Zwift Running - First Run

[@johnellis2992]

I've run over 500 miles using Zwift. I love it. I live in a winter environment and I dont even venture out into the cold and slush. I select random incline to vary the run. I think it's great because it gives you more control over your runs. I see heart rate, cadence, pace. You can increase speed when you want without worrying about slipping on ice, etc. I won't run outside until April with my first marathon being at the end of May. The longest I've ever run is 13.1 miles. Great for speed work.

[@TheFODRunner]

Haha the way you were giggling throughout when explaining things made me realise just how much you enjoyed this! I think it looks like a great tool to make treadmill running more interesting.

[@kofuzi]

It’s absurd and useful at the same time. This is exactly in my wheelhouse.

[@cicirunner]

There are run specific routes where bikes aren't allowed to go. Makes it easier to see other nearby runners. The races look fun! The best way is definitely with an iPad.

[@eoincasey5461]

Zwift running is great. I've been using it the past few years. I'm a level 20 now. You should join up with some of the group runs/races. There is a 400m track on it now also.

[@livegreatalways]

Wow.. Is there a maximum level like 25? Now that I am in a lock-down for than a mth already, Zwift is like a life-saver. Otherwise, I really dunno how I am goin to log-in those miles indoor.

[@eoincasey5461]

@@livegreatalways Only goes to Level 21 for now.

[@_trust9994]

@@eoincasey5461 What do I need to get started? What footpod do you suggest? I want to start by running and If I like it, will buy their Smart bike too.

[@chicagotat2]

I love zwift. Living in the cold without zwift I wouldn't be able to do a quarter of the running I do in the winter. It also gives you goals to shoot for, with levels and achievements

[@kofuzi]

I wasn’t planning on doing any fast running there, but then there’s some badges you can get. So I’m sure I will eventually

[@RunningOtaku]

You seem to be having a great time making today’s video. It’s nice to see the lighter side of Kofuzi! Hmmmm...maybe I should try this out? Zwift is from Long Beach, California. Go South Bay!

[@WhiskyMystery]

You are supposed to be resting :-)

[@kofuzi]

Ah, I didn’t realize that.

[@TimGrose]

Good to see you on Zwift. Been using it for running for 3 years now and certainly makes treadmill running a lot more fun. If you can try some of the group runs which I find the best as it helps motivates you knowing others are doing exactly the same thing and you end up pushing yourself bit more to keep up or even ahead. The Tour de Zwift events are on at the moment and the Watopia running festival with events from a mile to a half marathon is coming up in a few weeks. Oh and, unlike cycling, running is free for the foreseeable future. iPad is best for Zwift at a gym or big screen setup at home.

[@kofuzi]

I’d like to do a group run next. I’m going to try it with an iPad next time.

[@nickclark5883]

I did my first Zwift ride the other day, it was pretty fun. I haven't recovered property from an ultra and now I'm paying for it so taking some time off running.

[@kofuzi]

How was the ultra?

[@nickclark191]

kofuzi It was tough but a great experience, weather was terrible with sections of the race knee deep underwater. I was not prepared for the downhill and it completely destroyed my quads, finished it just under 7 hours for 58k. I ran in the Hoka Torrent which is my favourite trail shoe.

[@TrailsToTracks]

Definitely going to look into this for the days on the dreadmill. I'd probably have to pass the person too lol

[@nicknazach]

Just got zwift myself. Enjoyed the two runs I have done. Definitely could not see any of the data when I used my phone. Look forward to watching another video after you’ve used it for a while.

[@kofuzi]

I’m definitely fumbling around a bit in there. Looking forward to some more time in the app

[@ferf04]

I think that it is a good idea to have your treadmill runs be your "hill workout" days. I have never run Boston but i have seen that elevation chart and i would have a day where i would focus on hill training. Better to be prepared for those hills than not.

[@kofuzi]

That’s the plan for Tuesday mornings

[@jeffreyanderson3501]

I have never heard of Zwift before...it looks pretty cool. Could have used it tonight on my 6 miler.

[@kofuzi]

It’s very big in the cycling and triathlon community. I’m surprised it’s not more popular with runners

[@graaf33]

you should definitely set up an live zwift stream, that be awesome. Boost your KZbin subscribers base and zwift runners base, come on!👍

[@kofuzi]

I just don’t think I can do it without a dedicated room. But I’ll figure something out

[@EEA-2022]

I recently got into Zwift with the higher temps here in NC. I am laughing right now because of how you said that you didn’t want someone passing you and you started to speed up! Haha runners- We are so competitive sometimes! 😂

[@donshields2379]

I love how your mind works in trying make a different experience in the training with swift. Innovation is great.

