Saturday 14 April 2012

G-G-G-G-Garminnnnn!

Right, that's my 2nd run complete and I'm happy to report that it felt a lot more comfortable. The first few "one minute runs" were over quicker than I expected and apart from a few twinges in my thighs I felt overall OK.  Of course I still felt like a flat footed buffoon.... but I hope that will come with time and practise and as my ankles get stronger, etc.


The only downside to the run was my Garmins inconsistency!  Practically every time I looked at it, it had auto-paused - which wasn't the case as we were continuously on the move; either walking or running. Then when we got back home and uploaded the run to GarminConnect it said that our moving time was nearly 10 minutes less than the overall time.  Pfft! I know that it didn't take me 10 minutes to do my shoe lace up - and other than that momentary stop -  we didn't stop moving at all! 


Is it possible that my lovely bicycle specific Garmin is absolutely useless for running? Can they not cope with the slower walking and running pace?  Yes, they are impractical as you have to hold them in your hand or pop it in a pocket, instead of having it neatly around your wrist but surely as it works using the same satellites it should give the same reading as a Garmin Forerunner. 


Then to top it off... I really don't understand the statistics.  After uploading the Garmin, it stated my best pace was 7;24min/mi.  It took a lot of twitter peeps (and some controversy) to explain that it meant at that pace - if I could sustain it - I could run a mile in 7mins 24 seconds.  My average moving pace was 11:54min/mi - but how could I trust the accuracy of that when it only had my moving time as 24mins instead of the 31mins we were out for.


Please don't tell me that if I continue running I'll need a different Garmin to run with? 

7 comments:

TrevorW�� said...

Just a thought, but it seems to me that your Garmin's Auto Pause is not set to Zero but to a speed of 1 or 2 mph...might be worth checking.....

-Trevor

trio said...

Turn auto-pause off for running, garmin connect will give you moving time anyway and they can sometimes be a little sensitive and auto-pause too soon. I also do the same mountain biking as I find on big days out where I end up pushing/carrying the bike the same happens. Let me know if that helps, don't have my edge here (in cambridge) but will play when I get home.

Pedalling Polarcherry said...

Change the mph distance on your autopause settings. Sounds like its too high. Mines on 1mph I think.

KatieCake said...

Thanks for the ideas folks. Checked the Garmins autopause... it is set to autopause at a "complete stop" so that doesn't appear to be the problem. :/

Next time I run I will turn it off altogether and see if it makes any difference whatsoever.

(I'm not holding out much hope though, as after some internet research it appears that they the Edge is not ideal for runners, as they are not sensitive enough. Even Garmin's own troubleshooting page suggests they aren't accurate enough. (Although I guess they would say that as they would want us to buy the more expensive multi-sport ones or have one for each different sport.)

Pedalling Polarcherry said...

Hi kate, were planning on visiting cornwall for a week. Bringing the road bikes and walking boots. Can you recommend a decent area to get a cotrage close to goid real pubs, the sea and nice roads... Thanks alot. Adele

KatieCake said...

Wherever you go in Cornwall you are sure to find quite spectacular scenery. However I am definitely more biased to our part of the world - towards LandsEnd. However as we are at the furthest away point most people prefer to stay more central so that then they are only about 30 mins away from most places.

Wherever you choose you will find beautiful scenic views and great coastal walks close by. As for riding there are lots of scenic (& hilly) country roads to choose from.

Feel free to email me and I can give you advice on places you are considering.

Pedalling Polarcherry said...

email me on polarcherry@hotmail.com please Katie. We're staying at mullion cove tomorrow for a week :)
is that near you?