NRC accuracy and shoes.... 🤔: OK.... two... - Couch to 5K

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NRC accuracy and shoes.... 🤔

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate
17 Replies

OK.... two completely unrelated questions here but hey ho!

Firstly - can anyone enlighten me on the accuracy of the NRC app. I ran today using my samsung active watch as usual, but also used the NRC app for a guided run. Really enjoyed the run, but I was a bit thrown to see that there was a huge difference (about 1km) in the distance that my watch and the app recorded. I've decided to go with my watch (which is lower and more realistic) but wondered if anyone could shed any light?!

Secondly... I promised myself a few months back that when I finished C25K I would treat myself to some new running shoes (has this old pair for years)... but the running shoe world is alien to me and I end up tying myself in knots. I would like a good reliable pair of shoes without breaking the bank, so im thinking somewhere in the mid price range is a good point (can always upgrade again next target right?!)... but any recommendations before I take the plunge?!

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Jamicharla profile image
Jamicharla
Graduate
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17 Replies
Bluedanubein profile image
BluedanubeinGraduate

I once tried NRC, Strava and my Fitbit for the same run and all 3 were different despite using all the same GPS (on my iphone)! Doesn’t answer your question though.

Regarding shoes, I am sure members would advise you to go to a running shop who can help with a gait analysis and recommend the right shoes. I concur with that. My local shop was fantastic and showed me shoes in quite a wide price range and also had a guarantee of price match if you find it cheaper online (gait analysis was included without charge). I ended up buying what felt best than the price though they were not the most expensive pair.

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate in reply to Bluedanubein

Ahhhaaa - that's very interesting! I was just surprised it was such a big difference, but given that I have used my watch from day 1, I am happy to go by that.... if I'm covering more thats an added bonus! 😜

Thanks for the tips on the shoes - I was thinking it probably makes more sense to just brave the shops!!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to Bluedanubein

Interestingly the same device can give different apps different data! They will all be asking for location every second, few seconds, or more... and that will produce slightly different results... though I wouldn’t expect one to be consistently better than the other in that case. Not sure how often these apps each request location, but more often doesn’t necessarily produce less error, so it’s not that important.

SpongePot profile image
SpongePotGraduate

I think u are a beginner like me I feel less lonely now ! I finish my C25K on the 18th . As you I decided to buy some running shoes and I went to a running shop and I did the Gail test, so u can understand your running and try different shoes and run and see which one are the most suitable. I bought brooks ghost 12 and I love them , so light and feel like I have cloud on my feet

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate in reply to SpongePot

Hi SpongePot! Yep not long graduated either! Nice to have people who are around the same milestones🤗 i think a new pair of shoes is a great reward for completing the programme! Glad you found yours! Looks like the shops are the way forward!

SpongePot profile image
SpongePotGraduate in reply to Jamicharla

Yes I learn especially talking in this catch and in the running community on Facebook that is important invest in good shoes .. to avoid injuries and etc... keep me update ! I am looking already for trail shoes

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

NRC on my iPhone is more accurate that my Garmin... and when I put this to Garmin they said that is what they’d expect as it can use the mobile network to assist location gathering, and they said in airplane mode they’d expect the two to be very similar. Apple Watch is less accurate than iPhone if alone, if the phone is on the run they should be the same. I don’t know anything about the Samsung active, but I’d imagine it’s going to be the same story there.

Shoes... yep, the store doing gait analysis will have shoes in different price ranges and should discuss budget as part of the process.

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

So this is interesting as I take my phone with me on the run 😂 I'm not massively concerned, just seems odd!

Thanks for the shoe tips! Sounds good to me!

SamiaT profile image
SamiaTGraduate

I've noticed a big difference between my runkeeper app and Nike run app. Nike app always shows more ground covered and faster pace compared to runkeeper. I dont know which is accurate.

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate in reply to SamiaT

Sounds similar then! Let me know if you get any clarity!!

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate

Hi lovely

Did you get your shoes?..... You know its custom to post a photograph of them! :-)

If so have you been out in them yet?..... They feel amazing don't they?... so different!

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate in reply to Tinytears60

Ah thanks for checking in! I was away for a week so took a week off and been back to it again the past week. Could not decide what to do about the trainers (my daughter tells me I should treat myself more!), but my other ones were falling apart, so i just bought a replacement pair to keep me going, which are serving me well for now... am planning to splash out on a really nice pair when I reach my next goal.... 10km!

Hope you are getting on OK?

Tinytears60 profile image
Tinytears60Graduate in reply to Jamicharla

As mums we don’t treat ourselves enough yet I’m constantly treating my girls and my grandson 👏👏

The running shoes make such a difference... before I got mine I was thinking.. ‘they can’t be that different surely?’

But they actually are-

I’m doing a few 5k’s .. not always .. and still finding it a challenge so happy to be able to run tho.. feel good factor is amazing 👌💕

Chicken1966 profile image
Chicken1966Graduate

I find that on my watch when i view the map the gps comes and goes and has me cutting corners where as NRC on my phone appears to be accurate to the route I took.

The last one i did is a difference of 2-300 meters but I rely on the one on my phone as accurate

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate in reply to Chicken1966

Thank you for the advice! From what I can tell both maps seem to record accurately (I do have one route where my watch always thinks I'm taking strange eoutes!) But useful to know that the phone is more accurate for you!

Joeys86 profile image
Joeys86Graduate

I use NRC and my Apple Watch. NRC gives more than the Apple Watch. I looked at my route on Google Maps and its generally the same as NRC gives so I go with that ☺️.

Jamicharla profile image
JamicharlaGraduate in reply to Joeys86

I like your thinking! I would happily take what the NRC gives me!!

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