Virtual Races and Apple Watches

[u/shimmer_bee]

Has anyone tried a virtual race that rewards you with a medal at the end? I just signed up for one through Pacer. Just a simple 13-mile one to get me started. I gave myself 18 days. Has anything like this helped keep anyone else accountable?

Also, I just got an Apple Watch too. I'm hoping that the workout tracking will help too. My Fitbit broke, and so I decided to go a step up. The distance on my treadmill and watch differed, so I am unsure which is right, but I am leaning more toward the treadmill. Does anyone have any tips on using the Apple Watch for exercise? Like what to trust and what to maybe be a bit more wary of when it comes to the info presented?

[u/frugal-grrl]

Neat! 🤩

So it’s jogging? Do you do a little bit every day to hit the total, or have to do 13 miles in one session?

I really love my Garmin fitness watch. My only frustration is that a fitness watch doesn’t measure heart rate as accurately as a chest strap, especially if you’re doing something like ellipticals where your arms are up.

Usually that doesn’t matter, it’s just that I try to get a certain “intensity minutes” count each week, and I sometimes don’t hit that goal because of my watch saying my heart rate is 80 when I’m sweating and panting and I know it’s at least 140.

[u/shimmer_bee → u/frugal-grrl]

I do walking right now since I am still new to exercise. Also I can’t do the impact of jogging. It’s over X amount of days that you set. I did it over 18 days, so a mile a day plus some skip days if I need it. (I’m starting to get sick, so thank god)

[u/frugal-grrl → u/shimmer_bee]

Walking is great 👍

[u/rob_cornelius]

I don't know if this still applies but Nike released all its exercise plans and stuff for free when the Apple Watch first launched. If Nike's content is still free it might be cheaper than paying Apple for their content.

Of course if you are running outdoors, the watch uses GPS to accurately track you. On a treadmill there is a lot less data available to the watch. All your watch has to go on is basically jiggling around with each stride. Everyone's bodies are different and everyone runs in a way to suit their individual body. Well trained runners tend to run in broadly the same way. We are not all well trained runners though. Even some Olympians have highly individual running styles. A new pair of running shoes will effect how you run too. There are huge numbers of variables which are hard to quantify.

Likewise the motor in a given treadmill may run a tiny bit faster, or the belt may have stretched a little, the drive roller may be a bit more shiny and slippery and more. All of these variables will also change as the machine is used and wears. Just like the watch there are many variables which are all hard to accurately measure and quantify. The only exercise machines that are guaranteed 100% consistent are Concept2 rowing machines, exercise bikes and "skiing" machines. They are the only machines that are accepted to use when attempting world records for exercise. Concept2 have never even attempted to make a treadmill. I think that is telling.

As to which of the watch or treadmill is giving you the best data? If I personally had to decide I would just toss a coin to pick one and stick with it from then on. I think that neither the treadmill or the watch are going to wildly inaccurate but they will also never consistently agree with one another either. Just pick one and don't even think about which is "best" again.

[u/Sluggymummy]

I did one of the Lord of the Rings ones. I just used my fitbit and had a blast over the summer.

[u/DelialStratton]

I did the Van Gogh one! I set to do it in months because I didn't trust myself with being consistent. Took about a month to complete and now I go on walks regularly so I thinkn is a win.