No pun intended there, but an accidental double tagging.
Having gotten fed up of my Garmin 310XT losing its memory, I
decided enough was enough, flogged it on flea bay and bought myself the new
920XT instead. This watch really is the
dogs-danglies, taking all the concepts that were introduced in the 310XT,
adding a load of new stuff from the Fenix range and ending up with an even
better package overall.
Battery life is much better, with a variable tracking
option, built in run walk, does swim, bike, run (I’ve tried all three so far) and
gym. Only thing that’s a retrograde step
is removing the interaction with gym equipment, but you can’t have everything. The
GPS connects much better than the 310XT, even when amongst buildings in
Aberdeen. It’s also a functional, if a bit
chunky watch with a very strident alarm.
One of the best things is that unlike the 310XT, you can upload the
resulting .FIT files directly to Garmin Connect via the USB charge cradle. Photos
will follow once I’ve played with it a bot more.
So far I’ve used it on several runs, including the Bob
Graham recce where the altimeter proved to be pretty accurate, and on several
bike rides. Even used it in the pool
where it correctly picked up my stroke rate.
And most important, it’s nice to me – at the moment it’s telling me that
my VO2max is at the top of the scale, above the 95th centile for
someone 20 years younger than me.
The other part of watch this space is the growing
trepidation as this year’s silliness arrives quickly – the Riover Ayr Way race,
on 19th Sept. Last long run tomorrow,
using the predesigned run/walk feature on the Garmin. I’ll plan it as 25min run/5 min walk,
normally something I try and do to conserve energy through the race and to stop
myself going off too hard with the adrenaline at the start. Planning my drop-bag strategy as well for the
10-mile-ish aid stations that have food as well as water. Not planning on carrying
much, some just in case and then concentrated electrolytes.
Pack list is being jotted down as well on my desk pad as
things come to mind. Along with
nutritional needs etc.
The third and final part of watch this space? I’m trying to build myself a website. I’m getting so many questions and requests
for advice on managing diabetes as an athlete that I don’t have time to answer
them alongside the day job, which now that I’m on the leadership development
plan will only get busier. So, a website, all about me, managing diabetes, a
few nice piccies, recipes, link to my blog, a chance to ask me more questions
etc. Pretty basic and will be
self-built, but it’s a start.
So, to the final bit of this episode, last long run before
the RAW, strictly controlled as 25min run/5 min walk using the function on the
Garmin 920XT. Overall worked very well,
80% off road on the lanes and bridleways around me, flat mainly of course, but
then RAW is overall downhill losing about 250m in the 40 miles or so.
One thing I did find, which is of course relevant for the
BGR later is that my calves reacted more to the walking than the running,
particularly the outside of the shins – more massage needed there I think. Overall though 34.5km, no issues at all, legs
feel absolutely fine with no discomfort at all on the Monday or Tuesday
following. Pace stayed pretty much the
same all through and if sustainable could see me putting in a decent time. The strict
run/walk tends to stop me going off too hard and then blowing up later in the
race. All comes down to rest times and
pace drop off in the last 10-15 miles.
Touch wood, I’m not carrying any injuries this year, unlike the last two
years.
Stats for the run
Total 34.8km / 3h 23:39 / 5:51 pace / AHR 146 /MHR 160
BG in good control all round, with approx. 100g on the run,
30 g before and 20g straight after, so sticking around the 30-40g/hr that I
seem to get by with.
Details
Splits / Time / Cumulative Time / Distance
/ Avg Pace / Avg HR / Max HR
1 / 27:49 / 27:49 / 5.00 / 5:34 / 143
/1572 / 32:05 / 59:55 / 5.00 / 6:25 / 147 / 160
3 / 28:06 / 1:28:01 / 5.00 / 5:37 / 146 / 154
4 / 29:09 / 1:57:09 / 5.00 / 5:50 / 146 / 155
5 / 29:46 / 2:26:55 / 5.00 / 5:57 / 146 / 153
6 / 28:06 / 2:55:01 / 5.00 / 5:37 / 147 / 154
7 / 28:38 / 3:23:39 / 4.80 / 5:58 / 143 / 154
Summary 3:23:39 / 34.80
/ 5:51 / 146 / 160
No comments:
Post a Comment