Using a Personal GPS Tracker for training

I do a lot of running and biking, every now and then entering some pretty crazy endurance events like ultramarathons, Ironman triathlons, and adventure races. A GPS receiver can make a pretty good training partner: You can use it for lots of things besides helping you avoid getting lost. This Blog is for athletes who exercise outside in the fresh air (sorry, no gym tips) and want to know how to incorporate GPS receivers into their workouts. A Portable GPS not only helps you successfully get between Point A and Point B but is also handy for staying found. These tips apply to almost any sport:

Measure distances over known courses: Instead of guessing the course or route length, you can use a GPS receiver to measure the distance with a fair amount of accuracy.

Better understand the elevation of courses: Elevation data can give you a more accurate sense of how flat or hilly a course really is. Even if your GPS receiver doesn’t have a barometric altimeter (which is required for more precise altitude measurement), the elevation data associated with recorded tracks gives you a ballpark idea of how steep a course is.

Better understand speed: Your GPS receiver has a trip computer that provides information about your maximum, minimum, and average speed. By analyzing track data, you can measure your speed over individual sections of a course.

Discover new courses: Uploading recorded tracks to an aerial photo or topographic map shows you where you’ve been and can also reveal nearby roads or trails that you didn’t know about.

Your GPS receiver can play a few roles as an electronic training partner:

Data logger: In this mode, the GPS receiver records data that you process when you get back home. You download the data to your PC and a program that analyzes the track log. While you’re working out, you never really look at the GPS receiver (unless you get lost, of course).

You can use any general purpose GPS receiver as a data logger. When you’re logging data, follow these rules:

• Lock sufficient satellites: Always make sure your Personal GPS Tracking Device has a lock on at least four satellites (the minimum you need for a good 3-D fix) before you start your workout.

• Start clean: Before you start, clear the active track log. When you’re finished working out, immediately turn off the GPS receiver.

Always download the active log to your computer first before saving it in the GPS receiver. Some GPS receivers remove the track date and time data or compress the number of tracks when you save a track log.

Coach: In this mode, you use the GPS receiver to give you immediate feedback while you’re working out. It’s still logging track data, but you’re looking at the screen, checking your speed, distance, and time. Several GPS receivers on the market are specifically designed to perform as a workout coach. Don’t use your GPS receiver’s battery saver mode if you’re using your GPS receiver to record tracks while you’re working out. The accuracy of your tracks will be diminished because satellite data is received less often. Use rechargeable batteries instead.

More information at http://www.jimilab.com/blog/ .