To experienced runners...
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In the last year, I lost a lot of fat by both dieting and running (I lost 35 kg/77 pounds). Now, I'm keeping my weight by mostly running (a bit of weight lifting too), and everything seemed to be great until I started to feel a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings, which I recall being a symptom of burning lean mass (I do drink lots of water before, during and after running). This led me to buying a Polar Heart Rate monitor, to improve my training a bit. For what I've seen, it seems that RS200 is a good buy, in a midrange price. The RS200 SD is more expensive and I'd look like an alien with that cockroach-shaped foot pod. Moreover, most of my running is on a treadmill, anyways. So, what are your experiences with HRM in general? Do you own a RS 200 or any other you would recommend me? How good is the PC software (as the API seems to cost US$200, I wouldn't spend it just to develop my own software for it)? I've read good and terrible things about it...
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In the last year, I lost a lot of fat by both dieting and running (I lost 35 kg/77 pounds). Now, I'm keeping my weight by mostly running (a bit of weight lifting too), and everything seemed to be great until I started to feel a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings, which I recall being a symptom of burning lean mass (I do drink lots of water before, during and after running). This led me to buying a Polar Heart Rate monitor, to improve my training a bit. For what I've seen, it seems that RS200 is a good buy, in a midrange price. The RS200 SD is more expensive and I'd look like an alien with that cockroach-shaped foot pod. Moreover, most of my running is on a treadmill, anyways. So, what are your experiences with HRM in general? Do you own a RS 200 or any other you would recommend me? How good is the PC software (as the API seems to cost US$200, I wouldn't spend it just to develop my own software for it)? I've read good and terrible things about it...
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Daniel Turini wrote:
US$200
Thats a lot of beer. Are you sure its worth it?
Truth is the subjection of reality to an individuals perception
fat_boy wrote:
Thats a lot of beer. Are you sure its worth it?
That was only the API price tag. There are $200 more for the watch...
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In the last year, I lost a lot of fat by both dieting and running (I lost 35 kg/77 pounds). Now, I'm keeping my weight by mostly running (a bit of weight lifting too), and everything seemed to be great until I started to feel a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings, which I recall being a symptom of burning lean mass (I do drink lots of water before, during and after running). This led me to buying a Polar Heart Rate monitor, to improve my training a bit. For what I've seen, it seems that RS200 is a good buy, in a midrange price. The RS200 SD is more expensive and I'd look like an alien with that cockroach-shaped foot pod. Moreover, most of my running is on a treadmill, anyways. So, what are your experiences with HRM in general? Do you own a RS 200 or any other you would recommend me? How good is the PC software (as the API seems to cost US$200, I wouldn't spend it just to develop my own software for it)? I've read good and terrible things about it...
Do you eat during long runs? A HRM is going to help you stay in a zone and track your peak efforts but I'm not sure its going to give any indication of "burning lean mass". The Polar software is pretty nice and does pretty much everything you'd want. Unless you're training for competition I'm not sure if it would be worth it at an extra cost except for neato graphs. I used the free PC Coach with my S610 and found it sufficient for my needs in MTB training and racing.
Todd Smith
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In the last year, I lost a lot of fat by both dieting and running (I lost 35 kg/77 pounds). Now, I'm keeping my weight by mostly running (a bit of weight lifting too), and everything seemed to be great until I started to feel a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings, which I recall being a symptom of burning lean mass (I do drink lots of water before, during and after running). This led me to buying a Polar Heart Rate monitor, to improve my training a bit. For what I've seen, it seems that RS200 is a good buy, in a midrange price. The RS200 SD is more expensive and I'd look like an alien with that cockroach-shaped foot pod. Moreover, most of my running is on a treadmill, anyways. So, what are your experiences with HRM in general? Do you own a RS 200 or any other you would recommend me? How good is the PC software (as the API seems to cost US$200, I wouldn't spend it just to develop my own software for it)? I've read good and terrible things about it...
