Runners - what do you use to track speed/mileage?

elfpearl
elfpearl Posts: 191
in Fitness and Exercise
I am trying to decide what I should get to start tracking my miles...cost is definitely an issue, but I also want accuracy. Just curious what everyone on here is using? My running partner has an iPhone which is awesome when we run together, but when I'm on my own I have just been using a stopwatch and then using Google Maps, which isn't always the most accurate. I would love an iPhone but can't really afford the data plan. So...fill me in. What do you use to track your mileage and speed, and how do you like it?

Replies

  • cisbrane
    cisbrane Posts: 7 Member
    Well, I guess your friend may be using Strava or similar apps on the iPhone. I use Strava to track my biking on my Android. But if you can't afford an iPhone, what about Garmin Forerunner watches? Though, they are not cheap either. Maybe you can get a cheap pedometer to track distance, and then time your runs with stop watch to figure out average speed.
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
    I use Runkeeper app on my droid phone.

    My coworker who only has a regular phone (not smart) just uses a timer and then goes to www.logyourrun.com to plot out her mileage.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    Now, I use Runkeeper on my droid. Before I had a smartphone, I used the stopwatch on my stupidphone and plotted the map on Runkeeper's website.
  • ScatteredThoughts
    ScatteredThoughts Posts: 3,562 Member
    At first I was also estimating distnace using Google Maps. Now I use Endomondo Pro on my android smartphone. I don't have a data plan, but it records everything fine with the GPS, and it syncs up the details when I connect to the wireless at home afterwards.
  • ameliaannakin
    ameliaannakin Posts: 344 Member
    I use a Garmin Forerunner 10 watch. It is the most basic in the range but does everything that I need it to - tracks the mileage, distance, maps the route, calorie consumption, has a pacer... it's really good :). It was about £90 for Tesco but its well worth it :).

    Ax
  • busycitystreets
    busycitystreets Posts: 64 Member
    Www.mapmyrun.com

    You go for your run and come home and track the route on your computer. Don't have to run with anything!
    From this, you can use simple math to calculate your pace based on how long it took you....etc
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  • strongnotskinny121
    strongnotskinny121 Posts: 329 Member
    I love Runkeeper! Cheap and accurate! less than $2 and it works even out in booneys where I run.
  • youareorange
    youareorange Posts: 74 Member
    I used Google Maps for a while. I run on a track so I track mileage that way. As for speed, I base it on how fast I run a 5K, 10K.
  • horseplaypen
    horseplaypen Posts: 442 Member
    Www.mapmyrun.com

    You go for your run and come home and track the route on your computer. Don't have to run with anything!
    From this, you can use simple math to calculate your pace based on how long it took you....etc

    That's exactly what I do. I don't have a smartphone either. I've heard you can use the accelerometer with an iPod and Nike+, but it was way, way inaccurate when I tried it. :)
  • summertime_girl
    summertime_girl Posts: 3,945 Member
    I have a Garmin, and I also use LogYourRun on my iPhone.
  • Dark_Roast
    Dark_Roast Posts: 17,689 Member
    I use Nike+, and when I'm not 'tracking' my runs I use Endomondo on my smartphone.
  • Leeann1979
    Leeann1979 Posts: 1,090 Member
    I use Endomondo Pro on my android. I also used Cardio Trainer for a while, which was free and worked great.
    You could get a GPS watch. I saw one at a local running store here for $79. Not sure how great it is, but not too pricey.
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    I use Nike+ ap on my ipod, but I am fairly certain it overestimates the distance I run. I run the same route but get a different distance logged each time, and the variance can be quite wide ranging.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    I don't have a smartphone, so I use DailyMile to plot my routes and save my run data. I use the stopwatch on my HRM watch. The site calculates pace, etc based on my distance and the time from my HRM.
  • MIssFinny
    MIssFinny Posts: 194 Member
    I use mapmyrun.com (free) and then I log my runs with runner's world basic training log (also free). Mapping sites powered by Google are extremely reliable. I plan my route before I leave, so I already know the distance (if I do deviate, I just tweak my map a little). I recently stopped using/bothering with GPS apps and what not. Now, instead of worrying about my phone, I just log my run on runners world and I'm done. Their log tells you pace and other such things. I've found that I'm far less distracted before, during, and after my runs since I have stopped using my phone as a running tool.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Runtastic app. The free version. It tracks average speed, distance, elevation changes average pace, calories burned are not correct though. You want to go back and check your route on any given day, its their. It allows you to check others routes that have been logged by others. Lisdten to music on your phone while it talks to you with distance markers and such.

    If you upgrade it has a ton of things like your friends could actually track you on their computer and cheer you on which you would hear through your phone. haha

    On the website there are so many stats for your runs, monthly stats.

    I can't recommend it enough for a free app.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Runkeeper is awesome for that, and if you don't have a phone to take with you, you can map your route out online on their website and manually log time and distance that way.

    Otherwise I use Nike+ and Runkeeper on the my iPhone when I run.
  • stmcfred
    stmcfred Posts: 78 Member
    I use runkeeper.
  • HonoriaLucasta
    HonoriaLucasta Posts: 24 Member
    I use RunKeeper on my phone, but you could totally get by with just plotting your course in MapMyRun beforehand if you don't have a smartphone. It works really well for trying to find a change of scenery for your running route, too.
  • camrunner
    camrunner Posts: 363
    I use a Garmin Forerunner 110. Think it was like $180 but I know there are cheaper versions. I never wanted to have to carry my phone on long runs, so it's perfect for me.

    If you're really looking to save money though, you should probably just use a regular watch with a chrono and run somewhere with measured distances or run on a road where you can map your route online or drive it.
  • ThickMcRunFast
    ThickMcRunFast Posts: 22,511 Member
    I used mapmyrun for a while.

    Finally sprung for a Garmin Forerunner 610 when they were on sale at REI. Best $250 I've ever spent, but probably overkill if you're not racking up the miles for some race training.
  • elfpearl
    elfpearl Posts: 191
    Wow, thanks everybody...lots of methods to choose from it looks like!! I will definitely check out Runkeeper and MapMyRun...between those and a stopwatch I should save myself the cost of a GPS watch/smartphone, etc.
  • Painterdee
    Painterdee Posts: 18 Member
    I started out with the iPod and Nike+ and like others have said, it was not as accurate. Then I got a sport watch at a sports store for around $60-70 that allowed me to track laps.....which is good on a track OR if you go on mapmyrun and figure out where you will go BEFORE you go out. I memorized each mile mark and would hit it as a lap. THEN I finally sprung for the basic Garmin 10 (for women). Actually I requested it for Christmas! I love it. It's not too complicated and very accurate. It even has a virtual trainer that you set to the pace you want to stay at and it will beep if you are under or over pace. This one is also smaller than most gps watches out there. That was important to me cause I have very small wrists and didn't want an annoying thing swinging around on me! The cost was very reasonable....maybe you have a birthday coming? It cost around $130. Good luck. (I wish I was on MFP before my other purchases!)
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I use Endomondo. It feeds directly into MFP and works from my smartphone. I'm thinking about getting a Garmin GPS watch, because they feed into Endomondo, and would also feed into MFP.
  • algebravoodoo
    algebravoodoo Posts: 776 Member
    Runkeeper has a free and a paid version. I went ahead and got the paid version for a year to see if I liked it.

    So far... ehhh it's okay, but I'm not sure I train hard enough for it to be $20 worth of okay.

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