Cyclists Use It BUT Should Runners? | Running Power

Running power might arguably be one of the most confusing running metrics so what actually is it? Sarah will be going through everything from what it is to how it can improve your running.

↓↓ Are you training for a running goal? Do you love looking at your running data after your workouts? Would you look at your running power too? Let us know in the comments below. ↓↓

What’s in this video?
00:00:00 - What is Running Power?
00:00:57 - The Power Output Metric
00:01:55 - Comparing Running and Cycling Power
00:02:55 - Understanding Running Power for Better Efficiency
00:03:49 - Using Running Power for Optimal Training
00:04:47 - Testing Power Threshold
00:06:17 - Heart Rate Spikes and Running Technique
00:07:32 - Adjusting Power and Heart Rate for Optimal Performance
00:08:46 - The Importance of Power in Running

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Read this far? Thanks! Please like this video, SUBSCRIBE and share us with your running friends. We would really appreciate it!

[thedolenorway]

Been using a Stryd footpod since 2020. I live in an a quite hilly area, so power really helps with intensity control and with calibrating your sense of effort. When my power duration curve is decently filled out it gives me a tool to estimate what power to aim for for different durations of effort. I am an analytics guy, so power is also excellent for post run analysis and comparison across time. Pace is useless for that as the terrain influences it way too much.

[markcameron]

If Garmin really believe running power is that effective why don't they give power as an option along with pace and heart rate in their suggested workouts

[joecarpinella]

Power with Stryd gives the best results for me. Without a “standard” for power, each company measures it differently. Stryd helped me so much and I am really grateful. It helped me win my age group in first marathon and crushed for a BQ. Pair it with a Garmin and if you really read those stats, it can be a big help in training

[alexyem]

Yup. Stryd pod is awesome! My run time have improved massively since I've switch to using running power

[lazinthetimeofcorona]

Initially got Stryd to overcome GPS dropouts in the forest while following pace-based plans. Then transitioned onto power-based plans and loved the freedom it gave me to do structured workouts on varied and hilly terrain. I think the most important thing for me is that it means you take on harder bits at a slower pace, helping prevent injury. These days I seem to be finding it a bit harder to stay within the recommended power range and am less focused on targeting constant power (both may be due to switching more towards ultra training - maybe my power recommendations are a bit off due to lots of slow long runs). However, it is still a useful reminder to slow down on long runs and up hills and it still helps with interval and tempo workouts, even if I don’t always stick perfectly to the power recommendations. I quite like their library of structured workouts too as it enables some variety to keep things fresh. Preferred their old training plans though.

[mr.onbekend]

Stryd is awesome. Made training so easy

[ebutuoyYT]

A cycling power meter is a electro-mechanical device that can accurately measure power through the crank / pedals, I don’t think a smartwatch can really get close to this accuracy, whereas heart rate sensors are quite accurate, even better with a chest strap, so I would prefer to base my efforts from a combination of heart rate and perceived effort.

[JHA]

Congrats on 700K! I use my watts for cycling but have never looked at it for running, I tend to just go off feel and pace

[mugiwara]

I am not using it yet, but was gonna look into it to incorporate it, specially after my failed 10k pb attempt last week, i was doing fine till km 6 having run a little hill with wind while maintaining my race pace, i almost emptied my tank, i think using power would have saved me some energy to get a pb on the second half. Thanks Sarah and the running channel team.

[brun]

I’ve always found Garmin’s power pretty useless. I use Stryd and it can be good for pacing races and tempo runs, but I also find that pretty useless for intervals and other faster workouts.

[bradwoodley]

Congratulations. Thanks for sharing your journey. What an incredible accomplishment. You’re an inspiration.

[mebdev]

I used running power for pacing my last 10k race which had some rather hilly sections and it seemed to work well for me (got a pb 🥳 so must have been doing something right). Set my watch to alert me if I was pushing too hard on the earlier hills so I could back it off a bit. The last bit of the race had a final hill colloquially called the 'Crimple Killer'... I passed quite a few people on that hill and I think I was the only one smiling 🤣

[John-zsnw]

I am a cyclist and runner and have been using power in running for the last 5 years if not longer (since garmin released thier data field). The value power gives you is not in pacing, its in understanding what is happening physiologically at each zone, so you understand what is being used from a oxygen perspective, lactic acid build up, etc.. so you can adjust your form or speed to recover or conserve depending your strategy. So its great for figuring out form improvements, what to eat or drink and how to adjust to scenarios midrace without the need to do much thinking. So its a very powerful tool and you cannot compare as you all have your own way of exerting energy, just tis consitent to you in your current form.

Foot > Chest > Wrist (based Power meters)

[richardmasi]

Been using Stryd for a couple of years and does not rely of GPS so really accurate.

[rubarb]

This is really interesting! Concerned about accuracy, so a foot pod would be really useful to make sure it is measured properly. I’ll definitely look into using it though.

[MarcusBiskobing]

This was a fantastic video and example!

[philmason]

Disappointed not to have Rick giving us his knowledge on Power in this video. That would have been much more entertaining 😂

[granitekfpv]

Awesome video about running power! What do you guys think about making an updated video on running drills such as A/C skips, B skips and butt kicks (should you do them?) and any other drills?

[ArneHulstein]

When I switched back to running from cycling for the Alpecin Gran Fondo team, the first thing I went looking for was a power meter for running. I ended up with a Stryd and I do like it. Personally I would think it would be a bit more accurate than the Garmin version as it is mounted to your shoe and measures how hard you land and push off. So, I use this for running as well. I found it to be a great way to make sure I don’t set off too fast. 😉

[Trwoodward]

Power could be useful as an alternative to pace based workouts on hilly terrain but I’d never use it to replace HR on base runs or threshold runs where I’m trying to train a specific energy system