Does anyone use a GPS for training purposes or for racing? Do the wise ones think this is a worthwhile tool? I'm thinking of getting one and was wondering if anyone can recommend a particular model. Thanks
Submitted by Rona on Sat, 06/18/2005 - 4:20pm
i used the Garmin Forerunner for a while. it is relatively cheap, less than 200, water resistant enough to be strapped to a paddelboard, and gives constant feedback in MPH pace, distance traveled, and elapsed time. There are other display modes, but that is the screen I use most. It definitely helps you maximize your efficiency and to uderstand how to tweak your technique, as Alan said above.
#1 Fri, 09/23/2005 - 8:01am
[quote="Rona"]Does anyone use a GPS for training purposes or for racing? Do the wise ones think this is a worthwhile tool? I'm thinking of getting one and was wondering if anyone can recommend a particular model. Thanks[/quote]
Hi paddlers....
Our team padding on the river Po in turin Italy...
To keep the distances we use an old version of Garmin..waterproof and precise..
It's a good GPS used for motorcycle tourism and now for padding training
I'm sorry fo my improve english. I write from Italy if anyone need more information write me...
Best regards
Wananga Outrigger
#2 Thu, 09/22/2005 - 11:26pm
I use Timex Bodylink System for my training and racing (Hear Rate Monitor + Speed + Distance). However, I don't glue my eyes to the GPS speedometer but set it to sound an alarm when my boat speeds drops below unacceptable level, this way I pay attention to the water conditions and not my exact speed.
This set-up is more useful for training as I incrementaly increase the minimum speed, but during a race i pick and chose better paddlers and try to stay with them or beat them... shadow games.
#3 Sat, 06/18/2005 - 4:59pm
i bought a GPS a couple of months ago and think that it's the best buy i ever made. I bought the garmin forerunner 301-- it shows heart rate and hooks up to the computer so you can go over every second of your paddle and see where you were, what your speed was, and what your heart rate was. The first one i had broke because of water damage in a couple of weeks, but they sent me a new one for free and the second one has been much more durable-- but there have been plenty of problems-- the computer attachment corroded so i cant upload my workouts anymore, and i lost the heart rate monitor and it's not compatible with any other heart rate monitors--but it's still awesome.
When i first got it i was training by myself in flat water and used it religiously. It is perfect for interval workouts because you can program in sprint workouts-- i could set up my distance interval as .12 miles and the rest part as either .12 miles or 1 minute or whatever, so I would constantly try and beat my previous time for the .12 mile sprint. It was perfect then for making sure that i pushed myself on my sprints. It's also good for longer pieces, can play with your stoke and see what you're doing. I'm not training in flat water anymore and now i rarely use it-- if you're doing a run it's kinda useless, cause your speed fluctuates all over the place-- i've brought it a couple of times but never really looked at it. But i still recommend that everyone buy one, they are really worth the money for flat water and interval training.
I wouldn't get the Garmin 301 though, i hear that the 201 is much more durable and cheaper-- i t just doesnt come with a heart monitor and is harder to connect to the computer.
#4 Sat, 06/18/2005 - 7:49pm
I picked up a Garmin GPSMap60C [url]http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap60c/[/url] in March 2004 and it has been great. One warrantly issue when water got in the USB port. Garmin replaced it in only 4 days from when I sent it in which is remarkable considering it included a cross-border trip! I now seal the rubber port covers with silicon grease and have had no problems.
When I first got the GPS I looked at the display, well, a lot. I managed not to run into anything too big (i.e. frieghters, shoreline, other paddlers, etc.). I set the display to "large" so it shows; distance;speed and total time. Otherwise you can show more smaller data sets. The color display is easy to read in all conditions. I tried using the distance and speed based tools for intervals, but find my speed varied quite widely and I had to set wider intervals than I might like. Mostly I use the GPS for logging training and race data for downloading, then plot my HRM data on that file in MS Excel.
When recording I set it to log a data point every second and it can do this for 3 hours. If I plan on being out there longer than 3 hours I can set the data log for longer time intervals (i.e. 1 sec through many minutes) or distance intervals (i.e. every 100 m).
I've aslo loaded marine charts on the unit :oops:
I know my cruising distance pace in a variety of conditions now and use the GPS to help me paddle as effectively and economically as possible. Assuming no condition changes (wind, current, waves, etc.), if I see my speed too low, I quickly trouble shoot my technique and try to recover speed without increasing HR too much.
For me I have learned that;
[list]solid leg drive to initiate torso rotation = + 1.5-2 km/hr
well sequenced entry-catch-pull = +0.5 km/hr or more
clean, quick exit = +1.0-2.0 km/hr
avoiding paddle use for stability (you know when you slide it on the wave face?) when surfing = -2.0-5.0 km/hr
many more cool observations
...and if I start too fast for too long (i.e. 15+ km/hr for more than 1:30) my average speed is 0.5-1.0 km/hr lower[/list:u]
I'll post a GPS speed image later today.
Alan
FYI I mounted the unit directly on the hull (a ski in this case) using the Garmin Marine mount [url]http://shop.garmin.com/accessory.jsp?sku=010%2D10455%2D00[/url] and occasionally when I swap hulls the suction cup version which works very well on flat surfaces. For safetly I loop the lanyard around a fix point (i.e. steering cable, foot strap, etc.) and luckily have never had to test the back up safety system :D
#5 Sun, 06/19/2005 - 4:49am
Here is a GPS log from an 11 km (~6 mile race).
[b]DETAILS[/b]
[list]Garmin GPSMAP60C,
data logging at 1 / second,
slight headwind off start (onshore wind wind of less than 5 kn),
under 1 km fetch,
waves less than 15 -20 cm.relatively strong gyrating current on course due to two tidal outflows influenced by river outflow.[/list:u]
Alan
#6 Sun, 06/19/2005 - 9:45am
I highly recommend a GPS for solo and flat water workouts. I recently purchased a Garmin 201 Foretex and use it for distance, speed, average speed, and time. There are many more features also offered.
The unit cost about $130 on Amazon.com (shipped to your door within a week).
Aloha,
Heath
Kailua, Hawaii
#7 Sun, 06/19/2005 - 2:00pm
I used my regular handheld GPS last week to track a 4 mile paddle. The unit is a Garmin etrex Legend (which I also use for geocaching) and waterproofed it by placing the device in one of those cell phone carriers. The case has a see-through window so I was able to place the whole package in the bungee strap infront of my feet and it was like having a digital dashboard on the canoe.
You can set the GPS to display "Large numbers" so you can see your current speed, time of travel and average speed. I agree with "mishka" that you don't want to be staring at the device the whole time you're paddling but at least this way you can glance every now and then to see your progress.
The tracklog also enables you to see if you are zigzagging out in the water or keeping a half decent straight line in the ocean.
Aloha,
Sam
#8 Wed, 07/20/2005 - 1:27pm