Looking to add power-based training to my running. Currently training with pace + HR but want to start using power for workouts, especially on hilly terrain where pace is meaningless.
Options I'm considering:
My setup: Garmin Forerunner 965, Paincave for training plans.
Is running power even worth it? Or should I stick with HR zones and perceived effort?
I tried Garmin Running Power first (it's free, so why not?) and found the numbers unreliable — they'd spike and drop based on form changes and terrain in ways that didn't correlate with actual effort.
Switched to Stryd and the data is significantly more consistent. It's become my primary pacing metric for races — I PR'd my last half marathon by using Stryd power targets instead of pace.
Only downside: the Stryd ecosystem kind of wants you to use their training plans, which conflicts with using Paincave. But you can just ignore their plan features and use it as a pure sensor.
Stryd is 100% worth it. I've been using it for 2 years and it completely changed how I train for trail runs.
Why Stryd wins:
Garmin Running Power is... fine, but it's derived from pace/vertical oscillation data rather than actual ground force measurement. It's a model, not a measurement.
For structured training with Paincave, having reliable power data makes workout compliance much easier. "Run at 250W for 20 minutes" is way more actionable than "run at marathon pace" on a hilly course.
Counterpoint: I've been running with just HR + RPE for 8 years, run a 3:15 marathon, and have never felt like I needed power data.
HR tells you how hard your body is working. Power tells you how much work you're doing on the ground. Both are useful, but for most recreational runners HR is more than enough.
That said, if you race on hilly courses, Stryd is genuinely useful for pacing. Flat courses? Just use pace.
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