How to Utilize Garmin and Strava to Improve Your Running
Use their platforms to make your running better
I love Garmin. Strava is growing on me.
I've written about why I disliked Strava, but it stems from me and my training more than anything that's wrong with Strava.
Do I like seeing friends, strangers, frienemies being able to run 10 miles at 7 minute pace at 10 am? Hell. No.
Maybe it's mostly envy or jealousy that I'm in a classroom and they are out logging fast miles...
Either way, I digress.
You can still use both of these running-centric platforms to boost your running and here's the long and short of it:
Tip # 1
On your Garmin watch, set up the right data screens so you get all the information you need when you need it.
My data 1 screen has Timer, Distance, Average Pace and Elapsed Time (time from when I started my run and includes any breaks.
Data screen 2: Lap Distance, Lap Time, Lap Pace
Data screen 3: HR
Data screen 4: Temperature, Body Battery, and Direction heading (in case I get lost)
Tip # 2
On Garmin's website, preferably on a desktop, you can create a course/loop for you to run or bike and then upload it to your watch. Your watch will beep and tell you where to go.
Tip # 3
Use Body Battery to tell you when to go hard and when to rest more. I know that when my body battery is low on wakeup my workouts tend to be my worst. If you can, delay by a day and get extra sleep and more recovery miles and you should have a better workout.
Tip # 4
Post-run your watch gives you a suggested amount of recovery time. I wouldn't follow them to a T, but I definitely would use them as a guide. Your watch can give you insights into your HRV and stress level of the workout which helps them decide how much time you should recover.
Tip # 5
Join Garmin and Strava communities. The people in them are usually motivated and have decent tips to share with others. Plus, it's cool to see people in your physical proximity because you can see what trails and loops they do and you can do them too.
Tip # 6
Challenge yourself on Segments. I think it's healthy to compete when you don't have any true races on the horizon. Treat them like mini-races and tackle a King of the Hill!
Tip # 7
Create workouts with intervals, simple or complex. I've written a helpful blog post about creating workouts that you'll want to read.
Tip # 8
Use both Strava and Garmin to find courses, trails, and popular running locations while at home and on vacation.
Tip # 9
If you don't want to get a run coach, then Garmin has pre-loaded workout options for you. You can always pick and choose which to use and you'll get different workouts based on your current fitness.
Summary
Garmin and Strava are great if you use them to up your run game. Follow the 9 tips above to get everything out of these two companies.
Fall is here and if you are looking for a running coach, now is a great time to sign up for a training plan! For details, visit TrainwithMarc.com/online-coaching for details
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Friday’s Action Plan
Connect with friends on Garmin or Strava to help motivate you.
What Has My Attention:
Nike shoes are setting records, but casual runners are wearing rivals’
How to endurance train like a Norwegian
Quote of the Week:
Always end the day with a positive thought. No matter how hard things were, tomorrow is a fresh opportunity to make it better.
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