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Apple Versus Garmin
When my husband and I took our walk along the shaded trail on Sunday, we were surprised at how different our paces were on his Apple watch (affiliate link) versus my Garmin (affiliate link). At times our paces were 2 minutes apart even though we were walking side by side, his pace always being faster than mine. I’ve noticed when I run in the woods I feel like I’m working harder to maintain the same pace as on the street even though it’s relatively flat there as well. This always fascinates me, but I’ve yet to figure out why…
Overview of the Week
Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…
Sunday
Walking: 4 Miles
• Average pace: 16:38
• Start time: 11:30 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 86° (feels like 95°) and sunny, climbing to 88° (feels like 98°)
• What I wore: shorts, tank, and visor
After a morning of playing catchup on the blog after having no internet due to the Thursday/Friday overnight lightning strike, I headed out for a walk with my husband. Not sure why we waited until it got so hot, but at least our community has miles and miles of paved shaded trails which kept us somewhat cool.
After our walk, I took off my shoes and socks and played in the creek gathering a few more flat rocks for my back yard cairn. It won’t be complete until I bring a few rocks home from the farm later this fall and I’ll share a picture then.
Monday
Strength training: 1 hour of full body
Tuesday
Cycling: 40 miles
• Average speed: 14.4 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,965 feet
• Start time: 8:31 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail with some side country roads
• Weather: 79° (feels like 82°), sunny, and humid; climbing to 91° (feels like 102°)
• What I wore: bike bibs and s/s jersey
My friend and I planned to leave my house at 7:15 AM for a 2-hill workout; however, due to unforeseen circumstances he was late getting to my house and we didn’t roll until much later. I had plenty to keep me busy until we started, but I nervously watched as the temperature rose rapidly. The heat; however, wasn’t too much of a factor until the final five miles when it felt like we were pedaling through an oven.
Wednesday
Strength training: 1 hour of full body
Running: 5K
• Average pace: 9:46
• Start time: 5:51 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 74° with 96% humidity
• What I wore: shorts and tank
Rolling: 10 minutes
Stretching: 10 minutes
Other than having tired legs from the previous day’s ride, I had a great run!
Thursday
Cycling: 42 miles
• Average speed: 14.6 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,135 feet
• Start time: 6:21 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn to Purcellville loop
• Weather: 71° and cloudy with the occasional sprinkle, heavy rain 5 miles in for about 10 miles; climbing to 76° and sunny
• What I wore: bike bibs and s/s jersey
I checked the weather forecast as soon as I woke up and without rain in the forecast, I proceeded to get ready to ride. Just before I rolled out of the garage I did a final weather check – and what? – the forecast had changed to light rain starting soon followed about 30 minutes later by heavy rain. And yep, it was right on the money!
I was a drowned rat by the time I got to my usual turnaround point, but the rain had stopped and I saw clearing sky ahead so I rode to the trail’s end before I turned around. My new helmet doesn’t have a little visor that sticks out in front and boy does that make a different in allowing rain to beat into my eyes while riding.
Friday
Strength training: 1 hour of full body
Balance and stretching: 45 minutes
Walking: 2 Miles
• Average pace: 15:31
• Start time: 8:30 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 71°, sunny, breezy, and with delightfully low humidity
• What I wore: shorts, tank, and visor
I hadn’t planned to walk, but the weather was too perfect not to get outside and enjoy it!
Saturday
Walking: 2 Miles
• Average pace: 19:30
• Start time: 7:38 AM
• Location: neighborhood trails
• Weather: 60° and sunny with delightfully low humidity
• What I wore: shorts, short sleeved shirt, and visor
Last Week’s Blog Posts
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- • Sunday – Weekly RunDown: July 31 – August 6 / Lots of Cycling, a Special Run, and a Loud Boom
- • Tuesday – Running the Alphabet: Races and Locations J – R
Questions:
- • Did you have a delightful change to the weather where you live?
- • What was your favorite workout of the week?
- • Did you run in a race this weekend?
And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!
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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
The weather has been amazing this weekend. Yikes on getting caught in the rain on your bike. I really don’t like riding in the rain because I can’t see through my glasses and I am afraid of slipping.
I always assume Garmin is more accurate than Apple Watch, but I don’t know if Apple Watch has better technology these days.
