigation via an app on the Connect IQ store but naturally that's a bit more fiddly.

 

The one thing I don't like is that the VA3 has a touch screen. That might appeal to you, I don't know, but I personally like the simplicity and reliability of button activations when I'm running.

 

It's a pity Garmin cripples their software to create differentiation but that's the nature of capitalism, I suppose. If you're looking for a watch that you can use more outside of running but still does a very capable job during your workouts, the VA3 looks like a good choice.

FWIW, I have the 735, so this adds to the posts quoted.

 

I bought it, rather than a cycle-specific, computer because one can’t wear a cycle computer during day. I’ve owned 4 different models of the Forerunner series and loved each one during its time.

 

Being a cyclist (with a recently found running problem), I wanted something that was power-meter compatible, wrist-based HR and not too expensive - hence the reason I didn’t go for the Fenix series.

 

The 235 and 735 are pretty much the same device, with (obvious) subtle differences. In hindsight, I’m glad I bought it (in 2016), as it’s perfect for both running and cycling, and of course swimming.

 

I’ve since added three data fields... that shows up to 9 metrics on one screen. The HR and Cadence are also zone based, so the colour changes to match the zone.

 

Cycling

Cadence, HR (% of LTHR), Speed, Distance, Ave Spd, Elapsed time, total Ascent, Time of day and current elevation.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/e8a4625a-847d-409a-9564-af1fcb964305

 

Running - Single Run Field

Time of day, HR, Pace, Cadence, Time and Distance.

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/a520cc32-75b2-4b19-a97d-1079b931dc3d

 

Running - Race Screen

HR, Pace - XXs, Cadence, Distance, Predicted Time, Timer, Ave. Pace

https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/6a30651b-ca67-41a5-96dc-60634983fc93

 

All are fully customizable, but the last one is perfect for me:

• Enter race distance;
• Estimated finish time;
• Seconds used to calculate pace “XX seconds”.

The output is 7 key metrics showing one screen. I know where to look for each metric even on such a small screen.

 

Edit: Posted pictures and links to the data fields, if it can assist anyone, like me.

Edited October 4, 2018 by Frosty

[Lexx]

Berlin Marathon race report plus a spur of the moment 16km race in Amsterdam- Better late than never I suppose

 

This was my second Marathon from the Abbott Major Marathon series having run Chicago Marathon last year. The goal at Berlin was to beat my Chicago 3h16 and try my best to achieve a Boston Marathon 3h05 qualification standard. This was my goal at Chicago and all was on track until about 32kms where I then faded hectically.

Following a decent Comrades I took a few weeks off running and then decided to take a chance and train towards a sub 3hr Marathon by using the Asics 16 week sub 3 plan compared to the sub 3h30 plan I used for Chicago.With the Comrades rest I did about 13 weeks of the 16 week plan. Lots of interval type of work involved and a few longer runs. All went okay and I only skipped one long run when I was in Dublin and it was raining, as it does over there. 885km in the build up.

 

Arrived in Berlin on the Friday to meet my boet. Off to registration which was efficient and expo was much bigger than Chicago. Didn't buy anything but thought it might be best to sample the juice on offer on the route as I couldn't stomach the Gatorade at Chicago and ended up relying on water. Ultrasports beetster was on offer and seemed decent enough. I know it's really not a good idea to try new things on race day and I have never done so in the past but I thought I'd also take a small bottle of Maurten mix on the race. I also had a gel which they were handing out during the race - haven't had a gel for years. Basically I was scared of the same fade as Chicago and so was willing to give new things a bash...go for broke I suppose.

 

The day before race day we decided to run the Hasenheide Parkrun which seemed like a British Parkrun with only a handful of locals Was a really good way to stretch the legs and ended up running with another Saffa at about 3min50/km. Was chuffed as it was my 50th Parkrun under 20min and I battled for a long time to break 20min about 15 months ago. The apfelstrudel and cream afterwards was top class.

 

The conditions on the day were prime and everything was very relaxed at the start with no fence jumping or pushing and shoving. Starting in the first batch of the second wave was lekker as it meant a 15min gap between us and the previous wave. Race tactic was to start off at my secret goal of sub 3hr pace of about 4.14/km and just see how it went. Had a very quick nature break in the 4th km but all seemed good. Kept sipping on the Maurten drink and smashed a few bananas from early on.

Unlike SA the tables do not offer plastic sachets for water but instead had a dreadful plastic cup which were a major slipping hazard being scattered all over the road.

Vibe was good and legs were okay so I passed through half way in 1:29:16...all on track. From the early 30s my pace was slowing slightly and I started doubting I'd finish in sub 3hrs but forced myself to have more bananas, beetroot juice and a gel. One thing I did have from SA was a Farbar which are awesome.

