Technology has improved our lives in myriad ways. GPS devices have allowed us to track our endurance efforts, recording our pace, distance, heart rate, and many more metrics besides. While providing a wealth of information, our relationship with the technology can become complicated and far more entangled than we could have possibly imagined. These devices are best as a tool to help us train effectively and analyze where we have gone. While possible that your GPS device can provide some accountability, take this quiz and see where you are on the spectrum of maintaining a healthy balance and perspective with your wrist-born tech.
Do you always round off your runs or walks to an exactly even number (5.00 miles, 3.50 miles exactly, 40 miles precisely for the week, etc), even if you are doing a lap around the parking lot or go up and down your driveway three times?
If your answer is yes, you probably enjoy order over chaos, and completion of your goals. You might also like to look at tidy numbers on the screen. None of that is bad in and of itself, but it is always good to remember that training has a purpose and shuffling in circles for 27 meters to make a full mile doesn’t really make you any more prepared for the race. Consider spending a week where you purposely don’t end on an even number in any run. Encourage yourself that your achievement of the total includes the experience of the effort along the way and that your training need not be 100% perfect 100% of the time to be in a position to achieve your goals on race day!
Do you have a floor or ceiling pace under or over which you never go on training run / walk days?
If your answer is yes, you probably are trying to faithfully complete your training efforts at the paces prescribed by your runcoach pace chart. However, always make sure that you listen to your body. If you have a sore / tight muscle, feel tired from the prior day’s workout, are sick, or have another legitimate reason to be in true recovery mode, it is fine to slow dow. Occasionally what felt like your easy pace turns out to be 30 seconds per mile or more. Recovery is key to being prepared for the next hard day. Sometimes, that requires doing a little less and easing off a bit (and being ok with that when you look at your watch).
Now that you have a GPS device on your wrist or in the palm of your hand, do you find yourself checking your pace almost reflexively every 50 meters along your route?
If this sounds like you, you might be just excited to have a cool toy to consult. But, with constant reliance on the watch or app (which is not always 100% accurate due to trees, weather, and other factors), you might also be at risk for missing a chance to understand and gain a feel for what your race pace or other paces might be. While you might want to keep careful track of your mileage, occasionally pick a route you of which you already know the distance, and run it without your watch, gauging your effort based on what you perceive to be the pace. You can log the miles accurately as you have measured it previously and using your total time, can figure the pace. However, you have taken an opportunity during the run to stay in touch with your instincts and listen to your body.
Do you avoid certain routes because of spotty satellite reception (and the shorter distances/ slower paces you might be given credit for on your device as a result)?
If your answer is yes to this one, you are human! We all like to see our best selves recorded and the greatest return on our efforts. However, if the preoccupation with the numbers is causing you to miss out on tree covered paths, excellent trail running, and safe routes on bike paths that travel through tunnels, consider mapping these on the computer and manually entering in the distances, or just noting your estimated differences when uploading your info.
Data is helpful, but we should not become overly reliant on it. As humans, we can use machines and technology to help us to our goals, but nothing replaces the individual effort and commitment we all need to achieve our goals on the day. Continue to trust in your ability and instincts. Let your GPS devices and apps be tools, but only one of many, in your arsenal.
Congratulations to all those who have completed their goal virtual races over the last few weekends! Whether you are basking in the afterglow of a milestone reached, or still awaiting the joy of the finish line, it is important to consider the crucial training period of recovery.
Previously on the blog, we’ve covered a variety of topics related to recovery that are worth a quick read or re-read. These include:
Throughout each of these, the main thread is the message is to take recovery seriously. One of the ways runcoach differs from template training plans or social training groups that focus solely on the one goal race is the inclusion of a recovery cycle into your plan. As runners ourselves, we know that running is an ongoing pursuit for many, marked brightly with the signposts of big goals along the way, but more importantly, something we enjoy doing every day.
When you take recovery seriously you can enjoy your daily running without the inconveince of the world of injury or illness.
