I’ve been using a Garmin Edge 305 as my main bicycle computer for a few years now. I love maps and data, so the ability to look at where I’ve been and where I’m headed is alluring. I decided to start running because there’s less overhead time involved (no tires to pump, chains to lube, etc), it gets my heart rate up faster, and I can do it in the early morning before it’s light enough to bike. One or two runs and I missed the data I got from the Edge, but it was easy to find a deal on last years Forerunner, so now I’m getting more data and maps nearly every day.
Garmin has been working towards a seamless ecosystem where it’s pretty easy to get your data from the device and in to Garmin Connect or to Training Center. That’s where my vague sense of unease starts. We’ve already seen one web-based activity tracker shut down; sure, Garmin replaced MotionBased with their own service, and even migrated my data for me, but what if they hadn’t? Is it really my data if I entrust it to a third party?
What I really want is portable data. I want it on the web, where I can mash it up and show it to my friends; I want it on my computer, where I can back it up along with the rest of my important files; I want it on my phone, where I can see it even when I’m somewhere with no Internet connection; and, I want it in a well-documented format, so when some unforeseen new way comes along to use it, I can bring my data with me in to the brave new world. Garmin Connect and Training Center sort of address this issue, but it’s more painful than it should be. I can move activities back and forth between the their apps, but I have to move them one at a time. I’d be much nicer to consider each of them a data source and just have them sync up, as well as providing full access to my data via a nice, RESTful API.