[@kofuzi]

Trying new things. It’s a good time to be a runner

[@joeculligan8937]

I was very similar to you. Advertised a bunch of times so I finally broke down and did it. As far as I know the running is free. Only the cyclists have to pay per month but not 100% sure of that. I really enjoyed it. Exploring different landscapes and the like. Achievements are always fun to get. I plan on using it a lot when the weather is not agreeable.

[@kofuzi]

We’ve had a very mild winter so far in Chicago. I anticipate a lot of late season disagreeableness in the near future

[@Kyoshon]

I did my first 100mile bike ride on zwift yesterday, and I just recently ordered a footpod

[@kofuzi]

How was it?

[@Kyoshon]

@@kofuzi I did 101 miles on zwift ending with one other person out of like eight of us in the group in five hours ten minutes, next month we'll go for sub five hours. Also have the footpod now, training for a double marathon in the uinta mountains (high elevation)!

[@MrMgizzoman]

I love Zwift! It is hard to get accurate readings if you don’t have a treadmill made for it but I love their training plans.

[@kofuzi]

I haven’t looked through their training plans. I’ll take a look. (Although tbh, I don’t really like following any training plans)

[@justeenabella]

Loving your content! What was the song in the beginning of your video?

[@snakey973]

this sounds interesting- anything that can make the treadmill more bearable is worth looking into, thanks for the review! A way to have a group run virtually would be pretty cool 🙂

[@kofuzi]

Trying to wrap my head around it, but my thought process on this so far is pretty preliminary

[@jeremyjami]

I have been using Zwift for cycling for about a year and love it and been wanting to try the runs. I have a smart trainer for the bike that takes care of all the elevation changes automatically. I know the runs do not do that but I've never been able to find someone that showed if Zwift tells you what the elevation should be and you just manually change it.

[@kofuzi]

I haven’t been able to determine that part. Still figuring it out. It could just be that I can’t see when I’m supposed to change it (due to small screen).

[@jeremyjami]

@@kofuzi On the bike in the upper right corner there is a small map that shows the current grade% my guess is it would be in the same spot. The experience is definitely much better on the iPad if you continue to use. Thanks for the review. I really enjoy all of your content.

[@MickJabber]

@@kofuzi Yeah, the percentage on the minimap is the current incline/decline of the road you're running. Adjusting it manually on a treadmill is easy enough

[@jordanrundell9962]

I do Zwift riding, since I do both riding and running. I have ran on zwift like twice. I can see how it could be cool, but I still like my outdoors runs as much as possible.

[@ejquezad]

I use zwift and it has helped me improve my cadence since you are always aware of it having it on the screen. I put on my ear buds and listen to the music that gets me going and with zwift, time goes by so quickly.

[@kofuzi]

The time does go by quickly

[@jarrodcrano2291]

Zwift is in Long Beach, CA

[@tomdillon5054]

Interesting with Zwift....I do agree tough to see on a small phone...I don’t mind the treadmill, but might try this!

[@kofuzi]

I’ve been surprisingly pleased with it

[@woolfel]

it's the zwift effect. lots of people have a tough time resisting the urge, especially if your friends are on and they try to get you to race. I believe "at a boy" is british. "I'm toast" is from cycling.

[@kofuzi]

It’s so amusing to me that the different sports have their own dialects

[@EverythingIsPhotogenic]

Woohoo welcome to the dark side! Love the workout function, it helps to chunk out blocks of time on the treadmill that makes it less mind numbing

[@kofuzi]

Haven’t tried the workouts yet. But I’ll probably be looking around for a hill climb type of session

[@ChrisDrew]

I just started using it and you will run WAY more miles than listening to podcasts and looking at the wall.

[@kofuzi]

I hope so!

[@ThomStout]

My thoughts exactly! Zwift is fun and helps pass the time. Unfortunately my Apple series 0 watch doesn’t always show how hard I’m working in the app. Maybe it time for some new tech,lol.

[@kofuzi]

I’ll have to try it with an Apple Watch

[@rawrss]

Hey Mike, if you're ever out of content for your next video, can you feature some some podcasts/music/playlists you listen to on your runs? (just saw your road runners video)

[@kofuzi]

For sure!

[@himynameisgabe]

Idea. What about a short live stream or Instagram story before a planned group run. Could go over a set workout, pace, or just give people time beforehand to be ready just like IRL.

