Over-reliance and over-emphasis on training toys ...... (Page 3)

Yes, it was said a few different times (by me as well).

The bare bones of the discussion is really to emphasize just get out there and train and enjoy it without being a slave to the gadgets.  Nothing wrong with having them, but there is something (in my worthless opinion) of being a "slave" to them, which is what I've been seeing more and more in posts and discussions on the different forums.

Basically you will see the most improvement in your fitness by getting out there and doing it.  You can fine tune yourself if you use the toys correctly to sharpen that edge.  But I'll guarantee that the guy/gal who gets out there as much as they can and trains and enjoys their training will not only have more fun with it but improve better than the general trend I'm seeing where it is more important to worry about what zone they are in and how many watts they are putting out while still only getting out there a few times a week or are so worried about going over their target for that workout that they cut it short.

I look at the "toys" of this sport just like the leg shaving and MDot tats. People get them and use them because everybody else is doing it.

To each their own

Well, I have been very hestitant to post on the subject of HR and training/racing as it relates to running mostly because the discussions have quickly degraded in the past.

Clearly, their are a lot of folks who believe that training the run by HR and Time is the way to go and I am certainly not going to argue with this method. (It seems to work for folks)

But one of Rick's responses speaks directly to the link I am posting:

http://www.runningtimes.com/rt/articles/?id=6627&page=1

It is an article by Pete Pfitzinger, M.S.

Item #4 in the article suggests that pacing a race using HR is not an optimal approach. He cites several studies and offers a hypothesis as to why this is the case.

I will let the article stand on it's own and will not put myself into a position to argue the finer points of the article. But I will say that I trust and Respect Pfitz. I have used his training plans for 8 marathons and truely believe that he delivers the goods on race day.

I am so glad you put this out there, because when I first joined BT I was totally discouraged and a little overwhelmed with everything I was reading and quite frankly thought  triathlons were not for me.

Thanks again for posting this.

I did this a couple of times last year.  It had been sooooo long since I had done a ride like that.  It was thoroughly enjoyable.  It reminded me of some of the reasons I love to ride.  Did I really push and "train" probably not, but I had some great saddle time that did wonders for my mental well being. 

Now if I could get my Mtn Bike in shape and go play in the dirt and the rocks  

Could not have said it better myself!

Well, I have a basic bike computer (speed, distance, time), and on my runs and swims I have a wrist watch with a timer.  That's about it.  No HRM, no Garmin, no power meter.  Unless I do a run that I've mapped on the route mapper, I just guess at the distance based on how strong I felt I was running.

The way I figure, I need to work hard on building running base at this point, increasing cycling base and performance, and maintaining swim.  I can pretty much do all of those with minimal monitoring.  The gadgets just seem like overkill to me.  I know when I am pushing hard and when I am not, and I don't feel that I need a gizmo to tell me what I already know.

On the other hand, my wife's very, very attractive friend said that she'd like to hook a heart rate monitor to me for one of my bike rides.  If that didn't convince me to run out and buy an HRM, then I guess it's probably not going to happen. 

Funny that you bumped this thread. I did my first two races last year and almost right away, got caught up in all the "stuff". I bought a 305 when Costco had that deal on them last year, and as soon as I got it, I returned it to the store. I figured that time spent faffing about with the 305, downloading data, analysing it etc would be time better spent just running or riding more.

The fact that the 305 looks like a Star trek prop didn't help either.

I love all my toys: powertap, garmin 305, and now computrainer.

sometimes I just go run - without a HRM - sometimes I run/bike for fun but record the data both to have it and seen if RPE is corresponding to numbers tested.

and with my first HIMs looming the powerdata is crucial to me - I would hammer the bike and blow up on the run if I just did it.  and HRM for me is so variable - it can be high for so many reasons....

I like seeing where my numbers are, where am I improving did this month's training cycle change my vdot, my FTP....

But all of those numbers can be "altered" depending on the time of day, the way you feel, the HTFU level you have for that workout, etc.

The end all be all which is really a marker of one's abilities and fitness level is a race.  It is also what things like VDOT and such are calculated FROM.

People too often forget the mental aspect.  Yes, your body has limitations.  But your mind can make things vary significantly and performances can come out of nowhere.  There is no toy that can predict or give data about it.  As a prime example, I give this (sorry to bring this one up Jim, but it is really exactly what I'm talking about):

http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=30318

Rick, very interesting thread, but you changed it a bit with your statement above. Now its not about having toys or not having toys, now its about how (or how frequently) we use them? I say to each his own, whatever floats your boat, or whatever makes you a better tri-er .......

As for me, a simple new toy such as a new shirt or pair of shoes can (magically) have a positive effect on my running. A HRM helps me getting through the lows (or the highs). And that keeps me focused  .......  

Warning - I've only skimmed about half the posts...but here is my take.

So I'm a long time runner that seems to fall out of training when the weather turns cold.  A new gadget or piece of clothing always gets me excited about starting out a new season. 

It all starts when I feel guilty around Christmas time.  I go buy something and stare at it for a few weeks.  Then after a really bad guilt day I go out and try whatever I bought.  It feels so good that i then go register for a few races and do what I do until it gets too darn cold again.

 To each his own.  Don't rip on someone if they buy something you think they don't need.  You never know why they do what they do or what they need.