Jacob’s Lifestream

Lots of firsts these days ;) Yesterday I was supposed to do the "tough" workout, according to my Suunto T4c. So I thought: I want to see how running with this is, instead of just doing exercise on the crosstrainer.

So... to Risskov - and beyooond !

Hard facts

• I ran 5,63 km.
• It took 47:10.
• Max HR was 86%.
• Avg HR was 78%.
• I did 37 minutes in the 70-80% zone.
• I did 10 minutes in the 80-90% zone.

My Experience

I basically ran. But it felt more like... just above the speed of powerwalking ;)

Compared to what I'm used to, I would've run the 2.4km at "normal" speed, which would've meant a pulse of 90% or above. It would've taken me... oh, about 16 minutes or so.

This time though, it was nice and easy. Actually I'm surprised how low intensity I have to run with, to stay below 80% of HRmax. Really.

But my pride was set aside, because my watch told me I wasn't allowed to run faster, and because I'm giving this pulse training stuff a chance. So I have to stick with the plan. Even though I look like a 75 year old runner. But what the hell.

Aaaaanyway... During the run, the watch sounded the alarm several times. Especially uphill made my pulse go up pretty fast. No surprise there though. So I either had to slow down or just walk for 30 seconds, to get my pulse down. Especially in the last part of the run, my pulse went up quite easy.

At training effect 3,4 I decided it was pointless to go on. My pulse went up too fast, and the above 80% alarm sounded way too often. So I ended it there.

I didn't feel, at that time, that I was completely busted though. I felt like I'd worked out, but wasn't completely busted like I'm used to.

And therein lies the great difference.

A normal run would be controlled by my pride and competitive genes. Which means I'd run faster, look better at running, but I'd be spent at the end of even a short run.

A pulse controlled run means my body is kept at a reasonable level.

Basically, by spending 15% less power during the run, I was able to run about 120% farther.

I don't know about you, but that's a bit like a revolution to me. It feels easier, I can run longer distances, and I'm not busted afterwards. Woopti-fucking-doo ! Pulse training is my new thing for sure. I'm staying with this, and I'm excited about the thought of what effect it has over the next 3,5 months where I'm trying to lose the 10kg I need to lose (well I need to lose more, but that's just the goal I set at the competition at work ;) ).

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Rightyyyy... was feeling damn tired after getting Ziggy ready for bed. But my new Suunto T4c told me I had to work out.

I had to reach a Training Effect of 2.8, and there was a time indicator next to it saying 1:15. I interpreted that as the workout taking an hour and fifteen minutes.

So, on the crosstrainer I went. Put the heart monitor belt on. Switched the watch from Time to Training mode. It searched and found the HRM belt in a second or two. Fantastic, that part just works ! Can't wait to see if pairing the foot pod is equally easy. I'd set my heart rate zones beforehand.

• Zone 1 = 60-70%
• Zone 2 = 70-80%
• Zone 3 = 80-90%.

When you set your HR zones, they're indicated by a small mark to the left on the outer rim of the display. When you do your workout, a gauge indicate where you are visually.

Started "running". Reached 70%. Was there for a while. Decided that was just a bit too slow, so upped it a just a little bit, and went up to 73-75% of my HRmax.

I noticed that to the right on the outer rim of the display, a very small gauge increased as I trained. That's the Training Effect indicator, which gives you an overview of how far you are in the process. The workout itself.

I'm very surprised that I have to stay in a zone which feels that low intensity. But I was sweating like a mofo, so something had to be right.

But the new thing was, and this is the significant difference between just exercising, and doing targeted exercises: I did not feel completely squashed during the workout. And afterwards, I feel like I could do it again.

I'm not 120% spent. I just feel... good. Relaxed somehow.

Got an afterburner sweat. When just exercising I have a tendency to want to overperform. Which is the reason I've been pretty stubborn about getting an HRM for my workouts. I need some kind of mechanism to stop me from overperforming. Overperforming sounds braggy - right ? It's not, however. It doesn't take much for a guy of my stature to overperform. Problem is, when I do that, I basically work against my goal of losing weight and burning fat. I spend the wrong resources - the glucose in my muscles. Instead of the fat I need to burn. So - really really happy I got this HRM, and I'm very anxious to see the long term effect of doing this kind of targeted training.

The watch during workout

One thing I've noticed, is that there isn't a large viewing angle on this watch. Which means I have to watch the display within a not too large angle. But it's ok I guess. Switching between the various view modes is easy. I eventually settled for watching the calories burned, plus my HR percentage. Since I'm trying to lose weight, I guess that's what's important. After the workout, I spent a little time browsing the log.

• It took me 30:01 to reach a training effect of 2.8.
• I spent 10 minutes in Zone 1. I spent 20 minutes in Zone 2.
• I burned 405 calories.

I saved the log. I read the manual, and it said something about putting the watch to sleep to save battery. I did that.

Afterwards - the log is gone. What the hell Suunto ?

I'll have to find out what that's all about. But overall - very impressed with the Suunto T4c, and I definitely feel that working out is something I want to do, when the effect is that I don't feel completely burned out afterwards.

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