Daniel Turini wrote:
a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings
Another simple explanation: you're becoming a better sweater. No, not the wool kind :rolleyes:. You're body's becoming more proficient at sweating. I noticed that after I had been running for a while. I start sweating sooner and sweat more now than before I started running. Another simple explanation, #2: Maybe it's time to replace that running gear. I've got several tank tops I run in that are pretty old. I've noticed they stink up much faster than my newer stuff. I'm not sure why that would be (I always wash stuff between uses), but it is.
Daniel Turini wrote:
So, what are your experiences with HRM in general?
For me, I generally dislike heart rate monitors and even watches. They always seem to pressure me to perform at a particular level. That sort of thing is OK when I'm running a race. When I'm running day-to-day it defeats part of my purpose in running to begin with: to relax and get away from pressures at work. That's just me, though :sigh:. I work with a guy who runs with a combined heart rate and GPS unit. He's pretty rigorous about recording his time and route data for every run.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
Daniel Turini wrote:
a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings
Another simple explanation: you're becoming a better sweater. No, not the wool kind :rolleyes:. You're body's becoming more proficient at sweating. I noticed that after I had been running for a while. I start sweating sooner and sweat more now than before I started running. Another simple explanation, #2: Maybe it's time to replace that running gear. I've got several tank tops I run in that are pretty old. I've noticed they stink up much faster than my newer stuff. I'm not sure why that would be (I always wash stuff between uses), but it is.
Daniel Turini wrote:
So, what are your experiences with HRM in general?
For me, I generally dislike heart rate monitors and even watches. They always seem to pressure me to perform at a particular level. That sort of thing is OK when I'm running a race. When I'm running day-to-day it defeats part of my purpose in running to begin with: to relax and get away from pressures at work. That's just me, though :sigh:. I work with a guy who runs with a combined heart rate and GPS unit. He's pretty rigorous about recording his time and route data for every run.
Software Zen:
delete this;Gary Wheeler wrote:
I work with a guy who runs with a combined heart rate and GPS unit. He's pretty rigorous about recording his time and route data for every run.
Hmm, I just started running last fall, and the thing that keeps me going is charting my progress and beating my fastest or longest runs; it's the same reason I play video games, except this is healthy. I never thought of using GPS to track my route (I use a combination of Google Maps and a (now deceased) pedometer). I also run a good deal on a treadmill (now that it's winter), but that's obviously pretty easy to gauge. I'll have to look into GPS units for runners. Anyone have any recommendations?
Faith is a fine invention For gentlemen who see; But microscopes are prudent In an emergency! -Emily Dickinson
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Gary Wheeler wrote:
I work with a guy who runs with a combined heart rate and GPS unit. He's pretty rigorous about recording his time and route data for every run.
Hmm, I just started running last fall, and the thing that keeps me going is charting my progress and beating my fastest or longest runs; it's the same reason I play video games, except this is healthy. I never thought of using GPS to track my route (I use a combination of Google Maps and a (now deceased) pedometer). I also run a good deal on a treadmill (now that it's winter), but that's obviously pretty easy to gauge. I'll have to look into GPS units for runners. Anyone have any recommendations?
Faith is a fine invention For gentlemen who see; But microscopes are prudent In an emergency! -Emily Dickinson
Mike uses a unit made by Garmin that fits on an upper arm band. I'd ask him, except he's on a plane to France at the moment :rolleyes:. His seems to do a pretty good job of watching his route. Another way to measure routes is via http://www.usatf.org/routes/map/[^]. I've mapped a couple of our routes. The web site, Mike's GPS unit, and the cycling computer on my bike usually agree to within about a quarter of a mile over a 4-8 mile stretch.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
In the last year, I lost a lot of fat by both dieting and running (I lost 35 kg/77 pounds). Now, I'm keeping my weight by mostly running (a bit of weight lifting too), and everything seemed to be great until I started to feel a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings, which I recall being a symptom of burning lean mass (I do drink lots of water before, during and after running). This led me to buying a Polar Heart Rate monitor, to improve my training a bit. For what I've seen, it seems that RS200 is a good buy, in a midrange price. The RS200 SD is more expensive and I'd look like an alien with that cockroach-shaped foot pod. Moreover, most of my running is on a treadmill, anyways. So, what are your experiences with HRM in general? Do you own a RS 200 or any other you would recommend me? How good is the PC software (as the API seems to cost US$200, I wouldn't spend it just to develop my own software for it)? I've read good and terrible things about it...
