Hi all! I finally broke down and subscribed to Zwift Run… Ive used it a couple times, and I have to say… I don’t get it. Its just a dude running, while bikes are passing and a occasional runner… It don’t find it exciting or interesting. Honestly, I end up watching whatever crap is on the gym TV, while Zwift is playing on my iPad. What am I missing? I know a lot of people love it, unfortunately I don’t personally know any of these people.
Can I get some suggestions on how to make me convinced it’s worth the $15/month? Otherwise I’ll be cancelling.
Wait. Zwift run costs an extra $15 a month on top of the cycling subscription? I’m still stuck in the world of dumb trainers unfortunately so haven’t tried zwift at all but I figured that was included in the price at least. That seems a bit ridiculous.
I also lied though about not having tried Zwift, I did two rides on it during a trial about a year ago and thought it was pretty lame. I’d rather watch a movie, show, or stream. Running with zwift seems next level boring. To each his own though.
it gives me something to look at when im running on the dreadmill. i use zwift for cycling with training peaks so i use the running side of it too to capture my runs / data for training peaks. i also like the gamification of it… it adds a little something on top of the workout.
Wait. Zwift run costs an extra $15 a month on top of the cycling subscription? I’m still stuck in the world of dumb trainers unfortunately so haven’t tried zwift at all but I figured that was included in the price at least. That seems a bit ridiculous.
No, a subscription covers both running and cycling. Presumably the OP wasn’t already using it for cycling.
I use it for my treadmill runs (which I try to keep to a minimum, but sometimes it’s icy out there or raining really hard). I find it helps relieve the boredom of the treadmill a bit, but it isn’t the game changer that Zwift is for cycling. And clearly hasn’t gotten nearly the traction among runners that it has for cyclists.
I also lied though about not having tried Zwift, I did two rides on it during a trial about a year ago and thought it was pretty lame. I’d rather watch a movie, show, or stream. Running with zwift seems next level boring. To each his own though.
I thought I was the only one who didn’t “get it†. nice to see I have company…
It’s purely entertainment for me, just like cycling.
What’s really entertaining is running up Alp de Zwift. You can run by all the cyclist and read their chatter, some get really upset with runners going by them.
I honestly haven’t tried the Zwift run. But I could see how it would work for going on virtual outdoor runs, where you have some hills and possibly some other runners to pass and be passed with.
Zwift cycling is amazing, though. I strongly suspect most of the folks who are just ‘meh’ with it are riding on a really substandard setup, almost certainly viewing it through the small screen of an iphone, or else using a computer without adequate hardware to run it with proper smoothness.
I’m not going to go as far to say that it’s the same fun as outdoor riding on a gorgeous day (it’s not - not even close!) but it comes by far the closest for bringing the outdoor experience indoors, complete with real climbs, long routes, lots of scenery, and lots of other riders on the course that you can ride with or even race.
They need to make some treadmills that at least autoincline to match the Zwift experience. I know they already can’t do that with the TM speed due to liability, so it’s likely they won’t do the same with the incline, but it really would be a total game-changer for someone to pull off a TM that could do this. I could even envision a TM with some ‘smart’ features that could intelligently detect if you suddenly ‘fell’ (maybe some cameras that see your body shape disappear, coupled with weight and motion sensors) that could do both - THAT would be a game-changer for running.
I think you “got” it… as far as zwift run is concerned.
^^^^^This.
It just isn’t as compelling as Zwift biking. Runs are more steady-state efforts typically, and it’s hard to stay with someone since you have to run the speed your treadmill is going (requiring constant adjustments). I could see it for a virtual mass-start run (5k, 10k), or as an interesting way to do intervals, just not as a compelling environment for most training runs.
I mainly ride with Zwift, so the run is a bonus. I like it though because it allows me to regularly be checking in on my heart rate and cadence without having to constantly look down at my watch. I just don’t like that I can’t set my own heart rate zones.
Apparently it’s a ton cooler if you have a fancy Woodway or “smart†treadmill.
I reaaaaallly wish there was a workout mode on the run in zwift that let you get lap pace, vs km or mi splits or instantaneous pace. Also nice would be a giant lap button on the iOS version for running.
The biggest problem with Zwift run is the lack of participants. I could see using it if I actually had a treadmill, as it would make it a lot more fun. Some of the workouts or races have like only 5 people most of the time. It would be nice if they were packed like the most of the Zwift races, workouts, and group rides.
I am not sure if it will ever gain much traction though. When I feel like jogging, I can just step out my front door, and go for a run. I can’t do that for cycling. This is probably the case for most people.
As far as Zwift cycling goes, I would recommend it to everybody. The only people who seem to dislike it here are those die hard outdoor cyclists who don’t think it is real cycling, or those who simply like to find fault with something others enjoy. There are quite a few of those types here.
Just go into it with an open mind. Don’t listen to what others say, and decide for yourself whether it is enjoyable or not.
I like Zwift running for a lot of reasons. The biggest reason for me is because when I’m doing high volume training in the winter, I believe it’s more beneficial and safer to be on a treadmill. In the winter there’s a lot of icy roads here in the Northeast; limited day light; and when temperatures are below freezing I find it kills my sinuses and lungs. Plus a half other reasons I believe treadmill running is better. But that’s not what this thread is about. It’s about Zwift Running!
The reason I enjoy Zwift running is pretty similar to the reasons why I enjoy Zwift cycling. Last week I ran on Zwift 4 times totaling 26.2 miles as part of the Zwift Kona Heat It Up Mission. And maybe I’ll win some free stuff?? I was hoping the Shiv Specialized bike was a grand prize again this year; but it’s not. The Kona group run I did was great, and it got competitive toward the end, I pushed myself like I normally wouldn’t have on just a regular treadmill session. When doing a Zwift Group Run it’s very engaging to hold pace with other runners and slowly reel in other runners who are, say, :20 seconds ahead with 2 miles left. Makes the miles go by quickly for me.
Over the Summer I did the Norseman Challenge and had to Run 20k again in a group run, so for me it was engaging. And You had to ride the Uber Pretzel course – the longest course on Zwift that took me around 5 hours and there was exactly an 80% DNF rate for that ride!! It also qualified me for a prize of a free entry into Norseman 2020. And in total only 36 athletes completed both the 20k Run and Uber Pretzel ride to qualify. So pretty good odds!! But I still didn’t win.
I also like to Run off the Bike, and since I Zwift a lot … and my treadmill is right next to my trainer, it’s so easy just to change pairing from Bike to Run shoes, and get on the treadmill for a quick BRICK. It doesn’t get more efficient. Really.
I also like on Zwift Running screen seeing my Heart Rate, Cadence, and the Speed is very accurate for me on a flat course. It shows my mile splits; I unlock new stuff mid-run; love running on the Central Park course and beach side in Watopia. And when I finish a run it automatically uploads directly to Strava and Training Peaks. No manual entry like a standard treadmill or syncing my Garmin.
I’m waiting for the day they offer an ERG mode that controls the pace and gradient of the treadmill. THAT will be awesome.
I also hoped peeps would be interested in Run-Bike-Run Races on Zwift; but I posted about it on here a few moons ago, annnnd nobody’s interested – sadly.