How to best keep tracking workouts & more while the watch is being repaired?

In some lands, if you ask, Garmin will send you a replacement device in advance (against a deposit), and then you do not need to interrupt the monitoring. If not, then getting a cheap 2nd hand Garmin watch as a backup device is another option. Alone with an app and the HRM-Pro you will never manage to get it right. Activities imported from 3rd parties do not have any impact on chalenges, badges, and only a very small number of them have some impact (to a limited extend) on the metrics, such as training load, but a Garmin device may be needed anyway fr post-processing the data from the app. So far Zwift, Rouvy, and the Tacx app have some limited capabilities to send back the data that influence the metrics, but I am not even sure if it is nt just for cycling.

HRM-Pro can also record only a limited set of data standalone, and you have no way to start an activity without a device, so it is not of a big help either even if it is linked directly to Garmin Connect over BT.

Getting a replacement device (directly from Garmin, or a purchase / renting) is, on my mind, the only available way to handle such situation.

Worth adding that, if using a backup watch, it needs to be the same generation of capability (First Beat calculations, I guess) in order for training metrics to be maintained.

For example,  I have Epix Pro (since last Friday), 6X Pro Solar, 5X+ and 3HR. Last week, before the Epix arrived, I used my 5X+ whilst my 6X was busy, attached to my Basecamp laptop for map import/processing. While the 5X+ recorded everything as it should, my training load from the activity was a big fat zero. Annoying especially as it was an all out effort on the treadmill.

If I look at the options for device priority then only the Epix and 6X are fully compatible for training data. 5X+ is not compatible, as I discovered, and 3HR does not warrant a mention. So be careful when buying a "cheap backup device" as it may not satisfy crucial data analysis/accumulation needs beyond the basics.

Thanks for the expanded answer trux.

Unfortunately, I've already requested the service so the courier will most probably be ringing my doorbell in 24/48 hours, I imagine is too late to explore with Garmin in my country whether they'd be available for sending a new watch in advance (and they'd anyway need at least 1 week before making it all through).

I've had a quick look at the apps mentioned and as a wannabe-runner I think they'd would not apply (mostly for cycling?). How about recording the run directly on Strava (it seems it can be paired with the HRM Pro+) and later export the GPX/FIT file for import into Garmin?
Would it move any metric (at least the Training Load) ?

Thanks eezytiger for your answer too.

I think I won't be purchasing another watch for the meanwhile. I'm very passionate about my running endeavours but I'm also conscious to be a very beginner at such and though I run hours per week, I do it only for myself.

But what you shared is really interesting, just in case I'd change my mind or for other potential readers.

I was wondering as well: is there a way explicitly start recording an activity on the HRM Pro+ without the watch and download (or have it synched) directly by the GCM app?

Regarding Garmin training load without a watch, I am not sure that many third party activity recordings will activate the required processing within the Garmin ecosystem. However, I do know of one that does - Zwift - which I use myself on the treadmill.

The snag with Zwift is that you will require a footpod (I use Stryd) or a compatible treadmill in order to send speed/distance to Zwift and a smartphone of sufficient power and sufficiently up to date OS. Great if you already have a footpod, not so great if you don't. Footpod aside, at least Zwift is free to use for runners.

By the way, this afternoon I discovered a bit of a faux pas with Garmin's handling of combining data from different sources into one account. I recorded an 8km hike with all four of my Garmin watches, in particular to compare track accuracy between Epix Pro and the others. Recovery time from the Epix showed as 20 hours when I saved the activity. Last to save was the 3HR, which showed 13 hours recovery (probably because it fails to properly acknowledge prior training history from other watches. Now my Epix is showing 13 hours recovery instead of 20, so the 3HR data has butchered my training record for recovery time at least. Hopefully no other gotchas.

eezytiger said:

The snag with Zwift is that you will require a footpod

HRM-Pro is sufficient for that too. It has all the necessary sensors.

Peppe said:

How about recording the run directly on Strava (it seems it can be paired with the HRM Pro+) and later export the GPX/FIT file for import into Garmin?

Yes, you can, but the Training Load will not be updated, only the basic stats like distance, pace, time, the track, etc. Also, it won't count towards towards challenges, badges, etc.

Peppe said:

is there a way explicitly start recording an activity on the HRM Pro+ without the watch

No, HRM-Pro does not have the ability to record activities.

I read about Zwift that for outdoors run, at least up until last year, it had a serious problem of battery drain, letting a normal phone battery to last less than 30 minutes (I did 2h20' yesterday). So I feel a bit out of options with the minimum target of keeping the training load updated for outdoor runs? Or am I missing something?

The only other option that springs to my mind is to use an alternative platform for monitoring training load. Something like intervals.icu, for example, or Strava. You should be able to import your appropriate history and can then record and import from alternative devices, such as your phone.

It won't be Training Load in the Garmin sense, but will allow you to monitor training benefit and fatigue/form.