Well the race predictor isn’t the vo2 number, so you can ignore those and still have a “magic number”. The vo2 number goes up when you train and race well, it goes down when you don’t…
That has not be my experience. Granted, i have a 935 and it’s slightly older, but the vO2 max should do as you describe, yet it doesn’t seem to…
I can hit a Wo and kill it. And my vO2 max will go down…
Yesterday apparently was unproductive…
In any case, sometimes i obsess over stupid numbers that make no sense. I really miss the old days where the only metric i would have is how fast i was running and how long could I keep the pace…
Now i try to quantify everything and i don’t think it’s helpful or healthy.
2 Likes
I’m with you on that 
Go back to it, it’s simple and effective, which is the holy grail of metrics no?
3 Likes
I also have the 935. Love it. But I’ve done absolutely nothing going on 5wks now, and the vo2 numbers and race estimates have not changed. However, training status has transitioned to Detraining.
My son gave me a Stryd footpod a few months ago, and it works. From my data-geeking, it seems to be consistent and accurate. It corresponds well with Strava’s GAP, and accounts for wind. I use intervals.icu, which gives me a power curve and all the data overload we are accustomed to with a bike power meter. I feel the TSS is much more accurate than using a HR or pace formula.
The Stryd website doesn’t impress me, but you dont need it or a subscription to use the pod.
2 Likes
Thanks Joe, I think time trials are definitely a good way to test you’ve improved, but I’m more so looking to find something I can use to base all of my future workouts on, like TR uses FTP to find your training zones. Have ramp tests/20 min tests been done to find threshold paces for running?
PleasantRidge, the Stryd footpod definitely sounds ideal since it uses power, and you could do a similar threshold test as cycling and find your FTP! Unfortunately it’s not currently in the budget to get one but certainly one of these days I’ll look into it!
A 10km tt effort will approximate your threshold pace and HR for most people, unless you are super fast.
1 Like
Signed up for my first ever marathon next year today and aim is sub 3hr.
Currently (within last couple of months) did half in 1:24, 10k in 39mins and 5k in 18:30ish so reckon sub 3 is very doable.
Only started running about 2 years ago and currently do 3 TR cycle workouts a week and 3 runs a week (1 longish 75-90mins and two harder workouts, say v02 intervals, tempo, hill sprints etc) all following Pete McGills Fast 5k book as sprint duathlon was my main aim for world champs in Spain.
Marathon isn’t until October so likely carry on 3 ride/3 run split until start of summer then do 2 rides /4 runs per week to build mileage to marathon.
Quite looking forward to something different! Any hints and tips much appreciated!
3 Likes
FWIW, this was about my times when I started training for a sub 3 marathon…
few weeks before the race I did a 17:43 5k…
So yeah… its its very doable…
You will probably need to add more volume tho… I did attempt another sub in 2019 doing similar approach… I was doing about 45-50 miles per week on 4-5 days of running
ended with a 3:04. Few weeks before the race did a 5k in 18:30…
At the end of the day, most people need running volume
2 Likes
Let talk about Fartleks…
How you guys define it?
To me, is unstructured intervals…
Say, go for a run and run quick from NOW to the next blue car…
then rest and run fast from NOW to the next fire hydrant.
But I see MANY MANY people using it as a alternate word for interval training… or time based interval training (instead of distance)…
opinions?
1 Like
My understanding, it was random. But I have seen publications (like runners world and triathlete) publish stuff with fartlek runs that are just intervals.
I only use it for random!
1 Like
I use time for Fartleks and have found it to be helpful when preparing for longer road races, specifically with rolling hills.
In this case, the “speed play”, or unstructured variable, is the terrain you encounter across the pre-determined times. Say, you have 60 minutes of 5 mins on / 5 mins off. The variation of terrain acts as a random variable that will change the effort exerted and subsequent energy systems in play. However, I do agree with you that the most traditional Fartlek is simply unstructured efforts determined throughout a run, but time based Fartleks allow the trainee to determine how much quality work they will encounter, beforehand, to plan and progress training appropriately.
Edits: Grammar 
1 Like
I’ve got a weird one. Does anybody have experience with injuries on the top of the foot? Sort of like the ligament that runs back from the big toe. It’s okay to walk on normally, but any sudden force while I’m up on my toes is painful.
during quarantine I took it upon myself to concoct a rather ill-advised session involving stair sprints and running tiny loops around my house, and I don’t think the constant direction changes did me any favours 
You could have fractured a metatarsal on the top of your foot. It will heal, slowly.
My 2 TT runs have been done.
Last week 2 miles in the evening. Weather was less than ideal… Ended with a 12.03.
This is about what I was expecting. First mile was slightly slower than wanted… I will blame the very tight u turn.
Today i did a 1 mile race. And again, went as well as expected. Weather was great, but for this specific race you need to wear a Santa suit, so usually get hot in there.
Anyway, was shooting for a 5.30 to 5.45. ended with a 5.33.
Overall happy with the progress so far.
2 Likes
These conversions only work really well for high mileage runners and most TR users are v fit but not high mileage runners. Generally unless you run 50+ miles/week you really need to be in 1:23 shape to run sub 3 and your 10k time doesn’t predict well for most. Marathons are all about experience. I ran 2:50 for the marathon with a half time of 1:17 and 5k of 16:48 - when I focussed on the marathon my 5ks were outside 17 mins my half marathon was 1:19 but I ran 2:47…but then I ran 60miles/week rather than 40 and did plenty of easy running with just a marathon paced tempo run for speed work…but the key thing was by then I had run 10 sub 3 hour marathons…only in my last marathon before switching to TT did I manage a negative split…and that is by far the most comfortable way to do it!
4 Likes
Aight… This is happening!
May HIM,
Then November 5 hopefully another attempt for a marathon PR. So hopefully another sub 3. But this time a more solid sub 3 than a 2.59.48 
(it was a mad dash to gain those 12 seconds)
5 Likes
Maybe we need a 2022?
In any case…
Did 4x1 miles today…
Slightly slower than I wanted…
6.05 per mile.
2ish minutes rest between miles
Then i was “forced” into a 3x200, at 39, 39 and 34…
That last one had cadence of 230+ strides per minute
4 Likes
Good call, give me a moment
1 Like
Yeah new thread sounds like a good idea, or title could be update 2021/2022 !
Did a slow 17km yesterday evening in two hours… pretty tricky out there on the trail this time of year, so wet, so much mud, especially the 5 meter radius around styles/gates…it felt more mud skating than running.
While weather is bad and to keep off the hard paved surfaces I’m going to just try and do 4-5 hours a week of running mainly on trails and 2-3hrs on the trainer, keep a bit of a base in both disciplines.
Hopefully start to increase as trails/weather improve, first little event isn’t until May so plenty of time to build.
2 Likes