Import
Append workouts into one
04/07/10 13:25
Problem: You made several activity recordings and want to append each single activity to one concatenated representation.
Background: You can only append activities to each other while you are about to import them. Once they are within the diary, it's not possible anymore to alter them.
Solution: In the import pane, place a checkmark on each entry you want to concatenate. In the lower toolbar, use the Append toolbar button to replace both by a concatenated representation. Each activity will be represented as a lap within the resulting placeholder activity.
Background: You can only append activities to each other while you are about to import them. Once they are within the diary, it's not possible anymore to alter them.
Solution: In the import pane, place a checkmark on each entry you want to concatenate. In the lower toolbar, use the Append toolbar button to replace both by a concatenated representation. Each activity will be represented as a lap within the resulting placeholder activity.
Importing GPX files as Activities, Routes and Tracks.
02/07/10 09:40
Problem: When you import a GPX file, the following intentions may be on your mind:
a) The GPX file you import is actually a recorded workout of your own (possibly containing heart-rate data), so it's an activity.
b) The file contains a route created by someone else and you want to add it to your own list of routes.
c) You are interested in the tracks and way-points contained in the file and you want to merge them into your network of tracks -- to be used in future routes you create.
Solution: Please note that TrailRunner behaves differently in any of the three main application modes.
(a) If you have the Activities browser open, a GPX file you import or drag into the map will be imported as an activity.
Whereas in the routes browser (b) a route will be added.
In Track Network Editor mode (c) only the raw tracks and way-points will be added to your network.
Tip: For a better conceptual understanding of TrailRunner, please take a look at the TrailRunner QuickGuide Tutorial
a) The GPX file you import is actually a recorded workout of your own (possibly containing heart-rate data), so it's an activity.
b) The file contains a route created by someone else and you want to add it to your own list of routes.
c) You are interested in the tracks and way-points contained in the file and you want to merge them into your network of tracks -- to be used in future routes you create.
Solution: Please note that TrailRunner behaves differently in any of the three main application modes.
(a) If you have the Activities browser open, a GPX file you import or drag into the map will be imported as an activity.
Whereas in the routes browser (b) a route will be added.
In Track Network Editor mode (c) only the raw tracks and way-points will be added to your network.
Tip: For a better conceptual understanding of TrailRunner, please take a look at the TrailRunner QuickGuide Tutorial
Make Route from Activity takes veeeery long
28/03/10 23:05
Problem: You have selected an activity and click on the make route button. TrailRunner becomes unresponsive and calculates for a very long time until the process is finished or seemingly never finishes.
Background: If you have already collected a network of track and merge new elements into it, the calculation of what is already there and what is similar and can be consolidated can be very time intensive.
Suggestion: Please read the quick-guide tutorial and understand what way-point perimeters mean. If you can set up your network of tracks to contain landmarks with good perimeters, the operation above will be much faster.
Workaround: The only alternative is to merge the track by hand (yellow sign) and then later recreate a route based on the spitted and joined tracks. This will also give you the opportunity to initially set up your way-point perimeters.
> QuickGuide Tutorlal
Background: If you have already collected a network of track and merge new elements into it, the calculation of what is already there and what is similar and can be consolidated can be very time intensive.
Workaround: The only alternative is to merge the track by hand (yellow sign) and then later recreate a route based on the spitted and joined tracks. This will also give you the opportunity to initially set up your way-point perimeters.
> QuickGuide Tutorlal
Supported Fitness Devices, GPS receivers and file formats
24/03/10 22:08
TrailRunner directly and indirectly supports several workout recording devices. As it’s very time consuming to directly support fitness devices, I decided to interface with dedicated helper applications that do a much better job than I could do on my own. Go to the TrailRunner application preferences to set the synchonisation for your supported fitness device.
Apple Nike+ iPod Sport Kit, Nike+ SportBand
Direct import of workout data when you attach your iPod as a volume and press the Apple+Nike toolbar icon
Direct import from a nikeplus.com account
Garmin ForeRunner FR50, FR60, 310XT and 405
Garmin ANT Agent for Mac OS X allows you to transfer fitness data from compatible Garmin ANT devices to and from your Mac. Once your device is synchronized with your Mac, TrailRunner can access the data and import the local TCX files. Set the Garmin ANT Agent as your helper application and follow the screen instructions in TrailRunner.
Garmin ForeRunner 201/301/305/405, FR60, Edge 205/305/605/705
Import by using Garmin Training Center as the synchronization helper.
