Good Run Guide

Upload from a Garmin GPX Device

Use this tool to upload routes from Garmin GPS devices that use the GPX format like the Garmin eTrex range.

GARMIN DEVICE UPLOADER
HELP
Unable to Read from GPS If this is the first time you have tried to use the Garmin Uploader or you have recently upgraded the Plugin:

If it is still asking you to download the Garmin Communicator Plugin after having downloaded it, you may need to give permission for the site to use the plugin - check for a warning message at the top of the page and click on this if present. If this is not the case, it is possible that the Plugin did not install correctly. We recommend that you try unstalling and reinstalling it. If you are using a Windows PC, you can uninstall it from the Add/Remove Programs tool in the Windows Control Panel.

If the Garmin Uploader has worked successfuly before but is now not working:

We suggest that you try the following:

  • refresh the page (CTRL-F5)
  • restart your browser
  • restart your computer

If this does not resolve the problem, we recommend that you check that you have the latest version of the Garmin Communicator Plugin or resinstall it if you have the latest version already. You can get this from here : http://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/

If there is still a problem after trying these steps, it could be due to currupt data on your GPS. We would recommend deleting any old data you don't need and retrying.

Slow Reading Data from GPS If you have a lot of exercise sessions recorded on your GPS this will slow down the transfer of data. We recommend that you regularly delete old recordings.

Also, please ensure that your GPS is set to only record points when you change direction or speed (Smart Recording) not at fixed intervals as this can produce enourmous amounts of redundant data.

Not All Runs Are Listed When Clicking 'Read GPS' If your device uses an ANT stick to wirelessly send data to your computer, it could be that you need to sync your device with the computer to make the latest recordings available.

For ANT stick devices, our Garmin Uploader will read data from the folder on your computer where the ANT Agent sofwtare transfers the recordings to (see below for details of the location of this folder), so if a recent sync hasn't been completed, some of the data may be missing.
How To Remove Old Runs from the Upload List If you are using an ANT stick and the list of runs available for uploading is getting very long you may need to manually delete some or upgrade your ANT Agent software. Later versions of the ANT sofwtare should automatically delete runs from your computer that are more than one month old. To manually delete the runs, delete the relevant files from the following folder (dependent on your Operating System):

Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\GARMIN\Devices\[device_id]\History
C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\GARMIN\Devices\[device_id]\Activities

Windows Vista/7:
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\GARMIN\Devices\[device ID]\History
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\GARMIN\Devices\[device ID]\Activities

Mac:
Macintosh HD/Users/username/Library/Application Support/Garmin/Devices/[device id]/History
Macintosh HD/Users/username/Library/Application Support/Garmin/Devices/[device id]/Activities

Note: In the locations above, items in brackets "[ ]" would be replaced with your actual user name and device ID number.

On Windows computers, the application data folders are hidden by default and you will need to enable the viewing of hidden files in your folder options before you will be able to see these items (select Options, View, Show Hidden Files, Folders and Drives).

History files will have the .tcx extension. For some units, the device also stores history in another location/file format. These files can be found in the "Activities" folder and will have the .fit extension.
GPS Recording time shorter than Exercise Time This happens if your GPS device did not record GPS coordinates for part of the exercise session, usually at the start. This may result in the recorded route being marginally shorter than the actual route. You can check that the route starts and finishes in the correct places and adjust it if necessary after you have uploaded it to your My Routes page.
Other Error Messages Please contact us for further help if you keep getting other error messages.
HOW TO USE THE GARMIN GPS UPLOADER
Compatible Devices The Garmin Uploader is compatible with almost all Garmin GPS devices, including popular running models such as the Garmin Forerunner 205, 305, 405, 110, 210 and 310XT.
First Time Use Before using the Garmin Uploader for the first time, you will need to download and install the Garmin Communicator Plugin for your browser. This only needs to be done once to set it up and only takes a couple of minutes. Click on the link to Download and install the plugin on the left-hand panel of the Upload tab and then download and run the plugin installation program. NOTE: It is very important that you close your browser when prompted for the installation to work correctly.
Connect your Garmin to your Computer You will first need to connect your Garmin GPS to the computer using the equipment provided when your bought your GPS (normally a USB cable or a wireless USB stick).

When you load the Garmin Uploader page it will automatically search for connected Garmin GPS devices. If it can't find one, check the connection with your GPS device and click the Find GPS button to search again. If there is more than one device connected you can select the one you want to use.

Read Data from your GPS Once the device has been found, you can read the data from it by clicking the Read GPS button.
Select an Exercise Session to Upload Select the exercise session you want to upload by choosing it from the drop-down list.
Choose the Laps/Splits to Upload If your GPS has the capability to record activity data such as laps/splits, any laps/splits recorded for each session will be shown in the right-hand panel. If no laps/splits are available or you don't want to use the ones from your GPS, you can use the Auto-Generate feature to automatically generate laps/splits at specified intervals.

NOTE: This feature uses the Elapsed Time of each point from the start so if you stopped recording at any time during your exercise session, you can use the Exclude Stops feature to ignore any stops when calculating your Lap/Split times.
Confirm your Selection Click the Upload to My Training Log button to confirm the exercise session you want to upload, including your choice of Laps/Splits.
Choose to upload Route, Activity or both You can choose to upload just the route (to My Routes), just the activity (to your Log Book) or both - tick the relevant boxes. If you have previously uploaded the route and simply want to log another activity for the same route, there is no need to upload the route again - you can select it when logging the activity.
Record any additional information Record any additional information, including a name for the route if you are uploading it.
Save Click the Save button to upload everything to your Good Run Guide Training Log.
Save the Route to My Routes?
 
Is this a new route you haven't uploaded before?
If so, tick the box above to upload it.
This route looks like one you may have uploaded before - there is no need to upload it again if this is correct. We've selected it for you on the right.
 
Save the Activity to your Log Book?
When you have completed the above click  
ROUTE LENGTH  
EXERCISE TIME
     
GPS RECORDING   
AVERAGE PACE  
AVERAGE HR  
CALORIES  
LAPS / SPLITS
     
 
A NOTE ABOUT GPS ACCURACY

Age-Graded %GPS devices are not infallible and can be subject to signal loss and other signal errors. We recommend that you check that your route has been accurately recorded by reviewing it on a Satellite Photo Map (select View from your My Routes page).
You can read more about GPS accuracy in our article on Measuring Routes



Close this WindowAUTO GENERATE LAPS / SPLITS
 

This will generate Lap / Split times using timings from the GPS Recording.
Your Exercise Time will also be adjusted if it differs from
the total GPS Recording time.

 

NOTE: If the GPS Recording time is longer than your Exercise Time, you can exclude stoppage time by pressing the button to Exclude Stops first.

Close this WindowCHOOSE A ROUTE

Select Route Type:


Select Route:
To log an unmapped run close this box and type the name of the route instead.
Close this WindowSAVING DATA
 
 
 
 

YOU ARE NOT LOGGED IN!

  
You can use the GPS Upload tool to preview data from your GPS device but please register and login first if you want to save it your Good Run Guide Training Log.

 

If you are not familiar with the Good Run Guide Training Log, you can see examples of the tools and features available in our example Training Log.

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