When I started running, at around 21 years old, I started out on a treadmill at a gym and did the traditional run/walk style of progression until I was able to run for 20 minutes and walk for one or two, etc. I don’t recall when I started to venture into running outside, but I do know that I ran my first 10k race with a stroller in tow and my ex-husband by my side, with our then 8 month old first born. At that time I had a Walkman and progressed to an mp3 player (all illegal downloads of course). I used a watch and basically ran for time. I had no idea of my pace (unless I was on a treadmill) and generally walked for 5 mins when I left my door and ran for however long I’d planned, and then walked for 5 mins to cool down. That was it. Nothing fancy. I have no idea what time that first 10k even came in at.
Once I got my first GPS watch it was a game changer! I was obsessed. I would make sure I had round number finishes (see; running past your house to reach an even number and never end with a decimal!) I ran with my mp3 player for a long time then finally got an iPod shuffle. I never took my phone on a run (or rarely). I often ran at the gym while my kids were in the gym daycare, or with them in a stroller (until they were around 3 and simply weren’t having it! (“me walk!”…no! mommy’s got goals). I ran lots of 10k’s and some Half Marathons but didn’t start training for my first Marathon until the kids were school age and the guilt felt a bit less on those long Sunday runs.
Fast forward to smart phones and Spotify and the realization that maybe running without my phone (especially for very long distances) was a bit unsafe. Once my first Garmin started having trouble turning on or holding a charge, I replaced it with a new, beautiful minty teal Forerunner 35 and its been my favourite running device for years (of which I have many other favourite running devices but that’s a whole tangent). I rarely run without music, and hence, my phone. I started racing without music when I became a pace bunny for a few years for the Calgary Half. Two or three birthdays ago my boyfriend got me Bluetooth headphones and those are right up there with a GPS watch. (especially after years of struggling with a cord and a system to make that not so annoying).
*When I was last marathon training, I also discovered that my headphones only last about 3 hours and 20 minutes (and that also seems to be getting less) but for a Half Marathon that is fine, so there is no need to upgrade those yet. And also; phones don’t have headphone jacks anymore so, my plan to just use wired headphones if needed is shot.*
Now that I am training for this race a lot differently than I’ve trained for any before, I am even more reliant on these technological devices. My phone brings the music and my watch is everything! However, now that I’ve been using HR zones as a guide, I am seeing the failings of this system. The HR monitor on my watch is a wrist based optical monitor that is pretty accurate but has its drawbacks. Most notably, in my city’s spring climate; the monitor often fails in cold. Between the air temp, cold limbs, and other reasons that cause reading failures, its very frustrating. I am often out for what should be a “zone 2” easy run and it just holds at 0.9…which is barely a walking zone. My effort and feel tells me that I am working and its a “conversational pace”, but its definitely not a casual stroll that would be 0.9. That’s been happening a lot lately. I just have to trust my effort then and run at “easy” and forget the data.
On my long distance runs and even some of my harder effort days, I’ve had to go by feel and time and not worry about the HR. Sometimes it has registered 1.8 when I’m barely breathing! So, it’s a tad off. This issue should improve as the weather is consistently above zero. But with another birthday coming up, I have been alerted that I may be getting a new Garmin! I am very excited. It feels unnecessary (mine’s still good) but it is 7 years old and it will certainly be cool to have new features and hopefully more accuracy.
My phone on the other hand, has been a challenge. I made a little gortex sleeping bag for it a few years ago, for running in the low minus winter temps. But lately, the new problem is pocket dialing! It is ok on a regular run but during hard efforts or sprints (such as today) it goes from the very annoying, but benign, switching of songs or constant volume or music issues, to literally calling 911 for me!! Today I was suddenly taken aback when my headphone started hearing a dialing and ringing. I hung up. It happened again (all while I’m running full steam for a final 2 minutes of a 10 minute speed burst). Then my phone rang; I hung up. It rang again; I picked up. It was 911! Yikes…this has happened at least twice. I was worried I’d get a fine or something. I’m breathing heavy as the dispatcher asks me if I need assistance and am safe. “Yes. I am running and I’m so sorry”. “Can you speak freely?”….”Well not really, but its self inflicted”…”That’s ok, it happens all the time. Have a good run” Oh my goodness; adjust phone settings (again) to try and make that not happen.
And speaking of system failures; try being a nearly 45 year old woman who is very evidently entering peri-menopause and trying really hard to get faster and run more often. Adding more running days and two speed sessions a week has been good, but also, it adds a whole new dimension when the new horror that is my period comes around. Do I have fatigue, cramps, perfuse bleeding, nausea and general depression? Sure do! Now add extra speed and get your ass out the door for a new little 5-6 km before work on a Saturday. It’s your peek week of mileage? Here have some “lady problems” that may or may not last days longer than other times. Its a fun middle age hormone roulette and falls into some form of special-op training. It can only make me stronger…right? By the way, food (Ya, most food) is now questionable. Am I lactose intolerant? You are now! Red meat? try it, you may not enjoy that brick in your stomach. Heartburn? We got you girl! Maybe keep having regular tummy meds on hand. Your intestines aren’t doing so hot either…hope you like questioning if your bowels are irritable or just a bit sad today.
So ya, race training is going well. Haha. (actually it really is). I have four and a half weeks left until race day. I have added the Saturday morning run and that’s been the hardest (getting up to running 5 days per week). I have to really pep talk myself to get out the door on Saturday morning before I get ready for work, but I’ve begrudgingly listened, and it is actually not that bad. This week is a recovery week with a bit less volume and is much welcomed, as the next couple weeks peek out before I taper and will be as fit as I’m going to be for the race. I am not sure that my goal pace is attainable yet, but there are hints that its looking promising. I will at least know that I’ve tried really hard to get there. I can only give my body the challenges and hope that it adapts accordingly. It has been fun so far. I do love the speed days (minus the 911 calls).
Periscopecake 