When is 5k not 5k?

[Runninggirl59]

I have a conundrum which I'm hoping someone can help me with please.

I am using the Samsung Health app to record my runs and in the last week I have shaved 5 minutes off my 5k run or have I? The app records the distance you run but on reflection the second run was shorter than the first. I ran the same route but the halfway point was earlier and I finished shorter than the first run. My speed was quicker but I am perplexed as to why the faster I run the shorter 5k seems to be?

Can this app be relied upon to accurately measure 5k or am I missing something obvious?

Any assistance would be gratefully received, thanks.

[Blackberrypie Graduate10]

I suspect that the app is estimating your distance based on your number of steps/average stride length, rather than using GPS, so when you speed up and take longer strides it underestimates. Is location enabled on your phone/app?

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to Blackberrypie]

Hi Blackberrypie, thanks for your response.Yes location is on and you have confirmed what I thought. I guess I am going to have to measure the distance the old fashioned way to make sure I'm not cheating myself !

[Blackberrypie Graduate10 in reply to Runninggirl59]

You could try a different app - strava or mapmyrun and many more will track yout distance and various other bells a whistles for free.

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to Blackberrypie]

Yes will try one, thanks