In less than a month, I’m gearing up for my third marathon, and just two weeks after that, I’ll be tackling my first-ever 50k. This is by far the most I’ve ever pushed myself physically, but fortunately, I have more data on my fitness and recovery than ever before. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been training with the Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Premium, and here are five insights I’ve gathered that will (hopefully) help me achieve my personal best next month!

1. I Found a New Sleep and Social Schedule

One of the most enlightening statistics that have aided my training is my Sleep Score. While it’s one thing to feel tired, seeing an actual score and other data that indicate your body needs rest is another. By wearing my Pixel Watch 3 to sleep, I used Fitbit Premium to monitor sleep trends, which allowed me to adjust both my training schedule and my daily habits.

I prefer scheduling my long runs on weekends, but I also enjoy socializing during that time. I noticed that on nights when I had social plans, my sleep quality deteriorated, making a Saturday morning run after a Friday night out particularly challenging. This might sound obvious, but I initially thought that logging enough sleep hours would suffice. However, that’s not the case for me. My diet, beverage choices, and energy expenditure also influence my sleep quality. By observing my Sleep Score and stats like awake time, I’ve changed my approach. Now, I make sure to meet friends the night after my big weekend run or even the next day.

Additionally, I discovered from my sleep stats that I tend to fall asleep quickly but wake up an hour or two later. Knowing that I have a tough workout the next day, I now go to bed an hour earlier to mitigate the impact of this middle-of-the-night wake-up. This strategy has paid off: nights when I sleep earlier consistently align with higher Readiness scores, better preparing me for a workout rather than needing recovery.

2. I Gained Confidence in Knowing When to Push My Pace

One of the trickiest aspects of marathon training is determining when to push yourself to enhance your fitness and when to ease up to avoid injury. Initially, a 10-mile run left me exhausted, but now it feels much easier. Despite this, I tend to hold back on my speed during long runs, fearing I’ll burn out too quickly even though my fitness level is improving. Metrics like Cardio Load and Target Load have been extremely useful in this regard.

Cardio Load helps me understand my workout intensity and how hard my heart is working throughout the day. Target Load recommends how much activity I’m prepared for based on my recent Cardio Load numbers and Readiness. Additionally, my Readiness score, which has been recalibrated to exclude recent activity and instead consider heart rate variability, sleep, and resting heart rate, gives a more accurate reflection of my fitness level. This ensures that just because I’m logging more activity while training for a marathon, the app doesn’t automatically show a low Readiness score. It factors in these other elements and recognizes that my fitness level is improving, and I can handle more.

By using these three scores—Cardio Load, Target Load, and Readiness—I can gauge my cardiovascular energy and readiness to push my speed. A high Target Load number gives me the confidence to tackle sprints or aim for faster mile splits.

3. Nutrition and Hydration Are More Crucial Than I Thought

Through the Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Premium, I’ve also learned the importance of nutrition and hydration. The metrics provided allowed me to see how my diet and hydration levels directly impact my performance and recovery. For instance, on days I didn’t hydrate well, my metrics showed higher resting heart rates and poorer sleep quality. This led to lower Readiness scores the next day, emphasizing the importance of staying well-hydrated.

In terms of nutrition, tracking my meals helped me realize that what I eat significantly affects my energy levels and recovery. Consuming a balanced diet rich in proteins, carbs, and healthy fats has proven to be beneficial. On the other hand, indulging in junk food or skipping meals resulted in decreased energy levels, poorer sleep, and lower performance in subsequent workouts.

4. The Importance of Mental Health and Stress Management

Another valuable insight has been the role of mental health and stress in my training regimen. The Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Premium track stress levels by monitoring heart rate variability and other indicators. High stress levels resulted in lower Readiness scores, even if my physical metrics were good. This led me to incorporate stress management techniques like mindfulness and meditation into my routine.

I also realized the importance of mental preparation for long runs and races. Visualizing the race, setting realistic goals, and staying positive have all contributed to better performance and a more enjoyable training experience. This holistic approach, considering both physical and mental aspects, has made a significant difference in my training journey.

5. The Value of Consistency and Adaptability

Lastly, the data from the Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Premium underscored the importance of consistency and adaptability in training. While it’s crucial to stick to a training plan, being adaptable based on my body’s feedback has been equally important. For instance, on days when my Readiness score was low, I opted for lighter workouts or rest days instead of forcing myself through a rigorous session. This approach prevented burnout and injuries, allowing me to maintain consistent progress.

In terms of consistency, the metrics showed that regular, moderate-intensity workouts were more beneficial than sporadic high-intensity sessions. This consistency helped in building endurance and strength gradually, leading to sustainable improvements in my fitness level.

Conclusion

Training for a marathon and a 50k race is no small feat, but with the help of the Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Premium, I’ve gained valuable insights into my fitness, recovery, and overall health. From optimizing my sleep and social schedule to understanding when to push my pace and the importance of nutrition, hydration, mental health, and consistency, these tools have been indispensable in my training journey.

For anyone looking to improve their fitness or train for a race, I highly recommend leveraging technology like the Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Premium. The data-driven insights can help you make informed decisions, optimize your training, and ultimately achieve your fitness goals.

For more information on the Pixel Watch 3 and Fitbit Premium, you can visit the official Google Store.

For more Information, Refer to this article.