What App do you use to track your running?

I use Runmeter. I've used it for a long time and really like it, but I think there are a lot of others that might have more features.

Along with OP's question, does anyone know if there is a running app that gives directions? My running club has crazy routes and I always get lost. I'd love to program something in and be able to have the app be able to tell me where to turn.

I want to be able to track my running but there are so many apps out there for this.

Which is a pretty good one to go with, I want something that is accurate not an estimate.

Thanks!

No app will be accurate, it'll be kind of close. The gps in cell phones isn't designed to work in that way and it will always overestimate your distance (so it will say 1.0 mile when you've really gone say 0.93). If you want accuracy, you need to invest in a gps watch like a Garmin.

I use Runmeter. I've used it for a long time and really like it, but I think there are a lot of others that might have more features.

Along with OP's question, does anyone know if there is a running app that gives directions? My running club has crazy routes and I always get lost. I'd love to program something in and be able to have the app be able to tell me where to turn.

How does your running club give you the route? Ours puts them out on mapmyrun and I can send it to my cell phone...then if I get lost, I just open the app and that route/course and it'll show me where I am in relation to the course. I suppose you could just run that course with the app going, but I don't since I run with my Garmin.

My run club also puts them on map my run. I'm new to the club and I don't know all the routes yet and many of the streets change names multiple times, so opening the map on my phone and trying to read it can be hard. I'd love an app that just says "turn left on 43rd St in 200 yards" if one exists.

I use Map My Run for the IPhone. I like it but it underestimates my calories compared to my HRM. I also need to figure out if it can keep the screen on because if I am running just the app, the phone locks and I would like to be able look and see the distance and time without having the turn the phone back on.

Anyone know is it does that or does Runkeeper?

I use Endomondo, which tracks running and many other activities, It also connects and shares with myfitnesspal

Runtastic or runkeeper

I use the Nike+ sports watch. It has a built in TomTom GPS and it syncs with a Polar heart rate monitor (sold separately) and shoe sensor. I'm a data geek myself, so I love the tracking perspective. It allows me to track my splits vs previous runs, track speed vs elevation change etc. I expect its accuracy is about as good as it gets. I don't know anything that's going to be more accurate anyway. Its a bit pricey, but mine lasted over 225 runs and nearly 800 miles before the band started to break. A call into the nike support center and few days later, I had a brand new replacement free of charge. My only wish is that it could sync with MyFitnessPal. Maybe one day...

I use mapmyrun and endomondo... Endomondo is very accurate every time I've run, just turn my GPS on and it does it's thing, even as far as my placement on the street...

I use Nike+, because I like the challenges I can set myself and being able to level up. Plus, I just like the UI.

Which is a pretty good one to go with, I want something that is accurate not an estimate.

There are four main options; Runkeeper, Runtastic, Endomondo and MapMyFitness which is a suite of apps. I've used all four on iPhone and Android and now use Runkeeper and Endomondo together on Android now.

As far as tracking is concerned they're all much the same. They rely on the phone GPS and work off that signal, so you're really then just into app stability and how the app adds value to the GPS data. They're all subject to the same issues as far as rain and vegitation cover are conserned, both of which reduce GPS accuracy.

In my experience:

Runkeeper - Generally stable and quite easy to use. Recent changes to the app have made it slower to access historial sessions, by adding a couple of steps. Coaching is pretty flexible and you have access to a range of training plans, none of which are particularly ground breaking but they're pre-programmed. The web site is pretty easy to use and there are a range of applications and services that run off the underlying logic, including MFP integration. I use one app to track my shoe mileage.

Runtastic. - Stable enough although I've found it sometimes stops randomly. Voice coaching is limited to the premium version only. I find the website a bit busy and while it's got useful analysis tools they are all hobbled uless one takes out the premium version. I'd also say that the premium version is quite expensive.

Endomondo - Stable, I haven't had any issues at all with it, the free version is caable enough and the premium version gives access to training plans that are dynamic inasmuch as they'll account for performance and adherence to the plan then modify accordingly. One frustration is that the map always defaults to a full map when I'm out and I end up having to zoom in, subject to network coverage that can be a bit slow. the website is quite easy to use and has some very powerful analytics and tagging. It has a database of routes to either compare yourself against or just to navigate against.

Mapmyfitness - When it works it's pretty capable as an app, but I've found consistent stability problems on iPhone and Android. I find the website very cluttered as well, so not a particularly pleasant user experience.

To an extent it can depend on critical mass of users, I have a number of friends on Runkeeper, so that ends to be a focus.

I agree with this. Most of the apps will be fairly close in accuracy. A dedicated GPS will be better for tracking distance (but keep in mind there is still an accepted degree of error with GPS. We have a Boston certified marathon course that is measured exactly and get complaints about discrepencies with people's Garmins :laugh: )

All of the apps are fairly similar. I personally used MapMyRun before getting my Garmin.

The course is accurate, if you run the tangents. That's how the courses are measured. No normal recreational runner is doing that though, we're swerving to get around people, to go to the side at aid stations, drifting left and right a bit, so that's why we end up with 26.4 and not 26.2 for example. The course is accurate, we just actually run a bit more than we have to.