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WatchOS 9 beta... anyone try the new running features?
- Thread starter canyonblue737
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Well the little ghost race feature has helped me beat my PB on my regular hill rep route that I have been running the last 2 years 👊
Kind of makes me want running power now but I think I would need that to work with a head up display type of thing ideally
Kind of makes me want running power now but I think I would need that to work with a head up display type of thing ideally
You select one of your previous running routes and after that what recent or all time beat you want to race. After that, it will show you how you progress compared to that run. So if you started slow and ended fast on that run, that will be mirrored in what is expected to match it.
Pacer is a constant pace throughout the entire run - they are build around the same idea but the result is a bit different
Great time - we should have met up for fun. I ran 1.29.45 and are 53, so I’m satisfied👍🏼
Wow that’s amazing! In this area I feel there is a LOT of effort that goes into improving just 1 minute. So over 5 is amazing. Great time
Hmmmm...I have the 9.1 beta (9.1(20S5044e)) and I don't have the "Ghost" option in the running selection. Mine are: 1) Open 2) Time 3) Distance 4) Calories 5) Pacer and 6) several "custom" workouts.
No "Ghost" 🤷♂️
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm.
I do - 16.1 (20B5045d)
Not a big deal...the "Ghost" feature is something I probably wouldn't have used...it's just my OCD self trying to find out why mine doesn't have that
Thanks. So it is not really useful to prepare for a certain race as I have to run it at least once to be able to compete against the ghost.
Not like Garmins PacePro where you can plan your strategy online and then upload to the watch.
But ok. Still funny for training runs.
Additional question: can one create route segments and ghost run against these or only entire courses?
Pretty much - it keeps showing how much you’re ahead or behind compared to the reference run. Hence the “ghost” - when you’re e.g. 25 meters ahead, you’re followed by the previous run’s “ghost” in that distance and shouldn’t let it catch you 😀
I think not… it’s a real-time feature e.g. in Strava, but only if you use it during the actual run (vs. using Watch and then syncing to Strava). However, when I tried it, the data measured by Strava wasn’t consistent with what’s measured by the Watch default app, so I stick with the default, sync to Strava afterwards and compare the segments only then.
I have differences as well - and it seems like if I go for a run and pause the watch halfway (drink, red light, what ever) there will be a difference in distance. If I just start and go without any pause at all, it will sync to strava without any difference in distance. Quite weird and I can't seem to find anything online describing why - must be something different in the way they measure distance.
That's where the Pacer is great. Put in the 10K for example, your time goal and press go! Then you have a ongoing pacer to hit your target
I think so too. And as I am almost Always racing flat courses with a very basic pacing strategy, this is good enough for me.
I faced a similar dilemma with my AW S5. I concluded the Power (and Ground Contact Time, Vertical Oscillation) were only available on AW S6 and higher. It must be some capability in the chip being used on those models. I switched up to the AW S8, not only because of running power metrics natively, but a good chunk of the reason.
So far I have only , pacer, ghost run and heart rate zones that are new on the 5, 6 and above get the other stuff, boo. Ah well, I’ve managed up to now without them. If I see a 7 in the sale i might be tempted but there don’t seem to be good deals at the minute ( I would need a killer deal to move up from my SSSB 5)
Stride length varies from person to person, so there's no set standard of what is "good". I'm 6'6" with a 38" inseam, my stride length is going to be a lot different than somebody who's 5'6" with a 28" inseam. What's "good" for me won't be "good" for them, and vice-versa.
As for the rest of the metrics (ground contact, cadence, vertical oscillation, etc.), a Google search would turn up some useful information. They're discussed pretty extensively at a number of different running sites.
+1. At the end of the day, races are won by running the fastest, not by having the best GCT value, whatever that is.
Fellrnr has a good overview on the running dynamics:
Running Dynamics
fellrnr.com
I look at these values from a perspective, how I am improving when I do address these factors, e.g. through running exercises, intensive stretching, hill repeats, etc. But this requires a longer view on these, to have comparable workouts, etc.
Pace is stride length x cadence. To increase both at the same time is not easy and requires a lot of work. And both have their limits.
Great responses - a bit of a common theme though, that the Apple Watch and Apple Health is collecting a TON of useful data, but do very little with them to give you advice on how good your stats are and where your focus should be to improve etc.
VO2 max and all the HRV stuff is barely explained
VO2 max and all the HRV stuff is barely explained
The Ghost function came back in recent version of the 9.1 beta but is gone in the newest I have now - as cool and amazing as it is, the Pacer is by far my most used new function along with pulse zones