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Whether you want to set a PR in your next 10K or you're gearing up for
your first century ride, meeting your goal is a matter of training vs.
exercising. Training takes discipline, but now there's a tool to help
you every step of the way. Garmin Training Center software is included with the purchase of
the Forerunner 305, 205.
Garmin Training Center™(GTC) software,
designed for the
Forerunner
305,
Forerunner
205, Edge™ 305,
and Edge 205 lets
you plan, analyze and store data from your fitness activities — all in
simple, easy-to-follow steps from the convenience of your PC.
Even if
you've never followed a structured training program in the past, using
the Forerunner or cyclist-friendly Edge along with GTC software will
motivate you and provide valuable feedback to help you achieve your
personal best.
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
Forerunner and Edge record an incredible amount
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.
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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. 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. |
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When you upload your history data to GTC,
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." |
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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.
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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 TrailNetwork, where you can
contribute, share, and search through a growing database of running,
cycling, and other outdoor activities from around the world.
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Planning Workouts
With Garmin Training Center, creating and
scheduling your workouts is simple. GTC comes with several
workout templates designed by
TrainingPeaks.com,
which you can download directly to your Forerunner 301, 205, 305
(workouts cannot be downloaded to the Forerunner 201) and the Edge.
The templates explain different types of workouts and why they are
beneficial in reaching training goals.. |
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
- You can be transfer custom workouts to
the Forerunner 301, 205, 305 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!
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