Not easy at all, nigh on impossible if it's pouring rain or you've just given it your all and are a sweaty knackered mess! That's when touchscreen buttons are useless and you need buttons.
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Watch for runners
- Thread starter unclejamaal
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Not easy at all, nigh on impossible if it's pouring rain or you've just given it your all and are a sweaty knackered mess! That's when touchscreen buttons are useless and you need buttons.
The new armbands give pretty good accuracy but they're still optical! For the best accuracy I would go chest strap as they read the electrical impulses from your heart.
Some say the chest straps are a little more uncomfortable to wear but they don't bother me at all so I go with them.
I've been a Garmin user since the big, boxy Forerunner 101. The number one thing that keeps me with Garmin over an Apple or Android watch is battery life. Charging my Venu 2 every 5 to 7 days is where I want to be. I'd love to try an AW Ultra, but I want the better battery life Garmin delivers.
Oh... of course. Armbands would have to be optical. Chest strap it is. Got any favorite chest straps to recommend? Not needing anything fancy.
I'm doing a block of marathon training using the Apple Watch Series 6 as my only training watch. Works great for my needs. I often use a HR chest strap from Garmin that I originally bought for my bike computer (a Garmin Edge 530) as it gives more accurate and instant results than any optical HR meter can, but on easier rides and runs I just use the watch's sensor without any issues. I moved away from a Garmin watch in order to have Apple Music and my podcasts always with me as I prefer to not bring a phone with me unless I'm far away from home. I have the GPS only version and just download what I want to bring (podcasts update automatically of course).
Garmin devices/serivces have more training features built in, but with the Apple Watch it is easy to install any thing you like to replace those capabilities. My three current favorites are WorkOutDoors for general activities (and for downloading trail maps to the watch), Athlytic for tracking recovery and sleep, and Runna for my structured marathon training. Then of course there are other good apps like Apple's Workouts and Strava.
I just got the battery replaced on my 4 year old Series 6 and it can easily handle 3-4 hours of running without me worrying about the battery. If I have my phone with me the battery will last much longer as the iPhone is used for the GPS tracking.
Garmin devices/serivces have more training features built in, but with the Apple Watch it is easy to install any thing you like to replace those capabilities. My three current favorites are WorkOutDoors for general activities (and for downloading trail maps to the watch), Athlytic for tracking recovery and sleep, and Runna for my structured marathon training. Then of course there are other good apps like Apple's Workouts and Strava.
I just got the battery replaced on my 4 year old Series 6 and it can easily handle 3-4 hours of running without me worrying about the battery. If I have my phone with me the battery will last much longer as the iPhone is used for the GPS tracking.
I use the Polar H10 (the Gold Standard of chest straps) but prior to that I had a wahoo Tickr which also did the job.
I guess we just will disagree. Certainly I have no difficulty swiping right to the pause/end/segment display, and I have used the AW in every possible weather condition since v1 AW. Like I said, I tolerate +/- one or two seconds, no problem. If I want more precise accuracy (e.g. 100m times, which personally I never need), I would use the stopwatch function, which on the AWUltra is either a display touch choice or a button; I still would use the display touch.
I would suggest that any runner buying an AW should buy the AW Ultra, any version. As to battery, I have never had an issue. IMO only an ultra runner exceeding ~18 hours run time might want a device with better battery life, but that is just a guess based on the fact that I have never personally had the AW Ultra [first version] run down the battery in less than ~ a 24-hour period, and also I have never trained at ultra distances. YMMV obviously, and newer versions of the AW Ultra have more modern batteries.
Qualifier: I liked the other AWs but absolutely love the AW Ultra. It suits me perfectly as a watch.
I have an AW ultra and a Garmin Fenix
Both are fantastic but they do different things.
AW is by far the best fitness watch.
Garmin is by far the best training watch.
I use AW to monitor my running, weight workouts, walking, HIIT sessions. It provides excellent quality feedback about my condition and performance. It offers me praise and celebration for the times I get up and actually do some thing. I am currently using it to monitor my training for the Paris Marathon.
My Garmin is amazing if I train for a half marathon, it builds a program for me, monitors my progress and adjusts it accordingly based on my performance. It doesn’t have a marathon programme!
But it is brutal. The times when I have finished a fourteen mile run only to see the one word feedback is UNPRODUCTIVE are particularly dark. It means that I should have done something else, fartlecks or whatever, I don’t care, I’ve just done two hours.
