<p>This is the fancier of the two models. It has training zones, time in zone, shows average and max HRs for a workout, a HR recovery feature that measure how much your heart rate drops in 60 seconds, etc. Basically everything you need. It’s Polar analog compatible, so the chest strap reads out on most cardio equipment. My Airdyne bike displays the heart rate from this.</p>
<p>For $39, it’s probably the most bang for the buck of any piece of fitness gear on the market.</p>
<p>Amazon also has Polars starting at $40. It looks like they’ve switched to the coded transmitters.</p>
<p>My local TJ MAXX is completely cleaned out. Absolutely nothing tempting. I did get a [Brooks</a> long-sleeve shirt](<a href=“http://www.forrunnersbyrunners.com/Images/Models/Original/733.jpg]Brooks”>http://www.forrunnersbyrunners.com/Images/Models/Original/733.jpg) on the deep discount from Sierra Trading Post. I failed to read the fine print. When it arrived, I realized it was a poly/spandex stretchy Pro Combat style shirt. I don’t generally wear those, although they are OK as a base layer under a fleece in the winter (I’ve got a bunch of cheapo Head skiwear spandex mock turtlenecks) that were $9.99 at TJs.)</p>
<p>I have been wearing it for workouts, though, and it’s OK. It would be fine for running; it’s got sewn in reflective bits here and there. I don’t think tight “muscle” shirts are generally a good look in public on a geezer like me.</p>
<p>Sorry - to finish up—if you read jack Daniels he says it is good to build a base but he focuses more in vdot, vo2 max etc. and this low hr stuff (or junk miles) wasn’t getting me fast (if that is your objective.) the way you get fast is to run fast and in distance the primary way that is going to happen is tempo or essentially faster 3-5 mile runs or more. </p>
<p>Plus you need interval training to build anaerobic and faster leg turnover along with your longer slower runs.</p>
<p>Some people and some triathletes sear by the low hr stuff but it seems like a minority to me. And it didn’t seem to work for me</p>
<p>Start the run with 5 mile as the target - done in 49:18.<br>
Because I got on a new treadmill w/o a cool down button, I did not know what would happen when I hit the 60 minute hard stop. So I slow down - complete the 6 miles in 60:30. continue to use the cool down time to get to 6.25 miles. </p>
<p>Got off the treadmill to get a drink of water. The gym was packed and all the treadmill were occupied. </p>
<p>After the drink of water, I saw one treadmill opened up and I got back on it. Remembering the teachings of “don’t worry about speed, the leg time is more important”, I started again very slow - 4.5 MPH and ramped up to 6 MPH. At 2.75 mile marker, the left leg started to cramp and the right heel pain intensify. That was enough signal for me. Stop running at 3 miles and walked some more.</p>
<p>So, while the total miles of running was 9.25 miles. It was done in two segments. I think I could do more miles but don’t want to do too much too fast to get badly injured.</p>
<p>Still have 8 weeks to go - I am pretty confident that I could finish the 1/2 in 150 minutes.</p>
<p>I could fully understand why training for long distance running will not lose weight. One will need a lot of energy to do the long distance. </p>
<p>To prepare for this AM’s long distance train, I did eat a lot of carb. The results - I felt very energized during the whole run. </p>
<p>Start to study what to eat for these distance run trainings. The goal is to complete the 1/2. Will lose weight after that. keep the goal the goal… … etc. etc.</p>
<p>DadII- nothing wrong with splitting it up. I’ve read up on that and it works just fine.</p>
<p>I’ve done low heartrate training and it worked well for me, but it got too frustrating. My watch was beeping at me to walk all the time (espec on hills) and it was hard for me to keep my HR in the range. I think you have to know your max to set the target. I do know mine. It requires a lot of discipline and embarrassment, but it really helps prevent injury, allows recovery from an injury and improves aerobic capacity. There is a good forum on Runningahead.com which has links to all the articles.</p>
<p>My run was somewhat of a disaster. It was 28 degrees, for one thing, but at least the sun was out (on and off). At 1.3 miles my Garmin informed me that it was out of juice and shut off (thank God it wasn’t last week in the marathon). One of my cats had unplugged my charger overnight, it appears. Besides my normal compulsiveness, I really wasn’t sure how to figure out my distance without it, so I ran what I sort of knew and got back to my car figuring I had gone about 5.1 miles. I swapped the Garmin for my iPhone, turned on Garmin fit and set out again for another 3 1/2. The other problem is that the front top of my left foot (right by the little toe) feels like it is broken- but only in my Hoka shoes and only when running. The Hokas are my most cushioned shoes, so it doesn’t make sense. I first felt it in the marathon last Saturday (also in Hokas) but it barely does anything in other shoes- maybe a little twinge or catch now and then. It is very painful and very strange. So, all in all, not a great outing but I got the mileage in. I also felt tired- not recovered yet. Fairly important half marathon (corporate race) next Saturday.</p>
<p>My favorite stupid Garmin trick is setting the backlight to stay on when I’m doing Airdyne intervals and have it strapped to the bike, then forgetting to change the setting back. Invariably, I go to workout the next day and it’s deader than a door knob.</p>
<p>Three months into exercising regularly and I just hit my first glitch.
56 yo lumbar spine has some preexisting herniations, never really had kept me from work or play before.
But am just coming out of a solid week of bad back pain, especially on rising from sitting. Some pain down left leg. Could hardly walk.
Topical mineral ice, ibuprophen and some back exercises and I finally am getting better.
Bummed to have missed a solid week from the gym.
Hoping to get back in another day or so.</p>
<p>That reminds me that I have had some small amount of back pain for a while now, usually after waking up. We could use a new mattress and that’s on my todo list but a week of more stretching and doing more abs work seems to have fixed the problem. The cause could be running or tennis - both probably put small amounts of stress on the back that can add up over time.</p>
<p>1.5 on the track, another mile on the dread mill. Soon as I got done the sun came out and the weather seemed to so bad out. Darn, probably could have run outside.</p>
<p>Go Dad II!
Musicmom, Hope your back feels better soon.</p>
<p>H and I walked for about 3 miles this morning. Temps in the lower 40’s. Brrr. I took a trip out to the sporting goods store and bought a few new workout tops and bottoms. I am also now the proud owner of a 10 lb kettlebell (lime green). I’ve spent the last hour running through videos online of workouts for beginners. Any suggestions for a few good tried and true newbie demonstration videos?</p>
<p>Sure don’t like making booboos like the one I made in my post above (prior to correction – there could be more I still haven’t noticed)! I’m an outgoing person who can strike up a conversation with a complete stranger at the grocery store and make them laugh. Spontaneity is great, but it also means I want to get it out there quickly and sometimes don’t manage to catch an error until afterward. :(</p>
<p>Man, maybe I should buy myself a shot of JD…</p>
<p>Appreciate the good wishes for my old lady back.
Idad- enjoyed the video. Nothing I don’t know, just a great reminder how<br>
to get unlazy and maybe prevent a recurrence.</p>
<p>Think that I’ll try something tomorrow…I’m afraid if I wait for the back to be perfectly well that that could be next year.</p>
![http://www.forrunnersbyrunners.com/Images/Models/Original/733.jpg]Brooks](http://www.forrunnersbyrunners.com/Images/Models/Original/733.jpg%5DBrooks){kind=link}
