Pace zones on garmin.

johansen

This is my data tool zones.

How should I program my garmin? Is the zones Z1: 8:32-7:16, Z2: 7:16-6:59? Or should I use pace at zone +/- 5sec?

Run Zones
Zone	HR	Pace
Z1/EP:	< 145	8:32
Z2/MP:	146-154	7:16
Z3/HMP:	155-162	6:59
Z4/TP:	163-169	6:51
Z5/IP:	> 170	6:25

 

Bruce Thompson

Geir,

Your zones are the same as mine.  Use pace at zone +/- 5 seconds.  Target the pace and your HR will find its own level depending on how you are feeling that day.  The key in doing EN interval work is to hold the prescribed pace zone for the prescribed time in your plan.  And make sure you take the full prescribed rest interval too.

Good luck.

Bruce

Spokane_Al

You may want to test out those pace windows. I find that if I set my zone windows too narrow the constant beeping when I am out of my zone bugs me. I tend to keep them +- 15 - 30 seconds and then just keep an eye on my pace to stay close to my prescribed speed zones.

colinmil

+1 @ Al: With the natural variation of pace running on an undulating course I find that setting the zone too narrow drives me nuts and I stop paying attention to the out of zone alerts. I go with the Z1: 8:32-7:16, Z2: 7:16-6:59 approach to allow for that fluctuation. Also, if you're using a Garmin 310XT and programming in the workouts through Garmin Connect the unit will use the "Workout" pace to determine if you are in zone. Now, this doesn't seem like too much of a problem, but if you use a footpod and set the garmin to use the footpod for speed/pace it will still use the GPS unit for pace in the Workout screen. The lag for teh GPS to catch up can be offputting to say the least when it's telling you to "Speed Up" and you're right at the top of your pace zone!

MattAaronson

I have almost the exact same zones. I do this a bit differently than +/-5sec...personally I use the pace as a "slowest allowable". In other words, my z3 would be 6:52-6:59. Z2 would be 7:00-7:16, etc.

TH3 FRB

I don't bother trying to get my zones into the Garmin. I just know what my target paces are for a given workout and keep an eye on it. WKO+ will let you know how much time you spent in each zone if you want to know...but it really isn't important.

jhbinsc

I also don't program my Garmin as I run on undulating terrain and it makes me crazy. I just use interval button and monitor average pace for that segment. I usually can remember my zones but you can always write them on your arm if needed!

Cary Blanco

I never programmed my garmin for pace alerts, I go by intermittently eyeballing the pace and PE. You'll get the hang of it after a little while.

Daniela

I do what Bruce does....+/- 5 sec. The watch adds in another 5 or so sec/mile buffer.

If it beeps from me going to slow, I kick it in gear. If it beeps from me going to fast, I slow down as to not overachieve and affect my next workout. There are a good amount of hills on my route. I like that it pushes me up the hill (I think I've become a better hill runner for it), and I just ignore it if it tells me I'm going too fast downhill.

Dave Barr

I have been trying to do the zones deal for some of my runs lately and all I can say is that the current software sucks for this. I was having my zones at +- 15 seconds of my actual goal pace and the watch is constantly beeping. I called Garmin and they told me to set the zone with +- 1 minute so a 2 minute zone. Well, it still beeps constantly. I will be calling Garmin tomorrow as I know to work in rrevious software releases.
The main reason I do teh zones is that I almost always end up running on the dark and it was easier to get notified. I thought the funniest thing last week was that it kept telling me to speed up while I was in the zone and I could see the in desired zone message under the speed up message...interesting.

Daniela

@Dave - I have had that happen when the zone is too wide. Have you tried narrowing the zone to being only a 15 sec/mile width (i.e. 7:15-7:30)?

Dave Barr

I have been all the way from 10 - 30 seconds with luck. It always tells me to spped up when I'm in the zone. What firmware are you running on your device?

colinmil

@ Dave: Are you using a footpod for pace/speed or using GPS?

Dave Barr

Using GPS.

Daniela

@Dave - Does sounds like your device has issues. For my other friends that have run into problems, Garmin has been awesome about sending them a new one. Although, the willingness of the Garmin Rep to offer the exchange vs having to go through several steps to try and fix the problem first, varies greatly.

When I checked the Setting -> About Forerunner on the watch, it has the following:

Beta Software: 2.90
GPS: 2.10

Dave Barr

That is the software that i used to have and I made the mistake of upgrading my firmware...keep yours as long as you can.

jhbinsc

I've heard that advice repeated so many times, I think it is worth heeding. I ordered a 910 but looks like Jan or Feb before they ship so need to keep my 310 from crapping out. No firmware updates for me!

Dave Barr

OK folks, I have figured out the issue with the workouts function not working properly. It took 10 calls to tech support and me doing too much QA on my time but I had one work properly tonight. They still suport their windows app but they are moving away from it and moving towards Garmin Connect for everything. I created the same workout in Connect and uploaded it to my 310 and it worked fine. Once I hit the zone I had the in desired zone message and never had a speed up message. I'll do some more workouts in Connect and let you know if I have any different results from what I had tonight. Things are looking up for my marathon training next month.
Dave

Daniela

@Dave - Thanks for the update. Now if it happens to me, I don't have to waist all the time that you had to. I've never used Garmin Connect, but apparently I should start learning.

jhbinsc

I just recently started using it myself instead of Garmin TC but apparently need to school myself in the benefits of Connect since they don't seem too much better than TC.