I got a Optimum Time watch for xmas and would like to know how everyone uses theirs with the functions. I’ve never used a watch on XC before (I’m not exactly known for being a speed demon) so I’d like to learn.
I usually program mine to count down to a time 30 seconds before the optimum time. That means when I look at it I know 0 seconds is the goal (Vs remembering the optimum time if it was counting up) and I have 30 seconds max to get to the finish line when it beeps. Enough time to speed up or slow down a bit.
I am riding a greenie at N, hoping to move up to T next year though, and she’s pretty quick so we don’t stress about minute markers yet. In fact I don’t look at the watch much at all unless I feel my rhythm has been disrupted somehow, as I’m fairly accurate with my pace. But I’m trying to get used to using it!
I use the count up function. I set it at 10 seconds, and I hit in when the timer starts the countdown from 10. I know where my minute markers are (hopefully) often I write them in permanent marker on my arm. At a minimum I know where the first, third-, and fifth-minute markers are at horse trials so that I maintain pace. If I don’t get on the minute marker gig and just ride, I usually have time penalties. Most often I do this no minute marker when riding at a level the first few times. The watch beeps at every minute. You can set it at 20 seconds or 30 as well whatever is comfortable for you. Just tell the timer what you need to hit the watch at right time to start counting up. I never hit it at the end though I look at it as I cross the finish. Other trick is if you are slow, set your minute markers 5 to 10 seconds ahead of where you need to be so you have some room.
Count down is you put your time on the watch, say 5:30 is optimum. You hit your watch coming out of the box and then you know exactly how much time you have left when you look at it. You can also factor in seconds 10 or 20 more and hit it when the timer is doing the countdown out of the box. I did it that way for years but over time have come to like the first way described.
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Initially I used the count down function and would set it for 10 seconds over optimum time and press start when the box timer started my 10 second countdown. I would write the time of my optimum minus my speed fault on my arm and also write the halfway time. So for example, let’s say that my optimum is 5:00 and my speed fault is 4:00. My watch is set for 5:10 and on my arm is written “-1:00” (because when my watch has 1 minute remaining, I know I’ve surpassed speed fault) and “1/2 2:30” so I have a good idea halfway through the course if I’m on pace or way off. I did this up through training level.
Then I got the CrossCountry app a few years ago, which more or less meters my course for me, and got more sophisticated with using my watch. If you don’t have that app yet, I HIGHLY recommend it. It’s better than CourseWalk (I have both) and is great for doing timing/pacing as well as memorizing your course. I also love that I can review photos/maps of old courses that I’ve already run at a venue if I’m trying to decide whether I want to enter again or if there are weaknesses I experienced and should school at home. In conjunction with the info from the CourseWalk app, I now use the count down function when I set my watch, but it swaps over to count up automatically. I usually set it for 8 seconds and press start with the start box timer gets to 8 seconds on my countdown (used to do 10 but I wasn’t always quick enough to hit start when the timer said 10 and it was a stress creator that I didn’t need in my life!). When they say “have a great ride” it starts counting up and beeps every minute. CrossCountry tells me where my minute markers are, which I’ve written on my arm, although I’ve been doing this long enough that I generally have an idea of the pace I need and I try to memorize where I should be at each minute. I’ll also enter the speed fault time/mpm speed into the app and get the speed fault minute markers. My arm writing is a little more intense now… it would have four lines, “OPT 5:00”, then something like “4/b8/12-13/a15/20” (the b = before, the - means my minute marker is pretty much evenly between those fences, and a = after) “SF 4:00” and then “2/7/10-11/18”. I do this for every level I compete at, which means BN through prelim, although I don’t really look at my watch at modified or prelim unless I’m trying to make time at a championship or if I’m well placed going into XC. It’s definitely overkill at the lower levels, but it’s been a great way to really learn pace and is just habit now.
As an aside, it’s totally worth also setting the time on your watch for the regular old time function. I don’t wear a normal or smart watch on XC and having that time function helps eliminate any stress I have regarding what time is it right now vs my ride time!
I personally prefer to count up, usually start my watch at the 10 second countdown in the start box. I map my minute markers as I walk, I personally just find I’m able to math in my head better counting up instead of counting down. Just how my brain works.
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Generally my brain just goes Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
The entire way around so no math will happen.
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HAHA Generally this is the case! I stop Ahhhing at the last fence and then can math in between the last fence and finish flags. 
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