Getting the best out of your fitness training depends on planning and feedback. Training can be planned to improve fitness, lose weight or build stamina.

Feedback provides knowledge with which to refine training to the individual. The GPS enabled Timex Ironman Bodylink Trail Runner can help with training planning and feedback. It’s a 3 piece unit which combines a sports watch, heart monitor and GPS technology. The watch is small in size compared to others on the market.

If you want to be able to upload heart rate, timing and GPS data information to a PC for analysis then the optional Data Recorder needs to be purchased. The recorder has a compact form factor and can be clipped to a belt or dropped in a pocket. Timer Trainer Software is available for managing and analyzing the data on your PC.

Something commonly overlooked when thinking about GPS is that as well as providing latitude and longitude information, a GPS receiver is also able to calculate altitude. Obviously, this is very handy for navigation of planes and even rocket launchers. Timex’s Bodylink Trail Runner is advertised as having Enhanced 3D GPS Functionality which refers to the use of altitude information for direct feedback and later analysis. For instance, in Navigation Mode, directional information (electronic compass), speed, distance and altitude are all displayed.

The Timex allows you to set up to 10 waypoints along your training route which might be navigation features, meeting points, recovery stops or points for other exercise activities.

A couple of features which seem to be unique to the Timex Trail Runner are the Predictive Finish Time and the Recovery Heart Timer. Monitoring your heart’s recovery rate after exercise is a good way to gauge your fitness level.

One issue to consider when purchasing a GPS enabled fitness training watch is GPS satellite reception in areas you would commonly train. While GPS are sensitive enough to tolerate some interference from foliage or buildings along your path, there is a limit.

Further Reading

Garmin’s Forerunner 305 is another GPS fitness training aid which includes heart monitoring. The 305 has an optional Foot Pod accessory for training indoors.

TIMEX Bodylink Trail Runner 5C391 Watch Features:

• INDIGLO night-light with NIGHT-MODE feature
• SUMMARY MODE: review navigational, speed, distance and heart rate performance data at end of workout
• 100-hour chronograph with either lap/split in large digits
• 100-lap memory with recall of BODYLINK system data
• 2 linked interval timers
• 100-hour, 3-mode countdown timer
• 5 alarms settable for daily, weekday, weekend or weekly with 5-minute backup
• 2 year battery life
• Watch: Water-resistance 50m

TIMEX Bodylink Trail Runner 5C391 Navigation Features:

• Latitude and Longitude
• Altitude and elevation data with ascent and descent rates
• Heading with on-the-move directions
• Ability to add up to 10 waypoints
• Track back feature to navigate back to selected waypoint

TIMEX Bodylink Trail Runner 5C391 Speed & Distance Features:

• Exact speeds: real-time, average and max speed
• Exact pace: current pace, average and best pace
• Continuous odometer
• Hands free operation: start, stop and take splits automatically based on distance, speed or time
• Finish time: predictive finish mode uses total event distance and pace data

TIMEX Bodylink Trail Runner 5C391 Heart Rate Monitor Features:

• Target zones with alarms
• Maximum heart rate zone calculation: automatically sets 5 training zones and one manual
• Recovery heart rate
• Time in zone
• % in max

Optional Timex 5G751 Trail Runner Data Recorder

• Clips on or slips into your pocket
• Records multiple workouts
• Includes Timex Trainer software and USB cable
• Requires the use of Timex GPS 3D Sensor to capture navigational data
• Navigational data includes altitude, elevation, latitude, longitude, ascent and descent data
• Collects heart rate, speed + distance data from the Timex Digital Heart Rate Sensor and Timex GPS 3D Sensor
• 2 year battery life
• Splash-resistant case

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