Does anyone use an ipod

[Slowstart]

I've been gradually increasing distance recently but my ipod has only recorded PB's for 1K, 3K and 1mile. I have definitely run one 10K and loads of 2miles and 5miles which haven't registered. I normally run in basic mode.

I also have an issue with the calibration as my Friday run only registered as 4miles but gbmapometer said it was just over 5miles. 

Any ideas?

[benwill Graduate10]

I dont have an ipod, but i think what the problem might be is that ipods is that they do not have an inbuilt GPS.   So it measures distance by the amount of steps you take, which is a complete guess as it doesnt know your stride length and each stride can be different also it might not log up every step. 

If it had a gps it would be able to track your movement alot better (but not perfectly)  If you have a smart phone they tend to have GPS in them. 

[Slowstart Graduate10 in reply to benwill]

Thanks Ben, no I don't have a smart phone either. The ipod was a Christmas present so it seems ungrateful to upgrade just yet, but I will start planting ideas of needing something more accurate and see what Father C can deliver. Long time to wait though.

[davelinks Graduate10]

They're not as accurate as GPS, smart phones are OK but the GPS sensor is not big enough in a phone, so accuracy can suffer again. The way to go is a dedicated sportswatch such as Garmin, which is one of the best and most popular. I find mine an excellent piece of kit, a Garmin Forerunner 210, which has now been superseded by later models with a few more functions, but of course more costly..😊

[Slowstart Graduate10 in reply to davelinks]

Boys and their toys! It's all very well having the latest models, but unless you are genuinely going to use the added functions they can be a waste of money so I don't mind older versions as long as they do what I need. We have a few places locally where there is no phone signal, does the GPS get affected in this way e.g. can you still get signals in a forest, and if you loose the signal do you loose all your data?

[davelinks Graduate10 in reply to Slowstart]

GPS watches

You can now buy watches that measure your speed and distance using GPS satellite signals. (This is the same technology as is used by satellite navigation in cars.) In the early days these watches did not work well in built up areas, such as London or Manhattan, because they could not always lock on properly to the signal; but now they have been improved and seem to work pretty much everywhere, and they're not affected by bad phone signal, they are on sattelite signal...

I’m a bit of a data junkie, I like to see how far I have run and how fast, after every run. Each run is automatically downloaded to my laptop, where it goes into my Garmin connect running log. On my laptop, I can see the route I ran traced out on a Google map, and I can plot how fast I ran each mile, or how my heart-rate varied according to my speed.

These watches are expensive, and you definitely do not need one to start running. I promised myself I would buy a running watch when I graduated c25k...

[Slowstart Graduate10 in reply to davelinks]

I do like the idea of seeing all the routes and statistics as this will make it very easy to pinpoint areas to works on and achievements you have made. I need to mull this over.

[benwill Graduate10 in reply to Slowstart]

Phones are just as reliable as GPS watches don't believe in that hype, watches are more convenient for looking at pace and distance on the move.   You can pick up cheap GPS watches such as the FR10, if you look on places like gumtree there are many second watches going second hand.   

You dont need a phone signal to pick up a gps signal as it receives signals from satellites, you ideally need a view of the sky.  It can work through trees but it will just draw a line between each time it sees the satellites.   If that makes sense.   You can also have the same issue when running through tall buildings. 

[Slowstart Graduate10 in reply to benwill]

I do like the idea of having a phone with me now I run trails more as I did twist my ankle last week and it made me think "what if", but the idea of a watch is so convenient as no pockets required. I will have a good think about all this when my running becomes more serious. At the moment I've only just reached 10k and can't justify replacing new kit, but it's great to have both ideas and is clear that the ipod won't be a long term companion.

[IannodaTruffe Graduate10]

A smartphone enables you to listen to music or the radio and track your running while having that emergency contact tool at hand.

A GPS watch is obviously smaller and while it can give you feedback, it can't show you where you are while running. GPS watches are generally more accurate than a phone but that will depend on the device. Both can give erratic results on occasions.

I use both. I have a long-standing relationship with Annabel Runkeeper-Smythe, so she reports my progress by interrupting my music on my phone. My watch has a heart rate monitor which is fascinating but by no means essential. If I had to choose one over the other then the phone would win, simply because of the versatility and as a fellow off road runner, knowing I can summon help if needed while in the middle of nowhere is comforting.

Mine fits in a waist belt and is totally unobtrusive.

[Slowstart Graduate10 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks Ian, a well thought out balanced answer. I think if it's a choice of either or, the phone will win for the emergency contact which I hope I will never need. I've promised myself a running belt when I manage to get to the shops so will make sure I get one big enough for a smartphone.

[misswobble Graduate10]

I am non tech person and don't have a smart phone, and don't run with a phone

I do have the basic running watch , a garmin forerunner 10, which I bought on graduation, and it's a little marvel.  I got mine from tesco after shopping round.  I found the price depended on the colour chosen 😊