Frequently
Asked Questions
- I already have Training Log on my phone; how do I link the phone to my web account?
- Which mobile phones work with Training Log?
- Which wireless carriers does Training Log work with?
- How do I carry a phone while I run or bike?
- Do I need to open the phone flip to see my progress during my activity?
- Can I listen to music while running Training Log on my phone?
- Can I take a picture or make a phone call while running Training Log on my phone?
- What happens if I'm recording an activity when I receive a phone call or text message?
- How long will my battery last when running Training Log?
- How much does Training Log cost?
- How do I get Training Log for my mobile phone?
- How accurate is Training Log in tracking my distance?
- Does Training Log work even when I am out of cell coverage?
- Does Training Log use my minutes or my data plan while recording?
- Do I need to have a data plan to use Training Log?
- Can people see where I am when I use Training Log on my mobile phone?
- Can I use Training Log to measure speed and distance for skiing or snowboarding?
- Can I get directions from Training Log to follow a route?
- How long does it take to get a GPS fix with Training Log?
- My mobile phone says it is E911 compatible. Will Training Log work on this phone?
- I use two mobile phones; one business and one personal. Can they both work with my RRS Training Log ONLINE account?
- When I change wireless carriers or upgrade to a new mobile phone, will I lose any of my activity data on my RRS Training Log ONLINE account?
- How well does Training Log work under dense tree coverage or in areas with tall buildings?
- If I drop my phone or the battery dies while using Training Log, will I lose all my recorded activity up to that point?
- How is a Training Log-enabled mobile phone different from a Garmin or other GPS fitness device?
- Does Training Log work with Bluetooth GPS devices?
RRS Training Log ONLINE - FAQ
- I have a Garmin or other GPS fitness device. Can I use that with the free RRS Training Log ONLINE service?
- How does RRS Training Log ONLINE calculate a difficulty index for my activities and what can this be used for?
- I see that RRS Training Log ONLINE supports blogging and RSS. What does this mean?
- What if I already have a blog? Can I post directly to that?
- Can anyone see my personal data stored on the RRS Training Log website?
- I am a member of a running/cycling club. Can I see what each of my teammates are doing using RRS Training Log ONLINE?
- How is RRS Training Log ONLINE different from other online activity journals?
- I have a spreadsheet that I keep for my running/cycling log. Can I import this into RRS Training Log ONLINE?
- Will the RRS Training Log ONLINE service always be free?
- How does RRS Training Log ONLINE calculate my caloric burn rate?
- Does Training Log ONLINE work with heart rate monitors?
- What is the source of your elevation data?
Training Log MOBILE - FAQ
I already have Training Log on my phone; how do I link the phone to my web account?
If you have not yet set up your web account, click here. Be sure to follow the instructions to enter the Activation Code from your phone.
If you already have a web account and have now started using Training Log on your phone, sign in to your web account. From the Dashboard screen, click the "Link Phone" menu choice at the upper left of your screen. Follow the instructions to enter the Activation Code from your phone.
Linking your phone to your web account allows for activties recorded on your phone to automatically appear in your web account when you wirelessly save the recording at the end of your workout!
Which mobile phones work with Training Log?
Training Log is compatible with Assisted GPS mobile phones (aGPS) available from most of the major manufacturers. As wireless service providers continually offer new phones, click here to see the current list of supported phones.
Which wireless carriers does Training Log work with?
Click here to see the current list of wireless service providers offering Training Log.
How do I carry a phone while I run or bike?
Many runners prefer to wear an arm band. This offers high GPS accuracy, makes it easy to hear the phone mileage marker beeps, and keeps your hands free. Others like to carry the phone in their hand so they can easily check out their stats on the external display.
For cyclists, the rear jersey pocket works great (just keep the phone away from other metal objects). Or, maybe you've found a cool handlebar mount that allows you to see the external display.
No matter how you carry the phone, you should click here to learn the best way to orient your phone in order to minimize interference with GPS reception.
Do I need to open the phone flip to see my progress during my activity?
No. When the flip is closed your current progress is always displayed on the phone's external screen.
Can I listen to music while running Training Log on my phone?
While some Training Log compatible phones do have music players, not all of these phones will run Training Log and the music player at the same time.
Click here to see if your wireless carrier/phone model will let you listen to music while recording with Training Log.
Can I take a picture or make a phone call while running Training Log on my phone?
Sure, if you want to make a call or snap a photo in the middle of a distance recording, you can suspend Training Log then resume when you're done by simply restarting the application.
Some phones even let you make a phone call while continuing to record your path. Click here to see if your wireless carrier/phone model will let you make a phone call while continuing to record your path.
What happens if I'm recording an activity when I receive a phone call or text message?
- Verizon Wireless - If you're using a Verizon phone, an incoming text message does not interfere with your recording. If you receive a phone call, the phone may or may not record your path while you are on the call. Click here to see if your phone model continues to record while you are on a phone call.
