TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – In this week’s episode of Run for Fun we focus on data. Specifically, the data that many runners and non-runners get from their smartwatches.

Leigh Spann and Coach Maria discuss what the different criteria mean and how to interpret the data. Runners training with Garmin or Apple Watch data is relatively new, so it can be a lot to understand.

Some of the aspects, like VO2 Max, are mostly hereditary, and no amount of running will change it much. Other data, like heart rate, can help runners run slow enough on easy days to increase fitness levels without breaking down the body too much. Sleep analysis can also help people learn to get enough restful hours of sleep to properly recover from the daily runs.

It’s also important not to depend solely on watch data. Runners need to listen to their bodies as well as look at data. The data is meant to supplement your training, but it doesn’t know if you ate enough, had a stressful day at work, etc.

For more ways to keep running an enjoyable part of your life, be sure to watch or listen to previous episodes of Run for Fun.