Why did you start Running with Power?

Why did you start Running with Power?

This is part of a series of posts on runners’ feedback about Running with Power.

Based on survey responses and book research, here are the top four reasons why runners started using power.

1. It’s just one number

The most popular reason – power gives you one number that changes as your effort changes.

It represents your effort when on the flat, up and down hills, or running in wind. You can even adjust for running in heat, high humidity or at altitude.

You just need to ‘run to the number’.

2. Pace and heart rate weren’t working

Whether it was because of pace issues on hilly routes, heart rate lags when starting or stopping intervals, or not being able to accurately judge effort, runners were having difficulties using other methods of measuring how hard they were running.

3. Training that works

Many non-power plans come with a risk of overtraining or leaving potential training gains unrealised.

Power uses narrower target ranges within zones, and the target ranges are individualised – they’re based on your measured fitness.

Do they work? The power-based plans from Steve Palladino have worked for hundreds of injury-free runners.

4. Better race results

Runners were looking for a way to improve their race results, qualify for Boston (or similar), or to find a way to improve their race pacing.

While power can’t guarantee better results or a qualifying time, race planning with power uses your current fitness, stamina and running effectiveness to determine personalised race targets.

Targets that you should be able to maintain for the entire race – just ‘run to the number’.