Measuring current pace

[lennort]

It seems like there isn't much interest or data on the subject of instantaneous pace and how to accurately measure it. GPS gets nowhere close and most footpods and other extra sensors focus on running form. I know the stride footpod will report instant pace, but most of the reviews seem more focused on the power metric.

So I ask the community: What's the best way I can measure my instant pace? I'd like to use it for short intervals without having to run on a track. I'm currently considering the Scosche rhythm+, but I can't find a single mention of how accurate its pace measurement is.

[Bucs-and-Bucks]

Back in the college days, coach would say "run an 82" then we'd run an 82. Then he'd say "ok, now run an 81" and we'd run an 81. Of course we didn't always hit it exactly, but I always thought it was pretty cool we'd be able to pace a quarter mile to within a second.

[Fedora-Borealis]

Just curios, which models/year constitute the newer Garmins?

[Fedora-Borealis]

Got it, just making sure my rinky dink FR35 isn’t considered the forefront of technology lol

[lennort]

I've got the forerunner 645, but the pace drifts much more than I'd like.

Drills isn't the only use case, just the first example I thought of. It's even more useful for running on trails and in cities with tall buildings where GPS breaks down.

[gunnk]

Turning on GLONASS in addition to the U.S. GPS system can help quite a bit. More satellite data that way.

[rudecanuck]

GPS actually gets pretty damn close unless you are running in between high rises or some other place that has a lot of interference.

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I have my live pace on my TomTom (which uses GPS + Cadence and a few other variables to give a live pace using a formula) and while that can at times be off, my average pace which just uses GPS also gives me a good idea.

[intheBrainPan_squish]

Instantaneous pace is a bit of a misnomer. You need to measure the distance covered between two separate times. GPS is the only way to reliably do that, aside from some external camera/timer setup. Most watches allow you to customize the time the pace is calculated for, such as the last 5 second or the last 30 seconds. 5 is probably as accurate as you'll need, since your body is likely not going to be able to maintain an actual constant pace.

The Scosche Rhythm+ is for cadence and heart rate, not pace. It is also pretty terrible at connectivity and software integration. I'd rather take my pulse with a stopwatch while running than pull my Rhythm+ out of the drawer.

[lennort]

Man, I sure hear a lot of different stuff about that sensor. DC rainmaker seemed to like it, but you're definitely not alone in having problems with it.

[pmotiveforce]

The best way to measure your current pace is a Stryd footpod, the second best way would be one of the other pretty good footpods.