Yes/No? Why?
Im not sure if I should. Although, I dont think you cant wear it in water, you could put it on after the swim. I’m asking because my first tri is this weekend and my bike odometer just started acting up.
Yes/No? Why?
Im not sure if I should. Although, I dont think you cant wear it in water, you could put it on after the swim. I’m asking because my first tri is this weekend and my bike odometer just started acting up.
I throw it on for the run. I like to know my pace when running and HR.
I also like the virtual partner although I haven’t used it for a race yet.
Yes/No? Why?
Im not sure if I should. Although, I dont think you cant wear it in water, you could put it on after the swim. I’m asking because my first tri is this weekend and my bike odometer just started acting up.
I throw it on for the run. I like to know my pace when running and HR.
I also like the virtual partner although I haven’t used it for a race yet.
Thats a really good point, the virtual partner would be really cool for races. Do you have to have it set to virtual partner before you start?
So do you just put the strap on and then put the wrist unit on before the run and click start (obviously you synched up the satellites before the race)?
…nope, small bony wrists! I saved a little $ and pain and bought a Forerunner 50 (thinner, sleeker, and waterproof) and already had a Garmin Edge on the bike. Both sync up quick to the same HR strap out the water, & off the bike and on to the run. I like to keep track of pace, HR, etc. You just have to remember to hit “start.” 
I use a grandfather clock on a little trailer I drag around behind me (raft for the swim.) It’s smaller than the 310xt.
No.
I do race with my Polar S625x though. With speed and cadence on the bike, but without the footpod for the run.
I get HR (to download) in the swim, HR, speed, cad, dist, on the bike, and then HR on the run.
For me, HR is the most important, but I like having all the numbers to analyze after the race.
.
Yes.
I like having HR while on the bike.
I like having HR for the run, and love having pace for the run.
Yes, it is big, but honestly I don’t notice it at all. So, there really is no reason for me not to use it.
Not sure there is much point in the virtual partner unless you know the run course well. Too many variables to try to match up with a pre-determined pace.
Mntriguy- I have worn it in longer races like Halfes ect. Had it in my bento box and put it on just out of T2 when the time was right. Would hate to drop it though. I feel pacing is more critical in longer races. Oly’s and sprints are a little easier considereing your pretty much balls to the wall.
No on the bike - takes too long to put it on.
Yes on the run depending on how important early pacing is.
305, quick release.
Bike: It’s my bike computer, so yes.
Run: Yep, put on the wristband and unit on the move out of transition.
-Jot
I use a grandfather clock on a little trailer I drag around behind me (raft for the swim.) It’s smaller than the 310xt.
Ha! My riding friend (all of 140 lbs) had it on at the start of a duathlon this weekend. My first close-up. That thing is absurd! On his scrawny wrist it looked even more ridiculous. That thing reminds my of the original desktop computers.
Yes.
Because for its size, it weighs less than my regular wrist watch.
Because its helps with pacing on the bike and the run.
Its water proof so it goes on before the swim and comes off after I pick up my gear in transition.
no. i am a strong believer that less is more during races. For IM races, I can see how power data would be helpful for pacing…but up to 70.3…ask yourself, why do you need it? Not to sound like an old-school traditionalist…but sometimes, all the gadgets can be too much information. I read some time ago that Natasha Badmann used to race with nothing but a watch showing race time. That’s it. no bike computer, nothing.
All the data is great for training (I do use a Garmin for my bike/run training), but racing on feel is under-rated, IMHO.
I have the Quick Release on my bike. I keep it there in T-1 and on the ride.
At T-2, I pop it out and put on the wrist strap/pop in the garmin while running out of T-2.
Make sure you put it in multi-sport mode. Just hit Lap at each transition and it will change from Bike to Transition to Run.
I would recommend testing this out before race day.
I also wear my Timex Ironman during the swim (I like to know how slow I went when I get out of the water. Takes about 3 seconds to pull it off.
I wear from start to finish and my race times don’t seem to be too badly for it.
I like mine for the pacing during the race, but more so for analysis afterward - where was I strong, where did I fade, did I go out too hard, etc. I don’t think it’s bad to use especially if you have a propensity to go out too hard. I’m using mine more to develop my precieved extertion scale so that I can race more by feel in the future, but if you don’t feel overly confident in your ability to “feel” your way through a race yet I think it’s a good tool. You may catch some comments about the “computer on your wrist” from holier than thou gadget haters, but hey, its your performance that you’re interested it, nevermind them.
no. i am a strong believer that less is more during races. For IM races, I can see how power data would be helpful for pacing…but up to 70.3…ask yourself, why do you need it? Not to sound like an old-school traditionalist…but sometimes, all the gadgets can be too much information. I read some time ago that Natasha Badmann used to race with nothing but a watch showing race time. That’s it. no bike computer, nothing.
All the data is great for training (I do use a Garmin for my bike/run training), but racing on feel is under-rated, IMHO.
I go one step further than that. No computers/watches at all. Leave my running watch in my transition bag and just race. I don’t do IM’s, but don’t feel I’m missing anything in HIM’s going off of RPE.
That said, if I owned a powermeter (and may in the future), I’d be liable to use it on the bike, taped over, for post hoc analysis.
Less distractions during the race, the better, IMHO.
No. I use a basic watch. Last weekend I had a terrible run in an oly distance race and the Garmin probably would have helped me push it a little more. I was worried I would blow up due to the hilly course and some twinges I felt in my quads but if I had known I was running so slow, I probably would have tried to suffer some more and pushed through it. It may have ended in cramping but at least I would have gone down trying rather than wondering why I didn’t push it more.
Next race I may use the Garmin.
I use a grandfather clock on a little trailer I drag around behind me (raft for the swim.) It’s smaller than the 310xt.
Ha! My riding friend (all of 140 lbs) had it on at the start of a duathlon this weekend. My first close-up. That thing is absurd! On his scrawny wrist it looked even more ridiculous. That thing reminds my of the original desktop computers.
The 310xt is an embarrassment. But I think the new garmin whatever watch that does basic GPS and not much else is going to be the new platform. I hope it is! That thing is more like a watch and doesn’t have the lame touch bezel.
Depends on what Garmin you have and whether or not they make a Quick Release kit for it, but for me yes of course I use it.
I have a 310xt and it is the only bike computer I have on my bike, have a QR kit on the bike and I leave it on the bike in T1, use it on the bike for HR, Speed, Cadence, Power, i.e. everything. I wear my quick release watch band for the entire race so in T2 I pop it right off the bike and onto my wrist where I use it for HR and Pace during the run.
But if you are in my AG then by all means don’t wear it. Don’t execute your race based off of power, pace, RPE, just go out there and wing it, let the energy of the crowd propel your forward! Please.