Battery life - inconsequential
If you use AW you will have got in the habit of charging every night. It’ll more than last.
Best thing. I run every Thursday, listening to my music and podcasts, to the pub, where I use Apple Pay to buy beer. All with my iPhone at home.
Both are fantastic but they do different things.
AW is by far the best fitness watch.
Garmin is by far the best training watch.
I use AW to monitor my running, weight workouts, walking, HIIT sessions. It provides excellent quality feedback about my condition and performance. It offers me praise and celebration for the times I get up and actually do some thing. I am currently using it to monitor my training for the Paris Marathon.
My Garmin is amazing if I train for a half marathon, it builds a program for me, monitors my progress and adjusts it accordingly based on my performance. It doesn’t have a marathon programme!
But it is brutal. The times when I have finished a fourteen mile run only to see the one word feedback is UNPRODUCTIVE are particularly dark. It means that I should have done something else, fartlecks or whatever, I don’t care, I’ve just done two hours.
Battery life - inconsequential
If you use AW you will have got in the habit of charging every night. It’ll more than last.
Best thing. I run every Thursday, listening to my music and podcasts, to the pub, where I use Apple Pay to buy beer. All with my iPhone at home.
Just say "Hey Siri - Pause My Workout" - problem solved!
Battery is fine with 6 ish hours most of the time. If you want uploaded GPX routes to be able to follow, buy the WorkOutDoors app for $4.99, and it’ll give you a Garmin-like interface, and followable GPX routes, as well as insanely vast data customisation options.
I am not a big fan of armband trackers. I used them few years back at orange theory and life time. AW or my polar was much better than those. Chest straps are just too uncomfortable for me. In the end there are always trade offs.
I run 2-3 miles three times a week, and do Apple Fitness+ three times a week.
That’s as well as walking the dog at least 2-3 miles a day.
And for all these I use my Apple Watch Ultra.
I use a Nike Sport Loop strap when working out or running to get a comfy but firm fit.
I have found heart rate to be reliable, and starting/stopping workouts is easy.
The GPS tracking has been pretty spot on and reliable.
I don’t take my iPhone when running, and use a playlist loaded to my AWU along with some Beats Powerbeats Pro’s.
Walking the dog I’ll have my iPhone ands AirPods Pro.
But I’m no professional athlete or ultra runner, so may not be pushing it to the max.
I generally get 24-36 hours battery life, and that is with wearing it at night for sleep data.
I guess battery life could be better, but it works for me and isn’t a problem.
That’s as well as walking the dog at least 2-3 miles a day.
And for all these I use my Apple Watch Ultra.
I use a Nike Sport Loop strap when working out or running to get a comfy but firm fit.
I have found heart rate to be reliable, and starting/stopping workouts is easy.
The GPS tracking has been pretty spot on and reliable.
I don’t take my iPhone when running, and use a playlist loaded to my AWU along with some Beats Powerbeats Pro’s.
Walking the dog I’ll have my iPhone ands AirPods Pro.
But I’m no professional athlete or ultra runner, so may not be pushing it to the max.
I generally get 24-36 hours battery life, and that is with wearing it at night for sleep data.
I guess battery life could be better, but it works for me and isn’t a problem.
First, a little background: I am an avid, albeit not long-distance runner. My longest runs are 6-7 miles. Last year I ran 1600 miles.
Questions:
• any runners here which Apple Watch do you use and why?
I started with the very first Apple Watch and now run with my Ultra. I switched from a Garmin. The Garmin was okay, but I got tired of waiting for it to connect to satellite.
• is the battery life good for trail runs and 10ks and HMs? When I’m out on the trails it’s typically around 2 hours.
I do some hiking and 2+ hours is no problem.
• can I use All Trails or OS Maps on the watch to show me directions of a loaded up route ?
Yes. I use All Trails.
• on a WiFi only version can I load up a specific podcast episode or episodes , leave the phone behind and use AirPods to listen to the episode ? I’m specifically thinking just 30 mins walks where I don’t want to take the phone with me
Yes. My Ultra has 20-30 podcasts and an Audible book or two on it at all times.
Questions:
• any runners here which Apple Watch do you use and why?
I started with the very first Apple Watch and now run with my Ultra. I switched from a Garmin. The Garmin was okay, but I got tired of waiting for it to connect to satellite.
