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Should I Run With a GPS Watch?

by Adolfo Salgueiro | Nov 5, 2024 | Article, List, Opinion, Reflection

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

As I write the title of this blog post, I feel like the answer to such silly questions is, \”Duh! Of course, I should run with a GPS watch. How Am I going to know what I\’m doing if I don\’t.\” Yet, there is a reason why I chose this topic for this week\’s post. The answer is not so simple.

For a few hundred bucks we have more computing power on our wrists thatn what NASA had to land Apollo 11. Let’s use it wisely (Image by WIndows Copilot)

Our GPS Watches, generically called Garmin as it is the dominant brand in the market, are nowadays as ubiquitous as our smartphones. They are an extension of our smartphones, and they can\’t work if they are not paired with them.

I\’ve written before about not letting our watches become the directors of our runs instead of the recording devices. Also, about the data overload ruining our experience. But this is about what type of runner may benefit or be affected by the use of a GPS device on their wrist.

You should use a GPS Watch if:

► you understand the data you are looking at and know what to do about it should it need adjustment in the middle of the run. Worrying about your right foot oscillation or maximum power is futile if you don\’t know what it means, let alone how to fix it or if it even needs fixing.

► you are running on perceived effort. The pace and all the stats will be the result of how hard you are running, not the other way around. With time, the data will allow you to measure progress.

► the first thought when you check your metrics in mid-run is, \”How does this reconcile with my running plan for today?\” instead of, \”Wait until my friends see this posted in my social media feeds\”.

► you can complete an entire easy run without looking at your watch once, regardless of how many times it beeped to let you know data was available. An easy run is about putting in some easy effort miles (hence the name) regardless of your pace.

► your self-worth as a runner or as a person is not linked to the number of marathons you ran, your weekly mileage or your average pace.

► you can maintain your running as your primary focus while receiving feedback from your watch. If the feedback impairs your brain function, makes you wish you were a mathematician or makes you unable to enjoy what you are doing, it may be time to give it a break.

There is no need to connect all this stuff to your wrist when you are running (Photo: Obsahovka Obsahovka, Pexels)

You should ditch the GPS Watch if:

► knowing your pace is a few seconds off makes you anxious. Sure, we all want to hit specific paces and at certain times. But if running that split in 2:02 instead of 2:00 feels like the end of the world, you are better off running watchless.

► you feel the need to stop your watch at a traffic light, or a water stop, or to tie your shoe because it will ruin your averages. Races don\’t stop the clocks when you stop at the port-a-potty. The stoppage is part of the deal. It doesn\’t matter if it adds a couple of seconds per mile.

► you see your splits, and the thought of seeing it published on Strava for the world to see worries you to the point that you must make up for it. Especially on training runs.

► you feel dodging traffic at an intersection or beating a freight train to avoid extra time is a risk worth taking.

► your need for hyper connection to the world is so endemic that your watch constantly beeps with texts and emails, and you just can\’t not check them.

I am not advocating against the GPS watch. I am advocating against it ruling our running. We don\’t need another smartphone-type device sucking the joy of something we love and controlling our lives. We are not professional runners. We run because we want to, and if the GPS watch is hindering such enjoyment, why allow it?

The physiological benefits of your training will be realized whether the mileage is posted on Instagram or not. It is not like that last 20-miler won\’t help you on the marathon because it doesn\’t show on Strava. You can also apply a revolutionary concept: keep the watch running and not look at it. Then you can analyze the data later instead of during. What a revolutionary concept!

A GPS Watch is an extraordinary tool. One that, for a few hundred bucks, provides you with more computing power than what NASA had at its disposal to land Apollo 11 on the Moon. If you can use it as a collector of data to be analyzed at the appropriate time so you can become a better runner, go for it! If not, then rethink its use.

Please like this post and share any recommendations from your previous experiences in the box below. Let\’s build a community of informed and prepared runners.

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Taper: Nothing to Win, Everything to Lose

by Adolfo Salgueiro | Oct 8, 2024 | Article, List, Science

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

As you prepare to reap the benefits of your hard weeks of training. Or you may be wondering if you have done enough to hit the starting line in PR shape. Or as you realize you have screwed up your training and will have to wing it. If you plan to race hard, or long, you will need to taper.

Taper (or tapering) is the label commonly used to identify the short training cycle between the end of our race-focused training cycle and race day. The word taper is an intransitive verb. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it means \”to become progressively smaller toward one end. To diminish gradually.\” In running, that\’s exactly what we are referring to. We start reducing our workload as race day approaches. But why?

