Novice runner

giveitholly

Not sure if this is the best place to post but anyway I've started taking up running to try keep myself someway in shape. Anyway I run forest trails and roads so I have no idea what distance I do,I just run til I can't go anymore,just wondering is there any apps I could get for my fone that would track the distance I covered and the time I do it in

highwaymaniac

Try Strava. Very good and easy to use.

giveitholly

highwaymaniac wrote: »

Try Strava. Very good and easy to use.

Cheers thanks,will have a look at it

Alf Veedersane

Strava is probably the best one.

There's also MapMyRun but I'm not sure how it compares.

giveitholly

highwaymaniac wrote: »

Try Strava. Very good and easy to use.

would you need good phone coverage for this app to work,the trails i plan to run have very poor and sometimes no phone coverage

Alf Veedersane

giveitholly wrote: »

would you need good phone coverage for this app to work,the trails i plan to run have very poor and sometimes no phone coverage

I had wondered that myself but apparently so:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Strava/comments/6200so/using_strava_without_mobile_data/

Mellor

giveitholly wrote: »

would you need good phone coverage for this app to work,the trails i plan to run have very poor and sometimes no phone coverage

No coverage needed. Phones mainly use GPS to track data, not mobile data.
It will need to get data eventually to sync to your account, but you could run with data turnd off and it woulf still work

aquinn

If you are enjoying the running you might consider a running watch and then not worry about the phone getting wet or dropping it? My phone died of boob sweat recently which is why I mention it.

dc rainmaker does great reviews from tom tom to Garmin.

The fitbit will also track if you already have one? I don't use it but people do.

giveitholly

aquinn wrote: »

If you are enjoying the running you might consider a running watch and then not worry about the phone getting wet or dropping it? My phone died of boob sweat recently which is why I mention it.

dc rainmaker does great reviews from tom tom to Garmin.

The fitbit will also track if you already have one? I don't use it but people do.

was looking at the fitbits alright but they look expensive,over 100 euro,or else i was only looking at the expensive ones! how much did you pay for your running watch and what does it do for you,does it tell you the distance covered and the time it took you?

aquinn

giveitholly wrote: »

was looking at the fitbits alright but they look expensive,over 100 euro,or else i was only looking at the expensive ones! how much did you pay for your running watch and what does it do for you,does it tell you the distance covered and the time it took you?

My first garmin came from China from Amazon and it was great. Lasted years and even with the sellotape it was super.

Have a look around for second hand ones or keep an eye on the gear and equipment thread here.

The new watch I have 2 or 3 years now and it is great. I got a separate HR strap but they now have them built in.

The garmin tracks distance, pace, time, HR. You can set it up for intervals and sessions.

If you have one for all vouchers you can use them to buy any of the products or have a look online. Amazon prime day has good deals.

Check out the runhub and local run shops too and see what they have and what they can do for you.

If enjoying the running ensure your footwear is suitable for your running gait. More money but well spent so you prevent injury and are running in the correct runners for your style.

Go to a reputable running store. They themselves are super runners but extremely willing to help and assist.

Labcoats and Running Shoes

giveitholly wrote: »

was looking at the fitbits alright but they look expensive,over 100 euro,or else i was only looking at the expensive ones! how much did you pay for your running watch and what does it do for you,does it tell you the distance covered and the time it took you?

I had a fitbit charge HR for a while. It measured sleep, steps, heart-rate, etc. It was grand but was really looking crummy after a year's hard wear! I got rid of it and now I have a Garmin 920xt and a heart rate monitor strap. I preferred this one because I got into doing triathlon and the Garmin 920 has the triathlon option plus it will measure swim distances etc. I can't talk about all sports watches but here's what my Garmin measures (with HRM strap):

-HRM (obviously)
-Distance
-Time
-Pace (overall and per mile/km/whatever distance you choose)
-Training effect (this tells you how the accumulated intensity affects your aerobic fitness)
-Run cadence
-Stride length
-Vertical ratio and oscillation
-Ground contact time
-Elevation gain/loss
-Calories burnt

You don't need all the metrics but I find them really really interesting. You can also programme a route into the watch so it'll direct you where to go. I have also programmed in some workouts eg. intervals, fast finish runs, temp runs, etc. The watch is synced with my phone so it'll buzz when I get a text or things like that. With all of that, you can imagine the watch and strap aren't cheap! The two together cost me about $450 (I got the US version because it was cheaper). Garmin do have other, less expensive models. I'm sure there are ones that aren't waterproof/don't track swimming etc. and they would be cheaper.

GalwayGrrrrrl

A cheaper option that doesn't rely on GPS/mobile signal is the Fitbit zip. It's like a pedometer that clips onto your waistband. Syncs to your phone but you can do that at home after run. I use it for walking and running and it's pretty accurate with distance covered. Costs around 50 euro and I've had mine over two years.