Taking Up Running - What To Use To Create Schedules/Programs & Track Progress?

Mark#1

Hi,

I'm seeing my GP tomorrow to be sure I can go ahead, and I've spoken with a friend who assessed my feet as very slightly over-pronating, but probly not enough to necessitate specialist running shoes.

I'm just at the bottom of the hill of trying to understand training schedules, training watches/computers, and have a few questions someone out there might be able to help with or direct me to help.

I'd like to be able to create an alarm-based syatem that tells me when to start running, when to pull back to walking, start running again - all as per most training schedules for beginners that I'm reading. I could of course count to 60 or 90 or whatever, or even look at my watch, but I'd prefer some sort of programmable prompt instead.

A friend is using a Nike app on his phone, but I think I'd prefer a watch-type set-up.

At this time, a lot of the features of the products I'm looking at are either going over my head or seem superfluous to my needs.

So is there such a watch-type fitness/training device on the market that can do what I describe, and be a heart-rate monitor, and measure my calories burned, and tell the time/date, and otherwise perform as a regular watch, and be properly waterproof? If there is, can I get one for €50 - €100?

EDIT - I'll also use this device for the bit of cycling I already do.


Thanks for any replies,

Mark

Hanley

Program wise, couch to 5k is a great starter program.

And it sounds like you want a gymboss - they're programmable timers than clip onto you and beep or buzz at pre-selected intervals, and are cheap as chips too - http://gymboss.com/

EDIT - the gymboss pretty much only fulfills your interval requirements, I'm sure there's some watch out there that does everything tho. You'll be doing well to get a HR monitor that's fully waterproof at that price tho. PRobably an idea to head over to the A/R/T forum in sports and talk to those guys, they've have much more exp with the type of device you'e looking for.

Cabaal

Mark#1 wrote: »

So is there such a watch-type fitness/training device on the market that can do what I describe, and be a heart-rate monitor, and measure my calories burned, and tell the time/date, and otherwise perform as a regular watch, and be properly waterproof? If there is, can I get one for €50 - €100?

EDIT - I'll also use this device for the bit of cycling I already do.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garmin-Forerunner-305-Wrist-Worn-Personal/dp/B000FMQ296/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1314356082&sr=8-1

The Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch will do exactly what you want both for running and cycling, its the best value Garmin watch around (you likely won't get it cheaper then from amazon either) and comes with HR monitor. Allows for training plans like intervals etc and works with Garmin Connect allowing you to see stats about your runs.

It looks abit bulky but when you have it on you'll hardly notice it

Here's an example of what Garmin connect will show you - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/102759617

Bloody Nipples

You don't need to go to garmin levels of expense to pick up something with the functions you need.

I got a Crivit HRM in Lidl and it's great. Only cost me 17 euro at the time.

It's got programmable intervals and an accurate HRM, though it can't measure the calories you've burned. You could calculate this yourself though. I'd shop around as a lot of models incorporate a GPS system which isn't really necessary.

When it comes down to it, a basic digital watch for <50 euro would be all you really need as all the bells and whistles could be worked out, like taking your HR manually, measuring distances yourself (in the car, mapmyrun or whatever) and working out your own metabolic rate.

mikemac

For schedules, lots here:
http://www.halhigdon.com/

Mark#1

Thanks for the replies folks.

Got go ahead from doc, so yay!

I've had a look on some sites & forums, and spoke with some friends/acquaintances who're into running/fitness.

In conflict with my own comments in my OP, I've downloaded a free app for my phone and bought a cheap HRM.

The app is "A HIIT Interval Timer" ( http://www.appbrain.com/app/a-hiit-interval-timer/com.pimpimmobile.atimer ), and I've already created a basic 10-week plan with it, based on a beginning-running article I found on a US running magazine website: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-380-381--678-5-1X2X4X5X6-6,00.html

The HRM I got is a Kinetic HRM2 ( http://kinetikmedical.com/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/heart-rate-monitor.html ), from Argos for €28.

To ensure I get the beeps from the HIIT app in the phone (as well as music), I'm ordering a pair of stereo bluetooth headphones (probably Plantronics BackBeat 903+ http://www.plantronics.com/uk/product/backbeat-903-plus ). I've been looking out for a wireless music/calls solution for a while, and this (taking up running) is in a way an excuse to make a move on that.

So now all that's left is to figure out what I should be eating... :rolleyes:


Thanks again all,

Mark

sillysocks

Not sure if you're starting from scratch but if you are I'd highly recommend the Get Running app. Its based on the couch to 5k programme and just tells you when to walk/run, allows you to use your own music or no music and is a great motivator especially seeing all the ticks on the completed runs.

I 'started' running about 4 or 5 times in the past and never made it to the 5k goal. This time with the app I have, its still hard work but at least I got there! Without the app I wouldn't have had a hope.

Mark#1

Hi,

I got a Kinetic HRM from the dreaded Argos (does everything I want a HRM to do), and I got a free app - "A HIIT Interval Timer".

Between the two, I have everything covered. Not as fancy as an all-in-one whizz-band device, but quite happy so far. I use a stereo bluetooth headset for music, and the interval timer alarms pop in over the music. Still have to find somewhere online to help me calculate what my optimum HR should be for exercising - any suggestions?


Thanks for all your replies,

Mark

Hanley

Mark#1 wrote: »

Hi,

I got a Kinetic HRM from the dreaded Argos (does everything I want a HRM to do), and I got a free app - "A HIIT Interval Timer".

Between the two, I have everything covered. Not as fancy as an all-in-one whizz-band device, but quite happy so far. I use a stereo bluetooth headset for music, and the interval timer alarms pop in over the music. Still have to find somewhere online to help me calculate what my optimum HR should be for exercising - any suggestions?

Thanks for all your replies,

Mark

Uh oh!!


There's been a couple of good threads on here in the past few weeks with some... umm... spirited arguments. Search for them using the search tool and you'll get some good info.

Essentially, I think the conclusion was, somewhere between 120 and 150bpm for 45-90 minutes is good, HIIT should be done hard and heavy, and the specific heart rate depends on the person.

whowantstwoknow

sillysocks wrote: »

Not sure if you're starting from scratch but if you are I'd highly recommend the Get Running app. Its based on the couch to 5k programme and just tells you when to walk/run, allows you to use your own music or no music and is a great motivator especially seeing all the ticks on the completed runs.

I 'started' running about 4 or 5 times in the past and never made it to the 5k goal. This time with the app I have, its still hard work but at least I got there! Without the app I wouldn't have had a hope.

is the get running app on the android market? did a search but didnt get a good match?

Thanks
W.