Our bodies usually take 14-20 days to adapt to whatever we do in training. If we ran 20 miles today, we are not better for it tomorrow. As our body recovers, it adapts to the benefits of such stressful events and thus becomes stronger. This is why whatever we do in the last two, maybe three weeks before race day, will be of little or no benefit.

There is nothing to gain during taper, but everything to lose. Many races have been ruined by not taking the taper seriously. Don\’t become a victim.

Meb Keflezighi has a great quote that epitomizes the last few paragraphs: \”It is better to be 90% ready and make it to the starting line than panic and become overtrained or be unable to start the race.\”

According to Jess Movold, in a 2024 article in Runner\’s World magazine: \”Tapering is one of the most critical parts of any marathon training plan, but in many cases, it\’s also one of the hardest to implement. Ever heard of the taper tantrums? \”

In my personal experience, I\’ve felt better with a 2-week taper. But if the fatigue accumulation really beats you up and feel like another long run will destroy you more than help you, an additional week is beneficial.

Theories abound about how to handle the taper, but the scope of this blog post does not include analyzing any models. It wants to point out a handful of errors and misconceptions you may incur that will eventually negate your training gains.

While on taper, be on the lookout for the following so you don\’t ruin your race:

I know I picked this up from Instagram, but I don’t know the source I should credit.

1. Follow the original plan: If you got here with your plan, then this is not the time to improvise, regardless of how confident you are or not about attaining your goal.

2. Don\’t try one more long run: There is no place for it. It will add to the fatigue, hinder your recovery and won\’t produce adaptations in time for race day.

3. Focus on nutrition: Avoid detoxes, new supplements, weight-shedding schemes, carb unloading/loading protocols, and indulgent eating. Eat clean and enough.

4. Tapering means you are still training: You shouldn\’t think you can stop because it\’s tapering. It is still part of the training program, and it requires work.

5. Manage your excess energy: With the decrease in activity, as your body rests and recovers, you will bounce off the walls. Expect it and control it.

6. Take the extra sleep: Your body is repairing itself, so it may ask for more sleep than usual. Don\’t skimp on sleep. It is the best recovery tool.

7. Control your training effort: Because you\’ll feel energized, compared with the last few months, it is easy to push harder and even perform your race effort before the actual race. Don\’t!

8. Focus on the main goal: Everything you do must serve your race. This is not the time to try new stretches, foods, gels, shoes, or routines. Stick to what has worked so far.

9. Strengthen your immune system: Your body is working overtime to repair itself, so your immune system is low. Be proactive. It is no time to get sick.

10. Tread carefully: Be extra cautious as you transit through life. Don\’t take unnecessary risks. Don\’t climb ladders, jump the sidewalks, text while walking, or rearrange furniture. All that can wait.

Please like this post and share any recommendations from your previous experiences in the box below. Let\’s build a community of informed and prepared runners.

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Tips for Out-of-Town Racing

by Adolfo Salgueiro | Sep 24, 2024 | Article, List, Reflection

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

As the racing season for big marathon races picks up, many runners have unique plans in sight. Many runners make it extra special, building an adventure around their race. We may drive or board trains and airplanes to make it either a weekend or a longer vacation.

There is no sense crossing the ocean to go to Berlin or Sydney just to race and come back home. Or you can always make it a nice long weekend if you just need to hit the road for a few hours. The key to a successful out-of-town race is to understand why you are there in the first place: to run a marathon. The fact that it is in Chicago or New York is what makes it a getaway. Most likely, there would have been no trip if you had not been running the marathon. Remember, the running portion of your trip is the priority. Don\’t let the allure of tourist activities distract you from your main goal.

Sure, you can visit the Eiffel Tower… after the race (Photo: Rafaelf1, Pexels)

This is an important concept to grasp. I know way too many stories of runners sightseeing too hard, so they reach the starting line tired. On more than one occasion, I\’ve met runners (usually younger) who were hungover because they couldn\’t resist partying while away from home. A friend shared a story about his family resenting him because they had to wait to visit the Eiffel Tower until after the marathon, which added unnecessary stress to his pre-race routine.

Exploring the world\’s great cities, celebrating for a few days, sipping margaritas at the beach, and discovering the less traveled paths in lesser-known parts of the world is always a bonus for our efforts. But traveling to a race, especially your goal race, doesn\’t come without its challenges. It requires additional planning. If you don\’t prepare ahead, the chances of fixing a hiccup on the fly diminish considerably.