[@kofuzi]

That’s what I’m thinking I’ll do for the immediate future. I usually know when I’m going to be on a treadmill, so I can see if anyone would want to join, even if we’re not live-streaming or doing something else similarly complicated

[@IVfluids1]

I have a really difficult time running the hamster wheel. The combination from monotony of moving and not getting anywhere, no breeze, no ambient sounds from outside, to name a few... it just feels off and uninspiring. My employer is very big on health and fitness with going so far as to having a nice/modestly equipped fitness center that I hardly ever use because I would rather run in cold Wisconsin winters than being on a treadmill. After watching your video, I may give the Zwift trial a try, it just may be that little bit of distraction from the repetitiveness that i need - might get me to use the equipment in that fitness center! Are there ambient sounds that go with it, like outdoorsy stuff that you would expect to hear? Footsteps from other runners or sounds from cyclists etc. Thanks for the video!

[@kofuzi]

Lots of ambient noises. A lot of bings and beeps as well that I’m not exactly sure yet what they mean

[@anthonywardley]

Group runs is a cool idea. AirPods and Siri to dictate rather than type?

[@kofuzi]

That’s where I’m leaning. Although maybe just try to fumble through it with thumbs for the first few times

[@MichaelMansfieldTri]

Before you know it, you will be biking on there too. Only the swim left before your first tri!

[@kofuzi]

I’m feeling the pull in that direction. I don’t own a bike and can hardly swim though

[@RunLikeHeller]

Woah I was literally thinking about trying zwift yesterday because I’m tired of the treadmill!

[@kofuzi]

Let me know if you sign up. Let’s do a group run

[@Lazarky9]

Looks like I need to renew my Zwift account. I usually cycle with Zwift

[@kofuzi]

Get back on there. Let’s get in a group run And others have been saying that you don’t need a paid account to run only. I’ll look into it to confirm, but a couple of people have said that

[@ryanmcgeorge5390]

Tried it once on my mobile at the gym. Would be much better I expect on a big screen. I think there is a way to do voice to text on Zwift but I'm not sure how.

[@kofuzi]

That’s what people are telling me. I’ll get it figured out

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

Your a pretty cool fellow, enjoying your videos. Please do more faster tempos for your next marathon (with strides within), it won't doing everything slow.

[@kofuzi]

Ok

[@MikeSmith-rd9fi]

@@kofuzi glad you agree. sub 3 will come with more MP long runs and tempo paced mid week runs + strides. trust me.

[@In2netDave]

Is there any trails or mountains? Or is it only roads? I guess my real question is really if there's a vertical option on runs or are you just running on a flat road for 10 miles.

[@eoincasey5461]

Yep there are volcanoes to run up as well as mountains, one being called Alpe de Zwift. Also you can run around London and Central Park in New York.

[@kofuzi]

The volcano makes me giggle

[@Nonixification]

Nice! Dont forget to connect Zwift with Strava so you will get the GPS route.

[@kofuzi]

I haven’t been connecting it due to my watch and HR monitor testing I’ve been doing. But I like that the route will show up. I didn’t know that

[@Nonixification]

@@kofuzi i connect my hr strap via Bluetooth to my phone and connect with ant+ to my watch. same with stryd. Later when I finish I have 2 Runs and can decide which one to keep or delete.

[@diaspo]

Black Mirror did this a couple of seasons ago

[@kofuzi]

Life imitates art

[@kofuzi]

I really just want to live on the Axiom

[@hurryhrd]

Do you see this as better, worse or different to watching Netflix while you run? I have heard the same warning about getting competitive while running and thereby defeating the purpose of the training session. Being farther north than you, I am spending 100% of my runs on the treadmill and have found a few things to make more interesting like adding in a pickup every 10 minutes just to break up the monotony.

[@TimGrose]

Peter Watt we do quite a few group workouts where the idea is to push yourself but not to the extent of racing. Bit like in real life running hard with others is generally better because of the motivational aspects.

[@hectorcortes1980]

Big zwift user 👍🏾👍🏾 for the cycling

[@kofuzi]

Awesome!

[@kevrunsascott]

Can you unlock the Vaporfly on Zwift by any chance?

[@kofuzi]

I don’t know

[@gokiwi2642]

Wow Swift looks amazing, I never new you could run with other runners on a treadmill in real time, I hate normal type treadmill running that looks like fun, think in time that will become very popular, looks like a bit to improve on, like looking into iPad or iPhone size screen is ridiculous, needs to be at least a 45 inch screen, & use like a head set & microphone like the gamers do, thanks for showing that is really cool interesting 🧐😀

[@kofuzi]

That’s how a lot of cyclists set theirs up

[@drfunk1216]

Can you review different outfits on Zwift when you get them??

