Over-reliance and over-emphasis on training toys ...... (Page 4)

And a year later I don't even have one anymore to even do that little bit of recording.

Well, that's the rub, isn't it?  Bringing in top AGers and Pros whose main focus is placing gets to root of it, which is people that actually DO KNOW HOW TO train properly with them and use them to make specific changes in their training and racing strategies.  And the longer distance stuff is a whole different animal to begin with ..... it is NOT the norm for most triathletes, and in fact some never want to undertake that distance at all even though they could probably be successful at it.

But what about the other 99.9% of the tri public?  They get them because the pros do, and then don't have any clue either how to train with them or even if they do, don't really train enough or hard enough for it to make much of a difference?

There are also many who train by the seat of their pants (i.e. RPE and pace) that do quite well.

Good post!  We do like our gadgets don't we?

I like my HRM for training inside... gives me something to look at.  I rarely train with it outside because I like to go by "feel" and I don't get "bored" running outside.  I do like my speedometer on my bike - I know if I'm slacking or not (I'm not as intuitive on the bike as I am in the pool or on the run). Plus I need to know how far I've travelled.

I bought it because I thought I "needed" it to be a better runner.

I don't have a GPS, a cadence option on my speedometer or a power meter - and although I would "like" to have them - I don't know what I would do with the data so in my case you are correct in your post.

As it is I don't use the data from my HRM - I log it - but it doesn't help me train.

The use of toys tools can simply help a newb control their effort level. I have a friend in particular that thinks he needs to run at a certain pace or it's not "worth it". So, he'd either run for short distances, get discouraged, or get injured.

He's getting a heart rate monitor and hopefully he'll use to and be able to build some consistancy by running at a more appropriate level.

1974 winter running gear:

• shoes and socks
• long sleeve hooded sweatshirt
• underwear, long underwear, and shorts over both
• Typical pace 6:00 to 6:60 min/mile
  

2009 winter running

• shoes and wool athletic socks
• beanie or balaclava, depending on temperature
• Wicking T-shirt
• Long sleeve wicking shirt
• wind jacket
• Gloves (two thicknesses to pick from)
• Mitts to go over gloves when it gets colder
• Windbriefs (one thing I could have used in 1974)
• 4 different tights to select from, depending on temperature
• Watch with 100 splits
• Typical pace 8:00 to 9:00 per mile

I'm sure you've slowed down because of all the extra gear you are carrying, not the intervening 35 years...

C'mon gear boy, you didn't notice the obvious . . . that he was running 6:60/miles!!  That is pretty cool. . . .  

Question about using all these "toys."

 Do you use them all year?  A couple of years ago I had a bike stolen.  One of the few upsides was I realized that riding my bike had become about numbers - how fast, how far, what's my heartrate.

 I had forgotten that riding my bike used to be fun.  Now after my last race of the season, the computer goes away for a few months. Riding became fun again.

 I'm digressing a little bit, but at the last two events I did I told other participants to remember to have fun.  I got the same response type of response - I am here to race, I am here to see how much I can accomplish, etc.  They thought the thought of having fun was ridiculous.

 I dare the toy addicted to put the stuff away for a couple of training sessions and just go have fun - no measuring, just run, bike, swim for the shear fun of it

That should have been 6:00 to 6:30 miles.

I have a Garmin 305 that I love.  Does it really make any difference?  No.  I love knowing how far I went, my pace, my average/maximum heart rate, etc.  Do I have this device because the pros have it, or anyone else on the planet, for that matter?  No.  It is fun.  Gives me something to think about, something to log, some way to stay dialed into the training.  Exercising or training doesn't come easily to me and anything that makes it fun or interesting or gives me something to think about just makes all the difference.

I use the Garmin for running and biking and don't use anything else.  I wouldn't know what to do with a cadence meter (or whatever they are called), but if I did, I would probably have one. 

BTW, I am the kind of person that uses my car GPS to drive to the grocery store.

