Training Peaks?

KeithAngilly

After an epic laptop crash, which landed it in the repair shop, I am pretty sure I lost my sport tracks data. It's no biggie, because I have the runs stored elsewhere. But, I like to some of the nitty gritty kind of analysis that I had with it, especially training load. Just wondering if any mfp'ers use training peaks and what you have found to be some pros and cons. Thanks in advance!

ATT949

After an epic laptop crash, which landed it in the repair shop, I am pretty sure I lost my sport tracks data. It's no biggie, because I have the runs stored elsewhere. But, I like to some of the nitty gritty kind of analysis that I had with it, especially training load. Just wondering if any mfp'ers use training peaks and what you have found to be some pros and cons. Thanks in advance!

Sorry to hear about your laptop going belly up. That's tough! I make a living on my computer so I keep all my stuff either on a clients server or backed up to at least one external drive, as well as the cloud.

I looked at Training Peaks and a couple of other online services but none of them have really tripped my trigger. I use a Garmin 620 and load that data into Garmin Training Center (the Windows version is truly awful but I'm on a Mac and it's not bad). For data analysis, I use FirstBeat Athlete which costs about $80. It's excellent in that regard.

For keeping track of training? I'm still stuck in Excel. I'm going on two and a half years of data in Excel so it's about time I looked to other pastures. It will be interesting to see what people share on this thread.

KeithAngilly

After an epic laptop crash, which landed it in the repair shop, I am pretty sure I lost my sport tracks data. It's no biggie, because I have the runs stored elsewhere. But, I like to some of the nitty gritty kind of analysis that I had with it, especially training load. Just wondering if any mfp'ers use training peaks and what you have found to be some pros and cons. Thanks in advance!

Sorry to hear about your laptop going belly up. That's tough! I make a living on my computer so I keep all my stuff either on a clients server or backed up to at least one external drive, as well as the cloud.

I looked at Training Peaks and a couple of other online services but none of them have really tripped my trigger. I use a Garmin 620 and load that data into Garmin Training Center (the Windows version is truly awful but I'm on a Mac and it's not bad). For data analysis, I use FirstBeat Athlete which costs about $80. It's excellent in that regard.

For keeping track of training? I'm still stuck in Excel. I'm going on two and a half years of data in Excel so it's about time I looked to other pastures. It will be interesting to see what people share on this thread.

Thanks..I was thinking about firstbeat, as well. Since I already paid for sport tracks, I'll probably just reload everything when I get my machine back. All my activities are on Garminconnect.

For me, the main drawback for training peaks is the price. 20 bucks a month is just silly. I was hoping to hear from anyone who felt it was worth it.

CarsonRuns

What does it have that you can't get for free with RunningAhead.com ?

scott091501

I like training peaks better for multisport athletes than strictly runners. It's also great if you have a coach so they can track your training. If all you're doing is storing/tracking data find a free service.

SonicDeathMonkey80

I've started to use RunningAhead.com and love it, but I have a good 9 months of data from Endomondo to import still. I also use Garminconnect, but it has nothing on RA (I just use it for backup and the Garmin app is good too since RA doesn't have one). I'm multisport, and it will track that stuff for you too.

Also, check Dave Munger's Google Docs spreadsheet (I use them for planning and goal purposes)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/discussion/660-runners-team-challenge-x-miles-in-a-month

ETA: I stand corrected - there is an Android app called "Handy Runner" that syncs up with RA

KeithAngilly

What does it have that you can't get for free with RunningAhead.com ?

I have a particular interest in training load info, which R-A doesn't appear to have. Firstbeat Athlete does this, as well as the Sport tracks plug-in, which I already have. The attraction to me, as far as Training Peaks goes, was having my runs online and being able to access training load where ever I find myself. Storing the runs isn't really the issue for me. Garmin Connect is fine for me.

KeithAngilly

I like training peaks better for multisport athletes than strictly runners. It's also great if you have a coach so they can track your training. If all you're doing is storing/tracking data find a free service.