[@kofuzi]

Omg, that would be hilarious. Maybe as an IG story.

[@jarrodcrano2291]

I’m not a fan of the zwift pod I think it is prettty inaccurate but I’m not sure. I love zwift for biking

[@mlegrand]

I’m a big fan of Zwift . . . for biking. 😬

[@roberthodgson3574]

Dude, tell me 2 months on you don't have a treadmill in your apartment and not on level 10 by now lol

[@nathaliec7330]

welcome to the zwift been on this for over 2 years as i am a cyclist but do all my speed work on this and got to run Mo Farrah lol RIDE ON BIG SCREEN IS A MUST ps for typing they have a special app to speak to it and it types sorry forgot the name of it but people use it on cycling and leaders use it trust me they dont type and run at the same time

[@kofuzi]

I need that app. I’ll find it!

[@nathaliec7330]

@@kofuzi discord i think it is

[@mathman76]

"attaboys"! The newest 2020 software update!

[@kofuzi]

In Zwift’s defense, it’s not actually attaboy. But for whatever reason, that’s what I remembered.

[@mathman76]

@@kofuzi "Ride On!"

[@antondcmd]

Get an ipad mini. just the right size for the treadmill...

[@kofuzi]

My eyesight is terrible. I was thinking about an iPad pro

[@antondcmd]

kofuzi was initially thinking about that... but the larger size covers a lot of the numbers on the treadmill (speed, inline). Good if your treadmill has a designated tablet holder. But I agree, the larger the screen size... the better! Good luck!

[@justicewithanish]

I hope we get in India. Since can’t really run on the road due to dogs and traffic.

[@kofuzi]

Dogs and traffic. That’s quite the duo of obstacles

[@justicewithanish]

kofuzi True That, Thanks for a reply mate. Your channel ought to be way ahead by now but carry on the good work, magic of compounding will kick in soon.

[@kcbnccarter1]

Interesting!

[@kofuzi]

It’s peculiar for sure. But fun, I think

[@TimGrose]

Typing lot easier on an iPad and if you can run a marathon holding a selfie stick then one handed running with the other typing should be possible with a bit of practice. You can create meet-ups but limited to named users you invite. Maybe can setup a group run hosted by you. Message me if interested as know some people at Zwift who look after running.

[@kofuzi]

Thanks Tim! I’ll try and see what I can do within the confines of the app as is, but I will certainly reach out if I’m hitting limitations. Thanks so much for the offer!

[@brandonb.5304]

Anyone else find treadmill runs much more difficult than runs outside? I find myself struggling to run my average pace on a treadmill but find it easy outside. Anyone know why this is?

[@hoggypotter1]

I'm exactly the same. Run much better outside than on the treadmill. Always assumed it was due to the environment and it being more interesting.

[@brandonb.5304]

@@hoggypotter1 I also feel like I expend a lot of energy just trying to maintain my balance on the treadmill and not fall off. My stabalizer muscles are always more sore after a treadmill run than a run outside.

[@flanders2006]

Yeah, the same here. You are not alone.

[@kofuzi]

I think you’re working slightly differently on the treadmill. I could be wrong on that though

[@GoBearrister]

Yes. I have a Peloton Tread. Based on RPE my paces are somewhere between 30-60 seconds slower on the Tread vs outside.

[@nadi0]

Attaboy = Riiiiiiiiiide on

[@kofuzi]

yes! that's it. when i hear it, I hear an Australian surfer dude saying Right On.

[@bf5420]

I don't have a choice of running- My only choice is biking

[@eoincasey5461]

There's a Zwift Run Facebook page also that has loads of great tips and information. Very friendly page also, everyone willing to help everyone else. facebook.com/groups/zwiftrunners/

[@kofuzi]

Hmmm. Helpful informative page. But I’d have to log in to Facebook to view it. The universe rarely gives with both hands, it seems

[@enonek2960]

"Pass me? ,Oh no, that's not going to happen!" LOL! [Kofuzi Avatar: "Pooweer up Kooooofuuuuzi Kiccck!"]

[@kofuzi]

I could be way wrong, but I do think there are power ups somewhere in this game

[@DiegoP.Escouto]

🔝✌🏻🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@kofuzi]

Yo!