To send courses to your fitness device use the helper application LoadMyTracks or GPSBable (see below).
Polar RS200, RS200sd, CS200, CS200cad or F6 heart rate monitor
Import by using TrackRecord as the synchronization helper using the Mac's built-in microphone, iSight or an external microphone.
Any other Polar HRM file containing distance information can also be imported into TrailRunner.
If you own a Polar S625x with Irda the only known way is to use a PC emulation with Polar Personal Trainer and then export a HRM file. Please let me know if you find any better solution. (Forum: MAC with polar watches)
Other Supported GPS Devices
LoadMyTracks can communicatie with most classical GPS devices like all Garmin, Magellan or even TomTom devices.
MacTravelRecorder can export GPX files from GPS mouses like the iBlue.
Another great software to connect your GPS device is GPSBabel. It's an openSource initiative and supports almost any device or file format on the market like from Garmin GPS, Magellan GPS, TomTom GPS, many map programs and other GPS receivers. Save your recordings as a GPX file and import them into TrailRunner.
Apple Nike+ iPod Sport Kit, Nike+ SportBand
Garmin ForeRunner FR50, FR60, 310XT and 405
Garmin ForeRunner 201/301/305/405, FR60, Edge 205/305/605/705
To send courses to your fitness device use the helper application LoadMyTracks or GPSBable (see below).
Polar RS200, RS200sd, CS200, CS200cad or F6 heart rate monitor
Any other Polar HRM file containing distance information can also be imported into TrailRunner.
If you own a Polar S625x with Irda the only known way is to use a PC emulation with Polar Personal Trainer and then export a HRM file. Please let me know if you find any better solution. (Forum: MAC with polar watches)
Other Supported GPS Devices
MacTravelRecorder can export GPX files from GPS mouses like the iBlue.
Garmin Training Center shows a different distance as TrailRunner does
01/03/10 22:40
Problem: The ForeRunner device displays a distance for a workout. Garmin Training Center displays the same distance but TrailRunner displays a different distance.
Background: Your ForeRunner records geographical data points during the workout. At the same time your ForeRunner internally sums up the distance for the workout. It could sometimes happen that if you sum up the distances between each data points the result will be different to what the ForeRunner has summed up during the workout.
Reason: If you have intelligent recording enabled on your ForeRunner and the GPS signal quality isn't too good, the device will alter the recorded geographical course after it knows better. Problem is that at the same time the overall distance should also be adjusted, which is not the case.
Status: TrailRunner takes only the geographical information from the workout and takes this as the base. If your ForeRunner has internally stored a different distance, TrailRunner assumes this as an error in the ForeRunner device as it delivers contradictory information.
Background: Your ForeRunner records geographical data points during the workout. At the same time your ForeRunner internally sums up the distance for the workout. It could sometimes happen that if you sum up the distances between each data points the result will be different to what the ForeRunner has summed up during the workout.
Reason: If you have intelligent recording enabled on your ForeRunner and the GPS signal quality isn't too good, the device will alter the recorded geographical course after it knows better. Problem is that at the same time the overall distance should also be adjusted, which is not the case.
Status: TrailRunner takes only the geographical information from the workout and takes this as the base. If your ForeRunner has internally stored a different distance, TrailRunner assumes this as an error in the ForeRunner device as it delivers contradictory information.
Can I merge GPS data with workout data?
10/02/10 21:12
Problem: Is there an easy way to merge GPS data and HR data into TrailRunner?
Solution: When your heart-rate data contains distance information, the you can do the following:
- First import the track from your GPS device, iphone or file and make a route of it so that it appears in the routes list.
- Remove the activity as otherwise you cannot add a new activity for the same date. - Then import your workout from your ForeRunner 50 or HRM file and select the route in the import panel.
TrailRunner will now merge the Heat-rate data and the GPS Data based on the distance information.
Note: For not GPS enabled workout devices you require a food-pod while your where running as TrailRunner requires distance information for the matching.
Solution: When your heart-rate data contains distance information, the you can do the following:
- First import the track from your GPS device, iphone or file and make a route of it so that it appears in the routes list.
- Remove the activity as otherwise you cannot add a new activity for the same date. - Then import your workout from your ForeRunner 50 or HRM file and select the route in the import panel.
TrailRunner will now merge the Heat-rate data and the GPS Data based on the distance information.
Note: For not GPS enabled workout devices you require a food-pod while your where running as TrailRunner requires distance information for the matching.
Does TrailRunner support the Polar XXX monitor?
29/01/10 18:48
Problem: TrailRunner is not able to directly import Polar Workout data from the monitor.
