My Garmin works outside too!

Sure, it's supposed to, but it's nice to know that it actually does. Last night, in the pleasantly cool (ie, sub 40) darkness, I went for a few laps around the block. Technically, it's loops around our cul-de-sac, but same thing.

In the car, I had previously measured it as 1 lap = .50 miles, and the Garmin confirms that. Actually, it says that each lap is a whopping .52 miles, but I am not going to go and correct my logbook for the extra .3 miles for the year (or whatever it would work out to be). I didn't beat my previous heart rate high of 203, but I hit 199, and the Garmin clocked me at a top speed of 15.0 mph. Holy cow! (Granted, it was on my final sprint to the end, but it's reaffirming to know that I actually do run faster than my treadmill's maximum setting.)

First try with the Garmin

Unfortunately, it was inside, and I hit the wrong buttons a couple of times, so it really did not do a good job of recording time. But it was an ID-10-T error (remove the hyphens, it's a geek joke), so it's my fault, not the Garmin's.

I did learn at least one important thing though: according to several formulas, my maximum heart rate should be either 185 or 203. It's at least 203 in reality, since the Garmin recorded my HR at 203 during my final, high-incline sprint at the end of the run.

Pretty pointless speed workout

Last night, I did an actual, dedicated speed workout. See, at the end of every run, and I mean every run, I always manage a kick, ranging from only 100 yards or so to a full mile of ever-increasing speed. I like to think that it helps me in races, because if nothing else, I am learning how to finish strong regardless of how I feel.

But last night, I decided that I would do an actual speed workout again. The plan was simple - a half mile at a fairly relaxed pace, and then .1 mile at a fast pace (10 mph), then .1 at a recovery pace (about 5.5 mph - still running, but recovering). I managed to do 15 of them, and could have kept going, but I had other things to do, so I called it fine there.

Anyway, I'll do it again, but I think I need to increase the sprint distance to .12, and reduce the jog to .08, and try it again at the same speeds. If it's still too easy, then either the sprint or the recovery is too slow, possibly both. Still, I'm not working on speed too much, but getting faster is always a good goal.

Lookie what I got

Aw, I'm all happy now. It works on so many levels - it appeals to the runner and the geek in me.