Using a Garmin Forerunner 405: Lesson 1, Introduction to Garmin Connect

Most runners I have met don't seem to take advantage of many of the features of their Garmin 405 sports watch. The out-of-the-box default setting is adequate for tracking basic measurements such as time, distance, and heart rate. But if you are in training or running a race why not take advantage of some of the great features available with the watch?

When you purchase a Garmin Forerunner 50 or 405 you get access to Garmin Connect, a web site where you can upload and track all your runs or "activities."

The Garmin Connect website used to be extremely flaky, but they seem to have worked out most of the earlier problems. The following is a summary view from one of my recent runs. As you can see, upon data upload Garmin Connect automatically maps the run against Google Maps and also provides useful summary information.

If you set up your watch properly, you can obtain a record of your split times. If I had worn a heart-rate monitor, my average heart rate would also appear for each split.

It would be useful to have the ability to attach notes for each run. For example, on mile 6 I slowed down considerably as a fellow runner felt the need to ask me all kinds of "computer" questions. Or, on mile 12 I stopped for a water break and then lost some time coming back up to pace.

Garmin continues to make improvements to the web site and it's worth your while to get "connected" to the web site. The "Getting Started" section of the "Help" page is a good starting point for using Garmin Connect.

Comments

[heart rate monitor watches]

.., the use of heart rate more is proven to be very effective in cases of health problem and even in sports... when you are aware of the abnormality of heart function then this is indeed a good thing...

[Mike]

"It would be useful to have the ability to attach notes for each run." You can, on the Details page click the area that says, "Click to edit the description of this activity."

I hope this helps,