Solutions: Using third party helper applications, TrailRunner may read data files created by these application. Known solutions are:
- With TrackRecord you can download workouts for some SonicLink Polar devices but Infrared is not supported.
- If you can manage to download HRM files with e.g. a windows emulator and Polar software you can import the file into TrailRunner. But it requires that you have worn a foot-pod during the workout as TrailRunner relies on the distance information to display a workout chart and merge the workout data with the course of a route.
- Any other application that can export GPX and TCX files from Polar devices can be used too, as TrailRunner can import these file formats.
> Supported Devices
Unsupported watches are: Polar RS300X
PS: Please let me know if you found a working solution.
Solutions: Using third party helper applications, TrailRunner may read data files created by these application. Known solutions are:
- With TrackRecord you can download workouts for some SonicLink Polar devices but Infrared is not supported.
- If you can manage to download HRM files with e.g. a windows emulator and Polar software you can import the file into TrailRunner. But it requires that you have worn a foot-pod during the workout as TrailRunner relies on the distance information to display a workout chart and merge the workout data with the course of a route.
- Any other application that can export GPX and TCX files from Polar devices can be used too, as TrailRunner can import these file formats.
> Supported Devices
Unsupported watches are: Polar RS300X
PS: Please let me know if you found a working solution.
What's the resolution of the workout data graph?
27/04/09 22:39
Problem: When I view my workout data in other applications like garmin training center, the data points for heart-rate and speed are much more noisy detailed than in TrailRunner. Additionally the TrailRunner graph seems not to start at the left edge of the chart but appears to be indented. Furthermore a TrailRunner graph line sometimes is being drawn as a straight line without any intermediate data points, although there should be some.
Background: Other applications display the raw data of a device. This makes the graph unreadable. The philosophy of TrailRunner instead is to display the overall trend and development of your workout session.
Approach: TrailRunner has an auto split feature where the workout is being sliced into fixed distance intervals. For each interval the statistical median value is being calculated and one data point reflecting this value is then being used as a representative. As the location of the representative can be somewhere in-between the first interval, the graph might appear to be indented. Furthermore if representatives in adjacent intervals fall onto a straight line, only the edges representatives are being drawn and the connection line depicts the trend development.
Details: The auto split feature uses the following distance intervals. By the time of this writing it’s 250 m for workouts shorter than 10 km, then 500m up to 20 km, 1000 m up to 50 km and 10000 m from there on. A route with 42 km would then have 5 intervals.
Example: Below the identical workout in Garmin Training Center (upper image) and TrailRunner (lower image)
It’s rather obvious that the speed Graph in Garmin Training Center is full of noise and false signals. TrailRunner filters this out and gives you the statistical trend (blue line) for each interval (white circle within each interval separated by a white vertical line)
The thinner line around the blue line depicts the value range, so you still can make up that within the interval there was a great spread of values, but most of the time you stayed near the value depicted by the thick line.
BTW please note that the Garmin speed graph is upside down, so slower is a value near the top and faster is a value near the end. TrailRunner uses a the natural, mirrored display approach, where “better” is on top.
Background: Other applications display the raw data of a device. This makes the graph unreadable. The philosophy of TrailRunner instead is to display the overall trend and development of your workout session.
Approach: TrailRunner has an auto split feature where the workout is being sliced into fixed distance intervals. For each interval the statistical median value is being calculated and one data point reflecting this value is then being used as a representative. As the location of the representative can be somewhere in-between the first interval, the graph might appear to be indented. Furthermore if representatives in adjacent intervals fall onto a straight line, only the edges representatives are being drawn and the connection line depicts the trend development.
Details: The auto split feature uses the following distance intervals. By the time of this writing it’s 250 m for workouts shorter than 10 km, then 500m up to 20 km, 1000 m up to 50 km and 10000 m from there on. A route with 42 km would then have 5 intervals.
Example: Below the identical workout in Garmin Training Center (upper image) and TrailRunner (lower image)
It’s rather obvious that the speed Graph in Garmin Training Center is full of noise and false signals. TrailRunner filters this out and gives you the statistical trend (blue line) for each interval (white circle within each interval separated by a white vertical line)
The thinner line around the blue line depicts the value range, so you still can make up that within the interval there was a great spread of values, but most of the time you stayed near the value depicted by the thick line.
BTW please note that the Garmin speed graph is upside down, so slower is a value near the top and faster is a value near the end. TrailRunner uses a the natural, mirrored display approach, where “better” is on top.