So, if you worked hard on your marathon training and are setting out on a running/travel adventure, these tips will hopefully help you get to the starting line mentally and physically sharp:

1. Do not check your running gear: If traveling by plane, whatever you are wearing on race day, goes in your carry-on. The last thing you need is lost luggage derailing your race plans. You don\’t want to run in brand-new shoes you purchased at the expo or with borrowed shorts.

2. Run first, tourist later: The running portion of your trip is the priority. Don\’t arrive too much in advance before the race. Save the touristy plans for after. You want to get to the starting line focused, well rested, mentally and physically ready. Afterward, you may walk all you want or enjoy as much alcohol and crappy food as you can tolerate.

3. Know where your pre-race meals are coming from: Never take your food intake for granted. Make sure you know that what you need to eat is available nearby. It happened to me once. After identifying the restaurant I wanted in Philadelphia, I went on pre-race night only to find I needed a reservation. If you are staying with relatives, make sure you let them know exactly what you must eat and at what time.

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4. Know how to get to the starting line: Do not improvise. Plan for the worst-case scenario. If you are taking a cab, have the phone number and confirm they provide the service at the time you need it. Have a B plan in case there are no Ubers available. If you are taking public transportation, purchase tickets in advance. If a relative is driving you, be aware of road closures and alternative routes.

All the gear you will need during the race, goes inside the cabin with you (Photo: Guiirossi, Pexels)

5. Have family and companions understand why you are there: If you are traveling with family or friends, it is imperative they understand that the first few days are all about you and your race. Runners are the protagonists. Everything else can wait. Remind them they wouldn\’t be in Amsterdam, or Buenos Aires or DC if it weren\’t for the marathon.

6. Adjust for time changes: Never underestimate jet lag and time zone differences, as they can screw your sleep and derail your race. Find out in advance how to adjust to the time zone in which you will be competing. There are plenty of online resources for this. You don\’t want to be falling asleep at Mile 10 because it feels like 4AM for you.

7. Pack for any weather: Remember you are not home, so you can\’t just go back to your closet to pick up something else. Pack for any possible weather change, and don\’t rely 100% on your weather app. It is always better to bring back something unused than to need that pair of gloves you left at home.

8. Don\’t do anything you wouldn\’t do at home: Pre-race is not the time to be adventurous. Trying new, exotic foods, white water rafting, Segway tours, or running a beautiful trail when all you know is the asphalt is for after the race. These could be recipes to guarantee a bad race. Hold the fun stuff for after the finish line.

Please like this post, share any other recommendations from your previous experiences, and let\’s build a community of informed and prepared runners.

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Optimism vs. Wishful Thinking

by Adolfo Salgueiro | Sep 10, 2024 | Article, List, Reflection

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

I recently read Ball Four, the classic baseball book from the 1970s by the controversial major league pitcher Jim Bouton. In it, Bouton discusses the 1969 spring training with the expansion Seattle Pilots and the high expectations management had for their upcoming season: “We may be building ourselves up to that kind of fall with this club. Everybody is saying we’re going to be great. There’s a difference between optimism and wishful thinking.”

Sitting on the couch wishing you were running won’t get you very far in achieving your goals (Image by Windows Copilot)

Don’t we all know a runner who fits into that last sentence? When was the last time we were the runner matching it? I smelled a blog post right away. Thus, here we are.

As runners, we are all about optimism. We must be optimists if we want to look into the future and visualize what we want, how to achieve it, and how to set up a map from where we are to where we anticipate being. Sure, some daydreaming is allowed, and it is even necessary to keep ourselves moving forward, especially through the inevitable periods of difficulty that will show up in every training cycle.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, optimism is “an inclination to put the most favorable construction upon actions and events or to anticipate the best possible outcome.”

If we ran a 1:05 in our last 10K, we dream not just of the 59:59, but why not a 55:00? If we ran a 3:20 marathon, we would know by heart all the mathematical breakdowns needed for that magical Sub-3. These are healthy and within the boundaries of feasibility.

But if you just ran that first sub-20 5K and started focusing on qualifying for the Olympics next year, or if you are eying that marathon PR but haven’t run in three months, then we are entering the realm of wishful thinking.

The same dictionary defines wishful thinking as “the attribution of reality to what one wishes to be true or the tenuous justification of what one wants to believe.”

Optimism is a great tool to keep you engaged and focused. Wishful thinking is a recipe for a letdown and/or injury. Sitting on the couch wishing you were running will not make you a better runner.

Examples of Optimism:

• I am trusting the process my coach has laid out for me. I will follow it up to the best of my ability.

