Runkeeper functionality and new audio runs

[CBDB]

I certainly know I have my MoJo back, as I found myself looking out the window this morning and just wanted to run on my rest day!

But rest day is rest day!

So I was rather exploring what to do tomorrow on my run, as you do on a rest day. And as I saw an update from Runkeeper’s app detailing additional audio runs, I dove in deep into all sorts of Runkeeper functions.

I have still the free version of Runkeeper, and it has been my tracker of choice since graduating from C25k . Back then it was recommended by our very own IannodaTruffe and I am ever so thankful, as I am not even tempted by Mr Garmin. 😉 (…. Ok, ok, so I’m tempted, I admit it 😏)

The things I regularly do with Runkeeper, just in case people do not realise it’s full functionality, are:

- track all my runs for free, full tracking functionality

- analyse your stats both on app and website

- set routes and see all your stats regarding one route

- hear audio stats in intervals that you decide (miles, min or km)

- set your own programme, such as fartleks, jeffing . You can program in whatever you need, including repeating intervals.

- set a 5min warm up and cool down (programmes only)

- interact with others via social feed (I like this the least for some reason)

- hear audio coaches cheering you on, with hilarious voices (only on free runs)

But the functionalities I discovered this morning after the update, and that I will try out on my next runs are:

- Runkeeper has now more audio coached runs in the free version 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 and I’ll be trying them out!!! (See pic on right)

- Set your own group challenges (see pic bottom and top left).

I set a very modest challenge for hubby and me with his suggested title of “Rocket Boosters” (ts ts, men!), as hubby (the former athlete) can’t handle more than 2 runs per week these days! 🤣🤣🤣

Sorry, I’m really not being mean here but you’d get the joke if you‘d see him. Between him and me, he is the one who looks like he could feature on an aftershave commercial (e.g. mature, but athletic), and I look like … well, the couch potato needing to embark on C25k … which I did.

And of course I run now every other day and up to 10k. And he is grateful being able to run 20 min before his calf muscles tell him to stop.

But just to note he does weights and strength and flex workouts at least 3 times a day… yup you read that right, “per day”! 😳 And he also joins my daily Pilates and Yoga! 👏👏👏🙌🙌🙌🙌 So much fitter than me with exceptions of his calf muscles.

But I made him sign up for this Runkeeper Group Challenge as I really want to test out this functionality!

So we’ll see how these added functionalities pan out and I let you know!

Also if hubby manages to do the mere two runs/walks per week! 😂

Happy running everyone!

[Couchpotato2]

Oh that’s interesting re the coached runs, I might try some!

Have fun winning the challenges witg your hubby

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thank you! Yes, I do think Runkeeper is the tracker with the most extensive freely available functionality. So it’s a good one to have in your pocket. (Oh! 😣 I forgot to add ‘pocket track’ functionality… which I love! Will edit and add ASAP)

[Couchpotato2 in reply to CBDB]

Yes I think worth adding that and save people buying watches if they don't need them. I find the maps and time useful on my watch but after the initial excitment, I dont really need much else

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Hmm ... Never looked at runkeeper, perhaps I should !I do like guided runs but use the NRC app for those up to now ... Maybe I'll take a look 😁

Hmm ....3 times a day !!! 😳

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

I know, right?!!!

[Hidden]

I used to use Runkeeper in the past, but the audio often stopped working because of the bumping of my phone while running. At least I think it was that. Made me nervous and angry as I was counting on Runkeeper to say when to walk and when to run, which it didn't do because of the glitch? Have not run with NRC a lot yet, but the few times I did, NRC did not have that problem.

I do prefer my Garmin for tracking though. The GPS of my phone is often incorrect, giving me less distance than Garmin does. And I trust Garmin more in the field of GPS than my phone. Don't do a anything with all the stats, I just like seeing them after my run.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Yeah, there is an option in Runkeeper where you can a switch on the ability of Runkeeper to pause when you stop running. That is sometimes glitchy, so I have it switched off completely.

Not sure about exactness. But I think it relies on GPS of phone and area, so will be different for diff’t people and places. You gotta love tech. It all looks so simple but the complexities are hidden but there.

[Hidden in reply to CBDB]

It wasn't the option of pausing, it was really the audio. I really think it had to do with the bumping up and down of the phone. Sometimes I could hear Runkeeper say VERY faintly (almost unhearable) that I had to start running again. But I had not heard when I should have had to walk, it had just not told me. Very unreliable. Maybe it's my phone, but as said, I don't have that problem with NRC...

[Devon_straggler Graduate10]

Runkeeper is my app of choice too. I've used it to set intervals in the past but at the moment I'm mostly using it to keep track of timed runs via the audio stats, and it's invaluable to somebody without any kind of watch. Since graduating from C25k I haven't missed having a coach talk to me, but it might be good to try some of these audio runs. My feeling is that I prefer without, but you never know what you might be missing unless you try it! Thanks for the info, I'll have to update the app.

[CBDB Graduate10 in reply to Devon_straggler]

Yeah, I still have to explore these as well. Exciting! 👍🏽

[Devon_straggler Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

I've just had a look and they seem much better than I'd expected, some of them look like a 30 min education in something running related rather than just a 30 min pep talk while you run. The ones with speed intervals etc might be good a bit further down the line, but it's not for me right at the moment - hopefully one day! Thanks again for making me aware of them.

[LottieMW Ambassador]

Runkeeper is very much my backup app. I tend to set it for the whole run, including warm up and cool down walks…so it’s out of synch with Strava…I therefore get read outs every half km, in theory helping consistency. I might take a look at some of the programmes 🤔