I use a Garmin 935. I use it for all my runs pair with the running HR strap for the running dynamics information. For the bike, I have it paired with a P2M PM for my tri bike. I do not have a PM on my road bike, which I use for approximately 40% of my bike training load.
I watched the videos and read the write-ups I've seen online about how this is calculated, but it seems there are many anomalies. I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just looking for more insight.
One of the obvious factors is weather conditions. On a recent 10 day trip, I completed runs in temps that are about 20 degrees cooler than what I train in in Taipei. TS thought I was a champ in the cool weather and suddenly a lump of coal when I returned to the heat. This I can understand, but I'm wondering why at least temperature (which is recorded by the device) is not factored into the TS. (humidity being a large factor too, but hard to measure for a watch, as well as wind.) I have been back for two weeks training in consistently hot and humid conditions; my speed has increased, HR decreased for the same pace, and my perception is that I'm feeling good with some fatigue as it is a tough section of my training block right now.
More to the point, however is yesterday's data.
My cycling V02 max went from 60 to 62, and my run VO2 max (based on a 20km steady run after the bike) went from 54 to 56. The cycling was a SST long workout on zwift. 2*30 min, 5 min intervals at 93% and 83% FTP, 1*40, same as 30 min intervals. As anyone whose done SST long will say, it's not an easy workout, but it's not all out either. Anyhow, after lifting my VO2 max according to the watch, it lists my training status as unproductive, with my fitness on a downward trend and my load steady.
Is my watch just playing with me? I'd love to understand more about this if anyone can take the time to help me out!
I watched the videos and read the write-ups I've seen online about how this is calculated, but it seems there are many anomalies. I'm not saying it's wrong, I'm just looking for more insight.
One of the obvious factors is weather conditions. On a recent 10 day trip, I completed runs in temps that are about 20 degrees cooler than what I train in in Taipei. TS thought I was a champ in the cool weather and suddenly a lump of coal when I returned to the heat. This I can understand, but I'm wondering why at least temperature (which is recorded by the device) is not factored into the TS. (humidity being a large factor too, but hard to measure for a watch, as well as wind.) I have been back for two weeks training in consistently hot and humid conditions; my speed has increased, HR decreased for the same pace, and my perception is that I'm feeling good with some fatigue as it is a tough section of my training block right now.
More to the point, however is yesterday's data.
My cycling V02 max went from 60 to 62, and my run VO2 max (based on a 20km steady run after the bike) went from 54 to 56. The cycling was a SST long workout on zwift. 2*30 min, 5 min intervals at 93% and 83% FTP, 1*40, same as 30 min intervals. As anyone whose done SST long will say, it's not an easy workout, but it's not all out either. Anyhow, after lifting my VO2 max according to the watch, it lists my training status as unproductive, with my fitness on a downward trend and my load steady.
Is my watch just playing with me? I'd love to understand more about this if anyone can take the time to help me out!