- Sprint - If you're using a Sprint phone, an incoming call or text message pushes Training Log to the background so you can handle it. Until you finish, Training Log may or may not temporarily suspend recording. Click here to see if your phone model continues to record or not. Upon completing your call or dismissing the text message, Training Log automatically returns to the front and continues recording if it was suspended.
- Nextel - If you're using a Nextel phone, an incoming call or text message pushes Training Log to the background so you can handle it. While you're on the call or handling the message, Training Log continues to record your activity.
Once you've finished the call, you can bring Training Log back to the front in one of two ways. Use the Java menu to navigate to the "Suspended Apps" folder, select the "Suspended Apps" icon, then select Training Log in the list. Or, if you have a flip phone, activate Training Log from the external screen; repeatedly press the button at the top of the phone that has the square on it. Each time you press the button, the phone cycles to the next application. Keep pressing until the line, "BiM Active", appears in the external display and then press the button on the top of the phone to bring Training Log back to the front. - Alltel - If you're using an Alltel phone, an incoming text message does not interfere with your recording. If you receive a phone call, the phone may or may not record your path while you are on the call. Click here to see if your phone model continues to record while you are on a phone call.
- BlackBerry - If you're using a BlackBerry, an incoming call or text message does not interfere with your recording.
How long will my battery last when running Training Log?
Your mileage will vary here depending on the phone type, battery condition, state of charge etc. However, according our tests you can expect a range between 6 to 9 hours, which is more than adequate unless you are Forest Gump running from coast to coast.
How much does Training Log cost?
Training Log on a mobile phone costs $5.99 per month, which is conveniently added to your phone bill. Note that some wireless service providers require a data plan that may include text messaging and other bundled services in addition to your voice usage.
Some carriers may also offer a $1.99 per day option, or limited-time free trials. Check with your carrier for availability.
How do I get Training Log for my mobile phone?
Click here to get a guided tour of supported wireless service providers and compatible phones.
How accurate is Training Log in tracking my distance?
Training Log compatible phones are typically accurate to within +/- 3% on distance measurements. For the greatest accuracy, click here to learn the best way to carry your specific phone model to maximize GPS reception.
If you have a Verizon phone, here's a tip to improve your cell reception and gps accuracy. Using the keypad on your mobile phone, press "*228" and hit the green send key to place a call. Listen for an automated response and press the "2" key to "Update your roaming capability". You will hear music play until your phone is updated. Technically, what this does is update your phone with the latest information about the cell towers closest to you. If you travel, it's also a good idea to repeat this process when you arrive at your destination.
Does Training Log work even when I am out of cell coverage?
For all wireless service providers you can initiate an activity while in coverage and your route will be tracked except for any gaps in coverage. We can not record during these gaps, but your overall activity will be preserved if you come back into coverage prior to stopping Training Log.
Some phones can even record while outside of cell coverage. Click here to see if your wireless carrier/phone model will record while outside of cell coverage.
Does Training Log use my minutes or my data plan while recording?
No, that would be a huge phone bill! Instead, the phone briefly accesses the network at the start of an activity to determine position and is off-network for the entire recording. Uploading your activity data to the RRS Training Log web site requires another brief network access. In practice, this equates to about 2-3 minutes of air-time per uploaded activity (20-30k of data).
Viewing maps & charts on your phone requires additional minutes/data usage.
Do I need to have a data plan to use Training Log?
It depends upon your wireless service provider. Verizon does not require any data plan; rather, it uses air-time minutes instead. For other carriers click here to see the detail stated under each phone model.
Can people see where I am when I use Training Log on my mobile phone?
By default no, Training Log acts only as a recorder during your activity. When you finish recording your activity you save the results to web account. You may then allow others to publicly view it through features built into the web site, such as your personal blog.
However if you choose, you may turn on the Live Tracking feature which lets others view your position live on a map while you record your activity. To learn more about Live Tracking, click here.
Can I use Training Log to measure speed and distance for skiing or snowboarding?
Sure! It's really cool to see your elevation drop and speed profile as well as your path on a satellite map. Brag at the apres ski and watch out for those trees.... You can also go cross-country skiing, hiking, rowing, or just about any other outdoor sport where speed, distance and position is worth recording and sharing with others.
Can I get directions from Training Log to follow a route?
No, but we do provide a "My Location" feature which shows your current location on a map to help if you get lost.
How long does it take to get a first GPS fix with Training Log?
This varies by wireless service provider and phone type, but typically it takes less than a minute and in most cases less than 30 seconds.
My mobile phone says it is E911 compatible. Will Training Log work on this phone?
Training Log uses a more accurate version of this technology which is available on a growing list of really cool phones.
I use two mobile phones; one business and one personal. Can they both work with my RRS Training Log ONLINE account?
