Note if you're reading a watch review: Note that over the past few months new Garmin, Timex and Polar watches have been released. If you're stopping by to read one of my many watch reviews, you'll definitely want to check out the new Garmin FR910XT In Depth Review, the Garmin FR610 In Depth Review, Timex Run Trainer and Polar RCX5 In Depth Review. Always best to know all your options out there. Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

How to download workouts/race plans into your Garmin Forerunner/Edge

Just for the fun of it back a little while ago I decided to input my Nation’s Tri bike race plan into my Garmin device.  It was a super-simple two step plan, so I didn’t have to worry about a potential technological disaster.  Plus, given it was an Oly – and my last one of the year and just a ‘fun’ race, at the very worst I’d just ignore the beeping if incorrect and just simply race my race.

Not knowing how to do this I just started fumbling around in Garmin Training Center.  Turns out – it doesn’t take much fumbling, and only a couple of seconds.  Here’s how ya do it (I did instructions for the 305/405/705).

  1. Open up Garmin Training Center (GTC)
  2. On the top toolbar click on “Workouts” and then right click either Running/Biking/Other, and select “New Workout

     image
  3. It now opens up a little window.  Go ahead and give your workout a name – such as “Track Workout” or “Nations Tri”

    image
  4. From there, you simply click the + or ++ to add steps.  Just like instructions.  When you add a new step, you then select the drop-down boxes below to change what happens on each step.  For example, in the below step I can specify what HR zone I want after I’ve gone 15 miles.

    image
  5. Once you’ve added as many steps as you’d like click “OK” to close the workout (but not GTC).  Then simply click on the little “Send to Device” button on the upper toolbar.  That’s it!

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    image 
  6. Now, just start your little device up and navigate to the ‘Workouts’ area, to do so:
    • Within the 305: Mode > Training > Workouts > Advanced > (then select your workout you just created) > Enter > “Do Workout”

      image 
    • Within the 405: Menu > Training > Workouts > (Scroll Down) Advanced > (then select your workout you just created) > Enter > “Do Workout”

      IMGP0193 914 x 960
       
    • Within the 705: Menu > Training > Workouts > Advanced > (then select your workout you just created) > Enter > “Do Workout”
      IMGP0185 720 x 960 

So there ya go!  That’s it!  Just a couple of quick steps.

15 comments:

Spokane Al September 23, 2008 11:17 PM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lindsay September 24, 2008 11:56 AM  

So I have a question for you: I don't know very much about the whole Garmin series, but I was looking at possibly picking one up as I start into Ironman training, just so I can have a visual of my progression. I'm leaning towards the 405 currently. I noticed on the Garmin site it says the battery is good for about 8 hours in "training mode". Did you use any of your Garmins during ironman, or stick to a simple HRM?

Sarah September 24, 2008 1:07 PM  

I still don't have a Garmin. I must be the last person on planet Tri not to own one.

I still go back and forth between getting one. Maybe I'll ask my parents for one as a Christmas present. It seems so OVERWHELMING, though!

SLB September 24, 2008 4:10 PM  

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

I was thinking about a MB post but it dies in 3 months ;-(

jeanne September 28, 2008 2:42 PM  

i don't have no fancy garmin electronics...but hey, thanks for the info!

Anonymous August 4, 2010 10:58 AM  

Can you create a workout using SportTracks?

Neets_ August 6, 2010 11:34 PM  

Hi there, I followed these steps. I went out to do my run and selected "do workout". The screen changed to just two items. Both showing a bpm. The top one not getting above 11, the bottom appeared to by my current HR.

My step "go until my HR gets above 170 BPM. Try to keep my HR in Zone 2".

All that was recorded was 43 seconds of .02km.

I have no idea what else I need to do, or what I missed, or what I don't understand.

I came back and checked the manual and it seems I did everything correctly.

Any clues?

Cheers
Anita

Anonymous May 7, 2011 4:48 PM  

I tried everything to get the .crs file to show up on the import menu of the garmin training center. I finally found a solution using the old website. When you export the route and get to the box that says "download crs" there is little dropdown menu above it that has the .tcx as well as .crs. I chose .tcx and then selected "download crs" and the .tcx finally appeared in my import and i was able to select the course. I am using a MAC and as mentioned before there is definitely a glitch with the garmin training center.

Chris S. May 25, 2011 10:22 AM  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chris S. May 25, 2011 10:23 AM  

Ray,
I am about to compete in my first 1/2 Iron in a few weeks and am concerned about remembering to take in enough nutrition on the bike. I know what I need to take the concern is remembering to take it, is there a good way to get either the 310XT or Edge800 to remind me? I have read all of your reviews and know you have messed around with every little feature so figured you might be the best person to ask. Thank you for all of your great posts, they have been a big help in my first year competing in this crazy world of Triathlon.
Chris.

Rainmaker May 25, 2011 10:37 PM  

Hi Chris-

Yup, add a time or mileage alert on the FR310XT or 800, which will repeat itself every X minutes and remind you to do something. I use one today on my FR610 for reminding me to drink.

Cheryl August 14, 2011 1:11 PM  

I seem to be stuck with the default running speed zones on the Garmin 310XT. When I customize them with Training Center, the custom zones do not transfer to the device. Do you know of a workaround? All I want are simple plans on the 310XT like 4 miles at 11:10-11:40min/mile pace, then 3miles @ 10:45-11:15 min/mile pace then 1 mile @ 11:10-11:40min/mi. Your Indepth Review of the 310XT implies that you got this to work for you.

Kreso November 10, 2011 5:35 AM  

Hi Ray,

Before few days I bought EDGE 500 in team bundle.

I was very happy to be able create interval workout on GC, but instantly I notice that only 20 steps can be created in one workout.
I was planning to create workouts based on Chris Carmichaels book The Time-Crunched Cyclist, and there are several interval workouts with more than 20 steps.

Is there some work around for this? Something like merging two workouts?
Please if you have any idea please help.

Br,
Kreso

Anonymous February 16, 2012 4:11 AM  

I like the data that the FR610 produces, when I'm running and afterwards. But the version of Garmin Training Centre that is available for Mac is awful. I have not been able to upload training schedules to the watch. Looking at the screenshots in this review, the Mac version does not have a fraction of the options of the PC version.

For such an expensive watch, this is very disappointing.

James May 23, 2012 11:30 AM  

First of all, thanks for all your articles. I've appreciated reading them. Just purchased a FR 405 and trying to determine if I'm going to keep it or upgrade to something else. So far it's meeting my simple running needs. One thing I've notice about workouts is that it appears that I can only download one workout to my 405 from GC. It that correct? Does the 610 or other FRs allow you to hold more than 1 custom workout within the unit?

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