Stryd bring the power to running. Their footpods bring another level of accuracy to the metrics you can rely on to push you beyond your limits. In physical form, they are small pods which attach to your laces while you run. On the move, they collect data from ground contact time to the power of the wind. Once the run is complete, these metrics transfer to the app on your phone or laptop and allow you to dig deep into your performance and plan your training accordingly.
What they offer is another way to enhance your training and work with your body to maximise performance. When I first received the Stryd pods, I was skeptical. Over the years, Alex has tried to sell me on training by power many times. However, with my luddite approach to training, I had always demurred. Has having the pods on foot changed my mind and moved me to a bright new future of training?
Hardware of the Stryd Duo Pods
What works for me
Straight away, I was impressed with the simplicity of attachment and set up. The pods come in their box with a couple of cradles. These plastic cradles slip under the shoe laces and the pod clips in over the top. Done. That’s it. I like my running to be as easy as possible and Stryd does not impinge on this at all. Furthermore, with their very lightweight (8g) means that they don’t even register as an addition on the run.
Initially, I was paranoid that the pods would fly off my shoes on the run and disappear down the closest drain. My first couple of runs were spent staring through the gloom at my shoes to make sure they were still there. Thankfully, the design of the pods and cradles put me at ease. They hold tight.
I have used them for every run since I received them in January with the exception of a couple. One, a cross country race where I was going to be ankle deep in mud for the entire duration. Power, pace and other metrics were pointless here and the risk of losing them in the mud seemed to outweigh the benefits of keeping them on. Secondly, on one particular pair of shoes which I will get to in the other section.
What doesn’t work for me
The only shoes which I have had minor issues with the fit are the Speedland RX:CCD. Here, the BOA system gvies limited options for attachment. Whilst it is possible to attach the pods to the BOA system, it is not the ideal fit. That said, when they were attached, they stayed firm and still delivered accurate readings.
Meanwhile, I looked at the PUMA Fast-RB and short of gaffer tape or using a scalpel for some shoe surgery, there didn’t seem to be any way to attach them. If you run solely in laceless or BOA based shoes, it may be worth considering the fit system.
Metrics and Data of thr Stryd Duo Pods
What works for me
Another thing which works well for me is the accuracy of the metrics, this makes tracking progress a lot easier. The richness of the data also allows me to find areas for improvement in my mechanics and training in general. As a side benefit, the tracking of pain, discomfort and footpath visualisation has enabled me to dial it back when injuries or weaknesses may be occurring.
The main thing that converted me to full belief was the Stryd Race Predictor which is based on watts. Since I have been using Stryd and racing, the furthest it has been off with a prediction has been 14 seconds over 21.1km. Each time my average power reading matched the predictor and was manageable to maintain for the distance. All I need is the button for them to predict the lottery numbers and I’m set.
Overall, the accuracy of the data recorded by the pods combined with the ease of use has really helped me to simplify and optimise my training now that my life has added complications. The results have been pleasing too, I have been a minute at least faster over courses this year than last.
What doesn’t work for me
Nothing really doesn’t work for me here. The data, visualisations and software all work pretty seamlessly and give me what I want when I want it.
The biggest issue I have with the Stryd pods is not really a case of what doesn’t work for me, it is what doesn’t work quite as well with the ecosystem. I wear a Suunto watch for running and it doesn’t have the same native connectivity as Coros and Garmin. While this isn’t a deal breaker, it does mean that I have to add extra steps to get workouts to the watch. This is a minor inconvenience when I look at what the package offers.
Training with Stryd Duo Pods
What works for me
All that said, the main benefit for me has been the way that it has enhanced my training. While some people are training harder, not smarter, as a 47 year old with a 19 month old at home, I need to do quite the opposite. This is where Stryd has really come into its own for me. Living in a windy, hilly town, my previous method of training by pace was effective but physically crushing.
3:40/km feels very different into a headwind than it does with an appropriate tailwind or perfect conditions. Too often from my workouts, I was coming home trashed. When I had time and age on my side, this was fine. I could sleep and recover quickly and efficiently. When I lost the ability to sleep freely and have longer mornings in bed, it ceased to be an effective method of training.
Stryd has enabled me to counteract this with training by power. The pods take into account the conditions, wind and other factors and enable you to work on the watts being created rather than the pace. The luddite in me felt that, as running is against the clock, that should be the metric I ran by. However, running the same XC courses and road relay courses this year, I have been consistently faster on all of them since moving to power as a training metric.
Knowing that I am working to watts instead of time has meant that I am able to complete training sessions and gain a benefit while not wrecking myself by overtretching myself in sub-optimal conditions. When I first talked with Alex about training with power, I wasn’t swayed by his evangelism. Even when I first received the pods, I was unsure as to how effective they would be. Now, after a good level of training in them, I understand how much of an impact it has had on my running and I am a convert.
What doesn’t work for me
The only thing that doesn’t work for me with Stryd training is me. Stryd offers workouts, training and metrics to help me improve. My only enemy here is that life gets in the way sometimes and stops me from taking the steps I needs to improve. However, it seems churlish of me to hold that against the pods!
Conclusion
Final Verdict
I have had a long time training with Stryd and power. While they have not quite made me an elite runner, battling age, genetics and my lack of discipline with diet is too much even for their abilities, they have enabled me to optimise my training. This has been particularly important at a time in my life when my priorities have had to shift and my training time has been reduced. Stryd has armed me with the knowledge and metrics to make measurable improvements from last year while keeping me fresher for my life outside of running.
As a bonus, the guys behind Stryd are some very friendly and helpful chaps too. This has also helped when I have had some questions about product and training.
From someone who was initially unsure about the benefits. I am now fully converted and don’t take a run without them. With their new release around the corner, I can’t wait to see how much more they have to offer!
