Well I've tested out the Garmin 310XT (Last year), and also the Polar RS800CX (Last year) and had come to the conclusion that neither of them really met my expectations.
I had been planning to wait until the next iteration of either product to buy since surely my concerns would have been addressed ;D.
I basically resigned myself to the fact that there probably wasn't going to be a replacement for either of those two products in the next 12 months, and my old Nike HRM just died, so I decided to go purchase the Polar RS800CX again (this time with the foot pod rather that the GPS since I really want running cadence and I can use Runkeeper on my iPhone if I want a pretty map of where I've been.
Since I let myself get so horribly out of shape from September to May, I really need a monitor to help slow me down to start building a base again.
I'll post a graph so you can see just how bad my conditioning has become.
I was just barely jogging (I probably could have speed walked faster) and my HR shot up above 140. Considering that when I'm in shape I'm usually faster than a 7:30/mile pace, this was a good indicator of just how far I'm going to have to go again.
Of course the 30lbs I gained over the winter I'm sure is contributing quite a bit to my new blistering pace.
Anyway, I'm still glad I got out and I'm very happy that I did the right thing and just slowed down. Admittedly, I probably didn't slow down enough for base building but if I didn't have the HRM I surely would have been in a world of hurt and have burned only sugar.
I'm looking forward to running with my new pimped out (Notice the triwithms logo) running partner, the Polar RS800CX.
I'll probably go over more details about why I like it in the future.
Till next time...
I encourage you to figure out your "ownzones" and then use the zone alarms to keep you on target. This is especially useful later in the year when it's dark during your runs.
It very effective to plan a workout, on polar pro trainer 5, and then have your watch beep when you get out of your planned effort zone.
My first runs, for several weeks, I had to actually walk in order to keep my hr in the right zone when warming up and cooling down.
Even when in zone 3 and 4 I was super slow. It was embarrassing, and I got passed a lot and got lots of funny looks, but that's what you need to do to progress consistantly and injury free.
Posted by: Slowdad | Jun 17, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Slowdad - Perhaps we can go out for a run and you can show me some of the polar ropes.
I had set up a zone to run in yesterday, although it was pretty tough to keep it under 143 BPM when with someone else.
Even though my friend is just starting out also, it has to frustrating for anyone to go that slow I'm sure. Just like with us on the bike! ;D
Posted by: triwithms | Jun 17, 2010 at 03:55 PM