I've seen posts from people saying they check their speed or distance while running using Map My Run or Run Keeper, how is this done?

I mean physically? Are you holding your phones in your hands as you run? Or do you stop to remove the phone from an arm band to check?

[wilmacgh Graduate]

I use endomondo but I think they all work the same way. You need to download the app then start it when you go out and wait until it picks up a good gps signal. It should track you as you go

I carry my phone in a y-fumble armband but it works in a pocket too

[Lovefood1984 Graduate]

The app (in runkeepers case) can be set up to tell you at set time or distance intervals a variety of things such as how far you've gone, how fast you've gone on average and how fast you are going at the moment etc. so once you've set if off and put it in your armband, that's where it can stay until the end of your run

[PandaRunner Graduate]

I check mine at the end of my run! Haha!

[Hidden]

With mapmyrun you select to have audio feedback on your activity, choose the speeds or distances you want to know about and it interrupts the music or podcast you are listening to to give you feedback on your run while your phone etc stays in your pocket. Easy peasy !

[sprynn Graduate]

Aha - you have spotted a gap in the market. I use my iPhone with an armband and with 2 apps running - Runkeeper and Wahoo HR tracker. The armband is designed to fit on your upper arm. However it is nearly impossible to see the screen in that position! So I can just about put it to the tightest setting on my forearm, just below my elbow and upside down, so when my arm is bent I can easily see the screen the right way up. I like the Wahoo app for keeping an eye on it during running as they have a big screen display with several different views. I think it works even if you don't have a HR monitor and will just track your pace and distance via GPS. Hope that helps. But I do wish someone would design one to wear on the forearm.

[LightDark Graduate in reply to sprynn]

I can't believe i never thought of putting my phone upside in the arm thing - all that squinting at my elbow i could have saved!!

[sprynn Graduate]

Oh yes and I agree with henpen90, the audio feedback is great too!

[achydunlin]

I usually run the same three routes around my village - which I know the distance of before I run. I like to have a route planned out before I run outdoors or I spend too much time dithering where to go next! I then check my time when I get home. I don't bother with checking my pace. I sometimes work out it with time/distance but it varies so much depending on who I get chatting to when out!!

[misswobble Graduate]

You can use goodrunguide, which also allows you to map your off-road runs too, which is great. You can measure where you ran/walked/cycled too

I can't see my Garmin display without my specs, which I keep parked on the top of my head as I run, if I need a quick check it means slowing down to put me glasses on. So, I don't look at it usually until the end when I have to put me specs on to stop the watch

[catchmeifucan in reply to misswobble]

Hi misswobble, I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling to read from little screens, I can just about manage the Garmin FR10 screen (at least in daylight!). Certainly makes you feel your age.

[Nilzed]

My phone is in my pocket. I have yet to run without needing one. Though i have had to unzip it! And once i took it off during my walk home. Mornings along the shady Kelvin are great for running!

[helcl Graduate]

When I used runkeeper, I got the distance and pace every minute through my earphones

[Lavender1962 Graduate]

I've set the audio on runkeeper to announce distance and pace every 5 minutes. I listen to music on rock my run at the same time.

[PilgrimPip Graduate]

I use Endomondo - I get it started as I walk out the door for the warm up and then don't check it until I get home. Then it tells you how far, how long, fastest km, average speed, elevation, hydration..... I've turned on the voice alerts so a voice tells you when you've completed each km, and how long it's taken. And my phone is also in an armband....

[Hidden]

Thanks all, all useful stuff... I'm using map my run, haven't seen anywhere to get the audio updates of speed or distance, must look into that. Sprynn, that's a good idea to put the armband lower on your arm, I'll try that! MissW I also struggle to see small screens without my specs, I've been running in my prescription sun glasses in case I want to look at my phone. The main problem I find is Laura just disappears if I so much as blow on my arm band, then I have to stop to get the podcast going again, so I usually just set her off then don't touch anything again until I'm finished. ATM I'm still only just starting week , so times/speed are not all that important, I'm really thinking for later on...

[sprynn Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You can run multiple aps at the same time, so have a look at Wahoo - I use this one just as they have a very big display of the pace and distance, but I have Runkeeper running in the background as well to log the runs, but the displays numbers are tiny so no good for checking as you run. I am sure you will find the right solution soon with all these great solutions.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Go to settings and turn Voice Feedback on, then you should have it.

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

I have had Runkeeper set to tell me the distance and average pace every quarter of a Klm. HOWEVER-- I am now intending to cease doing that and am running purely to what my body is telling me and analyse the run when I get home. Most of my runs now I want to be "easy" runs - and I am using techniques like nose breathing to keep my pace down to a "conversational" pace, regardless of what that pace is.