A week in: Triathlon, Gadgets & Tech, is some of the more interesting bits that flash up on my screen during the week. It could be: some interesting article on triathlon training; a new activity tracker; a new swim watch; or a reminder on a new bit of software or firmware for one of your devices.
Please feel free to drop me a line on any related thing you find interesting. There’s a huge amount of information out there that’s more than a few people can keep tabs of.
https://web.archive.org/web/20220906062547/http://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/21858116c1dd950ee98b59f3ac75344e/202839244/fossil-q-630.jpg
- We’ll start of with a new range of nice-looking Fossil Q activity trackers/smart watches.
- The new and accurate optical heart rate-cum-music-cum-running-cum-activity-tracker watch from TomTom was announced in the UK as the Runner 2 and a modified version in the USA as the Spark. Exciting!
- Polar made a few announcements including the long-awaited smartphone notifications for Android for the Polar M400 running watch. Although Android v4.4.4 and below will not work, V5 ‘lolipop’ only. It is possible to forcibly install Android v5 on old watches that will not auto-upgrade to v5.
- Polar A360 – Looks to fill a gap in the market despite lack of GPS. Exciting!
- The least best-kept secret was released from Garmin with the new Forerunner 630. It does look to be a fully featured, top-end running watch. Let’s hope all the features are delivered, working as planned.
- Alongside the 630 a new HRM4-RUN was sneaked in relatively unannounced. Though it is unclear if it offers any new functionality over and above the existing HRM-RUN. Exciting!
- TomTom financials look good. Lots more investment in sports gadgetry please Mr TomTom.
- The iOS Suunto Movescount app was updated with some minor improvements.
- The new Garmin Connect Mobile app was also announced. It looks nicer, let’s see what lies beneath later.
- Training Peaks reminds us of the need for strength and power training. Many of us neglect that and keep getting beaten!
- Sport Tracks now autosyncs to Peripedal indoor training software.
- With triathlon-related divorces probably on the rise, MIO Global suggests ways to fit family life into your hectic training schedule!
Our Stuff – Busy Busy
A selection of stuff from the5krunner’s week
- Lost in Kempton with TOMTOM RUNNER 2.
- Polar M450 in Yorkshire.
- Detailed Review: TomTom Runner 2/Spark. Good HR.
- New Brand: Soar Tech-Running clothing. Keen to promote new brands.
- Polar A360 announcement. Looks great.
- Garmin 630 Beauty Parade. Nicey-nicey.
- New Garmin HRM4-RUN. One more for the HRM collection
- Scosche Rhythm re-test. Surely it was never that good?
- Polar M450 Detailed Review
Related reading: Suunto firmware updates go from strength-to-stength.
Related reading: Sporttracks auto-syncs with EPSON RUNSENSE watches.
Last Updated on 8 April 2026 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Kineon MOVE+: Red light therapy for niggles. It works.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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Written by real people, with AI assistance. Fact-checked and verified for originality. See the Editorial Policy. FTC: Affiliate Disclosure — some links pay commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