I know "recovery" doesn't win medals, or get the awe from your friends the way a hard workout or race does. Think of it this way, if you don't recover forget about the next finish line, a new start line maybe further away than you'd like.
1. Tap the Three Lines (on top left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "Device Sync"
3. Tap "Sync with Google Fit."
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select drop down on the top right of the page
3. Select "Device Sync" from the upper Right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Google Fit" as the service option.
This action will take you to the Google Fit website. Log in and follow the instructions.
*Remember: Your workouts are uploaded from the server of each syncing service, not the device that you wear. In order to upload your activity to your Movecoach or Runcoach training log, you must regularly sync your device to Google Fit's web platform.
FOR MOVECOACH USERS
1. Tap the Me icon (on the bottom-left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "More."
3. Select "Sync A Service."
4. Tap "Sync with Google Fit."
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select "Training" from the top of the screen.
3. Select "Sync a Service" from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Google Fit" as the service option.
This action will take you to the Google Fit website. Log in and follow the instructions.
*Remember: Your workouts are uploaded from the server of each syncing service, not the device that you wear. In order to upload your activity to your Movecoach or Runcoach training log, you must regularly sync your device to Google Fit's web platform.
Please have your Fitbit login information ready and follow these steps:
For RUNCOACH USERS
1. Tap the Three Lines (on top left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "Device Sync"
3. Tap "Sync with Fitbit.".
4.Log into your Fitbit account and grant access.
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select drop down on the top right of the page
3. Select "Device Sync" from the upper Right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Fitbit" as the service option.
5.Log into your fitbit account and authorize the permissions
Make sure that you have the most recent version of the Movecoach or Runcoach App for iOS or Android.
FOR MOVECOACH USERS
On your mobile device:
1. Tap the Me icon (on the bottom-left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "More."
3. Select "Sync A Service."
4. Tap "Sync with Fitbit."
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select "Training" from the top of the screen.
3. Select "Sync a Service" from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Fitbit" as the service option.
After your initial sync with Fitbit, your data will be imported immediately. Subsequent syncs occur once per hour throughout the day. At that time all the data since your most-recent sync will be uploaded to your Movecoach or Runcoach log.
Please have your Strava login information ready.
FOR RUNCOACH USERS
1. Tap the Three Lines (on top left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "Device Sync"
3. Tap "Sync with Strava.".
4.Log into your Strava account and grant access.
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select drop down on the top right of the page
3. Select "Device Sync" from the upper Right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Strava" as the service option.
5.Log into your Strava account and authorize the permissions
Please make sure that you have the most recent versions of the Movecoach or Runcoach App for Android or iOS (iPhone).
FOR MOVECOACH USERS
On your mobile device:
1. Tap the Me icon (on the bottom-left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "More."
3. Select "Sync A Service."
4. Tap "Sync with Strava."
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select "Training" from the top of the screen.
3. Select "Sync a Service" from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Strava" as the service option.
This action will take you to the Strava website. Log in and follow the instructions.
After your initial sync with Strava, your data will be imported immediately. Subsequent syncs occur as soon as you upload your workouts. At that time all the data since your most-recent sync will be uploaded to your Movecoach or Runcoach log.
Please have your Runkeeper login information ready.
FOR RUNCOACH USERS
1. Tap the Three Lines (on top left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "Device Sync"
3. Tap "Sync with Runkeeper.".
4.Log into your Runkeeper account and grant access.
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select drop down on the top right of the page
3. Select "Device Sync" from the upper Right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Runkeeper" as the service option.
5.Log into your Runkeeper account and authorize the permissions
Please make sure that you have the most recent versions of the Movecoach or Runcoach App for Android or iOS (iPhone).
FOR MOVECOACH USERS
On your mobile device:
1. Tap the Me icon (on the bottom-left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "More."
3. Select "Sync A Service."
4. Tap "Sync with Runkeeper."
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select "Training" from the top of the screen.
3. Select "Sync a Service" from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Runkeeper" as the service option.
This action will take you to the Runkeeper website, log in and follow the instructions.
