Help on how to work out how fast I am going

[Sweatylady]

Hi I am not very good with tech stuff so would appreciate any guidance in simple terms! I did the couch to 5 and now just jog for enjoyment/stress relief really but I would like some sort of plan to get a bit faster

As i go out by myself it’s really hard to know what my pace is. What do you guys do to track and help yourself get a bit faster? Thanks!

[SlowLoris]

If you have a smart (ish) phone use an app. Strava is the most popular. Just download it. If you need any help in how to work it just search Google or ask on here.

If you want tot take it a bit further you can buy a GPS running watch.

[Sweatylady in reply to SlowLoris]

I do have iPhone so will investigate apps- and what they do! It’s really helpful to know what works for others, thanks for advice

[damienair Administrator]

I bought a second hand inexpensive running watch from eBay 2 years ago. It was a great investment. I bought a Garmin Forerunner 15 for £20 on eBay. It displays pace and distance on the front screen so it helps greatly with managing pace or working on improving pace.

At the time I didn’t want to buy an expensive watch in case i didn’t keep it up. But in the end I don’t need anything fancier than what I have. Also means I don’t have to take my phone if I don’t need it.

Damien

[Sweatylady in reply to damienair]

Thank you- I think my son may have something like this so may borrow!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

There are loads of apps you could try Sweatylady - for example, Strava, MapMyRun etc. Or, like the others have already mentioned, a GPS watch is an excellent investment. They range from fairly cheap to really expensive - mine’s a Forerunner 235 (mid range) and I love it. It gives me more stats than I know what to do with. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Sweatylady in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It sounds like I might have to invest in a bit of tech rather than relying on wristwatch and old maps!!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

As said by others. I started with Strava on my phone , then when I got hooked on running I bought garmin forerunner 35 watch, brilliant.

[Sweatylady in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks for advice- it’s good to know what works

[MarkyD Graduate10]

Assuming that you listen to music whilst running, you could take a 'low tech' approach to running a little faster. Once you're warmed up and have run for 10 minutes, start a 1 minute counter on your watch/phone and then run for 1 minute counting your steps. Every step (both right and left) counts, and you may count in the range 100-200 in the course of one minute. The number of steps will be your 'steps per minute' (often this is called cadence). Build a running playlist with songs matched to that cadence, you are looking for songs with the same beats-per-minute BPM as your cadence. You should find that you naturally run in time to the music without any conscious effort.

Now for the running faster bit... insert 3 songs into your playlist, spread throughout your run, aiming for 5-10 beats per minute faster than your usual cadence. And when you are running, make sure that you run in time to the beat. You'll run a little faster during these faster songs. That's it. Interval running.

And a word of advice, run faster by taking quicker steps (increase your cadence) don't try and extend your stride.

[Sweatylady]

Thank you really helpful I do listen to a run playlist which is 150-165 bpm, and I think I go faster to some songs with the faster beat

On a treadmill I go at 10 km/h but I am sure I am not that fast outside- there are lots of hills and I run on bumps so it really varies how I go- I’m sure I could walk faster up steep hills! Will try this and probably borrow some tech to see how it goes

[Hatman]

Hi. I had an advert email yesterday, 28/5/19., from a company called GoGroopie. There was a page of health/running watches reduced to between £12 & £20. You have to buy a voucher (about a fiver)for the post & packing, before you order the goods. It’s likely not the best quality but at that price? Google the name. At least it may give an idea of what features you do or don’t want.

[Sweatylady in reply to Hatman]

Thank you will have a look!

[Runningfit Graduate10]

I like Strava

[Sweatylady]

I tried to download the app this morning but didn’t seem to work-me and technology don’t get on!