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Need help creating a workout - 24 min. hill repeats

SKIRTONBEAR
2 months ago

I've got a group training run today. We're doing hill repeats, for 24 minutes, after a warm-up which will likely be a mile.

The hill repeats workout I already have repeats for a specific number of times up a hill. What I need to do is find out how to do a repeat that's based on time, but won't start until we get to the base of the hill and won't end until the 24 minutes is done.

I have tried several times and cannot figure out how to do this. I use my Garmin connect app on my phone or on my desktop to set them up.

  • +1 2 months ago

    Yeah... There is no logic for nested objectives like 'For the next 24 minutes Do 10 times xxx'. Not with Garmin, nor with Coros or Suunto (the manufacturers where I have experience).

    You'll have to use a maximised open structure based on Lap presses (or time/distance within the Rep section) and then end the workout - when the 24 minutes have expired - by long pressing the Up button and selecting 'Cancel Workout' (Edit: The middle button on the left side of the watch... I erroneously first said long press the Lap button...). After that the session is still running so you can do the Cool Down until you press Start/Stop as usual. Here's a picture I just did with Garmin maximum Reps:

    Obs: The last step with a few seconds running is because Garmin lately have made it impossible to end a structured workout by 'Lap Button Press'.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to soptunna

    Yeah, I thought so.  Here's what I ended up using. And you're right, so my biggest problem is being able to focus on which button to press when it is time to press one--I wasn't sure if I should hit the lap button every time I made it to the top or to the bottom of the hill. One of our coaches did have us turn on the autolap; by distance, which helped.

    As someone who suffers with severe dyscalculia I cannot focus on my mechanics and keep track of time/reps/distance, anything involving numbers.  There's no doing runner's math while away from my desk.  And since this was a group run and I arrive last at the hill, I can't rely on what anyone else was doing (different repeat times for each of us based on our level).

    I like your hack for ending it.  I noticed that recently, but assumed it was a mistake on my end.  I'm going to add it to the rest of my workouts!

    Thanks!

      my workout setup image

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to SKIRTONBEAR

    Interesting brain wiring, that dyscalculia thing. I thought my own 'little sin' of usually touching fingertips when counting was bad enough - at the age of 65. In your situation I would try to really simplify. Eg:

    Consider using two timepieces. Your FR255 started with a normal Run session (no structured workout), and another very basic time counter on the other wrist that you engage when the 24 minutes starts. No Lap presses, no counting, just running and keeping an eye on the count up wrist. The graph in Connect will later tell you about the Reps performed, by the pace differences.

    I have often done activities using two watches. Sometimes to complement, at other times to extend simultaneous data points or just to compare data.

    However, I've recently taken a decision to simplify my activity life 'in absurdum'. Having used ever more complicated watches for the last 13 years, they now feel like shackles. All I really need is something to tell the time...

    So, wednesday the below classic diving watch arrives. Mechanical and cheap! Using it in your 24 minutes scenario I would turn the timing ring until the minute hand aligns with 36, and then run until the minute hand reaches the triangle marker. Simple. Relief.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to soptunna

    Being an engineer, my brain is the opposite. It really enjoys doing math while I am running. It keeps calculating percentages of current lap, percentage og complete distance, average pace, and seconds left until next event. It distracts me from feeling exhausted by the running. 

    If I had dyscalculia, I would probably prepare a paper note with times and distances, and run with it in my hand. If it was a session I had planned to do regularly, I would laminate it.

  • 0 1 month ago in reply to ovekvam
    ovekvam said:
    Being an engineer, my brain is the opposite.

    So in the above turning of the timing ring you would go: 60-24=36 :-D I used an imaginary finger sliding backwards from the triangle, stopping at the markers, mumbling: 10, 20 aaannd 4...

    From what I read, dyscalculia can manifest with difficulty even reading the numbers. And flipping them around, like seeing a 6 where it says 9. Paper notes might then be unfeasible. I had never heard about this condition, unlike the now quite common knowledge surrounding dyslexia, and will definitely query my teacher friend at our next swimming session.

  • 0 22 days ago in reply to SKIRTONBEAR

    This worked!  No need to hit any buttons once I begin the first hill.

    After the completed workout uploaded to my phone I could see my hills and my recoveries visually, under the Charts tab looking at the Elevation visual chart.  That's how I knew how many hills I had accomplished in the allotted time. It's also obvious in the Run/Walk chart.

    This is big as I'm training for CIM and we'll do different Hill Repeats by time; I'll just duplicate the workout and change the amount of time.  We run the same hill which is .135 miles, so the distance doesn't change, but if it did it won't matter the way this is set up.   

  • 0 22 days ago in reply to ovekvam

    The issue is always that we can't READ numbers properly, especially if we are stressed and a workout is stressful, so a note, even on paper, isn't going to be read right.  I have a Garmin so that it can count for me and tell me audibly when to start/stop, turn around, recover/run.  Prior, coaches had to focus on me only, to start and stop 400s, 200s, 20/30 seconds:  it was embarrassing. 

    Yesterday was my Half-marathon and I started late: was stuck in a porta-potty when the gun went off for my heat.  I started my watch when I reached the start line, but knew I was a few minutes behind: no idea how far behind.  I stuck to the intervals set and ran hard/power walked and caught two pacers, but could't finish with the second one.  However, since I started so late, I actually PR'd and finished officially before the second pacer and his group.  I couldn't calculate, but I could rely on my watch to pace me audibly.  This is why it's so important to me to get my settings right!  I just kept reminding myself that I started late and if I caught the 3:00 pacer I might be close to my goal 2:45-50.  I finished 2:55 according to my Garmin which was great after having tummy issues and not being able to use any nutrition on the course.

    I Love My GARMIN!

  • 0 19 days ago in reply to SKIRTONBEAR
    SKIRTONBEAR said:
    I Love My GARMIN!

    Your enthusiasm put a smile on my face (we all need that little muscle exercise now and then). And congratulations on your HM PR!

    You wrote: "This worked! No need to hit any buttons once I begin the first hill"

    Yes, after I had suggested you run with two watches, my brain slowly surfaced the realisation that you already had created the most simple solution with that 24 minutes segment in your structured workout (which functions like my imaginary second stopwatch).