Best way to track a run

[StringsandKeys]

I’ve been using my phone and the Nike App to track my runs but on a 10k the other day my phone gave up twice so didn’t record the distance which was annoying! Is Garmin a good option? Feel it’s time to invest in something more reliable for the future! Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts.

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Hi, I sometimes use the Nike app guided runs but occasionally had problems with it , I also have the free version of Strava.

But my Garmin has been my regular run recorder and after completing the run it can then be uploaded to starva from the watch .

There are still some good Garmin deals to be had at the moment .

Before replying I saw the Garmin forerunner 45S on Amazon for £109

And this has been a great watch for me .

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you that’s really helpful I’ll look into that one

[GTFC Graduate10 in reply to Instructor57]

👆👆👆 100% this

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Good to hear!

[Never_too_old 60minGraduate in reply to Instructor57]

Hi Instructor57, sorry to jump on this post but, would you say this is ok for a novice and easy to use? I'm looking for something to track my runs as I often change my route but don't always have the time to "map my run" after. My OH wants me to get something that appears complicated (I don't do tech) I literally just want to know how far and how long at this point. Things could change in the future but I can't see it 🤭

[Instructor57 Graduate10 in reply to Never_too_old]

Hi, I certainly bought mine as a novice while I was still doing C25K.It's been great !

You can display various data during the run , mine is set to show Distance, time run and pace ( I'm not really wanting anything else)

You can see your runs afterwards on the Garmin app (Garmin connect) or you can upload them to other apps such as Strava .

It's often referred to as an entry level watch but I find it does everything I want it to and more if I needed it to.

You can pick the forerunner 45 up for around £109 At the moment and the 45S for around £120

The only difference between these two versions is the bezel diameter , the 45S being slightly smaller .

Everything else is the same .

If mine was to break today then I would go out and buy the exact same one again !

[Never_too_old 60minGraduate in reply to Instructor57]

Thank you for replying, very helpful. I think that's what I'm going to go for. 🙂

[GTFC Graduate10]

Everyone has their favourites but as Instructor57 says, Garmin are ace. I've had the 45s (small wrists) for 2 years and it's been brilliant. The 55 is next above this which is awesome too. But for reliability and use in shower etc it has been faultless and has all the data I need. Screen is always clean and crisp in low and bright light conditions and you customise the home screen to your liking to view when running. There are reviews to watch on YouTube to help you out. Shanebow does an excellent one.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to GTFC]

Amazing really helpful thanks

[Hidden]

Yep. Another vote for Garmin. Mine is the 245. It is very reliable and has a huge battery life.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Really helpful thanks

[Hargo in reply to Hidden]

Have the 245 myself. Excellent piece of kit.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Hargo]

Sounds good

[StringsandKeys Graduate10]

Really helpful replies thank you!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

I’ve had my Garmin (220) for nearly eight years and it’s still going strong! I’ve had to contact Garmin customer service only once in that time and they were brilliant, so another point in their favour as far as I’m concerned.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you that’s value for money! I know what I’m buying next now!

[orangeguy Graduate10]

Totally agree with the Garmin recommendations, I have an older model (Forerunner 30) it records distance time, route and V02 max and more, would be lost without it.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to orangeguy]

Thank you!

[CBDB Graduate10]

I don’t have or want a Garmin, as I’m wedded too much to the choice of apps that my smartphone gives me.

So I have Runkeeper on my smartphone. Its free version has pretty much full functionality, and it has a “pocket run” feature, which means that even if it’s not open, it will track you distance. So perfect if you forget or are using a different app or are worried about battery. With it Runkeeper has 100% of my runs, and then I use other apps to give me a bit of variety (NRC for audio coaches runs, ZombiesRun for fun runs, etc)

Hope you find a good way forward for you.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to CBDB]

Thank you my smart phone is letting me down so I probably need to replace it but useful to hear this as well

[damienair Administrator]

Garmin again for me. I've been using a Garmin Forerunner 35 for the past 2 years. Before that I had a second hand Forerunner 15 which I bought on eBay for €20. They work great, connect seemlessly to Garmin Connect and Strava on your phone. You don't need anything expensive, the Forerunner 45s would be my choice.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

I’m happy with something easy to use etc sounds good

[SkiMonday Graduate10]

I use a Forerunner 35 and it works great!

