Platypus' Beginners Guide to Running

Saundie, that's great and useful, thanks for taking the time to post that up.

Also worth noting guys there is a big overhaul of Garmin Connect coming any time now for us. Big interface change and new functionality etc. They're rolling it out to people now but not sure in what sort of order or total time scale but I am just waiting on it being there any day I check my profile now.
 
Stumble Bum said:
So..... I've kinda just signed up to the Amsterdam Marathon. Uh oh!!! I've never run a race or more than 5 miles before. Should be interesting :p
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Six of us went to Amsterdam for the marathon & half marathon in 2012. One running the full marathon, three of us doing the half (including me) and two supporters. It was a good weekend. Cheap flight (hand luggage only) and rented a nice apartment which was very close to the tram station at Plein 40 45. A couple of stops on the tram and you could grab a train which stopped at the Olympic station.
 
xdcx said:
Saundie, that's great and useful, thanks for taking the time to post that up.

Also worth noting guys there is a big overhaul of Garmin Connect coming any time now for us. Big interface change and new functionality etc. They're rolling it out to people now but not sure in what sort of order or total time scale but I am just waiting on it being there any day I check my profile now.
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I hoped that getting a new Garmin might bump me up the list, alas that hasn't been the case as I've still got the old style Connect.

I've been for a few more runs with the Forerunner 620 and I continue to be pleased with it. The watch has been getting satellite lock a great deal faster than the 210 ever did - even on Tuesday when there was a thick fog, it still took only 10 or so seconds to lock. I know it shouldn't make this much of a difference, but knowing that I won't have to stand still getting cold makes going for a run much more enjoyable. It's also much more convenient to get the activity data off of the watch - the activities are automatically uploaded as long as you're within range of your wireless AP when you save them, and so far I have not had any instances of it not "just working".

I also noticed that the Garmin Connect site offers training plans, which you can add to your calendar and then send to your Garmin device. I'm going to try to follow one of the marathon training plans, hopefully having the watch tell me roughly what to do will make it a lot easier than trying to figure it out on my own.

As for my actual running, I'm starting to feel as though I'm getting back into it. I was starting to worry that I wouldn't be ready in time for the Richmond half marathon in four weeks, but I finished today's 10k run feeling pretty good, so my confidence has improved somewhat. I'm almost back to where I was this time last year, only this time I'm not going to take any time out. Compared to a lot of you guys my goal of getting around in under 2 hours is woeful, but it'd be a significant improvement over my last attempt of 2:12.
 
Saundie said:
I hoped that getting a new Garmin might bump me up the list, alas that hasn't been the case as I've still got the old style Connect.

I've been for a few more runs with the Forerunner 620 and I continue to be pleased with it. The watch has been getting satellite lock a great deal faster than the 210 ever did - even on Tuesday when there was a thick fog, it still took only 10 or so seconds to lock. I know it shouldn't make this much of a difference, but knowing that I won't have to stand still getting cold makes going for a run much more enjoyable. It's also much more convenient to get the activity data off of the watch - the activities are automatically uploaded as long as you're within range of your wireless AP when you save them, and so far I have not had any instances of it not "just working".

I also noticed that the Garmin Connect site offers training plans, which you can add to your calendar and then send to your Garmin device. I'm going to try to follow one of the marathon training plans, hopefully having the watch tell me roughly what to do will make it a lot easier than trying to figure it out on my own.

As for my actual running, I'm starting to feel as though I'm getting back into it. I was starting to worry that I wouldn't be ready in time for the Richmond half marathon in four weeks, but I finished today's 10k run feeling pretty good, so my confidence has improved somewhat. I'm almost back to where I was this time last year, only this time I'm not going to take any time out. Compared to a lot of you guys my goal of getting around in under 2 hours is woeful, but it'd be a significant improvement over my last attempt of 2:12.
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I have a 610 but really want the 620 as I have a thing for metrics lol, im so not fit for london been off the running for 6 weeks with labrythitis which makes me dizzy so I cant do **** all its depressing, going to make a call depending on how the Surrey half goes in March :(
 
Ah Saundie, think you may have pushed me towards getting a new Garmin myself now. Not the 620 however the 220.

What do you mean by your Wireless AP? Is this something that comes with the 220 too? I did definitely want the 220 but then realised the watch/phone pairing is only on iPhone at the moment. That said if it works with the computer too then I'd be interested as it's less faffing around then it currently is.

I have a Forerunner 205 at the moment and it's satellite lock takes almost five minutes sometimes, not good/ :(
 
MrMoonX,

Don't forget you can also defer from London and run it next year instead right up until the day before.

Hope you can recover well though and do it this year by all means. :)
 
MrMoonX said:
I have a 610 but really want the 620 as I have a thing for metrics lol, im so not fit for london been off the running for 6 weeks with labrythitis which makes me dizzy so I cant do **** all its depressing, going to make a call depending on how the Surrey half goes in March :(
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I was considering entering that half marathon myself, but I'm doing the Croydon half a couple of weeks later, and on top of the Richmond half on the 23rd of February, I don't want to push my luck.

