Timex Ironman Race Trainer

Kevin Mackinnon reviews the new Ironman Race Trainer from Timex

If Ironman athletes were to put together a wish-list of features they'd want in a heart rate monitor, they'd probably ask for it to be slim and comfortable on their wrist. They'd want a stopwatch that could provide lots of lap data. Timers to help with interval sessions would be nice. Alarms to ensure they were training in the right training zones would be nice, too. Then, once they got home, the ultimate would be able to just press a few buttons and have all the data from their workout automatically transfer to their training log.

Guess what, folks. That heart rate monitor is here and it's called the Timex Ironman Race Trainer.

Released earlier this year, it's become a huge hit with Ironman triathletes thanks to its ability to wirelessly transfer workout data to your computer and import that data to the Timex Trainer Web Site. Add to that the innovative software developed by Training Peaks, once that information is imported you can monitor and track your progress in just about every way you can imagine.

One of the best selling points for all Timex heart rate monitors is how simple they are to use. The Ironman Race Trainer certainly follows that tradition. The watch incorporates the incredibly comfortable and, well, "sleek" styling of Timex's Sleek line of watches that are so popular with runners and triathletes. You'll be amazed at how many powerful features are packed into this diminutive watch.

To get started, the first thing you have to do is pair the heart rate monitor strap (which, like the watch, has slimmed down compared to previous Timex versions - and is the most comfortable strap Timex has come up with to date) with the watch. Using Timex Digital FM technology you won't have to worry about cross talk with folks who are also wearing heart rate monitors in your training group.

Once you've started your workout you'll find the Ironman Race Trainer incorporates all the features that we've all become accustomed to with Timex sport watches, including a stopwatch that will store 10 training sessions of 50 laps each, a number of different timers for interval work and fully customizable heart rate zones and alarms to make sure you're training at just the right level. (Don't worry, all the other features we've come to love including dual time zones and three wake-up alarms etc., are included, too.)

As great as the watch is to use in training, things get really fun when you get home and load all the data to your computer. That process is incredibly simple. Once you've loaded the software, you simply plug in the Timex Data Xchanger into a USB port in your computer and then, after a few button presses on your watch, the process gets started. Within a few seconds you'll see all the data from your various workouts load into the Training Peaks program, providing a simple and fully customizable way of logging all your training.

In keeping with the tradition of easy to use watches, the computer software is equally easy to navigate. Timex has commissioned training plans from none other than six-time Kona champ Dave Scott and you can purchase other programs through the Training Peaks site.

If you're after speed and distance data, you'll be best to look at the Timex Body Link system (which can also be used to transfer data to a computer through the data recorder), but if you can live without that and want about the simplest way to easily log and track all your training data, you absolutely can't go wrong with the Race Trainer.

To find out more about the Timex Ironman Trainer go to www.timexironman.com