Comments on: Be your own high-tech coach! – Garmin Forerunner Training Programs

By: 16 Week Countdown Begins « runningDATCom

16 Week Countdown Begins « runningDATCom — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 10:33:32 +0000

[...] World Smart Coach or the training program that can be downloaded to my Garmin, as reported by i2 Runner. I’ll have to figure this out this week [...]

By: sandrunner

sandrunner — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:25:09 +0000

Hi, no I just stuck with the pace settings. It was too much at first because I had been out of training and had to catch up on the pace 7 weeks out from the race on a 16 week program. I run in Bahrain, mostly flat desert so my running pace is fairly constant. The Heat Rate option must be worth a try but personally my working heart rate is a lot higher than all the prediction tables so I tend just to monitor my HR not follow programs based on it. The good thing is having your exact workout ready on the 405 when you wake up in the morning just like a coach telling you what to do. The Virtual Partner can be annoying but I refer to it at several times on a run, sometimes it’s ahead sometimes me but I make sure I beat it every time. Having said that sometimes I’ve worked harder than I know I should have done just to beat it. That’s where the HR option could benefit you ! It’s worth a try anyway but as I said the only drawback is the program is not very flexible once downloaded. Let me know how you get on. Cheers.

By: i2runner

i2runner — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 07:47:30 +0000

Hi DJ, thanks for the feedback because I haven’t used this yet. It sucks to know that you can’t modify the pace once you’ve downloaded it. When I do most of my runs, I hate using the virtual partner because I never run at a constant pace. It also won’t apply to hilly terrain, the pace would just be messy. Maybe I’ll use the Heart Rate option instead, where the real effort is actually being monitored. Have you tried this already?

By: dj10

dj10 — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:35:10 +0000

Hi, Interesting thread. I just completed one of these Garmin ready schedules for a Marathon 2 weeks ago. I found the program 7 weeks before the Marathon, simply entered the race dates and downloaded to my 405. The race times told me to follow the sub 3.45 prog but I adjusted this slightly as I only started training 7 weeks out. The downloadable programs are a great motivational tool and especially for me as I work abroad and train alone most of the time. A daily reminder even pops up on the watch to tell you which workout to do just like a training partner or coach. So, overall I would really recommend to anyone who trains alone but it might not suit someone who is a member of a running club, has a coach already or prefers running in groups. The times and paces once downloaded are not adjustable unless you delete the whole program and reset your prediction time. The vritual partner is used on all the workouts and you race against the pace given which is fun. Hope I can help anyone / advise if you thinking of doing this program. Good luck, great blog I2runner.

By: i2runner

i2runner — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:52:45 +0000

Doc Lyndon, sure why not. I owe you a lot already. By the way if you plan to sell your GF305, let me know.

Gleeman, you’re welcome. May you have more PR’s to come.

By: gleeman

gleeman — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 06:05:06 +0000

Great find man! Thanks!

By: Malmonmd

Malmonmd — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:57:57 +0000

I am not that techie…..or just lazy to read on….. Just teach me after our half at Condura……. Thanks for the share.

By: i2runner

i2runner — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:43:45 +0000

Wow, I see you’ve just received your blond GF405!
Great color! Just in time for this post. You can be your own coach right now.

By: ibetlacbay

ibetlacbay — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:10:49 +0000

uy, this is nice. will try this. salamats!