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Running power, training status and performance condition battery impact

2439062
over 2 years ago
Hey,
I have Fenix 7X and use it mostly for running and stretching. Last update added running power and it was "whow!" for me, added to one of data screen... but in reality... I do not need this option. I train using MAF method (low intensity) and longer distances including ultra.

My question: does active power have any battery impact?

Similar question to performance condition and training status: most of the time, Garmin informs me about lack of intensive workouts, but it's 100% intentional, most of time I train in 2 or 3 HR zone and do not need to go to 4 or 5.

Battery life is still amazing, but it is the most important factor for me, and if it is possible, I want to disable all unnecessary items.
Any thoughts?
  • 0 over 2 years ago

    All these features use computing power (CPU, memory, storage) so it is hard to argue there is no battery impact.

    However, it *has to be* negligible compared to GPS, ,music, screen and connectivity.

    You can turn power off and performance condition off, but not training status. I am not sure you will see a measurable benefit though.

    2439062 said:
    most of time I train in 2 or 3 HR zone and do not need to go to 4 or 5

    Interesting. Low intensity training can maintain/develop VO2 Max, but, used exclusively, is sub-optimal, even for very long endurance races.

    https://www.trainingpeaks.com/guides/ultra-marathon-training/

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to Etupes25

    Thanks for info!

    About training, quote from linked article:

    For the Lakeland 100, I ran around 90 to 95 percent of my training volume comfortably under my aerobic threshold. At first these runs felt painfully, embarrassingly slow, but I was able to recover better after every workout. As a result I became more aerobically efficient and I generally felt far less drained and exhausted. I was also able to start racking up greater training volumes because I wasn’t thrashing myself during every session.

    I use MAF + recommendations from Training for the Uphill Athlete book and after over the year can say: it's very simple and works fine so.. I do not want to change anything. One parkrun per week with some more effort is enough 
  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 2439062

    I see what you are doing here Slight smile. You picked the only paragraph that doesn't talk about high intensity workouts!

    Further below:

    or further below

    The reason I am point this out is to reflect on the utility of power for training with intervals. Using HR zones doesn't work well for fartleks, high aerobic intervals. With power, you can do these intervals without getting your HR too high for too long.

    Also, using pace doesn't work very well for hill training. How do you run "tempo" up-hill like Kipchoge does? You actually run at a tempo power...

    Now during a very long race on flat terrain, you probably don't need power, pace or HR would be OK. If the terrain is hilly, you can target your power just at your first ventilatory treshold and stay there, uphill or not.

    Anyway, just some thoughts.