Favorite Run/Walk Tracking App

[AuroraKat]

Soon I will be cleared by my physical therapist to start running again (slowly, very slowly...). I am very excited! Previously, I didn't use any apps or other tech to track my runs. But, considering that I will have to restart my training, I feel it will be beneficial to have data to analyze. Plus, I love data. 

I downloaded three apps - Runtastic, Runkeeper and MapMyRun. I figure that right now is a good time to test them out during my walks before I begin training. 

Do you have a favorite Run/Walk Tracking app? What do you like about it? Do you sync Fitbit to the app? I'd love to hear your experiences with running/walking apps!

[shipo]

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@AuroraKat wrote:

Soon I will be cleared by my physical therapist to start running again (slowly, very slowly...). I am very excited! Previously, I didn't use any apps or other tech to track my runs. But, considering that I will have to restart my training, I feel it will be beneficial to have data to analyze. Plus, I love data. 

I downloaded three apps - Runtastic, Runkeeper and MapMyRun. I figure that right now is a good time to test them out during my walks before I begin training. 

Do you have a favorite Run/Walk Tracking app? What do you like about it? Do you sync Fitbit to the app? I'd love to hear your experiences with running/walking apps!

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Which Fitbit do you have?  I ask because if you have any of the units which track heart rate, then pretty much the only game in town is the Fitbit app for your Android or iPhone, which I use in combination with the web based dashboard at Fitbit.com.  Why?  As I understand it, much of the synchronized data, heart rate included, is not available to the other apps you've listed.

[AvyGyaru]

It doesn't sync to Fotbot, but I LOVE Zombies Run and Zombies Run 5k. I'm currently using the latter to prepare me for a 5k, but the former is just a great running app that includes a cool storyline. 

[AuroraKat]

@shipo I have the Blaze. I'll be wearing it on my runs and let it do its thing with hr monitoring, etc. 

The reason I want a dedicated run/walk tracking app is because I need to be taking notes after each run to track how my knee is feeling. I spent months in physical therapy and the last thing I want is to undo all the work I've done with my knee. Unfortunately, Fitbit doesn't have such functionality.

Additionally, I need to be able to map my runs. I live in a very hilly neighborhood and I will need to analyze each run to see how going uphill/downhill affects my knee. I know Blaze has a connected GPS functionality. But, to use it, I'll need to select the "Run" option. If I do that, I won't be able to rename this session to anything else but the generic "Run". A dedicated app will allow me to name my routes, so that I can analyze my stats based on how how hilly the run was and how my knee reacts to each specific route. 

I really wish Fitbit had this functionality. I hate using a ton of apps for the same thing. I hope that in the future, Fitbit will consider adding the "notes" option to each workout. Also, would be great if connected GPS of the Blaze wasn't limited to only "Run" or "Walk" options. Alternatively, let us rename every single workout no matter which option is chosen initially. 

@AvyGyaru I'll check out those apps, thanks for the recommendation! 

[AuroraKat]

Just want to update that I picked an app - Runtastic Pro ($5).

After trying out a bunch of them, I found that Runtastic Pro had all the features I want. Aside from everything the other apps offer, it had:

• excellent shoe tracking module (definitely the most detailed of any app I tried)
• speed info (in addition to pace) - I found that most walk/run apps only show pace, and even though I can calculate speed based on that, it's nice to have the data point in the app for analysis
• support for 3rd party HR trackers (I got the Polar H7) with detailed analysis without yearly premium subscription fees (MapMyRun does the same, but only if you pay $30/year for premium)
• great web interface (most apps have a web interface, but some are very minimalist)

I definitely recommend it! But, try the free version first to make sure you like it (that's what I did). 

It doesn't sync directly to Fitbit, but since I wasn't looking for this feature, I'm fine with that. However, there's a workaround for those who do want to transfer Runtastic stats over to Fitbit - connect Runtastic to MyFitnessPal and then sync MFP to Fitbit. This will import all the Runtastic workouts. 

[dragonpupps]

I just use Fitbit to track it. It's effectively the same, and it's all on your Fitbit account, so all the data is compiled together.