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vo2 max for trail running, is it accurate?

oBuTTuSo
over 1 year ago

I run just for fun and do not have any goals for my training so my values doesn't really matter, but I want them to be accurate anyway...

So because of that I have disabled vo2 max registration for trail running, because how would the watch know what surface I run on, the number of roots and rocks etc...?

Or does it have some secret super formula so that it can estimate it quite correctly anyway?

For those of you that have it enabled, does it match the values from regular runs or does it differ a lot?

(I use a HRM Run chest strap if that matters)

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    Even on flat surfaces the vo2max garmin calculates is off. Garmins algorithm has a bias towards high intensity intervals. Those can skyrocket your vo2max.

    If you want to know your vo2max more accurate, do a coopertest. If you want to know it very accurate, do a test at a sport medical center. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Elbo

    For me it doesn't have to be accurate in that sense, as long as it's consistent and I can see the trends...

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to oBuTTuSo

    Problem is, you see trends in the way you train, not necessarily in your performance. If I train for shorter races and do more high intensity intervals, my vo2max skyrockets. If I train more for long races, my vo2max returns to more normal values.

    It also depends a bit. Do you want useful info about your current state or do you want to collect as much data as possible. For that last one, a garmin is perfect.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Elbo

    :-)

    I guess I'll just turn it on, cross my fingers and see what happens then... Because I like trails a lot more then tarmac so it would be nice if it shows somewhat equal.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to oBuTTuSo

    Yeh, trail running is great fun.

    But I also like road races and track training. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Elbo

    While speaking Trail Running, what about those 3D Speed and Distance settings, good or bad?

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to oBuTTuSo

    In theory, it should work. It’s pretty cpu intensive to calculate, what I understood from it, so there is a batterylife panalty to pay.

    How important is current speed on a trail run?  And does it matter if the pace shown is slightly higher uphill? (Compared to no 3d speed)

    And more important, if the trail run organizers say the trail is 28k, is that 3d distance or not? (Probably not)

    Maybe you noticed, I find a lot of features on a garmin marketing bs. ;)

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Elbo

    ok, I'll just enable 3D distance then,  for my own amusement only and run on one of my hilly places to see what what it does compared to my previous attempts there

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to oBuTTuSo

    It should be visible, I hope.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I have it enabled. In my experience, the watch does not handle elevation well, especially if it is steep and or very technical. In mountain runs, the Garmin VO2max typically drops by one or two points. When I run flatter runs, it increases again. 

    As with many of the numbers that Garmin spits out, they are fun but take them with a grain of salt.