Garmin Training Center

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 TC 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 TC. 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 TC 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 TC, 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 TrailNetwork, where you can contribute, share, and search through a growing database of running, cycling, and other outdoor activities from around the world.

Following a structured workout schedule is an important element of any training program, and it's the key to reaching your fitness goals. With Training Center, creating and scheduling your workouts is simple. TC even comes with several workout templates designed by the experts at 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 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 TC, 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.