Yes, I was very happy that I was wearing my contacts and not my glasses on that ride. And yes, I suspect Garmin is more accurate as well.
Our weather mellowed a bit…much cooler mornings (just as humid, though), but the temps were plenty warm by mid/late morning and then throughout most of the days. Can’t pick a favorite workout…all went pretty well. Actually, the 3-mile run in DSM yesterday was pretty scenic 😉
I bet the change of scenery for your run yesterday was nice!
Oh, I have become obsessed with cairns this summer! I have many teeny tiny ones. Unfortunately it’s hard to find the right rocks — or drag them back for miles, LOL!
I hate when the weather app lies! And how lucky you are to have trails in your neighborhood. I have to drive at the very least about 15 minutes to get to a trail. But yes, we did have a delightful change in the weather towards the end of the week and I took full advantage of it!
I bought my first, and only other, cairn at a road-side stand in southern Utah. It’s tiny, made from Utah red sandstone, and is glued together. I keep it on my desk to remind me of one of my favorite places.
We are indeed lucky to have those trails in our neighborhood – I think we have about 25 miles of interconnecting trails. We step right off of the back corner of our property to one of the trails which after 1.3 miles connects to the W&OD Trail that you hear me mention a lot. 🙂
the apple vs Garmin has come up numerous times in my Peloton run program. The general consensus is that Garmin is more accurate for running and Apple is great for everything else. Also people who run more like that you can set workouts and intervals which apple does not do, But who really knows!
I also am kind of afraid of riding in the rain!
I’ve been on the fence about switching from my Fitbit to Apple, and if I do, I plan to still use both of my Garmin devices for running and cycling. Sleep tracking is much better on Fitbit than Apple and that’s what I need to monitor because getting enough sleep is my weakest link.
My husband and I ran together this morning, 5 miles and my average was 9:20 and his was 8:50! That’s a big difference, and we ran early enough that there weren’t a ton of stoplights or crowds…so who knows? I wonder if the device calibrates somehow to longer legs/ different step count? It’s weird…but the trails definitely mess with it more!
Anyways, great week as always! Thanks for sharing with us.
See, I think Garmin just thinks women can’t run or walk as fast as men. LOL
I’ve run wearing both my Apple watch and Garmin, in an attempt to calibrate my Apple watch for the TM. I just don’t like using my Apple watch for fitness. I love all the data I get from my Garmin, even though it’s just the Forerunner 35. Old habits die hard!
We had beautiful weather on Friday, but something went awry this weekend. It was cool and cloudy yesterday. Today I woke up to drizzle and cool conditions. Nice for running but not for much else!
Bummer about today’s weather. It’s been gorgeous all day here up until about a half hour ago when it started to drizzle.
For me moving forward it’s going to be a decision between an Apple watch and a Fitbit since I already have and like my running and biking Garmins. I need a watch for daily use and to track steps, sleep, etc. and don’t like the huge profile of my Garmin.
It looks like many of us enjoyed a break in the weather this week! Makes such a difference, doesn’t it?
I’ve been debating between getting an Apple watch vs. sticking with Garmin and have been wondering about the Apple GPS accuracy. INteresting that you saw such a big discrepency.
The discrepancy between the two watches is fascinating. I still think I will eventually replace my Fitbit with an Apple watch for day to day use, but keep my Garmin for running.
Alright, I’m getting really envious with everyone talking about their “delightful” changes in the weather- it will be hot in Florida for several months still (sigh.). But glad you enjoyed it, and glad you had a great run! Your back must be feeling good.
Remind us of that in January and February when we’re complaining about the cold! 😉
Wow, that’s a big difference between the Apple and Garmin watches. I haven’t run with my Garmin in a few years, but I have noticed that my pace on my Apple watch seems faster, even though I am pretty sure I am not running faster than I normally do. It’s crazy how the GPS can be so off.
I find it fascinating and wish I understood how they work. My bet is that the Garmin is more accurate, but I liked the Apple pace better. 😉
We’ve definitely been getting tinges of fall this past week. It’s a welcome break from the “feels like 106” we had the week before but I hate seeing summer fade away so fast. I’ve noticed those crazy discrepancies between Apple and Garmin as well. What gives?
It’s still cooler here and with somewhat lower humidity. The humidity is supposed to return just in time for my century ride this weekend. 🙁