I’ve noticed that the GPS on my phone gives significantly different results to the watch but I’ve been unsure as to which is the more accurate. That was answered on a recent race where the Garmin matched the distance markers accurately.

In the short term, I’ve found that the Nike app drains the battery because it keeps the screen on (I use it for some of the guided runs). My fix is to start the run then close down the Nike app. I still get the guidance and it records my run.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to SkiMonday]

Thanks I also found the Nike app drained the battery. I’m sure if I buy this Garmin it’s like I’m now really serious about running!

[SkiMonday Graduate10 in reply to StringsandKeys]

I'd say that you have to be really serious about running to complete a 10 race!

[Frenc Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Hello there, I have the same Garmin as Instructor57, I think purchased based on his recommendation! Anyway, it will absolutely record your runs and give you lots of other useful bits of information too. I have it sync directly to Strava which is brill. £109 is a pretty good price as well. Happy hunting! ⌚️⌚️⌚️⏱⏱⏱

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Frenc]

Thank you this has been so helpful getting all these views

[Hargo]

Definitely checkout the garmin forerunner series. They are all excellent with amazing battery life and features and the base model starts from just over 100 quid. If you are looking for the best advice on specific models then check out DC Rainmaker on YouTube. He has tonnes of in depth reviews and even dives through the entire menu system on some watches!

[Hidden]

Garmin here too! I have also found that the distance that my phone records is almost always wrong. Sometimes a lot even (think 1K on 10K). My Garmin watch is the only one I trust in regards to distance.

I have a VivoActive 4S as I bought it as a smartwatch. I don't use the smartwatch option though, they suck the battery too fast.

My watch looks nice, bought it a nice perlon strap too, so nobody sees it is not a regular watch. I wear it 24/7 as it also tracks my stress, heartrate, sleep, etc. And I can track swimming, running, cardio, etc. with it.

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Garmin seems the way forward!

[solid-banana-bread]

And in case all the Garmin up votes are not enough to convince you I'll downvote Android Wear watches I've had 3 (got one right now) and they aren't very good so stay well away

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to solid-banana-bread]

Haha thank you! Loving the name ! 😀

[solid-banana-bread]

Garmin 245 is £125 on Amazon right now: Garmin Forerunner 245 Running Watch - Slate smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RC...

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to solid-banana-bread]

Thank you but mainly for your great name. Sounds like so many votes for Garmin and also for the current price!

[Freecloud Graduate10]

Agree with all above, phones GPS can be very random and also avoid any smartwatch with a touchscreen as they can be too sensitive and could stop your run with the slightest touch or even a raindrop. I have two at moment an old android for recording Strava and a Huawei pro. The Huawei is a great watch, but it isn’t compatible with Strava and it has stopped on quite a few occasions when I have been running👎.

I have been doing a lot of research on what Garmin to purchase, it was between the 45 and the 225, went for the 225 yesterday because of the £125.00 offer from Amazon. But I wont get it until Jan 3rd ☹.

[rayvinloon Graduate10 in reply to Freecloud]

I know this is a late reply but here goes, I have used for two to three years a Huawei GT active and cannot fault it, obviously does more than track your runs but it is spot on and you can leave your phone at home but because of trump and now biden Huawei is a no no so I have been looking at smart watches that are independent of whatever phone you happen to own and the conclusion I have come to is Garmin as well but I like something that looks good so although I should go with the Garmin 245 because it does everything I want plus more (and a very good price at the mo) I am tempted with the Garmin Venu 2 as it has a much better display (amoled as opposed to LCD) but it is more of a fitness watch rather than a runner's watch...just my sixpence worth

[StringsandKeys Graduate10 in reply to Freecloud]

Thanks sounds like this is a perfect time to buy the Garmin one!