The best way to get started is to "Let Joe show you around". Just follow the text and click on the buttons and you will see how easy it is to use Racing Buddy!. Joe will appear when you close this window.
Browse Joe's sample races and workouts and Donna's races to get a feel for the program and some of its capabilities. Then select the File menu - Change/New User and enter yourself.
Many of the Buttons in Racing Buddy toggle - click once to open and click again to close. (Examples: Find, Checklist, Story, Splits, Web, List and many other buttons)
Move from one data entry box to the next using the tab key, enter key and sometimes the arrow keys.
To clear most text boxes just press the space bar.
Tool tips show help or additional information: To use tool tips hold mouse over item on screen for about 2 seconds and additional help or information will appear.
Cut, Copy, Paste and Undo Clipboard functions are available from most text fields, story and checklist windows by using the right mouse button.
When the Story button (icon) background is pink there is a Story attached to the event. The background is blue when no story is present for that date. 
Try using Paste Special in the Story Window to strip unwanted formatting. Especially useful when copying some files (race results) from the Internet with columns.  
When entering Kilometers always enter distance followed by "K" examples "5k", "10k", for 100 meters enter ".1k", Racing Buddy will convert to miles - For Miles just enter the number or for fractions enter decimal - example .5 (half mile) or .25 (quarter mile).
When entering actual run splits use the backspace key to edit split - use the space bar or delete key to (clear) and enter new split. The program, based on the total race time and other splits, will calculate the final split.
When the Racing Buddy Icon appears to the left of the Runners Pace button - that event was a Personal Record (for the year or all time)
You can use Celsius or Fahrenheit. To switch modes click on the C or F button and they will toggle. When you save your data the program will remember which system you used.
In the List Window: Events with pictures are shown in blue text.
When viewing Graphs: Click on the points of the Graph to bring up the details of that graph point.
In the List Window: Click on the column headings to sort by that column (A-Z or 1-3). Click again to reverse sort (Z-A or 3-1).
In the List Window: You can drag and drop columns to view in different order. It will then print with the new column order.
Double click on any event in the List window and the details will appear on the bottom screen. You can switch back and forth between screens.
When entering repeat event names you may press enter to select name that appears below as your typing or use the mouse to select the name from the drop down list.
In the Story or Checklist window: Use the <> icon in the bottom right corner of the to expand or contract the width (view) of the window.
In the Story or Checklist window: You can paste small pictures and objects. NOTE: Too many pictures in the Stories may slow down search of all stories using the Find Button.
Click on the Runners Pace Button to see where you should be at each mile mark for the distance entered if you run even splits. You can print even split time up to a 100-mile race. Splits will print out with event print button. You can even copy and paste splits into a story window and format and print to your liking.
To create a new checklist just type in a new checklist name and press save. To clear all text from the old checklist press Control + A (select all), press delete key (not button), and enter your new text.
Holding the mouse pointer over your age on event day will show you a tool tip that displays how long ago that event took place - in days, weeks, and years.
The number above the event scroll bar is the event number in chronological order, if it is in bright yellow you are entering a new event - if it is a dull yellow you are editing an event.
When adding new pictures Racing Buddy gives you the option to Save As or Rename - its a good idea to rename you pictures with a descriptive name, just type in a new name and press save.
Create separate Checklist to keep - Important event items - favorite phone numbers - To do list - Passwords (not top secret) - Track & field, USAT or other important #'s...
If your pictures don't look good (colors off) check your windows properties (right click on windows screen and select properties & then select the settings tab) If Colors are set to 256 or less try High Color (16 bit) this should make all your pictures look better in windows.
Shortcut Keys: Ctrl + X (cut), Ctrl + C (copy), Ctrl + V (paste), Ctrl + A (select all), Ctrl + Z (undo), Ctrl + End (go to the end), Ctrl + Home (go to the start)
To view even mile splits click on the Runners Pace button - if the distance is greater than a marathon (up to 1000 miles!) - click on the right column of splits and use the arrow keys to scroll down the list.
Use the find button to search for any text in any of the events data - click the stories checkbox to also search all stories. To search the Planner, use the Planner find button. 
The 2 Blue squares on the main screen are filter buttons for event name and event type or distance. Enter filter text and when you scroll thru events only the events that match will show. Filter matches text from left only. When filter is active the Blue squares become Red.
Back-Up your data: Select Back Up/Export-Import from the File Menu, click Browse to find folder or drive you would like to Back Up to and then just click the Back-Up/Export button - only takes a minute or less!
Back-Up & Share: Send your races to a friend via e-mail or disc, if they have Racing Buddy they can import your races and view them.
Use the Copy List Button in the List window to copy all the contents of the List as filtered to the clipboard. You can then paste into any windows application - (Story Window, Word Processor, Spread Sheet, Email, etc.) You may need to change the font to courier to get even columns.
In the List Window there are 4 blue square buttons. The top 2 when clicked will select All for Event/Distance or Year. When the 3rd button is clicked it turns red - while red you can click on any event in the list and it will appear in the text box left of the button and allow you to filter by that name (time saver). Continued next tip...
(Continued): In the List Window the 4th and bottom blue square button when clicked turns red or blue. While button is blue the filtered text will compare text for exact match from leftmost character - while button is red it will compare filtered text for any match within Event Name.
If you have a wheel mouse, when you click in a drop down box, spin the wheel to scroll the selections. Especially useful when selecting workouts and courses and works great with the charts and graphs!
Add your loved one's birthdays and anniversaries or holidays by double clicking on the calendar and selecting the Events Tab. You can add all your recurring events from here. They will appear on the calendar with your other events.
When you hold the mouse over a day on the Calendar with an anniversary or birthday, you will see how many have occurred, since the start date you set. (Example: 23rd birthday or 5th anniversary - that's handy!)
Let Racing Buddy keep track of your sneakers or bike mileage when you enter your workouts. This will let you know when its time to change those sneakers before you start to feel knee pain or have other problems!
When adding your workouts use the Enter Pace button if you only know your pace (from you bike odometer) and distance. Racing Buddy will calculate the time. For Running you can enter an estimated pace and let Racing Buddy calculate either the time or distance.
Entering an Estimated Time or Distance (when unknown) will give you more complete workout information that will be used for the Workout Analysis screen. (Generally estimate to the low side and you'll always feel good!)
Its good Karma to Register Racing Buddy! (... I'll put in a good word to the PR Gods!)
I find using 1024 x 768 is the best resolution mode for all window applications. Give it a try and after a short time you'll be glad you did. To change right click on the Windows screen and select properties - select the settings tab and adjust the resolution. You can always change back but give it a try.
When you open the Workout Analysis screen to the current month you will see the average daily miles and workout time (for each sport and totals) up to today's date. This is a fast and very good indicator of weather or not you are meeting your current workout goals.
Clicking on the data in the Workout Analysis screen will display additional details pertaining to that item. Double Clicking will allow you to edit your workouts. It's easy to pick up errors from the list and make corrections.
