Question regarding Unproductive Training Status

Possibly because it was a very hard effort. I would expect such efforts to have a detrimental effect on fitness, at least in the short term. However, it might also depend on how much history you have in the device too. It can take a while for the device to 'learn' your training patterns. FWIW, I never focus too much on the judgments from my 935. It doesn't know when I'm running at an easy pace for muscular recovery and will decide I'm being unproductive. More important for you to know what you are doing then get 'mesmerised' by the science and judgmental comments.

Curious why my training status reflected Unproductive.

Hi Nick,

First of all, congrats on your race!

Training Status is the result of the relationship between your Training Load / training history and changes in your cardiorespiratory fitness level (VO2max).

The dreaded "Unproductive" status simply means that your Training Load is high enough to challenge you, but your fitness level (VO2max) is decreasing. The amount of the decrease may not be a full point, or showing up in your VO2max display... yet. But, essentially, your performance was a bit more effortful than usual.

How'd you get there? I'd guess it probably has something to do with a lot of activity an a lack of sufficient recovery in the week(s) leading up to your race. Perhaps if you'd eased up and tapered a bit before your event, you'd have cruised to an even better result.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for feedback. I have run over 225 miles since 3/8/18 when I got the watch. Herman you are right. I did taper a little preparing for the race, but being a runaholic has its’ disadvantages. The sickness continues ran 7.5 e on Sunday and a real ez 10 miler this morning. Rest day Tues. The watch reflected 75 hours recovery after the race. Down to 23 hours today.
Phillip, I agree, I can get too wrapped up in the numbers and fall into analysis paralysis. You would think after running nearly 89,000 miles over the last 42 years I would have a pretty feel for my condition. I just feel so fortunate to be able to run.
PS I was the 3rd oldest guy in the race. Finished 238 of 776 finishers. Nick

Wow, Nick. You're a machine.

Based on what you've shared there, it looks to me like your Forerunner has a good sense of what's going on and is giving you accurate feedback about your training situation.

Getting out of the "Unproductive" status is almost certainly just a question of giving your body a chance to rest and catch up to itself.

Good luck out there.

Herman, thanks so much for the feedback, it is much appreciated. I love the Firstbeat numbers/data. I often list my street creds when I post so members know I am not a guy who is into leather bands- for a running watch(?) or screen protectors. It is interesting to me the Forerunner Forums doesn’t present more running info from running members. Anyways, I appreciate the work you and your folks do.
PS late this morning my recovery time reached zero! My training load sits at 664 with a rest day today. Is that a lot? I plan on running another ex 8-9 miler on Wednesday. My sickness continues:) Nick

Runn, I'm curious how do you know your recovery time reached zero? I only get a glimpse of my recovery right after a run. Can't figure out where to go to see it after that short window. Thanks and congrats on an awesome race!

Runn, I'm curious how do you know your recovery time reached zero? I only get a glimpse of my recovery right after a run. Can't figure out where to go to see it after that short window. Thanks and congrats on an awesome race!

Scroll to the "Performance" widget, it's the one that has Training Status with the arrows for Fitness/Load. Then click start and it's on one of the pages you can scroll through there.

I often list my street creds when I post so members know I am not a guy who is into leather bands- for a running watch(?) or screen protectors.

While I don't think sweat and leather mix very well in the long term, if someone is prepared to treat and care for the leather bands as best he/she could, and replace the bands every so often, I don't really see anything wrong with that, especially if they also wear the Garmin device outside of vigorous exercise sessions. As for screen protectors, just yesterday I took a spill on sharp gravel while running, and luckily(?) my Forerunner is faring a bit better than my knee, elbow and palms that were all bruised and bloodied; accidents happen, and the risk of accidents increases with training volume. Since screens don't heal themselves, why would it be seen as eroding the wearer's credibility as a serious runner (which I'm not) if he/she wants to protect his/her training aid (which may double up as a lifestyle accessory) without impeding its functionality?

It is interesting to me the Forerunner Forums doesn’t present more running info from running members.

OK, what would you like to see in that regard? Garmin fitness product users usually come to this forum to discuss the application and/or implementation of the technology, instead of focus on their own athletic performance, because this isn't primarily a (general, brand-agnostic) running enthusiasts' forum.

Smug, glad you didn’t get seriously hurt.

Thank you runn.

Smug, glad you didn’t get seriously hurt.

I am not a guy who is into leather bands- for a running watch(?) or screen protectors. It is interesting to me the Forerunner Forums doesn’t present more running info from running members.

I understood what you meant LTC. Some people have to overanalyze everything.