Interval training
More fun with my GPS toy. Tonight I paddled a 1000m/500m times seven program. That is 1000m all out followed by 500m rest paddling. The wind was in my back and I couldn’t get myself to turn around before I was through with all the intervals. The speed of this boat(Shadow) keeps impressing me. When I paddled back into the wind in an easy pace I was still going 10 km/h. I had programmed the GPS with the program before the start and it worked like a charm. As always I picked up the program from the danish ropro homepage. I suspect the page makes sense even if you don’t read danish.
The training diagram showing 7 peaks for each interval. I was holding back during the first interval as the GPS kept sounding an alarm as I was going faster than 12 km/h. Next intervals I just started to ignore/enjoy the alarm.
Test 1
I am using Garmin Edge 305 for paddling too and also occasionally for other activities (biking, inline skating).
I wonder if the altimeter in your device works OK. It’s not important for paddling, but I am getting 200m in elevation duing 5 mile paddle.
OK, let’s see now if you comments work …
Cool. I was never able to comment on your blog before.
So, another question about Edge 305: burnt calories. I like to ues this feature to compare different activities. It seems that it work in Edge 305 OK for biking or skating, but for paddling the results don’t make any sense. Maybe, they are using speed somehow in the algorithm to calculate calories and 6mph with a kayak is just not enough to trigger it.
Hi Marek
In an attempt to get rid of spambots I completely broke the comment system in the previous installation of this blog software. Sorry about that.
Now as for the Edge 305, I think the best place for expert opinions is at the MotionBased forums:
http://forums.motionbased.com/smf/index.php‘
They have a number of discussions on the validity of the calories count. Apparently Garmin doesn’t even use the heartbeat data for calculating the expended calories. I’ve removed the calories count from my display.
The altimeter in my device seems to work within the limits of GPS altitude precision. But I’ve only checked it once as I’m only using it for paddling.
Something else. I’ve been thinking about sharing some of my workouts. But the programs would have to refer to some standardized speed limits. Here in Denmark the racers use the levels T0, T1, .. T4 to denote various levels of intensity. T0 is easy paddling with 10 strokes pr. 10 seconds while T4 is all out with 18 strokes pr. 10 seconds. Well I’m still considering.
It would be great if you could share some of your workouts!
In addition to simple recording my time on water and some simple intervals I an using Edge 305 to record data for the virtual race:
http://virtualrace.fit2paddle.com/
It would also be great if you could record some of your times in different kayaks you are paddling. Currently, there are two marathon distances 5 miles (8 km) and 10 miles (16 km) which should be paddled on a closed loop course and 1000 m sprint.
That’s a pretty cool way to track a workout. What amazing technology we have these days.
Hi,
just found your blog a couple of days ago and have enjoyed reading your regular commentary. I think I found it because I was looking for info on a Garmin Forerunner 201. I do marathon kayaking and paddle an Elio Bull. Effectively a training boat so it’s pretty stable. Well, very stable really, but not that fast.
I bought the Forerunner 201 so that I could track speed and distance on my training sessions since I was never really able to tell how fast I was going which meant on race day I would be off the pace. The tool is brilliant and I looked up that danish page you had to see info about GPS tools but I couldn’t translate it. It seems that these guys put their GPS tools in waterproof cases.
It seems that the Forerunner would be better off in an aquapac or that plastic case at the bottom of that page looks good. Any idea where I could get one?
I haven’t been down any rough water courses with the Forerunner yet, but the next race is a rough water race and the one after is the big one, the Liffey Descent.
So what’s frustrating me is I can’t get my cruising speed above 10km/h. I know the boat is slow, so I’m never competitive. I guess I’ll need to buy a new boat! I’m thinking of going straight for the racing boat, Nelo Vanquish or Elio F16 and spend the winter getting used to it.
By the way, I paddle in Ireland.
Good website.
AlanD
Hi Alan
Happy you like the website.
The small plastic case for the Forerunner is invented by my local kayak dealer Max: http://max-kayak.dk
It’s produced under the ‘Padler’ brand: http://www.padler.dk
I see they also have dealers abroad.
On a related note – my Echo doesn’t seem to work now. Must have been the rain yesterday…
/Peter
Hi,
I have the Garmin Forerunner 301 with heart rate monitor. I’ve been using it for training as well. Love it. I also use it to “race” a virtual partner although that can get annoying if I program my partner to race to fast for the conditions that day.
Enjoy reading your blog.
-Susanita
Hi guys to get the most out of my training I combine the use of a GPS to give me my speed, a wetronome to beep me into set paddle cadences, and my heart rate monitor to make sure I’m not over exerting, with the combination of these little tools I am getting faster and more confident in my races. Recently completed a 111km over night race in 11hrs 50mins whihc inlcuded a 20 minute unscheduled stop due to equipment failure and 50 minutes of Checkpoint time to feed and change clothes. VEry different temperatures as you paddle through the night. I paddle in Australia.
Hi Peter,
Interesting website…
I’m moving to Denmark (jels) from Ireland in January 2007. I am a mid level racing paddler and am wondering if you can advise on a suitable club near jels that I can join. I’d like to be able to train with a group of similar ability (2 mins for 500m standard?)…
Regards
Dave
Hi Dave
That’s an easy question to answer. The city Kolding is a 20 minutes drive away from Jels. Kolding Kayak Club – http://www.koldingkajakklub.dk – has some very strong racers you can train with. Perhaps I’ll see you in one of the 10km racers during winter then. Kolding is usually represented.
Best regards Peter