• I’ve seen gradual improvements in my training, and I know I can keep progressing if I stay consistent.

• I didn’t hit my goal in this race, but I know what I need to adjust in training to improve next time.

• I’m excited to tackle the next training cycle because it’s designed to address my weaknesses.

• My pace has been steadily improving, and I know that if I stay disciplined, I’ll reach my target time.

• I’ve learned from my setbacks, and I trust that I’ll achieve my personal best with perseverance.

• I’ve been putting in the work, and I trust that the results will follow with patience and dedication.

Being an optimist and doing something about it is the path to achieve your running goals (Photo Pexels)

Examples of Wishful Thinking:

• When I get off this couch and start training, I will really focus on being the best runner I can be.

• I haven’t trained consistently, but I can still PR in my next race if I push hard on race day.

• I skipped a few workouts this week, but I’ll just make up for it by running harder next week.

• I don’t need a specific training plan; I’ll just wing it and rely on my natural ability.

• I haven’t been doing speed work, but I still can hit my goal pace in my upcoming race.

• I’ve been running the same pace for months, but I’m sure I’ll somehow drop 30 seconds per mile next week.

• I’m planning on hitting a huge PR in my next race, even though I’ve barely trained, and my body feels off.

Let’s focus on our goals and create a solid plan to get from point A to point B, then follow through with discipline to achieve it. It sounds simple, even obvious, but haven’t we all found ourselves stuck in wishful thinking at some point—maybe even recently? Now that we understand the difference, let’s commit to staying on the right side of the line and strive for the best, most realistic performance we can achieve.

Please like the post and share it with someone who may benefit from it.

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A GPS Watch Shouldn’t Rule Your Running

by Adolfo Salgueiro | Jul 2, 2024 | Article, List, Opinion, Reflection

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

As we gear up for our goal races for the 2024-25 season, we set up objectives, benchmarks, training plans and invest countless hours, sacrifices, money, and emotions into what we want it to be. So, this may be an appropriate time to remind ourselves that we do this because we like challenges, because we are a little bit crazy, and because we like running. Nobody runs (or shouldn’t) because of a desire to be miserable.

Unfortunately, the ubiquitousness of the GPS watch in our sport has made us a bit miserable by turning our attention to countless measurements, mostly of parameters we don’t understand or should even care for. This, combined with social media oversharing, has turned training into competition. It has led to many a runner burnout, injury, and the withdrawal of the fun element of running.

I am writing this blog post because I recently saw the meme below (Credit to the appropriately named website www.dumbrunner.com). Is this you?

Run without GPS watch — From www.dumbrunner.com

Unfortunately, this is not meant to be a funny meme. It is a sad reflection on what many of us have become thanks to a combination of what our GPS watch can measure and what we can share in social media. If this is not you, someone close to you certainly is.

We all know that person who:

• stops the watch at a traffic light or water break because it will mess their averages.

• equates their personal or athletic self-worth to their racing PRs.

• complained that a World Marathon Major was mismeasured because their GPS watch said so.

• ended up on the verge of death on a day it just wasn’t meant to be rather than show their unknown Strava friends that they had a difficult day.

• lives by his/her VO2Max fluctuation without even understanding what that VO2Max measures.

• refuses to take a day off because they’ve been predicating they are in a streak and nothing can stop them.

I once heard Coach Jonathan Marcus state that “the watch is a record, not a director”. What a deep thought! And sure, we all want to know what’s happening with our running, especially now that instant feedback is a wrist flip away. But most of what is being measured is product our running, it is not our running per se.

We must understand that:

• A 9.94 vs. a 10.00 run is not going to make a difference in your training.

• Not all intervals are supposed to measure how far or fast we can run on a predetermined amount of time or distance.

• Not everyone is interested in the splits of each one of your 20, 200-meter repeats.

• It still counts towards your fitness even if you did not post it on Facebook.

• Sure, courses may be mismeasured sometimes, but this is not determined by your GPS watch, regardless of how advanced it is.

• A day off, or two, is not a sign of weakness.

Not looking at your watch from time to time is a liberating experience. Try it. And the coolest thing of all is that your run still counts towards your fitness, your yearly milage and your training log even if your friends don’t know about it.

I am not advocating against GPS watches. It is a useful tool, with mass appeal, affordable and has revolutionized training in almost every sport. I can only imagine what Emil Zatopek, Paavo Nurmi or Frank Shorter could have done with one of those on their wrist. What I am promoting is the return of having fun on our runs. Making sure we are putting ourselves through a 20-mile run on a muggy summer day for the right reasons. In my book, showing strangers on Instagram how tough you are is not a valid reason.

