Navigation and Safety in the Outdoors

Trail running means venturing into nature – safety is always my priority. To ensure that, I need to know my routes, or prepare them in advance. Orientation is crucial. In my early days, I relied on paper maps. Later, I used mobile apps utilizing GPS, but pulling out a phone mid-run can be inconvenient and even unsafe.

In unknown trail running environments, I need a reliable tool with very accurate GPS to maintain a peace of mind and focus on performance. The ability to place markers along the route can be very useful during a competition. It allows us to identify aid stations on the map or highlight important points such as the start of a major climb, for example

On the HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro , I simply import my GPX (GPS exchange format) track onto the HUAWEI Health app and sync it to the watch. The quality of the base map is very precise, and it is easy to zoom in or out with the watch’s scroll wheel. In addition, the base map gives me a view of place names, as shown in the screenshot (“La Côte”).

Monitoring Effort – Precision in the Mountains

Trail running takes me through an incredible variety of terrain: volcanic slopes on Réunion Island, steep alpine climbs at the Hardrock, and sand dunes in Morocco. Wherever I train or race, efficiency in preparation is key. That means quantifying my intensity, so I don’t start out too fast or train in the wrong zone. It is very important to stay in the green or yellow zones (fat-burning or aerobic) during long endurance sessions in order to maintain a moderate intensity and avoid tiring too quickly. The orange and red zones (anaerobic and extreme) should only be reached in specific sessions, such as interval training, but should be avoided during long workouts or long-distance competitions.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro makes this simple. Beyond flat pace, it provides a grade- adjusted pace – a crucial metric. It lets me compare my effort on a 16% climb to what it would be on flat terrain. This helps me keep my intensity in check, especially at the start of a race when it’s easy to go out too hard. Of course, grade-adjusted pace is still an indirect indicator. That’s why I also rely on heart rate monitoring, clearly displayed across different screens in Trail Running mode, where you can also turn on the option for your heart rate to be broadcasted, eliminating the need to look at the watch for this purpose.

To prepare specifically for hot conditions, I carried out an indoor home-trainer session. Over the course of one hour, I wore a heavy jacket to intensify the heat effect and simulate racing in higher temperatures. In such training, monitoring heart rate is crucial, as it rises significantly faster when body temperature increases. This method provides an effective way to adapt the body to challenging race conditions

Post-Run Analysis – Recovery Matters

Once my session was over, I sat down to analyze my heart rate recovery. At the start of the test, my heart rate was 145 bpm, and by the end it had dropped to 76 bpm. This shows a strong ability of the heart to return close to its baseline value (my resting heart rate is 50 bpm). This quick and simple measurement after training provides valuable insight into cardiac fatigability.

After every run, I immediately check the watch’s data. First, my cadence: ideally around 170 steps per minute, which reduces injury risk. Next, I look at my average heart rate, which quantifies overall session intensity. The smartwatch also breaks down the time spent in each training zone – for ultra-endurance preparation, maximizing time in the aerobic and fat-burning zones is essential.

Therefore, I pay close attention to the calories burned. Refueling properly is just as important as training itself. Being a professional athlete means not only working hard, but also recovering smart – meals with the right amount of macronutrients are part of the job. I focus on tracking the grams of carbohydrates and proteins I eat each day according to my level of physical activity, while also keeping an eye on total calories to avoid an energy deficit. For example, if I eat 100 g of rice or pasta, I know that this corresponds to around 350 kcal and 30–35 g of carbohydrates. This type of tracking helps me better balance my nutrition with my training. For athletes who want even deeper insights, Huawei Health+ provides advanced nutrition analysis and personalized recommendations, making it easier to align diet with performance goals.

A Reliable Partner for Every Trail

For me, comfort and reliability are non-negotiable. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro is far more than a gadget: it is a valuable tool that keeps me safe and helps optimize my training. Preparing GPX tracks in advance, knowing my heart rate zones, and relying on precise its GPS navigation ensures I stay on course and in control.

Upon thinking about my experience with the smartwatch, one moment stands out: While running near my in-laws’ home, I mistakenly took a left turn. The watch alerted me, and I quickly corrected course. Later, I learned the wrong trail led to cliffs – a dangerous path I was glad to avoid. If this had happened during a race, it would have cost me months of training and preparation. There is no definable number of health and sports statistics that are more helpful than this alone. If I were to somehow stray onto a dangerous path, I still have the fall detection and emergency function that allows me to call an emergency contact.

The HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Pro doesn’t just make training more efficient – it makes trail running safer and more enjoyable.