We just ordered a peloton bike. I was poking around the app last night looking at all that's available and was curious about the guided outdoor runs. Have any of you done any of these, and if so, what do you think?

I think they're useful for tempo runs or if you need the extra motivation. Generally, it's a coach (some talk more than others), who will tell you the structure of the run workout, tell you when to speed up (and at what speed), when to slow down, when to turn around and head back home, etc all with music in the background.

The few that I've done that featured coaches that wouldn't stop talking were not my favorite, but sometimes it's nice to listen to them as a distraction. I would say they definitely have less talking than the normal Peloton spin classes, in which most instructors keep talking nonstop.

Personally, I'm more of the type to just turn my brain off and run. I don't even listen to music normally.

Thanks. Typically I listen to books or podcasts when running. I don't really want a chatty coach in my ear more than direction on speed, rpe, etc. Do you recall which coaches are less chatty than others?

I actually really enjoy the outdoor runs and they are also putting more tracking for the runs as well (it used to just show heart rate data, but now you'll get the route/pace etc) I typically run Strava with it as well.

I think it's pretty solid for 30-45 minute runs. If you're really zoning out for a long run, you're probably targeting an audio book or podcast anyways.

The interval workouts and splits are pretty helpful if you're not coming in with a specific workout plan. I just did the 2k run this morning with Andy and I thought it was great. Matt Wilpers is always solid.

Selena is solid, but you'll get pop music from time to time. Chase Tucker can be a bit more motivational but he's not bad. Used him more for treadmill running

Done a bunch of runs as well and I'd agree with most all of the above. I think the 20-30 min interval and HIIT runs are the sweetspot. They're solid workouts and the motivating chattiness isn't as distracting. For long run days, I think there is still only 8 total 60-min classes (most as part of a marathon training module). I'm guessing there's a of a lack of demand at and above the 45-min level. I assume because people usually do their own thing on long run days. The longer the run the more the chattiness starts to wear on me. Rarely are they quiet for longer than 30 seconds it seems. And maybe that can be a good thing because when you've heard them remind you not to wear new gear on raceday or to get more sleep in advance a race for the 30th time it might help you zone out and just run. They're still fine for long runs and longer tempo run days but with such a small catalog of longer classes I've found myself repeating them.

I think this is exactly what I was hoping for. Something to mix-in on 30-45min runs. On long runs I'll do my own thing. Thanks!

K Bo said:

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We just ordered a peloton bike. I was poking around the app last night looking at all that's available and was curious about the guided outdoor runs. Have any of you done any of these, and if so, what do you think?

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I actually did one today because I ended up having to run inside and didn't really have a plan. It was a solid interval ladder. I like that they use time over distance and have found a few that are great workouts. There biggest concern for me is that I wish they would just shut up and let me run. I don't need cheerleading the whole freaking run.

Did a 30min interval run and Andy Speer this morning and I liked it. I never really found him overly chatty but more being very thorough in how the runner should be feeling at each stage of the run. It's been a while since I've sprinted or run much over a 7-8/10 RPE so lots of work to do on that front. It was really nice to mix it up, though, rather than just go run X mins or X miles in HR zone X. Also, I was so focused on the running I never really heard the music. I'll definitely be adding this to the weekly routine.

As a quick note, if you run out of the outdoor material, you can also use the tread content. They have a pretty similar structure - you just won't get the "we're halfway done if you want to turn around" prompt. I forgot about Andy - he's solid as well. The instructors that will be the most "chatty" are the beginner runs (particularly fun runs/pop runs, etc).

if you stick w/ the intermediate/advanced, you'll get a good workout that's not too distracting. Sometimes, the breathing prompts are definitely helpful ... at least for me.

I really enjoy them!

Becs Gentry has been calling out halfway points in a lot of her tread runs recently. I don't remember her doing that a lot before but I have noticed it.

Becs and Matt Wilpers are the more endurance/advanced runner focused out of the instructors.
I like Andy Speer for his decade rock runs. I like his music style choices. All 3 of them seem to set up

This is more about being on the tread and not outside. Of the others, the only one that I can chill out and run with is Selena with her country runs. I tend to do the option to turn up the music and turn down the instructor (that is on the tread, not sure on app).

I've done other instructors but often find myself turning the sound all the way down and turning on a podcast or running with nothing. Those tend to be an easy run day or just picking a class at random to get more time.