Have you experienced and unhealthy relationship with your GPS watch? If so, share how you were able to overcome it, in the comment box below.

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11 Tips for Your Summer Running

by Adolfo Salgueiro | Jun 4, 2024 | Article, List, Reflection, Science

By Coach Adolfo Salgueiro

Exercising in the heat will inevitably elevate your heart rate and elevate your needs for hydration. This means that with more effort you will accomplish less. The sooner you accept it, the quicker you will adjust to your new reality of running in summer.

You must understand what’s happening in your body during the summer before you can adapt and progress (Photo Pexels)

Running writer Brownyng Griffiths, puts it this way in her Polar blog: “After all, exercise should be a celebration of your body’s capabilities, not a battle against the elements. So, stay cool, have fun, and keep moving”.

This said, here are 11 tips to take into consideration to improve, enjoy and be safe during your summer running:

1 – Adjust your intensity: If you can take one thing from this blog post, let it be this one: The body keeps your skin cool by circulating blood. The hotter you get, the more blood pumping is needed, thus, a faster heartbeat, thus, you work harder, thus you will tire faster, thus, accept it and adapt. Your performance won’t be the same, but if your main running goal is not coming up next week, you have enough time to adjust your intensity to your reality.

2 – Be intentional about your hydration: Hydration is not just for when your Garmin is running. Intentionality is the name of the game. When you hit that start button you should have been consuming a balanced mix of water and electrolytes throughout the day. And not just during running days but every day. Same applies to post-running rehydration. You don’t have to replenish every drop as you lose it, but you must understand what your body requires to function properly.

3 – Plan your water stations in advance: know where the water stops are, what gas stations are open at the time you run or plant your water on the route ahead of time. If you are not sure about will be available, carry what you will need. There are countless options available in your local running store. Running holding a bottle in your hand should be avoided unless it means no water.

4 – Overhydration is a life-threatening condition: It may be counter intuitive, but you can drink yourself to death. Hyponatremia is a potentially fatal condition where an individual’s level of sodium gets so diluted by the combination of over guzzling of water and not replenishing electrolytes that the body’s electrical system fails. Understand how much water you need and/or can manage.

5 – Your body should adapt. Be patient: I’ve read experts stating the body takes about two weeks to adapt to running in the heat. In my experience it takes much longer. But if you are patient, understand your output will not be the same as in benevolent weather, and remain constant, your body will eventually acclimate and improve its ability to remain cool.

The right clothing in the right environment can make all the difference (Photo: Retha Ferguson, Pexels)

6 – Know your environment (BE FLEXIBLE): Knowing the weather for your run is just a click away. There is no excuse to be unprepared on a hot and/or humid run. Pushing back or rescheduling your run may be the wise choice. Or jumping onto the dreaded treadmill. Don’t just check the temperature, but also the heat index, which measures how hot it feels outside when combining air temperature and relative humidity. Overlooking it may get you into the danger zone.

7 – Choose light-colored clothing: I’m sure your dark shirt is beautiful, and that black hat from that important marathon will raise your profile with your running buddies, but it is about basic physics. Dark colors absorb the heat of the sun and get hotter while light colors reflect it and are cooler. That simple.

8 – Wear the right clothing: Breathable, moisture-wicking clothing will aid sweat evaporation and thus, cooling of the skin. Wear as little as you can feel comfortable with. Avoid tight materials that will stick to the body and hinder evaporation. Remember that sweat and evaporation is what will keep you cool and healthy.

9 – Know your route: The middle of the summer is not the time for exploration. You don’t want to find yourself lost and short on hydration in an area where there’s not another soul or a shaded area to be found. Know where you are going, know where the water is, know where the shaded areas are. This could be the difference between success and disaster.

10 – Understand your body signals: Heat will affect us all. It is a matter of the degree to which it will happen. It is not an if, but a when. Learning to recognize dizziness, cramps, cold sweats, or fatigue could help you identify heat exhaustion or the dangerous heats stroke. This is not the time to show your machismo by plowing through a hard workout when you are exhausted.

11 – Protect your body: It is not just about the sunscreen. Your eyes, your head and your face also need protection during the brutal summer runs under the sunlight. Wearing sunglasses and a cap/hat, even when it is cloudy, is always a good decision.

Keep on moving, keep on training, remain constant. Those who do are the ones that will set up PRs during the Fall/Winter running season.

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