After your initial sync with Runkeeper, your data will be imported immediately to your Runcoach or Movecoach log. Subsequent syncs are manual. All data since your most-recent sync will be added to your log.
Our system syncs with all Garmin devices, including those with GPS (through Garmin Connect), and those Vivo Smart devices (through Garmin Wellness). You'll find directions below for both devices.
FOR RUNCOACH USERS
1. Tap the Three Lines (on top left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "Device Sync"
3. Tap "Sync with Garmin Connect or or Garmin Health.".
4. Log into your Garmin account and grant access.
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select drop down on the top right of the page
3. Select "Device Sync" from the upper Right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Garmin Connect or Garmin Health" as the service option.
5.Log into your Garmin account and authorize the permissions
FOR MOVECOACH USERS
Garmin Devices with no activity trackers (Garmin Connect)
Make sure that you have the most recent versions of the Movecoach or Runcoach App for Android or iOS (iPhone).
On your mobile device:
1. Tap the Me icon (on the bottom-left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "More."
3. Select "Sync A Service."
4. Tap "Sync with Garmin Connect."
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select "Training" from the top of the screen.
3. Select "Sync a Service" from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Garmin Connect" as the service option.
This action will take you to the Garmin Connect website. Log in and follow the instructions.
Initially, it takes 72 Hours for data from Garmin Connect to be uploaded to your Movecoach or Runcoach log. This wait is part of Garmin’s process. After the initial sync, Garmin will automatically import data into your log every time you sync your Garmin device with Garmin Connect.
*Remember: Your workouts are uploaded from the server of each syncing service, not the device that you wear. In order to upload your activity to your Movecoach or Runcoach training log, you must regularly sync your device to Garmin's web platform.
For Garmin Devices with Activity Trackers (The Vivo Series via Garmin Wellness)
Make sure that you have the most recent versions of the Movecoach or Runcoach App for Android or iOS (iPhone).
Have your Garmin Wellness login information ready.
On your mobile device:
1. Tap the Me icon (on the bottom-left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "More."
3. Select "Sync A Service."
4. Tap "Sync with Garmin Wellness."
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select "Training" from the top of the screen.
3. Select "Sync a Service" from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Garmin Wellness" as the service option.
This action will take you to the Garmin Wellness website. Log in and follow the instructions. Initially, it will take 72 hours for your Garmin Wellness data to be imported to your log. (This is part of Garmin’s process). After that, Garmin will automatically import step data and GPS data into your log.
Please have your Healthkit login information ready.
For RUNCOACH USERS on an iPhone or other Mobile apple device.
1. Tap the Three Lines (on top left corner of your phone screen).
2. Select "Device Sync"
3. Tap "Sync with Apple healthkit.".
4. Grant all permissions
From the web, on a computer:
1. Login.
2. Select drop down on the top right of the page
3. Select "Device Sync" from the upper Right-hand corner of the screen.
4. Select "Apple health" as the service option.
5. Log into your Apple health account and authorize the permissions
Please make sure that you have the most recent versions of the Movecoach or Runcoach app for iOS (iPhone).
FOR MOVECOACH USERS
On your mobile device:
1. Tap the Me icon (in the bottom left corner).
2. Tap More.
Tap Sync A Service.
Tap Sync with Apple HealthKit.
From the web:
1. Login.
2. Select Training from the top of the screen.
3. At the next screen, select "Sync a Service" from the upper left-hand corner of the screen.
After selecting HealthKit, you will be prompted to allow permissions to certain data, you must select “All Categories On.”
Your initial sync with HealthKit will pull data all historical HealthKit data recorded. After the initial sync, HealthKit data is synced to your Runcoach or Movecoach log once per hour or any time the App is opened and used.*Important: Your workouts are uploaded from the server of each syncing service, not the wearable device. In order to upload your activity to your Movecoach or Runcoach training log, you must regularly sync your device to your service. So you must regularly sync your device to the web platform.*
This month in Ask the Practitioner, we inquired about high hamstring tendinopathy with Renee Songer, Clinical Director of Agile Physical Therapy. 
