Training Status and VO2 - soft sand running

I have a fairly regular training schedule. One or two days a week I will do a soft sand run, so my pace is much slower even though I am making the same effort.

The trouble is that this seems to penalise both my Training Status and (I think) my VO2 max. As per the FirstBeat explanation of how it is all calculated, pace is taken into account, which I’m guessing is the problem. I’ve seen a number of other threads relating to this but no solutions as yet (so not particularly hopeful here!)

Anyone got any new insights into this?

Thanks

0 mcalista over 5 years ago

Yes, on an unstable surface like that, your pace will be slower for the same effort, which will throw off the VO2Max calculation.

Use the Trail Run activity for this - this still records Training Load and Training Effect, but will not calculate VO2Max for these runs.

0 Lemerv over 5 years ago

Thanks. I was wondering if the activity type made a difference. Will give that a go.

Do do you know if the Training Load and Training Effect, despite still being calculated, are more “lenient” (if that’s the right word) when doing a trail run?

0 mcalista over 5 years ago

Both of those metrics are based on intensity (as measured by heart rate) and time. The slower speeds of trail running will not affect these.

0 Lemerv over 5 years ago

Ok good to know thanks.

0 8150475 2 months ago in reply to mcalista

Good call! But I tried it this morning and my pace was 6:50/km and I was still getting penalized. I wonder if you can edit these activities?

0 trux 2 months ago in reply to 8150475

8150475 said:
I wonder if you can edit these activities?

You can edit the activities, but it won't have any effect on the VO₂max already recorded. However, if you do another run under good conditions, your VO₂max will be adjusted accordingly. Next time, when you do not want to have the VO₂max calculated when not running under optimal conditions, think about selecting the Trail Run profile, and make sure VO₂max detection is disabled in its settings.