Monday, July 18, 2005
On this day:

5.25 Miles Easy, 35:33


A solo easy run around the Canal loop, in 35:33, wearing my older NB 832's. I kept my heart rate nice and low (HR avg = 153, HR Max = 164). I had not a single niggle, no sir.

I took out a new toy with me this afternoon to test it out, specifically my Suunto T6 Footpod. I ran the Canal loop in reverse, allowing me to see what the footpod read on the measured (by car) mile. It read 1.62 km, which is pretty close for my money, especially since I was using the unit straight out of the box with no attempt at calibrating it! Using this as my bench, I measured the rest of the loop, which I've always taken as 5.5 miles, and it came up as 5.25 Miles. I don't actually care, and I'm not going to correct my old diaries or anything, but it's something to note for future entries. It's also pleasantly close to the target 5 Mile loop I'm supposed to be finding for my threshold runs. The only problem is the route involves crossing several roads, railway lines & narrow bridges, so it's probably not an appropriate run to 'hack'. The footpod was useless for controlling pace, as there was a discernible lag, the pace output jumping between fast & slow paces, but the average values (i.e. the important ones) were accurate (4:14/km pace this afternoon for instance). Overall I'd give the watch an 8/10 as the software is better than the pretty amazing Polar Precision Software stuff, the heart rate belt never drops a beat or spikes (unlike the Polar kit), you can replace the heart rate belt batteries yourself (unlike the Polar kit) and the footpod is pretty darn accurate (unlike the Nike stuff to my experience). I'm a big fan of GPS stuff on the whole, as the 99% accuracy kicks the arse of accelerometer devices in general (footpods tend to lose all accuracy on hills for instance, due to varying stride length), but for runs where the GPS can't go (e.g. the Grange), this Suunto footpod is as good as you're going to get...

[Addendum- this isn't just B.J.R. (Buyer's Justification Reflex) by the way. I have had all of this kit at some point in time, and still own all bar the urine poor Nike kit. Thus I am qualified to make an experienced comparative evaluation.]

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Name:Craig Taylor
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Craig Taylor, a man, a legend, an institution... Maybe I wont go that route... Craig Taylor, a British, Berkshire born graduate, seeking to improve his running performance, without crippling himself in the process.


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