If you have ever opened your Garmin or Coros app and immediately questioned your entire life, this episode is for you. Today we are talking about the data your watch throws at you. VO2 Max. HRV. Sleep scores. Training readiness. Whether it thinks you are productive or overreaching. And how most of it is distracting at best and harmful at worst.

This episode walks you through why so many of these metrics are unreliable and can hurt your trail running, how they mess with your confidence, and what actually matters for trail runners who are training on real life legs and a real life schedule.

You will hear about effort based training, what accurate testing really looks like, and how to stop letting your watch gaslight you into thinking you are not strong, fit, or capable.

Your watch is a tool. You are the athlete.

Listen in for some real talk, a little humor, and a reminder that your body knows way more than a gadget ever will.

In this episode we cover:

• Why watches and activity trackers are fun but not always accurate
• How metrics like VO2 Max, HRV, and training status can get in your head
• Why wrist based heart rate data is often wrong
• How these numbers create unnecessary stress for everyday athletes
• What to do if you actually want accurate metrics
• The role of lab testing and chest straps
• What data trail runners should pay attention to
• Why effort and consistency matter more than any algorithm
• How to rebuild trust in your own body

Who this episode is for:
Everyday runners who want to train smart without obsessing over numbers. Women juggling work, kids, pets, life, and still trying to feel strong on the trail. Anyone who has ever opened their Garmin app and thought… “wait, am I failing?”

Links & Resources for This Episode

• Andrew Schenk: Resilient Body Solutions - treat yourself to that massage
• Follow me on Instagram
• Visit my website: www.sunrisetrailscoaching.com
• Want to work together? Learn about 1:1 Coaching
• Free guide: What’s In My Pack? Download here