• is the battery life good for trail runs and 10ks and HMs? When I’m out on the trails it’s typically around 2 hours.
I do some hiking and 2+ hours is no problem.
• can I use All Trails or OS Maps on the watch to show me directions of a loaded up route ?
Yes. I use All Trails.
• on a WiFi only version can I load up a specific podcast episode or episodes , leave the phone behind and use AirPods to listen to the episode ? I’m specifically thinking just 30 mins walks where I don’t want to take the phone with me
Yes. My Ultra has 20-30 podcasts and an Audible book or two on it at all times.
Although I'm not a runner per-se (sub 5k per week). All my aquaintances that are into the sport use Garmins with chest bands, from my understanding the quality of the monitoring and the QoL are superior.
Personally I caved into my curiosity and got a 7s (I absolutely loathe the size of the 47 / AWU) and have been satisfied by the transformation of battery life into a non-factor (my Ti 7 at 80% battery health sucked).
To be noted, I get calendar notifications and mails to the watch, nothing more. This was already the fact with the AW so to me the potential loss of function is a non factor. YMMV
Personally I caved into my curiosity and got a 7s (I absolutely loathe the size of the 47 / AWU) and have been satisfied by the transformation of battery life into a non-factor (my Ti 7 at 80% battery health sucked).
To be noted, I get calendar notifications and mails to the watch, nothing more. This was already the fact with the AW so to me the potential loss of function is a non factor. YMMV
I was a Garmin user, switch to AW as I had multiple issues with the 935 and 945 ECG plastic cracking. I've been using an Ultra 1 and now an Ultra 2. Old article I wrote at the time https://greghilton.co.uk/moving-from-garmin-to-apple-watch/
Will be absolutely fine for HMs. I use an app called Workoutdoors, you can download maps, set routes and follow them, zoom in to find extra paths/different ways home if needed. Contour lines etc can all be used/viewed. It doesn't do turn by turn directions but you can set alerts if you go off route. You can configure it more ways than you can imagine!
and yes you can download music/podcasts and listen when running.
edit: please disregard. I should probably have my keyboard taken away this morning
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Why are you re-pasting in reformatted questions from the initial post of this thread? Like, this is the exact text from the OP, 40 posts in.
So he can answer the questions asked which he has under the original text questions!
Oh man… I completely missed that too. I thought that account must have been a chatbot regurgitating someone else’s post and I almost said something regretful before you!
I do it quite easily on every run with just my thumb and no contortions (AW S7). I do have the orientation set so the crown is lower left and side button is upper left (not for this reason, that orientation just makes more sense to me), maybe that helps?
I use a AWU2, and run quite a lot (65-100 kilometers a week). It’s more then enough for me, it easily last a HM for me, and a marathon as well. I have a friend who has a AW8, and that can also survive a marathon. We both run the HM around 1.28.12, and the marathon around 3.12.00. We both run without music.
App wise, I use YouRace. Great app that can use gpx files for routing, and it got map built in. I find AllTrails missing some metrics if I remember correctly.
Music/podcast, I use cellular, haven’t tried to download music.
I'd go with an AW Ultra especially if you plan on using it over the cellular network during your workouts. I haven’t been doing many outdoor activities the last few months (due to cold weather), but always appreciate the extra battery life when I am doing hikes or outdoor 5Ks. I never have to worry about the watch dying mid workout.
I’m not sure I’d consider the best running watch, I know a lot of people who prefer their garmins or other running specific watches. The Apple Watch works for people like me who like to run casually. It's a good catch-all device for every workout or activity.
I’m not sure I’d consider the best running watch, I know a lot of people who prefer their garmins or other running specific watches. The Apple Watch works for people like me who like to run casually. It's a good catch-all device for every workout or activity.
I went from my series 4 to the Ultra 2 primarily for battery life. Admittedly, the series 4 was struggling due to age, but I wanted a watch that’d handle a whole day out of the house and a full marathon in the middle of that, all without having my phone with me.
I generally use the Strava app for running (the Apple workout for walking). I have Strava set to auto-pause so it stops when I do, giving me plenty of time to stop the app when I’m done.
I generally use the Strava app for running (the Apple workout for walking). I have Strava set to auto-pause so it stops when I do, giving me plenty of time to stop the app when I’m done.