Yes, you can use Training Log on multiple mobile phones from different carriers in different countries, all linked to the same web account. Whew! Actually the different country thing is forward-looking but keep your eyes open.
When I change wireless carriers or upgrade to a new mobile phone, will I lose any of my activity data on my RRS Training Log ONLINE account?
No, once uploaded to web account your data will not be lost regardless of which phone you are using. However, any historical activities recorded on the old phone will not be viewable on the upgraded phone. But you can always view all your historical activities from your web browser.
How well does Training Log work under dense tree coverage or in areas with tall buildings?
Unlike stand-alone GPS receivers, mobile phones use Assisted GPS that provides much better sensitivity in these areas resulting in more accurate routes.
If I drop my phone or the battery dies while using Training Log, will I lose all my recorded activity up to that point?
We've added a never-lost feature that keeps a copy of your activity in non-volatile memory so in the unfortunate event that your battery fails or falls out, all data recorded up to that point is stored and is ready to be saved to your online web account as soon as power to the phone is restored.
How is a Training Log-enabled mobile phone different from a Garmin or other GPS fitness device?
Everyone has a mobile phone. Music is delivered on your mobile phone. If you could carry only one device which records and monitors your performance, allows you to listen to music, and provides security while you run alone, what would it be? Also, having a one-click save to your online web account without installing software or hooking up cables to your PC is pretty sweet as well.
Does Training Log work with Bluetooth GPS devices?
No. Carrying around two devices goes against the grain of the convenience we are trying to provide with Training Log.
RRS Training Log ONLINE - FAQ
I have a Garmin or other GPS fitness device. Can I use that with the free RRS Training Log ONLINE service?
You sure can. RRS Training Log ONLINE lets you import activities from Garmin Training Center, Garmin Forerunner Logbook, Timex Trainer (w/Data Recorder 2), and GPX or NMEA exchange files, so if your device works with any of these options then you are all set.
How does RRS Training Log ONLINE calculate a difficulty index for my activities and what can this be used for?
Without revealing the actual secret formula, we take a look at the beginning elevation of the route, how far the route goes and what the changes in incline and decline are. That gives us a difficulty index for the route by itself. We then take a look at the actual environmental readings on the day the route was recorded. Having a high heat index or chill factor or heavy winds modifies the difficulty for the overall performance. Now you can go out and compare what you did with others and have a way to compete on equal footing even though you were in different places on the globe. Pretty cool huh?
I see that RRS Training Log ONLINE supports blogging and RSS. What does this mean?
It means you can publish your activities and routes for the world to see without knowing anything about blogging. With one click you can turn any private activity into a public webpage that anyone with a browser can view and comment on. RSS simply means others can subscribe to your blog webpage and be notified each time you publish a new activity.
What if I already have a blog? Can I post directly to that?
Sure, no problem. RRS Training Log ONLINE also lets you post your activity results and routes directly into your existing blog. Supported blogs are: TypePad, Live Journal, Blogger, Movable Type, and Wordpress.
Can anyone see my personal data stored on the RRS Training Log ONLINE website?
Only if you allow them. By default, all of your data is kept private. It is up to you to share your performance and your favorite routes with others by using Live Tracking, the one-click to blog feature, or the route publisher.
I am a member of a running/cycling club. Can I see what each of my teammates are doing using RRS Training Log ONLINE?
You can each publish your activities to a blog for all to see. If you want just your team members to be able to view each others performance then you will need to wait until that feature is added.
How is RRS Training Log ONLINE different from other online activity journals?
The RRS Training Log ONLINE service is free and can receive activity data from mobile phones, from Garmin and Timex devices, from standard formatted GPS files, through manual route creation using a Google maps custom interface, and by sharing activities with others in the community.
I have a spreadsheet that I keep for my running/cycling log. Can I import this into RRS Training Log ONLINE?
At this time, only GPS related fitness information is supported for import. If importing spreadsheets is important to you, send us a feature request by clicking on the feedback link located in the footer of this page.
Will the RRS Training Log ONLINE service always be free?
We may offer new premium services for a fee but access to your personal journal and the community features will remain free.
How does RRS Training Log ONLINE calculate my caloric burn rate?
During registration for the free RRS Training Log ONLINE service, you may optionally include your gender, height and weight. If you choose to include this information then it is used to calculate calories burned depending on the activity type, speed/pace and duration of the activity.
Does Training Log ONLINE work with heart rate monitors?
Yes, Training Log imports heart rate and can display heart rate over the course of your activity along with the time and distance spent in each heart rate zone. Currently, the Garmin Forerunner 301, 305, and Edge 305 are supported via Garmin Training Center file imports. We will be adding support for other heart rate monitors soon.
What is the source of your elevation data?
RRS Training Log uses United States Geological Survey (USGS) elevation profiles for routes created in the United States. All other routes use the elevation data collected by the GPS device when available.