| The Garmin Training
Center has two primary functions: analyzing what you've already
done in your activity and planning what you want to do in future
activities. For more information and instructions, see the Garmin
Training Center Help system.
Analyzing History
The Garmin
Forerunner and Edge GPS record a lot of data
from your running, biking or other outdoor activities. Now that you
have this data, put it to work for you by uploading it to GTC
for analysis and long-term storage. Once the data is transferred,
your course is overlaid on a map, giving you a real-time picture of
your performance at any point in your activity.
The map shows basic detail such as streets, bodies of water, etc.
For additional map detail, you can purchase one of Garmin's MapSource®
CDs and use it in conjunction with GTC. If you're into mountain
biking or cross-country skiing, for example, you might be interested
in a CD offering topographic detail such as terrain contours,
elevations and more.
On the main GTC page, the graph below the map charts your pace,
speed, heart rate, elevation, or grade data based on time or
distance. With one mouse click, you can change the data shown on
each axis or zoom in and out on the graph. Move the cursor along
the graph to see exactly what speed you were traveling or how fast
your heart was beating at that point in time. These features let
you pinpoint specific areas and see how elevation and other
factors affect your performance.
When you upload your history data to the Garmin Training
Center, it's automatically sorted into one of three folders —
Running, Biking or Other — based on the profile you selected in
your unit. You can then create as many subfolders as you like and
further categorize your history data under titles such as
"kayaking," "mountain biking rides" or
"10K races."
You can also view the hard data for your activities, which will
help you analyze each lap. Simply click on the Totals tab instead
of the Map tab. The Notes tab allows you to add comments about
that particular activity or lap.
If you'd like a more
detailed analysis of your activity, Garmin has partnered with MotionBased,
an online service that allows you to upload your activities for
storage and review. From their site, you can access a variety of
Web-based tools including charts, reports, historical weather, split
analysis and interactive maps, which let you "relive" your
activities by simulating the exact route with media controls. MotionBased
also provides an online community, the Trail Network, where you can
contribute, share, and search through a growing database of running,
cycling, and other outdoor activities from around the world.
Planning Workouts
Following a structured workout schedule is an important element
of any training program, and it's the key to reaching your fitness
goals. With Garmin Training Center, creating and scheduling your
workouts is simple. The GTC even comes with several workout
templates designed by the experts at TrainingPeaks.com,
which you can download directly to your Forerunner 301, 205, 305
and the Edge (workouts cannot be downloaded to the
Forerunner 201) . The templates explain different types of
workouts and why they are beneficial. In addition to helping you
meet your goals, sticking to an established workout plan can help
prevent injuries, especially if you're training for your first
marathon or a similar race.
For more information on the workouts and
other technical advice available from TrainingPeaks.com,
visit their Web site. The site also provides a number of training
plans, such as beginner, intermediate and advanced programs for
various races, which you can purchase and download directly to your
Forerunner and Edge.
In addition to the workout templates, you can set up customized
workouts in GTC, specifying exercise and rest intervals (or steps)
based on time, distance, heart rate and more. You can also establish
a target for each step, such as maintaining a certain heart rate or
pace (speed zone). All options are prompted or selected from a
pull-down menu, which simplifies your options and makes planning
workouts a breeze. As with the workout histories, your planned
workouts are stored in the Running, Biking and Other folders, and
you can create additional subfolders.
Customized GTC workouts can be transferred to the Forerunner 301,
205, 305 (Forerunner 201 owners can create these same customized
workouts on the PC, however they cannot transfer them to their unit)
and the Edge. To schedule your workout for a specific day, drag and
drop the workout title onto the calendar in GTC. When you're done,
click the download button to transfer the workouts to your unit.
When you're ready to start the new workout, you'll find it stored
under Advanced Workouts in your unit's Training menu. Select the
workout, start the timer on your unit and go!
|
