Getting Competitive with your GPS Training Device

July 18, 2012 0 By Jakob

For several years now we have had the option of carrying high-accuracy devices on trainings. In recent years various types of GPS devices have become increasingly popular. Especially among endurance athletes like cyclists, runners, and triathletes. I too have trained with such devices for what must be almost 10 years now – but it is not until today that I’ve truly discovered the value of using the routes feature.

In short the routes feature of devices enables you to pick a route, copy it to your device and train on the route trying to beat the time of anyone that tried that route prior to you.

Routes features can be found here:

Devices that can be used include:

  • Garmin’s devices, like the Edge-series and the Forerunner-series can be used with Endomondo;
  • Smartphones, Garmin and other devices can be used with Endomondo, Nike+, Runkeeper and other services.

Some of you may have Polar heart rate  monitors. Those are not included automatically on Endomondo at least. Given my own experience with Polar (which dates back about 10 years), I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they try to keep things proprietary.

So, how did I get on today??

Well, first I saved someone else’s workout as a course on Garmin Connect. Once that was done, I could easily copy it to my Edge 705 and my 910XT (yes, they both come along for the ride). It was pretty easy to follow the route using the Edge 705 and I’d recommend that, the Garmin Edge 800 or a smartphone to follow the route. Worked really well!!

Especially beautiful is that while you’re out racing the route, you can follow exactly how far ahead or behind (in my case) you are.

All done, the route was easily saved in Endomondo once I had uploaded the workout to my profile: http://www.endomondo.com/routes/72761401. Now others can go knock themselves out in order to beat my time.

It’s time to get competitive – Have fun !