Here's my summary:

It's not about the things you use, it's about how you use them.  RPE is no better or worse than pace or HR, assuming the user has a thorough understanding of the system in question.  What I see with the gadgets is people do not take the time to learn anything about the hows of training, and instead just rely on the tool to tell them.  This situation is what I disagree with.  I also disagree with the occasional post that an HRM is a must-have, and it will make you a better athlete.

I'm going to lump something else into this group that will tick off a whole lotta people, and that's nutrition.  I see a lot of people blame nutrition for performance when it's much more likely an issue of training and attempting to race above one's head.

^^^ As usual, spot on with my feelings about the topic. ^^^

This thread title borders on the blasphemous! Off with his head!

"Toys", while definitely not necessary, break up the monotonousness  of long training sessions that would otherwise be hard (for some) to complete. Sure, don't become over reliant on them (especially if you're not using them the right way), but if they provide incentive to train better/harder (in your mind), then use them.

Just because you can eat with your hands doesn't mean you should all the time.

No one is saying that you shouldn't use them at all.  The point is the continued "need" from posters to have to use them or their workouts will turn to crap ... and the resultant negative impact that this has on someone new to the sport that doesn't want to have to spend a lot to get into it.

Case in point ........ my wife and her two friends that she walks the neighborhood have signed up for their first ever in June.  My wife is not all that stressed at all even though she has never done anything like this before, but her friends are both asking her tons of questions about this that and the other because the people they are exposed to and the media about the sport all emphasize the "must have" aspect of all the toys.  That just drives home my points ...... luckily my wife doesn't raeally want all of the toys and I already bought her a nice bike a few years ago.  Other than a swimsuit for training and a tri suit for racing, she is all set!

When I bought my kid his first bike, he said, "But dad, I dont know how to ride a bike."  I explained to him we'll buy the bike, and you'll learn how to ride it through practice."

I got into a discussion with a runner who "just runs."  She told me she determines how many miles she ran by going to a map-your-run web site.  I told her I use a garmin 305, to which she said, "that's cheating."  Well, I think we'll all agree it's not "cheating," and she probably meant it is not "pure."  Sadly, the conversation ended after that because, 1-my mouth has a tendacny to get me into trouble and 2-her goals and mine don't even begin to line up.

Rick brings up excellent points.  I just look at his results and I know he has credibility. 

In fact, I am going to attempt to break 20' at a 5 k in June, and I'm going to tape over my 305, and just run on feel, based on what he has said.  I'd be foolish not to take some advice from him and others who have said RPE is a great way to go on race day.

On the flip side, lets assume I hire a coach next season, or better yet, lets assume I hire Rick.  do you feel 2 years of data would help you, Rick?  Or, lets assume I make it a goal to read 3 books based on training with HR.  Would my previous data be usefull?

at the end of the day, just like sleeping on the cool side of the pillow, do what feels right to you.  Understand the limitatioss of the devices you are using and be open minded to trying new things that have proven to work for others. 

I know I didnt buy my 305 'cause the pros got them.  I bought it because I wanted to know how fast I was going.  I never wore the HR strap.  than I started wearing the HRM.  than I started to read more on HR training.  Than I started to understand the difference between RPE and HR.  than I realized there are limitations. 

the amount of information/knowledge out there is endless.  any tool/toy that is going to make that information easier to learn is good in my book. 

Everyone needs to learn by failure.  I raced a 1/2 marathon based on pace on my 305.  I blew up at mile 7.  Had a run based on RPE, I would have placed in my AG.....lesson learned. 

I am mostly referring to some of the answers in this thread.

Nah, never complained about electrolyte imbalances and I only got to run about a 1/2 mile before I couldn't breath anymore .... you know my feelings on electrolytes and salt intake!

(And I was on pace for a 10:15-ish in my first and ended up at 12:35, thank you very much.  Not too mention I HAD a HRM on in the race and was right at my "aerobic HR" during the entire ride - guess the toy and pacing didn't make a difference).