Graduate fed up with C25K App - looking for de... - Couch to 5K

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Graduate fed up with C25K App - looking for decent timer app for Android

StatusBaby profile image
StatusBabyGraduate
5 Replies

I'm still running 3 times a week but getting sick of the repetition from the C25K app, which is saying the wring things for me now - telling me to slow down rather than speed up.

I'm looking for a simple app that will replicate the C25K time periods - 5 mins warm up walk - a bleep every five minutes, preferably with a bleep on 29 minutes (the 1 minute to go notification) and then a 5 minute warm down - in other words the same notifications as a W9R3 run on C25K.

So far I have tried a few timer apps - and have had various problems - some stop/pause when interrupted by a text message, some stop/pause when the phone screen goes off, some stop/pause for no discernable reason.

I don't want to use Runtastic which seems to have been hijacked by Adidas, and I've previously tried Strava and couldn't get on with that.

The latest app I've used is Interval Timer - worked great when trialing it on my desk, but out running it has now failed twice - stopping or pausing or failing to sound for no apparent reason.

Has anyone discovered a robust timer that doesn't want to take over my phone, or make me part of a "club", that is reliable despite incoming alerts, and keeps working in the background?

It really doesn't sound that much to ask - but after trying 4 or 5 apps I'm beginning to wonder.

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StatusBaby profile image
StatusBaby
Graduate
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5 Replies
Chocs_away profile image
Chocs_awayGraduate

Hello, I was having issues with apps stopping or crashing - it seems resolved now -

1) for the app, check its settings allow it to keep running in the background

2) make sure your phone is well charged

3) turn phone battery settings to best performance option, turn off auto battery saver etc.

I hope some of these may help - I'm using the NHS android app at the moment, having had no luck before these changes have meant no issues.

peaplodder profile image
peaplodder

Have you tried the Gymboss app ? I find it works well.

Have you tried the three stepping stones podcasts, C25K+? They might help, I have yet to do them personally.

The app I used to use before finding C25K was called Seconds Pro.

DellBoy8100 profile image
DellBoy8100Graduate

I've used Sportractive which does allow you to set your own training schedules based on time and/or distance with audible notifications of each period. You also set a pace with these but I haven't found whether you can alter these. The result is that during a walking period, set as slow, it will tell you to slow down if you're brisk walking. Also gives info every km.

StatusBaby profile image
StatusBabyGraduate

Many thanks for the tips and advice - if anyone has any other suggestions please go on and let me know! My next run is tomorrow so I'll have a look at the suggested apps and try them out.

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