Running Apps

[Lady-B]

Hello! Can anyone recommend a good running tracker app to accompany my C25k journey? I don’t want anything flashy, just something to track my distance and pace. I don’t fancy the ones that put you in completion with others or advertising my every movement! I have just completed W4 run 2 and interested to see in KM’s how I’m doing!

[Hidden]

I run with the basic (free version) Strava app. I use the high privacy settings and don’t use the ‘follow’ option, so it just records me and my runs and only I can see it. It’s working well for me and it’s nice to see the progress. Good luck 😉

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you - that sound exactly what I need! Thanks for the advice 👍🏻

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

HI Lady-B ...have you had a look at Strava?? That’s not flashy at all and there’s loads of people on there, just gives exactly that, pace, distance & HR sounds like that might be ok for you 😉

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you too! Sounds like Strava is a good one! 👌🏻😊

[Hidden]

Another vote for Strava here, put it on private and it’s only you that can see your activities, also tells you your yearly and all time distance, I’ve heard map my run is good too but I don’t know as I’ve not used that 👍

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊

[Speedy60 Graduate]

Free strava for me too 👍

The only thing that I would caution is not to get into a competition with yourself! I made that mistake for the first few weeks because it 'rewards' personal best times over distance, which can be a quick way to the injury couch. Overall a good experience though, reliable, no adverts or nuisance emails.

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

Thank you too 😊

[Buddy34 Graduate]

I also used Strava the free version and runs alongside c25k no problem. Just start and stop it 😊

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to Buddy34]

Great, thank you 😊

[F1ipperation Graduate]

Strava for me too - I have very low privacy settings and have had no problems for over a year now - it is also a fantastic social running app with lots of support from followers from the HU site (including admin)👍🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️💥

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to F1ipperation]

Perfect, thank you too 😊

[F1ipperation Graduate in reply to Lady-B]

Also look out for the NHS C25K group on Strava- you may recognise some peeps on there and it’s full of help and advice. Happy running 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Alast]

I'm different (it's been said before) and use Map My Run, the free version. That plays (happily and silently) in the background and records what I want to know. I have it set to private, so there's no sharing and no external competition. I also find it a useful way of stopping me competing with myself as when I do a run and find it more difficult than last time, I can check my pace. Usually I find that the more difficult run was at a faster pace so I know that next time I have to concentrate on slowing down! Mind you I am an engineer, and so I love data & information, but have to remind myself that there are also variables (weather, wind etc.) that will affect the outcome of a run, so you can't directly compare everything.

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to Alast]

Thanks for the tips. The pace is one of the things I want to check, exactly as you said, to check if changing pace is the reason why some of the same runs seem harder than the same one before (or after)! ☺️

[mom24uk Graduate]

I'm a strava user too with all settings on private. I like that I can add notes on it so I can see how I was feeling etc. It's also linked to my fitbit.

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to mom24uk]

Thank you 😊 Definitely giving the free Strava a go! Thanks everyone!!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

Enjoy your journey.

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you - I am enjoying it so far and thank you for the link. I did read this at the beginning but it was a good re-read being half way through and has real meaning now I’m in the thick of the programme. I love it though and definitely hope to continue running beyond this. 😁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

I use Nike Run Club... that’s 99% private as they don’t share data, routes, or pace ever, though you can choose to share milage with friends. It has no segments, doesn’t tell you you just missed a PB, and has guided runs with coaches in your ears to keep you running the right way. All this is for going forwards... as you go through C25K the person you don’t want seeing pace and distance stats is yourself as they don’t matter... so whatever app you use to track, don’t give those stats a second thought.

[Lady-B Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you that’s good advice. I certainly am not a stats person at the moment! Just interested in how far I’m running each time now. The fact each week I’m running for longer than I ever thought I could is fantastic! ☺️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Lady-B]

Yeah... it was great to look back a few months later and see my progress, but during the plan the only stat that matters is the minutes.