Performance Condition and Training Status Don't Make Sense

I was in good shape until about 15 years ago. After years of slacking, I got a Garmin watch and HRM-TRI belt and started running 2 months ago (previously I was a mountain biker). Looking at all the data keeps me motivated. At first I could only run 0.25 miles without stopping. I'd walk awhile, then run again. Today I reached a goal of running the first mile non-stop, and I felt good with a reasonable HR. Ran for 35 minutes total with only 4 walking/rest periods.

Way better than I've done previously, and I felt good during and after. Definitely seeings results.

One of the metrics is "performance condition". I have sometimes seen a +4 there. Lately it's been negative. For today's run, it first reported -6, gradually increasing to -1 by the end of the run. The Training Status says "unproductive".

Up until now, I'd stop and walk as much as 10 times in a 30 to 40 minute run. Today, 1 mile continuous, 4 stops total, good HR, and feel good.

So why the crappy stats from the watch? -6 and unproductive. I want my electronic pat on the back :confused:. Do these numbers really mean anything?

I look forward to comments. Thanks.

I made this run public, I think you can look at it here:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2924114940

0 Data over 4 years ago in reply to eddiehinggarmin

Disclaimer: I am an interested amateur and there may be mistakes in what I write here.

There are good explanations of the science (by Firstbeat technologies which is used by Garmin) behind these stats: https://www.firstbeat.com/en/science-and-physiology/

Training Status is based on VO2Max and training load over time: "Training Status analyzes the patterns in your VO2max and Training Load history" VO2Max is based on "measurement of running speed along with heart rate":

"Firstbeat Analytics can automatically detect your VO2max fitness level during walking and running activities [..] The calculation relies on a combination of personal background information and data collected during your activity. This includes a focus on heart rate and running/walking speed"

From this it is not clear if they use heart rate variability or beats per minute, but I suppose HRV (BPM has less resolution, you can calculate BPM from HRV, but not the other way around), and their paper on VO2Max mentions that too: "this white paper has been produced to review the method and empirical results related to the heart rate variability and speed based VO2max estimation method from any freely performed workout developed by FirstbeatTechnologies Ltd."

These algorithms are real good at filtering out only valid data. If your HRM is not giving enough valid data for long enough (static interference from rubbing clothes, worn out electrode pads, battery is near empty, or not worn tight enough) too much may be thrown out.

Heart rate variability is based on the intervals between each heartbeat (R-R intervals) in milliseconds. Basically what each HRM measures. But.. activities I do with an old optical HRM do not contain HRV data, only BPM. I'm not sure if that old HRM sends it or not. See the ANT+ device profile HRM for more information.

You could have a look at the HRV data itself (BPM heart rate graph won't show the outliers in the data) and visually inspect how it, if it has many outliers or is stuck on one value for a long time. Not sure if Garmin Connect can do that, but Runalyze is one of the online tools that can.

Other ways to get rubbish stats: I get those for example when it is very windy: struggling, HR high, but slow going.