Method and apparatus for precision pacing

Abstract

An improved apparatus and method for enhanced training based on variable pacing includes the division of a training course into a series of segments. Each of the segments has an associated length and duration. An associated pacing unit is programmed to output an audio and/or tactile and/or a visual signal for a pre-determined pace to be maintained for each of the segments for a given event. By repetitively using the pacing unit during training sessions, an athlete can learn the appropriate pace to maximize performance for a given event.

1 . A pacing unit comprising: 
 at least one processor;    a memory coupled to said at least one processor;    an event profile residing in said memory, said event profile comprising a plurality of segments, each of said plurality of segments having an associated distance and an associated duration wherein said plurality of segments comprises at least two segments of different distances and two segments of different durations; and    an indicator, said indicator providing a pacing signal to an athlete based on said event profile.    
     
     
         2 . The pacing unit of  claim 1  further comprising a housing, said housing containing: 
 a display;    at least one mode selector;    at least one programming button;    a speaker;    a status indicator; and    at least one input/output port.    
     
     
         3 . The pacing unit of  claim 1  further comprising a computer coupled to said pacing unit, said computer comprising: 
 at least one processor;    a memory coupled to said at least one processor;    an athlete database residing in said memory, said athlete database containing a plurality of athlete profiles;    an event database residing in said memory, said event database containing a plurality of event profiles; and    a logical connection coupling said pacing unit to said computer.    
     
     
         4 . The training apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a master control program residing in said memory, said master control program providing an interface to said athlete database and said event database, said master control program being configurable to program each of said plurality of pacing units.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said logical connection is a wireless connection.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said logical connection is a wired connection.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of pacing units coupled to said computer wherein each of said plurality of pacing units comprises: 
 at least one processor;    a memory coupled to said at least one processor;    an event profile residing in said memory, said event profile comprising a plurality of segments, each of said plurality of segments having an associated distance and an associated duration wherein said plurality of segments comprises at least two segments of different distances and two segments of different durations;    an indicator, said indicator providing a pacing signal to an athlete based on said event profile;    a global positioning system receiver; and    a logical connection coupling said plurality of pacing unit to said computer.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein each of said plurality of pacing units further comprises a display.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein each of said plurality of pacing units further comprises a display, at least one programming button; and a pacing indicator.  
     
     
         10 . A training method comprising the steps of: 
 identifying a training course;    dividing the course into a plurality of segments, each of said plurality of segments having an associated length;    associating a training time with each of said plurality of segments, thereby creating a plurality of training times, each of said plurality of training times having a duration;    programming a pacing unit with data describing each of said plurality of segments and each of said plurality of training times associated with each of said plurality of segments; and    using said pacing unit to train a person on said training course.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of segments comprises at least two segments of different lengths.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said plurality of training times comprises at least two training times of different durations.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one of said plurality of segments comprises a rest segment.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of marking each of said plurality of segments with one of a plurality of visual segment identifiers.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said step of using said pacing unit to train an person on said training course comprises the steps of: 
 inputting a signal into said pacing unit upon reaching each of said plurality of visual segment identifiers thereby creating a plurality of actual segment times with one actual segment time for each of said plurality of segments;    comparing each of said plurality of actual segment times with each of said training times on a segment by segment basis.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of adjusting said length associated with at least one of said plurality of segments.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of adjusting, said duration of at least one of said plurality of training times.  
     
     
         18 . A training method comprising the steps of: 
 a) identifying a training course;    b) dividing the course into a plurality of segments, each of said plurality of segments having an associated length, wherein said plurality of segments comprises at least two segments of different lengths and wherein at least one of said plurality of segments comprises a rest segment;    c) marking each of said plurality of segments with one of a plurality of visual segment identifiers;    d) associating a training time with each of said plurality of segments, thereby creating a plurality of training times wherein said plurality of training times comprises at least two training times of different durations;    e) programming a pacing unit with data describing each of said plurality of segments and each of said plurality of training times associated with said plurality of segments;    f) inputting a signal into said pacing unit upon reaching each of said plurality of visual segment identifiers thereby creating a plurality of actual segment times with one actual segment time for each of said plurality of segments;    g) comparing each of said plurality of actual segment times with each of said training times on a segment by segment basis;    h) adjusting said length associated with at least one of said plurality of segments; and    i) adjusting said duration associated with at least one of said plurality of training times.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said step of comparing each of said plurality of actual segment times with each of said training times on a segment by segment basis comprises the step of using a global positioning system receiver to determine said plurality of actual segment times.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the steps of: 
 repeating steps a-i for a plurality of athletes, thereby creating a plurality of training statistics for said plurality of athletes;    transferring said plurality of training statistics for said plurality of assets to a computer system; and    constructing a customized training regimen for each of said plurality of athletes based on said plurality of training statistics.