With regards to the Garmin; I am also a sucker for data, and the 620 gives you a lot of it. I think being able to see a trend of gradual improvement is a powerful motivator for people like me, so having lots of statistics is good on that front. As IndigoGorilla said, you can defer your London entry, so that should reduce the stress of worrying about being ready in time.

IndigoGorilla said:
Ah Saundie, think you may have pushed me towards getting a new Garmin myself now. Not the 620 however the 220.

What do you mean by your Wireless AP? Is this something that comes with the 220 too? I did definitely want the 220 but then realised the watch/phone pairing is only on iPhone at the moment. That said if it works with the computer too then I'd be interested as it's less faffing around then it currently is.

I have a Forerunner 205 at the moment and it's satellite lock takes almost five minutes sometimes, not good/ :(
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The 620 can connect to your wireless router/AP and upload your activities directly to the Garmin site. You only need to connect it to a computer in order to set up the wireless connection the first time. After you've done that, you simply press the connect button when you're within range of your wireless router and it uploads any new activities for you. This was a big draw for me simply because the USB cable on the Forerunner 210 can be very fiddly to get working - sometimes it would take longer than 10 minutes for me to get it connected to the computer, and that's just frustrating.

The Forerunner 220 doesn't support connecting to a wireless router/AP, however it does support connecting to an iPhone for uploading activities. Apparently Android support is on the way, but it could be a while, and will probably be limited to a small selection of phones. If you have an iPhone and don't care about the running dynamics stuff (the vertical oscilation and ground contact time) then you may as well go for the 220, as it's £100 cheaper. From what I've read the 220 will get a satellite lock just as quickly as the 620 (DCRainmaker says as much in his review), so if that's your main reason for upgrading then you'll probably be very happy with it.

Oh, and one other advantage of the 620 over the 220; it's available in orange and white, which is just better than boring old black ;)
 
Saundie you have sold it to me now to be honest, sounds good. Like you I love the look of the orange/white colourway, just different and more interesting so that's the one I would want. I just need to try and cough up the cash which won't be easy now I just booked my training trip for April/May, ugh! I have a £50 voucher for a local running store but that doesn't even tickle the price of the 620.
 
Just won a brand new orange and white one on eBay for £244 bargain if it turns up, seller doesn't scream dodgy, but least paypal always side with buyer just in case
 
I rely rather heavily on my forerunner 410. Had it a couple of years now and it was an absolute bargain, and does everything I need and more. Never had any issue with the touch bezel, unlike most people it would seem.

Saying that, the auto upload via WiFi the new Garmin have is a nice feature.

4 weeks into my training plan now for Windermere. Running ca 36 miles per week at the moment. Really enjoying it too:p
 
What marathons are out there that aren't silly money or needing lots of charity sponsorship if you enter late? Did anyone see that the Bath half is £45!!! :eek:
 
To be honest it's not always as simple as comparing two entry fees.

London for me was £29 but then I had to purchase a return train journey there from Manchester and stay over. Where as the Manchester marathon may well be £50 but then I live just 2 miles away from the start.
 
The bath half is just so popular, I would never pay that though.

Finally starting to get back into my running, even in all this rain :)

Always looking for more Nike+ friends if there are any users on here :)
 
Race fee's are a complete and utter joke. The amount these organisers want now is just out of control and they try to justify it by giving you a pointless "goodie bag" filled with stuff that just goes straight in the bin!

I had a fall out with a local race here last year. Organised by locals, mostly entered by locals but the last few years they got a big sponsor and think of it as a big event now. I asked them a couple of times if they offered a cheaper non bloated entry for local club athletes who just wanted a spot on the race, no medal, no goody bag and no rubbish. They just kept giving me the nonsense saying the excellent entry price includes a FREE technical t-shirt etc. I eventually told them to ram it.... then low and behold a fuss was kicked up after the race when it turned out their 5k course was 400m short!!!

BUPA Great Run series is the absolute worst. I would never pay the ridiculous entry fee's. The races are well organised and media surrounding is top notch, but I would never pay the fee as it's insane and in no way justified. I've been part of 3 of these BUPA events now, thankfully not having to pay a penny other than travel to them but when I hear the entry for the GNR for example, I cringe.
 
How much is the GNR now? It doesn't make in obvious on the event page. I ran it a few years back and enjoyed it (loved the atmosphere).

I don't mind a technical t-shirt, though I've got a huge pile of them already.
 
#Chri5# said:
How much is the GNR now? It doesn't make in obvious on the event page. I ran it a few years back and enjoyed it (loved the atmosphere).

I don't mind a technical t-shirt, though I've got a huge pile of them already.
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I don't know the actual cost, doesn't list due to the ballot etc. Charities seem to ask an entry fee as well, these are all over the place so gives no gauge of entry price. It's well over £50 though I believe which is shocking.
 
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