Best run tracking devices - recommendations please?

[Jacqx]

I’m currently running 30mins x 3 a week having graduated from c25 2 weeks ago

I use the Nike run app as I like the idea of a voice telling me at my times etc at intervals

I’ve been taken different road routes each time & been despondent as despite feeling like I’m running a tad faster my speed is shown as a considerably slower than I was 2 weeks ago

I hadn’t expected much difference in 2 weeks but miffed to be getting slower, and my run today was definitely 3 miles by car but registered at 1.9km on the Nike run app

I like to see my route & the statistics on a screen when I get home, have an ongoing record for comparisons, and a voice coach - at least telling me at 10min intervals & 1/2 way - with my own music playlists

I currently use the Nike app with Spotify on my iPhone (it’s relatively new & an 11) I put it in a waistband pouch for my runs

I have a birthday looming & so whatever could be a gift to myself or from family 😊

I’m female, 63 and only use technology for leisure - love gadgets but only good quality not gimmicks

Any suggestions please?

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Get the Garmin 45s.

With regards your progress, you’ve only just started! Progress takes months and years. Slow down considerably on most of your runs so you accumulate less fatigue. Once every week or two, try some hills or interval training. This is a better balance of training. Slow running actually helps you speed up 👌🏽

[alpacagirl Graduate]

Get an Apple Watch it works brilliantly with the iPhone and will do all you want it to do. I had the budget SE for Christmas and i am very pleased with it.

[Jericho2332 Graduate]

If your taking your phone Strava is much more accurate than NRC.

[Rennur Graduate]

You probably pushed yourself during C25K. Now you are discovering your real Baseline pace. You will also discover that after Consolidation you can run further for longer. Speed will come later. You can actually train for speed but first concentrate on Consolidation and after that distance and only after that speed (and more distance!). Consolidation can seem strange. Dont fret. Soon(ish) you will be moving on. You can't run before you can erm jog slowly...

[nowster Graduate]

I totally agree with Rennur here. If you want to go fast, go slow and long. It sounds daft, but it works.

But you've only just started. As a recent graduate of C25K, you've only done about 8 hours of running in the 9 "weeks". You're still in prime injury territory.

Consolidation for a few weeks is the key now. More runs near the 30 minute duration. They don't have to be fast. They don't have to be 5km. You can do many different styles (slow jog, fartlek, speed intervals, run+walk). If you do go faster, make the run shorter.

Have at least one "just easy jogging for the fun of it" run a week where you just go out without any pressure to do any distance, speed or time (but no more than 30 minutes).

And when you've done that, hop over to the "Bridge to 10K" forum here.

PS. You forgot to grab your graduation badge: healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

[Tasha99 Graduate]

Do not get an Apple Watch! Very inaccurate at recording times and distances! Touch screen is hard to work in the rain too. I got rid of mine and got a much cheaper but much more accurate garmin!

[alpacagirl Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

Sorry you didn’t have a good experience with Apple Watch - I beg to differ - mine does seem to be accurate as it gives exactly the same distance as Strava (I’ve tried them both over the same route) as Jacqx has an iPhone it does make sense to have an Apple Watch. I haven’t had a problem with the touch screen either even in the rain. Each to their own🤣

[Slothgoesrunning Graduate]

I had a Fitbit but they don’t last and I wanted to be able to see stats as well as hear them. I now have Garmin vivoactive 4s - it very accurate, lots of features and look great (more like a watch than some other models). I use it together with map my run.

[alpacagirl Graduate]

Not a racer and not sure Jacqx is either. I am a 63 year old female too - I guess I was responding to that!

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Another vote here for the Garmin Forerunner 45s. I love it.

The GPS is really accurate and it links seamlessly to the free Strava app if you want to use that alongside Garmin’s own tracking. It does everything I need without breaking the bank and I’d buy it again tomorrow. Happy shopping!