Running apps please ? : Loyal fan of Laura here... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,409 members158,562 posts

Running apps please ?

Northernspirit profile image
NorthernspiritGraduate
15 Replies

Loyal fan of Laura here! I have no plan to deviate and I can even cope with the musak! I would like to track my runs for distance, pace, etc but there are so many to choose from. Which are recommended? Which are tried and tested by fellow c25k-ers?! Something simple, I'm not likely to use every bit of data, just something to add insight and keep using post Laura. I'm on week 7, no way will be at 5k by week 9 so that's partly what I'd like to start working to. Ta!

Written by
Northernspirit profile image
Northernspirit
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
15 Replies
Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate

I use Runkeeper, it's a free app and gives you a nice little map of where you have been, distance plus your split times for each kilometre etc. You can get it to tell you at regular intervals how far you have run, split pace / speed etc. You can see progress run by run as it gives basic comparative data. If you also use a step tracker it wil upload your actual distance into it. It is of course only as good as your GPS signal at the time. I confess I ditched Laura after week 5 because I found it added more value.

Northernspirit profile image
NorthernspiritGraduate in reply to Coddfish

Thanks will check it out :)

goonkeepgoing profile image
goonkeepgoingGraduate

I use this too. Set it to get a signal whilst you are getting your shoes on or doing warm up. I've never had problems with the signal and I am in a rural area. Nice and simple and very motivational as you see your pace improving.

Northernspirit profile image
NorthernspiritGraduate in reply to goonkeepgoing

Thanks! Aaah...the rural area issue....signals are beyond crap here, but you never know. Defo looking in to this, ta

Dunder2004 profile image
Dunder2004Graduate in reply to Northernspirit

The apps use your phone's GPS beacon and as such the quality of the mobile coverage isn't a factor. In fact tall buildings cause problems for GPS devices and as such rural is better thn urban.

A good alternative to Runkeeper is My Tracks.

Runkeeper also , works pretty good mostly ,just odd days it does sync to the gps sat's live fairly rural also ..

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

As Coddfish says, a phone app is limited by the ability of your phone hardware, but even the dedicated running GPS watches are prone to occasional unreliable results. Runkeeper is user friendly, can be programmed with intervals. Endomondo does a better job of keeping track of your PBs. Strava gives you comparisons between yourself and other people running the same sections of your run. They all do a pretty good job and all have their limitations. Don't get hung up on the tech. The exercise is the most important part and it really does not matter how far or how fast you go, so long as you are out there. Good luck

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Another vote for Runkeeper here. Simple and normally reliable.

Northernspirit profile image
NorthernspiritGraduate

Thanks guys, all good advice as always! I'll have a go on my Sunday run, then it's on to week 8 next week. Who wudda believed it?! Me, a runner :) happy running everyone :)

old_git profile image
old_gitGraduate

Hi Northern Spirit, I think the main thing is to find something and stick with it. They all have some issues, however, its easier to monitor progress if you have consistent data, even if it is not 100% accurate.

I use Garmin and it sometimes shows me running through gardens ;-), but I like the way Garmin Connect lets me keep track and compare myself to others. It also links up to Strava. However, it isn't free. :-(

Regarding Laura, on my last run I used an mp3 with a one hour music mix at 160 bpm. It did help me to speed up a bit.

Good luck with whatever you use.

darkpeak profile image
darkpeakGraduate

I like runkeeper too, I find the motivational emails it sends you after a run quite encouraging and its super easy to use.

I also like strava for the social aspect but I don't use the app, I use tapiriik.com/ to sync between strava/runkeeper/garmin connect. Generally though I use Runmeter which is more complicated with more stats etc but can upload to strava if you upgrade it to the elite version.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate in reply to darkpeak

Motivational emails? I don't get those...

darkpeak profile image
darkpeakGraduate in reply to Curlygurly2

The ones where it tells you you did a new personal record/furthest distance/highest climb etc?

Looks like they can be turned on/off in the notification settings on the website.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate in reply to darkpeak

Thanks, I haven't seen the notifications settings either... I do get a weekly or is it monthly update on the site...

Northernspirit profile image
NorthernspiritGraduate

Thanks again all, will let you know which one I get on with :) like the idea of the emails they will keep me moving too!

You may also like...

Best app to map my runs? Your thoughts please!

about how I can map my runs as will be finishing week 9 once I am better and back into regular...

Running apps - what's the difference?

3 running apps that were recommended: MapMyRun, Strava and Runkeeper. I used them all today to...

running apps for technophobes

graduating I have been using W9R3 for consolidation runs but I am starting to feel like I need a...

good android app recommendation for tracking a run please

online & plot every step to find out the distance. any recommendations & what it does would be most...

App that announces distance run?

since I started the C25K. The help and support you guys give is awesome. I completed Week 9 Run 2...