I've been using a Polar F6 for about 7 months now and love it. It's very simple to use and with the F6, you upload your exercise data via a 'Sonic' link. Basically you tell the watch to transmit the data and it starts sending a noise signal. You use a microphone hooked up to a sound card and along with some software from the Polar website, the data is then uploaded and recorded for you at Polar's website. As far as using a HRM for running, I use it to train in different heart zones. I run 8 miles two days a week with a heart rate between 125 and 135. I then run 9 miles two other days of the week with a heart rate between 145 and 155. On the weekend I go for a long run with my heart rate in the 160-170 zone for about the first hour and then 'taper' back to the 145-155 sone for the final two hours. I've been following this for about 2 months now and come March, I'll be dropping one of the 8 mile run days and replace it with a 2 hour bike ride. I'm also planning to drop one of the 9 mile days in favour of an hour of swimming. This is all so I can run , not one, but hopefully two marathons in May. I'm also planning on kicking some butt when my three daughters take me on in a triathlon later in the summer. Here's two books I'd recommend for you. The first is a great introductory one. Heart Rate Guidebook Zone Training[^]. The second is for some serious triathlon training. :) Total Heart Rate Training Customize[^]. Oh and congrats on the weight loss and good luck with the running. It's not everyone exercise of choice, but it's better than nothing. :)
Chris Meech I am Canadian. [heard in a local bar] I agree with you that my argument is useless. [Red Stateler] Hey, I am part of a special bread, we are called smart people [Captain See Sharp] The zen of the so
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In the last year, I lost a lot of fat by both dieting and running (I lost 35 kg/77 pounds). Now, I'm keeping my weight by mostly running (a bit of weight lifting too), and everything seemed to be great until I started to feel a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings, which I recall being a symptom of burning lean mass (I do drink lots of water before, during and after running). This led me to buying a Polar Heart Rate monitor, to improve my training a bit. For what I've seen, it seems that RS200 is a good buy, in a midrange price. The RS200 SD is more expensive and I'd look like an alien with that cockroach-shaped foot pod. Moreover, most of my running is on a treadmill, anyways. So, what are your experiences with HRM in general? Do you own a RS 200 or any other you would recommend me? How good is the PC software (as the API seems to cost US$200, I wouldn't spend it just to develop my own software for it)? I've read good and terrible things about it...
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In the last year, I lost a lot of fat by both dieting and running (I lost 35 kg/77 pounds). Now, I'm keeping my weight by mostly running (a bit of weight lifting too), and everything seemed to be great until I started to feel a strong ammonia smell from my sweat after long runnings, which I recall being a symptom of burning lean mass (I do drink lots of water before, during and after running). This led me to buying a Polar Heart Rate monitor, to improve my training a bit. For what I've seen, it seems that RS200 is a good buy, in a midrange price. The RS200 SD is more expensive and I'd look like an alien with that cockroach-shaped foot pod. Moreover, most of my running is on a treadmill, anyways. So, what are your experiences with HRM in general? Do you own a RS 200 or any other you would recommend me? How good is the PC software (as the API seems to cost US$200, I wouldn't spend it just to develop my own software for it)? I've read good and terrible things about it...
I'm not very experienced, but I have a Polar A5, which I use for some running and cycling. If you're needs aren't too complicated this one works well.
BW
Quick to judge, quick to anger, slow to understand.
Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand.
-- Neil Peart