Garmin Running Stuff

I picked up a Garmin Running Dynamics Pod this week to get more data out of my runs. I was not interested in the running dynamics metrics as much as I was in the fact that the RD pod is able to measure running power. At $60, the Garmin RD pod is a much cheaper way at getting this data when compared with the Stryd pod which costs $219.

The running power that I am getting out of the RD pod is neat to look at – and it does reflect the amount of perceived effort that I feel from each run. The other running dynamics are neat, but they aren’t that actionable. Ground contact time and vertical oscillation seem like a different way of looking at cadence. I do like one metric that comes out of it, it’s the one that shows which foot I am spending more time on (I seem to lean right).

Getting the RD pod working was easy. I paired it to my watch like any other ANT+ device. By doing that, it allowed me to get the running dynamics metrics: ground contact time and vertical oscillation. In order to get running power, I had to install the Running Power app from the ConnectIQ Store. After installing the app on my watch, I had to add the Running Power data field to my activity. Without the data field, the watch will not capture running power.

Here are my two running watches. The left is a Garmin Fenix 6 Sapphire and the right a Garmin Fenix 5X Plus. And yes, I love orange watch bands.