Training Peaks?

I get a great deal of motivation and pleasure from looking at my achievements/stats on both Strava and Garmin Connect. I currently use a Garmin Forerunner 210 watch and may also get a Garmin 800 for use on the bike.

I noticed that a LOT of triathletes seem to use Training Peaks. I was wondering if there is any value in my using training peaks when a) i don't have a power meter due to the cost and b) i am already using strava and garmin connect?

I wish I had a power meter. Trainerroad, which i just got and have used only once, shows a 'virtual power' rating and it is a brilliant statistic. However, I can in no way justify the cost of an actual power meter Would love one though.

I dont have a power meter  or use strava, I dont use Garmin connect

I do use TP for logging and planning and I upload my files (admittedly via GC)

Horses for courses, find a system you like and use it

Meldy do you use premium or free?

Dont let Meldy fool you with all that nonsense above, she doesnt actually ever train!

I think Training Peaks is a great tool for proper SERIOUS athletes. who are looking to squeeze the last ounce out of training, and who know a lot about physiology of the body / training stress / etc. Have a listen to IMTalk podcasts when they talk about it to get a feeling.

Having said that I think you can try the Premium version for free for a month at the momnet - its a Kona week special I think.

Personally I use Sporttracks ( http://www.zonefivesoftware.com/sporttracks/) for offine, which is fantastic for my level of analytical ability. I can look at pace, heart rate zones, interval efforts, etc.

I upload to Strava as a backup as much as anything. And to find the one segment where I have somehow beaten Cheerful Dave on! (though he may have been running it whilst I was biking otherwise I dont see how I can have beaten him!) 

Gladys oh ok i have not heard of sporttracks. I will check that out. Trainingpeaks seems too serious for me from what you have written. I don't really fancy tracking how much I slept or what I ate either.

How does sporttracks compare to garmin connect?

Ah i know why I don't use sporttracks. It is windows only.

+1 for the sporttracks recommendation...it really is good.

You can get a turbo based power from your trainer by usingone of the plugins (trainer power i think it's called) this uses speed as a proxy for power by referring to a power/speed profile for your trainer.

of course absolutely no use when it comes to riding on the road

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Better 5k, Duathlon and Triathlon

More: http://the5krunner.com

Goals: 82% Age Graded 5k and an open water Triathlon.

Gladys M. wrote (see)

I upload to Strava as a backup as much as anything. And to find the one segment where I have somehow beaten Cheerful Dave on! (though he may have been running it whilst I was biking otherwise I dont see how I can have beaten him!) 

I've been slacking, obviously.  I'll take you down eventually 

Cheerful Dave wrote (see)

Gladys M. wrote (see)

I upload to Strava as a backup as much as anything. And to find the one segment where I have somehow beaten Cheerful Dave on! (though he may have been running it whilst I was biking otherwise I dont see how I can have beaten him!) 

I've been slacking, obviously.  I'll take you down eventually 

Not telling you on what section it is!!