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Strava, MapMyRun, Training Peaks...Preferences

I've always used MapMyRun to create routes, find routes, and track my basic workouts.  I see on the dashboard there is a link to teammembers' Strava workouts.  I created a free account on Strava as well as Training Peaks website.  It seems MapMyRun is the easiest to navigate and create routes with.  I don't have a Garmin or Polar watch and don't like to carry a phone on my runs so I manually enter my workout information.   AS I start to get more serious about training and tracking data, I will be getting a gps watch and bike computer. I need to find a site that works best for tri data training.  What site do those of you that collect and record your training data prefer and why?

Thanks for the help, Daren

Comments

  • If you buy a Garmin, you will be able to download all your workouts to their site (connect.garmin.com), from there you can also create and upload routes to your device. I would not say the analytic capabilities of their site are the best, but it gets the job done for me.

    You can also connect Strava to your Garmin account and automatically sync your workouts. What I like about Strava is that it allows me to see how am I doing vs previous rides or segments or how am I doing vs other people doing the same routes/segments.

    Traning peaks is to detailed for my taste, but I am not the kind of person that goes to every single detail of the data...I just do not have enough time!

    Good luck!

  • If you're gonna pay a monthly fee, TrainingPeaks is the way to go IMO. The analytics and ongoing graphing of progress is extremely helpful both in improving performance, and preparing for racing. In any event, don't pay for multiple sites; pick one and live with it.

    If sharing workouts is important to you, tapiriik.com is a cheap, easy way to allow you to upload once to almost any site, and have the data transferred automatically to/from TP, and any other site you want. 

    Me, I upload everything from my Fenix2 to garminconnect, then it ports itself to Strava via tapiriik,so Ive got the sharing covered for those who want to see what I;ve done.  But I don't really look at those sites myself. All my data analysis is via WKO+, which is the PC on board version of TP.

    And yes, when I want to plot out or find a route in a new area I'm visiting, mapmyride/run/tri is what I use, too.

  • Garmin Connect is the easiest, it's free and it's now a portal to AUTOMATICALLY export to STRAVA and Training Peaks (TP). All three have free versions. Set up free accounts with each and see what you like. Strava is the most fun, TP is the most powerful and Garmin is just super approachable. I use all three.... Differently.... And, no SPREADSHEETS!
  • Thanks for the input! Sounds like Garmin wins the device battle! This is the first time I've heard of tapiriik.com. Thanks for the tip Al. I'll look into that. I didn't know Training Peaks had a PC version either. Al I read your review of the Fenix2. I'm leaning that way. Take Care!
  • Thanks for the heads up. I recently bought the Fenix 2. Love the data! It is a bit hard to read without my cheater glasses. Does anyone understand the recovery function? After two workouts (10x 50seconds hill bounds and 3x 1 mile at 5k pace) it says I need 72 hours to recover. Do you know how they are calculating the recovery? I'm guessing I'm going to be ignoring that stat since I would never get any workouts in. Just wondering if anyone dug deep enough to understand the math behind it.
    Thanks, Daren

  • Posted By Daren Hopper on 26 Sep 2014 11:40 AM


    Thanks for the heads up. I recently bought the Fenix 2. Love the data! It is a bit hard to read without my cheater glasses. Does anyone understand the recovery function? After two workouts (10x 50seconds hill bounds and 3x 1 mile at 5k pace) it says I need 72 hours to recover. Do you know how they are calculating the recovery? I'm guessing I'm going to be ignoring that stat since I would never get any workouts in. Just wondering if anyone dug deep enough to understand the math behind it.

    Thanks, Daren

    I have a Fenix2, since May 15 this year. I ignore the recovery function. For one thing, it works only in reference to running. IOW, it ignores swimming and biking workouts in its algorithm. So its a good tool if all you do is run, but in our world, it is meaningless.

    The more your run, the shorter your recovery intervals will become. Sounds counterintuitive, but it assumes some training effect. Since as far as the Fenix2 is concerned, you've only done 2 running workouts recently, it assumes you need to gradually ramp up your running volume/frequency in order to avoid injury.

    The Fenix has many useful features for a multisport athlete. This is not be one of them.



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