I decided that I would train for a half marathon this weekend. I think the biggest barrier to running longer distances is that I run too fast and don’t understand my heart rate. In order to gain a better understanding of my heart rate, get details on my workouts, and of course to increase my gadget count I picked up a Polar RS400sd Heart Rate Monitor Watch. My thought when running with it for the first time is that it is very accurate and I like the way it feels on my wrist. The only complaint I have is that the user interface isn’t very friendly, but I must admit I haven’t spent a lot of time with the unit. Hopefully I can figure how to customize it faster with a little more practice. Also, Polar gives you access to it’s Training Plan Bank to download pre-built training programs. I decided to setup my own 3 day a week training program to get me to the 13 mile mark.
Archive for the ‘Running’ Category
Polar RS400sd
Monday, March 2nd, 2009Armadillo Run
Saturday, February 21st, 2009I will be registering for the Armadillo Run in Oldsmar on March 21, 2009. The run is sponsored by the Rotary Club and proceeds will benefit local charities in the city. I hope to have bought an RS100 Heart Monitor by then. My Nike+ Ipod hasn’t been working and I’ve discovered it’s fairly inaccurate. Check out the excerpt below from The Bull Runner
NOV. 10, SATURDAY. At the risk of looking like Inspector Gadget, I wore both the Garmin and Nike+ on my next long run last Saturday. Our goal this time was 18 km. Again, we ran the same initial 12 km route then ran halfway through that same route making our way back to the starting point.
At the onset, both gadgets recorded the same distance. At least, that’s how it was at 2 km. But, as we increased our distance, the discrepancy increased as well.
For the pace, there was a significant 30 second difference too; the Nike+ giving me a faster pace than the Garmin.
At the same 12 km mark (based on the Nike+ in the past), the Garmin, much to my delight, registered the exact distance as the past week’s run: 9.5 km. I pretty much knew which gadget was more accurate at that point. And, sadly, our once favorite 12 km route needed an immediate name downgrade to “10 km route.”
It looks like I’m not running as far or as fast as I thought! I’ve started timing myself the good old fashioned way and measure out my routes using GPS to about a half kilometer now to be safe.
