Garmin Outage: The Silver Lining
It’s been 4 days and counting since Garmin has been out of commission. This means Garmin users can’t upload their run data to Garmin connect and view it on the app or the computer or pre-program workouts.
The Bad News
We don’t know when Garmin is coming back. This is not an article about how to work around uploading data using other programs so you can still add it to strava. I actually don’t know how to do it. (Those articles are out there, and many people have successfully got it done.)
The Good News
We can still get fit!
I remember when GPS watches did not exist. Runners kept track of their training, but often it was in minutes (not miles or kms) and effort (not pace). Workout splits were timed using basic digital stopwatches and recorded with pen and paper.
Before GPS watches, runners were better at listening to their bodies and running by feel. This outage is an opportunity for every data-dependent runner to free themselves from the mindset where pace and/or heart rate drives every workout and run.
The Curse of GPS Watches
GPS watches often interfere with our ability to measure our fatigue level and adjust pace based on effort. There’s a certain pace or heart rate range which we feel is acceptable or normal, and anything slower than that is bad. We force our body to follow those numbers rather than allowing ourselves to go slower when we’re tired.
On the flip side, we can get intimidated by paces that seem “too fast” even if we feel comfortable and in control. We hold ourselves back based on pre-determined pace expectations that don’t accommodate fitness gains.
Data is Not Bad
I love data. Data isn’t bad as long as we leave room for perceived effort to contribute to the way we train. I have recorded splits from workouts and minutes (or miles) run in training my entire running career, and I still do now in retirement. BUT I also recorded how I felt and level of effort.
I have 3 watches for different training purposes and sometimes I skip wearing a watch (gasp!). It is not always necessary to know exact pace, distance or minutes run. I sometimes ask the runners I coach to leave their watch at home (many people resist this!!!) or to wear the watch but not look at it during the run and instead focus on feel.
Data is Not Required
We can run really solid workouts without any information. It can feel strange to run hard without knowing what the pace or splits are, but that’s okay. The other day I set out for a run wearing my basic timex digital watch. During the run, I felt good and decided to do a workout (Ladder Down) on the way home. I felt great. I was running fast! (I think) but I would never know my paces. Part of me even wondered why bother doing the workout without knowing my paces. I thought maybe wait till tomorrow and wear my Garmin. But that’s crazy! Knowing the data doesn’t make us fitter - doing the work does.
TRY IT!
Do a workout based on minutes and effort. Ladder Down and Cycle Run are two of my favourite workouts (I designed them!), but there are endless options.
Let the focus of your workout be to “work hard” and “make yourself tired.” Then write down the workout (how many minutes, or what the intervals were that you used) as well as feedback on how you felt and your perceived effort.
Go on a run without wearing a watch.
Let the focus of your run be to “run easy” start to finish with no goal of time or distance. After the run, if you want an estimate of the distance you covered, map it out using mappedometer.com.
Write down your feedback after a run or workout.
Consider using a Training Log to record your experience with workouts and runs.
When Garmin comes back, make sure to leave room for perceived effort as a guide in your running.
Nicole Sifuentes is a full-time Running Coach for adults of all ages and abilities. She is a former professional runner and 2-time Olympian, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. Read more about her services, and schedule your free coaching consultation.