It was all about the mental game in the last few clicks as I began to realise that a sub 3 was still on the cards, if my maths in my fatigued state was correct. Somehow found decent speed in the last few kms with a sub 4min 42nd km. Crossed the line in 2:58:59. Very very happy with the result and so happy to run very near even splits of +27sec second half. Over 17min Marathon PB too!! Was lekker seeing a number of South Africans on the race and to see that Eliud Kipchoge smashed the world record.

 

Amsterdam Dam tot Damloop 16km -

Since we found ourselves in Amsterdam a week later we secured last minute entries to a 16km race. I think there were over 35000 participants in the 16km and over 75000 in the various distances. Weather was cold and raining and so I found myself scavenging a jersey left behind in a dustbin at the start. Again a chilled batch start, jersey off, and away we go. Thought the legs would have nothing left after Berlin so went for the "all out from start method" and chase a sub 1hr. Through 10km in about 37min20 but then legs lost their way a bit so crossed the line in 1:01:23. Again very happy all things considered.

 

Now to line up another event so training doesn't fade into nothing

Stunning Result Bradley.... Well Done.

Looks like that 16 week Asics program is def working. Will have to give it a try next year.

[Ferret69]

Stunning Result Bradley.... Well Done.

Looks like that 16 week Asics program is def working. Will have to give it a try next year.

 

 

Best Program, I'm using it for my 4th end year marathon in 4 years

 

Just re-adjusted this time to 10% quicker on all the zones and track times to chase closer to 2h42

 

I even use the last 4 week taper of this program into Two Ocean's Ultra and Comrades to sharpen up

[Lexx]

Thanks Ferret. Will def then use it.

[Stretch]

It's a superb program.. But it ain't easy...I didn't prep enough before hand and went straight into it without doing some speed work before and strained the hammie on week 3. This essentially put me of the program for 2 weeks. I've kind of been trying to follow the gist of it for the rest of the time but those 2 of weeks off just put the targets out of reach for me.. And I settled into a schedule of weeks and hills every week (which is more than I've done for previous marathons!) Still been great to check what I should be doing to achieve the sub 3 and how far off I am

[SeaBee]

Is there a link to this magical Asics program? 

 

Esp since I've been "tapering" for a couple of weeks and recovering an injury... may be good to start with a program

Edited October 5, 2018 by SeaBee

[shaper]

Is there a link to this magical Asics program? 

 

Esp since I've been "tapering" for a couple of weeks and recovering an injury... may be good to start with a program

https://chooseachallenge.org/blog/marathon-training

[ScottCM]

Is there a link to this magical Asics program? 

 

Esp since I've been "tapering" for a couple of weeks and recovering an injury... may be good to start with a program

 

Was posted a few hundred pages ago but here it is again

 

ASICS_TRAININGPLANS_Sub 3.00.pdf

 

ASICS_TRAININGPLANS_Sub 3.30.pdf

 

ASICS_TRAININGPLANS_Sub-4.00.pdf

 

And then Ferret was so kind as to create a conversion table for us,

 

Mile Km Pacing.xlsx

[SwissVan]

My Amsterdam number is a palindrome.... That's got to be lucky... Right??

 

1881

 

 

Hope so!

 

Be prepared for crowds and drinking water out of a cup or bottle...these euros never have water sachets as we saffas are used to. Inevitably you will get water up your nose or down the wrong tube, so drink carefully (reduce to a walk).

[SwissVan]

Does anyone have running experience with Brooks Bedlam's?

 

My 2nd pair of Ravenna 8's have been starting to feel a bit worn out under my forefoot, so went shopping today and looking at the Ravenna 9 I did not fancy them, they felt and looked to light with not enough forefoot cushioning. 

 

So i tried a pair of Bedlams, and they felt really good and now i own a pair. One concern i have is how long the outsole will last, they seem very thin and I always wear out the outsole under my forefoot before anything else.... The shops sales person said i could bring them back if the sole wore out in less than 400km.... when i asked how will you know how many km's ive run in them she went blank... LOL

 

Time will tell

[Pieter1]

Jis. I’m behind with training for a marathon and now I have missed a week because of a cold. Will prob mis this coming week as well. I’m actually having nightmares about the race...

[Gringo]

Hi All,

 

I am selling my Polar M600 Watch if anyone is interested - watch is basically brand new.

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/329036-polar-m600-watch/

 

Thanks

Edited October 8, 2018 by Gringo

[_David_]

I see a 15 year old girl - Tierney Wolfgram did a 2:40 marathon at the twin cities marathon this weekend to finish sixth among the elite women.

 

http://www.startribune.com/tierney-wolgram-15-year-old-from-woodbury-finishes-sixth-in-twin-cities-marathon/495583911/

[Ferret69]

I see a 15 year old girl - Tierney Wolfgram did a 2:40 marathon at the twin cities marathon this weekend to finish sixth among the elite women.

 

http://www.startribune.com/tierney-wolgram-15-year-old-from-woodbury-finishes-sixth-in-twin-cities-marathon/495583911/

 

 

Wow, and even crazier the Girls 15yo WR for the Marathon is 2h29... Insane..