Keeping notes / codes - specific and general advice request

[Pedro Campos]

I've always simply imported activity files to Golden Cheetah and kept 0 notes.

Now I want to get much better organized specifically in GC and go back to my activities while consulting with other sites where I actually have a title describing a RACE for example. I am planning on sharing my Golden Cheetah database with my coach via dropbox or something.

What's the best way for me to keep notes?
I noticed that on the Details/workout tab of a given ride I have the fields:
Workout Code - This then shows in one of my columns on the left hand side Rides list as I have that column selected.
Keyword - What does this do? Is there a search function for afterwards?
Objective - would this text box be suitable for my input after a ride such as - felt good then cracked on 3rd interval... ?

Then on the Details / Notes tab I don't have anything.

So what's the best system in terms of workout codes (example?) / color coding (?) and note keeping?
Thank you very much in advance!

[Pedro Campos]

So please help?
I started using the big Notes text box.
I learned how to configure the keywords for color coding.
Would the workout code field be an easier way to later arrange by RACE or INDOOR or GROUP Ride for example? Is it best to do all the color coding by workout code and always input that as opposed to doing it from keywords in the Notes field? What's the "Keyword" field used for?

Lastly, would entering a manual activity just to keep a journal on Weight Lifting make any sense at all or should I use something else to keep a training diary as per my coach's request?

Any help appreciated here. Sorry for the convoluted questions. I'm trying to simplify and have EVERYTHING on GC.
Thanks!!

[Christian Charette]

Hello Pedro,

Here is what I have done,

- I have added a "Sport" field with a a auto complete of the activity that I do (Road, MTB, CX, Stationay Trainer and Run)
- I have a group of check box for "Race, Solo, Group and Leisure"

This makes it easy to describe my activity and easy to sort using the top right hand search.

I'm attaching a image of my configuration.

C.

[Pedro Campos]

Hey Christian,

Thank you very much for the reply.
That's a very interesting system. I like it.
But so you don't actually keep long notes?
What does checking the Diary checkbox in the preferences page do? Is it so it goes across all Calendars?
Do you need to designate the individual keywords for color coding while selecting the Sports field?

Thanks again.
Pedro

[Christian Charette]

I do add notes and use the objective field, but not on all activity.

-When I'm just on the trainer, I already know what the workout objective is and I can repeat the same workout if i need (I use the Workout code to store what file was used)
-When I'm training on the road I will use the objective field to describe the workout.

In both case I do add notes on my physical health and other various information that I may find pertinent.

But I always try to use the autocomplete and check box to describe as much as possible what type of activity it was :)

The check box for Diary, is used for to display extra information on the Ride list box on the left and also in the Calendar. But I don’t really use the Calendar as you can't plan anything and it's only showing past rides (I prefer to look at the list view and to use the sorting/search). For color coding the activity type, go in Preference, Notes keywords, select the field and assign the values/color.

C.