Feature request: distribute load points across the range of efforts of a run rather than all to single load type

Using my Fenix 7 for the last 2 months I understand that the load points after every run are all assigned to a single load type. E.g. in October I've carried out 3 Progressive Runs, something like 1/3 Low Aerobic + 1/3 High Aerobic + 1/3 Anaerobic, or 2/5 + 2/5 + 1/5 respectively. In all those occasions, load points were assigned all to High Aerobic load type which makes very hard to balance the load focus. Since High Aerobic and Anaerobic will gain load points much faster (which is indeed very intuitive) than Low Aerobic, this latter will always lag much behind unless a large specific effort is done to compensate (as very well documented here in the forum with lot of dedicated topics), leading to the notorious "Low Aerobic Shortage" issue.

Would it be more helpful if the load points were distributed to each load type carried out inside a single run ? Or, if there's a specific reason for the model/algorithm to work like it currently does, would it make sense to add a further activity type like "Progressive Run" where the watch behaves differently than a normal run ?

Currently the only other way around this is to stop the run session on the watch when increasing the effort and start a new one at that point, gaining 3 smaller running sessions rather than a larger one without actually stopping the running legs meanwhile. It might work though cumbersome and actually not registering the real training workout in the history as a progressive.

I'd love to hear feedback from other users as well about this.

  • I used to have this problem, but since I did a max heart rate test (kinda figured something was very wrong, because I could cycle at "max HR" for quite some time) and updated my settings, it's been much easier to get low aerobic points and harder to gain anaerobic points--which makes sense if your max HR is actually 10 points higher than you thought Smiley.

  • Thanks . The problem I'd like to address is not the impossibility to gain low aerobic points: I've consistently succeeded in that by running dedicated Lentos made 90-95% of HR2 runs (actually, sub 80% HRmax as the model doesn't seem to actually respect your custom-set HR zones but rather % of HRmax). The problem is getting low aerobic points (even as few as due) when you run 30 minutes at sub 80% HRmax within a longer run where you also increase your HR to High Aerobic and/or Anaerobic (then gaining those respective load points as well).

  • Yes, of course. I'm just saying that it is possible to score low aerobic and anaerobic points in the same activity. I'm not sure about the distribution of low and high aerobic points, though, because that's another differentiation.

  • Oh, that's what I can't seem to succeed into.

    I've run progressive initially at 144bpm about, then at 155bpm and finally at 165bpm and always got zero Low Aerobic points (and all points all to only one effort type, i.e. High Aerobic).

    I've run 45min only at the same 144bpm about  (95% of it at least) and got all and only Low Aerobic points.

    So apparently (to me) running exactly at the same intensity but either in a dedicated run or within a larger and differentiated one makes all the difference in my current experience. How can I get the different result you mention?

  • I'm not sure exactly, but as I said, I updated my max HR settings. I did a ride a few days ago that involved a lot of power zone 1 and 2 riding and some power zone 7 sprints. Training Effect was Base, with 3,0 Impacting Aerobic and 2,8 Maintaining Anaerobic.

  • And when you go to the Training Status report on Garmin's website and check the Excercise Load graph (or in the Mobile app go to Training Status --> Load --> Excercise Load) can you see you got Load Points for both Low Aerobic and High Aerobic (or Anaerobic) for the very same activity ?

  • I got points for both Low Aerobic and Anaerobic, yes. I don't know if it's possible to score Low and High Aerobic points in the same activity, because it's the same system at work. Someone more knowledgeable than me might know, but low aerobic+anaerobic is definitely possible. 

  • I think it report the 'predominate' gain but awards point across the board . ie if you run 'base' you will still get some 'high aerobic points' also for low aerobic it HR vs time.

    so even if you ran in a low aerobic HR if you ran 26 miles it would be all High aerobic.

    Thats why I keep all my low aerobic runs under 10KM , even splitting them with a short break  if Im running further 

  • Yes, splitting the runs currently seems the only "sure" way to have a proper classification when mixing effort types for some sustained amount of time each.

  • I don't know if it's possible to score Low and High Aerobic points in the same activity, because it's the same system at work

    The watch uses the duration of intervals, the length of intervals, and your HR during these intervals as a % of your VO2Max HR to evaluate the contribution of the aerobic and anaerobic system. Depending on the score you get on each system, the watch gives you a workout label.

    Here are some examples provided by Garmin/Firsbeat.

    https://www.firstbeatanalytics.com/en/features/workout-labels/

    This illustrates how you can get 3 benefits levels out of 2 metabolic system scores :-)

    Don't try to execute workouts to get labels to match your training focus. Let the watch do the work!

    As you run your suggested workouts, you might find yourself in a situation where the training label you get at the end of the workout is not the same as the purpose of the workout. For example, you execute a suggested Threshold Workout and it will end up being labeled as a Tempo workout. That is not ideal, but it is OK, because the suggested workouts are very good, provided you feed your watch with a variety of efforts.

    I have been verifying the pace/power target, number of intervals and duration of intervals of suggested workouts, and found them spot on, although there was some issues with VO2max targets until recently. Base, Tempo, Threshold and Sprint targets were always very consistent with other well established systems like Dr Coggan individualized training levels.

    https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/epix-2/307200/solved-wrong-power-targets-of-biking-daily-workout-suggestion

    To get good Sprint suggested workout, I strongly recommend you actually do 100m or 200m sprints from time to time, to make sure the watch records your MaxPace or MaxPower. I saw a big difference doing so. Previously, my sprint power target were too low, more like in the VO2Max range.

    For VO2Max workouts, the jury is still out. For some reason, the targets become more accurate the day of the training, and are low/off looking several days ahead.

    For Threshold suggested workouts, you should see a target similar to your Threshold Pace (after you run a very doable lactate threshold run test). But these are separate silos of data. Suggested Workouts only use VO2Max data. Having them being similar tells you that your VO2Max model is OK.