Garmin Workout Files
I've been plugging the longer bike workouts into my Garmin. It actually works pretty well, you set it and it guides you through your workout. The thing beeps and says "Ride 30 Minutes in Zone 1" a countdown timer starts and beeps when you are done. If you go below the zone, it beeps. I thought I'd load the one I just built for tomorrow. I'm hit or miss doing these since it does take a bit of an effort but thought I'd share since the work is done. Anyone doing the advanced plan with a Garmin and PM, might want to check this out.
I've got an Edge 705. You just navigate to the device like a flash drive. There is a file for workouts, drop it in and it should show up under Advanced workouts from the Edge. I think you can also import workouts through Training Center on other devices. I haven't tested, so don't know if they will work. I use a Power Meter with my Edge and targets are power. You can build workouts in Training Center but Power not an option for a target. So, I've been using HR as a place holder then changing it in the device. So, I don't know what it will say in Training Center for a workout that uses Power as a target, I'd assume No Target or an error.
There are about ten zones for power in the Garmin. I set 1-5 to the ranges from the data tool. If you have your zones up to date and use a PM, you should be good with this. Go to workouts, advanced and do workout from your Edge. Then it rolls though your workout and beeps after the WU, and if you go below your zone, it beeps, etc. It is a pretty cool function. The only downside, the workout is set. So, if you are 2/3 the way though your workout and accidentally hit the lap button on a 20" interval, you just skipped to a 4" rest interval and you are off track. I've just ended the workout and started it again lapping through to where I was. You can merge them again in WKO later. So, make sure you know or have access to your workout also, so you can scrap the thing if you don't like it.
Here is the workout for tomorrow.
Bike - 210 WU: 20-30' @ 65-70%/z1-2/Easy MS: * 12' (4') @ FTP/z4-5. * 20' (4') @ FTP/z4-5 * 12' @ FTP/z4-5 * 10' Easy * 4 x 10' (2') @ 80-85%/z3, cadence cycles within each set in 4' increments as 70rp 80rp 90rp * Remainder of available time is 75- 80%...or harder if you feel like it. WD: 10' Easy spin.
Comments
The system won't let me upload a TCX file or even TXT. And the actual text for the file is XML, so I can't post it here. The editor tries to read it as HTML. Drop me a note if you are interested. I'll e-mail it to you.
Greg
I've got an Edge 705 too, and I did the same thing for al the OS workouts. I don't actually have it check to make sure that i'm in the target range I only use it for timing cues, it's been great.
If you really want to go crazy with power, you can gasp ... edit the XML files so that it uses power as a target before uploading. I can give you instructions on how to do that if you’re interested.
I'm thinking about how to have excel build a workout file based on an excel spreadsheet that you put all of your data in to, long term project.
Also, If you want to post your file to the forum, try zipping it first, that may help.