So, do you find the service worth the price? I do a fair amount of cycling and plan to branch out into triathlon and duathlons down the road, so I can see the value there also. Storage isn't really the issue, looking for tss-type info is. )

KeithAngilly

I've started to use RunningAhead.com and love it, but I have a good 9 months of data from Endomondo to import still. I also use Garminconnect, but it has nothing on RA (I just use it for backup and the Garmin app is good too since RA doesn't have one). I'm multisport, and it will track that stuff for you too.

Also, check Dave Munger's Google Docs spreadsheet (I use them for planning and goal purposes)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/discussion/660-runners-team-challenge-x-miles-in-a-month

ETA: I stand corrected - there is an Android app called "Handy Runner" that syncs up with RA

Thanks Doug! As I said above, storage isn't so much the issue. One thing I just remembered was that sport tracks has a for a fee cloud storage system, so maybe I should check that out, as well. And thanks for the link to Dave's miles challenge. Being a FIRST runner, I am always going to come up short in that dept.! :laugh:

CarsonRuns

What does it have that you can't get for free with RunningAhead.com ?

I have a particular interest in training load info, which R-A doesn't appear to have. Firstbeat Athlete does this, as well as the Sport tracks plug-in, which I already have. The attraction to me, as far as Training Peaks goes, was having my runs online and being able to access training load where ever I find myself. Storing the runs isn't really the issue for me. Garmin Connect is fine for me.

Please elaborate. I'm not sure I'm understanding what you mean by training load or how it's expressed.

Never mind. I looked it up. You aren't going to find TSS data anywhere else other than training peaks, but you already knew that. It's an interesting concept to "score" a workout based on time, intensity, etc. Just a different approach.

I do want to state that RunningAhead is more than just a data repository though. It gives you the ability to build plans and to report on those activities and equipment that you use as well.

KeithAngilly

What does it have that you can't get for free with RunningAhead.com ?

I have a particular interest in training load info, which R-A doesn't appear to have. Firstbeat Athlete does this, as well as the Sport tracks plug-in, which I already have. The attraction to me, as far as Training Peaks goes, was having my runs online and being able to access training load where ever I find myself. Storing the runs isn't really the issue for me. Garmin Connect is fine for me.

Please elaborate. I'm not sure I'm understanding what you mean by training load or how it's expressed.

Never mind. I looked it up. You aren't going to find TSS data anywhere else other than training peaks, but you already knew that. It's an interesting concept to "score" a workout based on time, intensity, etc. Just a different approach.

I do want to state that RunningAhead is more than just a data repository though. It gives you the ability to build plans and to report on those activities and equipment that you use as well.

Actually, tss is also available with sportracks, as well. DC Rainmaker writes a little about it here: http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/12/sports-tracks-in-depth-ten-little.html It's number 5 on the list. Normally tss is worked out using power data from cycling, but for runners, it uses heart rate, which is not nearly as accurate as power data, but still gives a reasonable measure.

I do like RunningAhead, it's just that I am already sticking workouts elsewhere, so it's redundant for me.

The solution I came up with is to buy a year subscription to sporttracks mobi. for 35 dollars. I already have the pc version of sporttracks, so everything will sync up nicely. In my interwebs travels, I also found this: https://tapiriik.com/ This really cool little app syncs up various sites automatically. I have it set up to sync garmin connect, strava and sporttracks mobi. So, now a single down load to garmin connect will shuttle the workouts to where they need to be automatically.

Thanks for everyone's input!

scott091501

I like TSS data. Layering swim/bike/run workouts while taking into consideration duration and intensity to allow for adequate recovery is difficult at times especially once you get to iron distance races.

As a triathlete I find it worth the money for planning purposes. I write training plans in 3-4 week blocks and I can store workouts in different sub categories to use down the line (ie running speed, running endurance, running strength, swimming technique, swimming power, etc). I'm also a coach and I find it the best way to plan out my athletes' training. The mobile app is also very easy to use.

CarsonRuns

I can definitely see the benefit for your goofy multi-sport guys.

From reading the Training Peaks information, they made it sound like TSS was proprietary. Guess not.

I am going to take a look at tapiriik.com though. I post in a couple different places. It would be nice to just upload and have it go automagically.